FORUM NOTICE More SCAM Attempts -- Beware Phone TEXTS!! READ This Everybody!

[Forum Boss]

Two more scam attempts this week. The Modus Operandi is the same.

1. Would-Be Buyer posts in sale thread.
2. Would-Be Buyer has put his PHONE NUMBER or email in a prior post on this Forum, or another gun Forum.
3. Scammer sends a TEXT to buyer's phone claiming to be seller.
4. Scammer asks for PayPal Friends and Family (F&F) or Venmo F&F, or Zelle, or CashApp.
5. Would-Be Buyer thinks he is getting a bargain and sends money.... and then is ripped off with no recourse!

With F&F or Zelle or CashApp there is NO BUYER PROTECTION!! Got That?

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!
You have probably put your phone number somewhere in prior posts.

NEVER EVER Respond to an unsolicited text to your phone claiming to be a seller!

And for Goodness sake NEVER EVER use F&F or Zelle or CashApp.

If you get a text asking for F&F or ZELLE -- write down the phone number sending the text and REFUSE to pay a penny! Oh and check the number sending that text. The last scammer texted with a Kentucky area code claiming to be a seller from California. WAKE UP People! Do a 10 second search on the phone number!!

How to Protect Yourself
1. Before ANY sale you MUST make a VOICE phone call to the Seller to confirm. Voice call!!
That means getting the seller's phone number via PRIVATE MESSAGE and then call the guy!

2. Ask for custom photos, with the object in a different location.

3. NEVER pay with F&F or Zelle!

4. And right now -- go through your posting history and REMOVE Phone numbers!!!!

 

[Forum Boss]

Also, in the scam attempts I have investigated 90% of the time the Would-Be Buyer told me with confidence that he had NOT posted his phone number. But every single time I DID find his phone number in less than 20 seconds with a simple search on the Would-Be Buyer's Forum posting history.

So do a search on YOUR past posts AND your profile and REMOVE any and all phone numbers you posted!



Bottom Line Here -- If you receive ANY unsolicited text about a Forum Sale, you MUST assume it is from a SCAMMER. REFUSE to Send Money!!!

Then contact the real seller via Private Message INSIDE the Forum.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I have started putting the following text in my ads.

Please note, that I will only contact you by email or text AFTER sending a PM with my contact information and getting confirmation from you that that is how you wish to communicate. If you receive an email or text claiming to be me and giving you payment options and I have not sent you a PM, IT IS NOT ME! It is a scammer and please feel free to treat them accordingly.

I have also removed language that states "The first "I'll take it" gets it". The second you post something like that in a thread, you are just asking to get contacted by a scammer. If you want something, just send a PM.

 

[jds holler]

Just out of curiosity, I wonder if any of these scammers are ever silver/gold members?? jd

Forum Boss: From what we can tell the scammers are NOT Forum members. But typically they are outsiders (non members) who read sale threads and then send texts when a member has posted a phone number in past threads.

In a very few situations older accounts were hacked with stolen passwords -- typically used by a member on multiple Forums such as 24 hour Campfire.

 

[Forum Boss]

Bottom line here -- JUST MAKE A DAMN VOICE PHONE CALL to the seller.

I am not aware of a single member in the last 15 years who has lost a single penny who picked up his phone and actually called the real seller!

And if you see "F&F" in a request -- tell that person to go "F" himself.
Or if you see Zelle -- tell him to go to HELL.

Is the message clear now?

 

[Tesoro]

Bottom line here -- JUST MAKE A DAMN VOICE PHONE CALL to the seller.

I am not aware of a single member in the last 15 years who has lost a single penny who picked up his phone and actually called the seller!

And if you see "F&F" in a request -- tell that person to go "F" himself.
Or if you see Zelle -- tell him to go to HELL.

Is the message clear now?

>>>>. "JUST MAKE A DAMN VOICE PHONE CALL to the seller." 99% of scammers wont talk to you. Or they just had throat surgery or some other bs excuse.

 

[rlporter507]

I just bought a scope from a guy that answered my want to buy ad on another forum. Used the boss,s suggestions, pics with special notes, and called him. Got it no problem. Nice guy, now I have a new friend.

 

[ShaunW]

Thanks forum boss. I just searched and removed my number from all my forums. Didn’t realize I could do that type of search.

 

[hogpatrol]

It's amazing how many people post their complete name, address and phone number on this forum's profile posts. They might as well just start a thread that says SCAM ME. Like my dear departed dad used to say "Some people just have to learn the hard way". Over seven decades on this rock, it seems like more and more are choosing that method of education.