New Scam -- Bad Guy Sends Text Impersonating Real Seller

[Forum Boss]

Folks,
If you receive an unsolicited text relating to an item for Sale in this Forum -- DO NOT send any money!

Knowing that we ban VPNs and background check ALL signups, the bad guys have a new scam.

They read For Sale and WTB Threads. They can then do a web search if your name and city is on the web. It's not hard to find your phone number. Then they send a TEXT claiming to be the seller of an item and requesting payment.

That unsolicited text is 100% scam.

Normally the scammers ask for digital payment, but in one case they wanted a check. What they probably do then is modify the check to take more money and change the recipient.

Bottom line -- if you receive an unsolicited text about an item DO NOT SEND Money. Record the number and/or email and notify Forum Boss. Check with the real seller via Private message and then VOICE PHONE CALL.

 

[joshb]

Thanks Boss!!

 

[Forum Boss]

So that people understand, the scammers are targeting people who post in a For Sale thread that they want to buy an item listed for sale.

Or the scammer reads a Want to Buy thread and then claims he has the item the thread starter says he wants.

In both cases they are lying -- either by claiming to be the real seller or claiming to have the item.

To fight this:

1. NEVER EVER respond to an unsolicited text or email.

2. Do NOT EVER send money via Zelle, PayPal Friends & Family, CashApp, Apple Pay etc.

3. ALWAYS do a VOICE CALL. VOICE. Repeat that VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do not know a single Forum member who has been scammed that made a voice call.

----------
Understand that this is the internet and bad guys who are NOT registered can still see pages. We are considering closing the classifieds to non-registered members but that would dramatically reduce the amount of potential legitimate buyers for your stuff.

 

[hoz53]

ok ill blame this on being on here so long. i thought anybody with a screen name was registered and i thought you had to have a screen name to buy or even reply to an ad or a post for that matter. you dont need to answer this— ill go read the rules - thanks Boss

Forum Boss: You DO have to be registered to post or send a PM (private message). However, as this is the internet, non-registered ordinary people can read posts. If you have ever put your name in a post the bad guys can use free web services to find your phone number. And there have been massive data breaches (AT&T among them).

To explain again -- the bad guys are NOT registered members. But they are sending texts and emails pretending to be a legitimate member and seller. We cannot prevent a bad guy from sending you a text. A google search can be used to find your past posts where you may have listed your name and/or number.

As noted we are exploring the possibility of restricting viewing of classifieds to Registered Forum members, and maybe even to upgraded members only.

 

[Bill Norris]

As noted we are exploring the possibility of restricting viewing of classifieds to Registered Forum members, and maybe even to upgraded members only.

^^^^^^^ This would be a good idea. Do it Boss.

 

[nilebartram]

I agree with Bill Norris on the registered members restriction viewing.

 

[D Coots]

Yes to registered members, no to upgraded members. I found out recently it's impossible to protect some people from themselves. Don't be a fool, use your head. Some fool went for a scammer instead of looking at my history, or pm'ing me and asking for a phone number. You can't protect people from themselves....

Later
Dave

 

[M-61]

but that would dramatically reduce the amount of potential legitimate buyers for your stuff.

And the insane amount of time you spend on this problem.

Forum Boss: Yep, dealing with security issues (including background checking) 2-4 hours a day, every day of the year (including Christmas).

 

[paperpuncher]

This guy sums it up

 

[FNSafari]

Yes to registered members, no to upgraded members. I found out recently it's impossible to protect some people from themselves. Don't be a fool, use your head. Some fool went for a scammer instead of looking at my history, or pm'ing me and asking for a phone number. You can't protect people from themselves....

Later
Dave

Dave I agree 100%. But, I started a PM inquire to a rifle posted for sale here. Asked Qs like serial number, condition of bolt lugs, condition of lug seats in the action, stock condition....all of which were not addressed in the ad. I got partial answers and asked a second time for answers to the balance of my questions. Seller said action was sold. That's fine and am happy for him. But in addition to watching out for scammers, I also(we) need to have good hard info on condition before we commit to an expensive purchase. Some sellers just don't get that!

 

[D Coots]

No spring chicken here, at 77 I hope the ads I post have good info, and lately there's been many. A few times guys have pointed out things I forgot to put in the ad, I'm fine with that. Not a computer guru, but taking detailed pics and writing detailed ads make things easier for both parties involved. I try to do most of the dealing with a person through Pm's, not on the ad thread. Much easier for me to keep track of. I have messed up a couple of times though. Hopefully the folks that have bought from me are happy. There have been many good transactions with members here. Well over 100 of my friend Keith's stuff, and more to go.

PS....just revised one of my ads due to not putting all the info that was necessary in it...what a diptard....


Later

Dave

 

[Fclassfool]

Don't post your phone number on a open forum either send it IM.

 

[Muchinippi]

Dave, 100% satisfied, between you and the Forum Boss, great job getting the word out to all members. Dave, tell your brother to get better, praying for him.

 

[D Coots]

You have a pm Gunnzz1

 

[jwink]

I miss the good old days when a handshake or phone call was all it took to seal a deal and neither party even had it cross their mind to screw the other one. Those were good times.

 

[D Coots]

Mr Wink...Progress is our most important problem....

 

[jwink]

Mr Wink...Progress is our most important problem....

Very true, Coots