READ THIS NOW!!!!! NEVER use PayPal Friends & Family!!!!

[Forum Boss]

People, a long-term member's account was hacked in early January. We still don't know how, but it looks like a shared password with another Forum.

At least one Forum member has lost $700 on a fraudulent scope sale.

The buyer did not do a VOICE phone call because the seller claimed to be "mute" and not capable of talking. BS of course.

The buyer did not demand custom photos.

The buyer agreed to pay via PayPal "Friends & Family".

The buyer saw the seller's account had legit positive feedback, but you must remember that is not protection vs. a hacker.

People you have to understand that a valid account can be hacked. You MUST protect yourself!!
Assume that ANYone sending you a solicitation PM about a scope could be a felonious criminal scammer.

If the person demands to be paid by PP Friends and Family, or Zelle, or CashApp -- terminate the transaction immediately and notify Forum Boss.

 

[solocam808]

Thanks for the heads up. I’ve recently been seeing a bunch of requests for payment through Zelle and CashApp on other forums as well.

 

[brad6ppc]

Watch out for Applepay also. They want payment methods with no protection for the buyer.

 

[Forum Boss]

Folks, we are getting close to forbidding ALL optics sales initiated via PM.

When an account is hacked the bad guy(s) send out dozens of solicitations in a few hours.

I want to repeat in the strongest way possible. If you receive a private message attempting to sell a scope you MUST assume that that there is a good chance that sender of the message is a criminal hacker.

He is attempting to steal money from you. Therefore if you respond at all you must have a VOICE phone call. You must establish the person’s address. You must insist on custom photos.

 

[Forum Boss]

I also want to insist that all forum members immediately change their passwords if there was the tiniest possibility that you used the same password in the past on another forum. And you must change your password If it is very basic. Use a complex password and for the best security, use two-stage verification.

 

[Forum Boss]

I want to stress that the scammers are focusing on the optics because they can steal photos from the web. They also like this Forum because we have a trader feedback system and the reputation is excellent. But a couple times they have gotten in, we believe through shared passwords.

This means that potential buyers MUST be cautious. Again, if anybody sends you an unsolicited PM about a scope, then directs you to an email address, assume this is a fraud and contact Forum Boss immediately.

Again, for the nth time -- you MUST ABSOLUTELY do a VOICE phone call to protect yourself.

Every guy I know that got burned did NOT make a voice call and did NOT demand custom photo.

 

[Forum Boss]

We have identified one scammer source in New Jersey and will be contacting the FBI. Again, it appears that there have been shared passwords with some other Forums. Everything here is encrypted and behind a firewall.

I strongly urge All member to update their passwords.

And if someone sends you a PM about a scope:

1. Ignore the PM

or 2. If the PM directs you to an outside email address,

Respond that you want the seller's name, address, email address and phone number. Then send that information to Forum Boss.

3. If you are tempted by the offer, insist on a VOICE phone call, plus custom photos. If the voice call goes through Google Voice or some kind of forwarding, you should be very, very wary.

 

[benschott]

these words are gospel. NEVER, NEVER EVER use paypal friends and family!

 

[Annie4Me]

Thanks for your advice to us good guys
Much appreciated

 

[tillroot1]

Man, I'm glad I listened to you, I likely would have lost my money. Thank you!

 

[Chuckcraig]

You guys wanna buy a scope

 

[ISS]

Friends don't let friends even say that word...

ISS

 

[Coleridge]

I don't understand the thought that scammers focus on scopes because guns go through a FFL. If the azzhat isn't ever going to send anything at all; doesn't matter if it's a scope, gun, tank, or 40 acres of ocean front property in Arizona.

However, good reminder to look after yourself as a whole.

Forum Boss: With a gun sale it is reasonable to demand shipment FROM seller’s FFL to your FFL. You can then confirm existence of the rifle and its S/N before you send money. In addition, you can use GunTab.com as an Escrow service to protect yourself.

 

[Chuckcraig]

I don't understand the thought that scammers focus on scopes because guns go through a FFL. If the azzhat isn't ever going to send anything at all; doesn't matter if it's a scope, gun, tank, or 40 acres of ocean front property in Arizona.

However, good reminder to look after yourself as a whole.

Forum Boss: With a gun sale it is reasonable to demand shipment FROM seller’s FFL to your FFL. You can then confirm existence of the rifle and its S/N before you send money. In addition, you can use GunTab.com as an Escrow service to protect yourself.

It’s not just scopes

 

[jja600]

Somebody tried scamming me today. They some how got my cell number and text me claiming to be a member that I responded to regarding buying a scope. I asked for current pictures and a time to talk and they never would commit. BEWARE!!!!

 

[ballisticdaddy]

Somebody tried scamming me today. They some how got my cell number and text me claiming to be a member that I responded to regarding buying a scope. I asked for current pictures and a time to talk and they never would commit. BEWARE!!!!

When you go onto any public forum and offer your phone number it is no longer private, took me 2 minutes

Here is my number if you want to call me XXX-XXX-XXXX. I am in Thornton CO

John

 

[rijndael]

Somebody tried scamming me today. They some how got my cell number and text me claiming to be a member that I responded to regarding buying a scope. I asked for current pictures and a time to talk and they never would commit. BEWARE!!!!

I’ve seen an amazing number of people on this forum use Profile Posts like a Private Message. Phone numbers, addresses, etc

I think many members don’t understand them. I’m also of the mind that they should be disabled, globally.

 

[rijndael]

Here are the posts I'm referring to. Full names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. This is exactly how fraudsters get your data and message you personal with personal information. People likely don't know this is for everyone to see. I have Profile Posts disabled, but most don't.

This isn't some back door / hidden link I happen to know about. You click on Members -> New Profile Posts.

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/whats-new/profile-posts/3195050/

 

[Art Dirindin]

I can attest to why to NEVER use PP/F&F
After the first of the year I bought a crossbow off a fellow forum member at a popular Xbow WS. My payment to him was well OVER $1k for the Xbow, arrows and spare strings. He asked I use PP/F&F I said you sure? He said he never had a problem. I said OK.
Well he sent the Xbow in the actual manufacturers box clearly labeled as an Xbow not even insured no less.
Sent it UPS. As one probably already guessed it never showed up at my door. I couldn't do anything about finding it as I was not the sender only the recipient. Turns out UPS subbed out the delivery to USPS.

He asked and I gave him 30 days after the package was declared missing to find it then he refunded 100% of my money. He was able to track the package as being received at a package distribution center then it vanished after that forever. To the sellers credit he was absolutely a stand up guy about the entire ordeal.
He told me he had sent many many packages of items he had sold this was the first one he had lost and first one that was obviously stolen. I really felt bad for the guy as he had an outstanding rep at the WS and he struck me in out PH conversations as a great guy. One hellofa tough costly lesson I wish on no one.

So yes NEVER pay any amount of $$$ you can not afford to loose using PP/F&F.
AND NEVER ship ANYTHING with any indication on the outside of the package what the contents are.

Myself personally if its an item much over $50 I ask if they are willing to accept a USPS M/O sent tracked three day express USPS. I have done this at LEAST 100x never once lost a payment.

 

[Art Dirindin]

omebody tried scamming me today. They some how got my cell number and text me claiming to be a member that I responded to regarding buying a scope. I asked for current pictures and a time to talk and they never would commit. BEWARE!!!!

When you go onto any public forum and offer your phone number it is no longer private, took me 2 minutes

Here is my number if you want to call me XXX-XXX-XXXX. I am in Thornton CO

John
Thank you I never knew this was possible.
I will be much more cautious in the future.