Scammer Alert

[Caballero2]

I have a “ want to buy” in the classifieds. Just got this text from a scammer. I realized right away what it was but wanted to see how far he would go. The number is out of Tuscon,AZ. I edited out my last response to him it wasn’t “nice”. Joe

 

[Chiquita]

The (520) your number?

 

[Chiquita]

I am curious how did he got your number?

 

[n.c.outlaw2024]

think i'm on a list. somebody tried to sell me a 20 gauge supposedly used by bonnie parker, modifed by clyde. wanted 2,000. pic looked like a noble made in the '50s not the 30's. aluminum trigger guard, etc. deleted the mail.

 

[Caballero2]

No, the 520 number is the scammer’s number. Somehow he or someone has access to our forum.
This is the only place that I have listed a want to buy.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

Thanks for posting maybe some scammer will see his number now and spam / scam him or blow his phone with prank calls

 

[rijndael]

People put their cell phones, addresses, and lot more in the public profile posts on this forum. It's no surprise that scams are so prolific.

Seriously people, stop using public profile posts for what belongs in a private message.

Just look at some of these:
https://forum.accurateshooter.com/whats-new/profile-posts/3537018/page-2

 

[Caballero2]

I did put my number in a post a while ago when I was selling a rifle. Maybe he is a member and searched my previous posts.

 

[Caballero2]

Yep, lesson learned, I made it easy for him.

 

[wright brothers]

Could someone explain pro-posts?
How are they avoided?
If so bad why is this enabled?

 

[Forum Boss]

NEVER EVER spend a penny with someone who is not verified.

We do now ban all VPNs and proxy accounts, but we can't prevent an outsider from looking at a WTB advert. The only way we could do that is by restricting VIEWING of the classifieds to Silver and Gold members, but that is problematic.

With ANY unsolicited text or PM, start out with the assumption that the offer is a scam.
If you are still interested, then:

1. Make a VOICE Phone call. VOICE. Got that? VOICE -- not text. Ask questions, get the guy's shooting club, ask for references.
2. Require a custom photo of the product in a location that YOU designate with something touching the object in three dimensions, resting on a paper with random words of your choosing on a base sheet of paper.
3. NEVER EVER pay with PayPal/Venmo Friends & Family (F&F). Never use Zelle, AppleCash, Google Pay. For things other than firearms, primers, powder, and ammo, it is OK to use PayPal Goods and Services with FEES. PP Goods and Services has buyer protection.

In the situation here I would track the number. A TruePeopleSearch.com search shows a name staring with Skyler in CA for the number (520) 252-5155:

A second Spokeo search showed:

• S Skyler in Illinois

But the phone carrier for "S Skyler" is listed in Phoenix, AZ , so he is possibly using some kind of phone masking.
The scammers have ways of masking their real phone numbers and pretend to be someone else, so the Skyler person may or may not be involved.

 

[rijndael]

We do now ban all VPNs and proxy accounts, but we can't prevent an outsider from looking at a WTB advert. The only way we could do that is by restricting VIEWING of the classifieds to Silver and Gold members, but that is problematic.

It still wouldn't solve it. The profile posts I linked to, with all of the phone numbers and addresses, isn't under the FSOT section. It's like a normal post.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Funny how folks make a BIG DEAL out of having their home phone # listed in a big book, like the one you use to sit on to raise you up higher at the dinner table.
Answering machine. Please leave a #.... CLICK!!

 

[Knotwild]

I was talking to some neighbors last night and one of them is an organist at a local church. He got a text from the pastor asking that he contact him, he needed some help, but couldn't take phone calls, and would be in a meeting. My friend, however, knew the pastor was in the Bahamas on vacation and therefore would not be in a meeting. My friend did some research and it appears some of the crooks are able to extract phone numbers from a phones contact list and through using texts.

So, don't text me asking for help and if you call, I'll simply hang up.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

I can just hear the accent while reading that text

 

[NTHIGPEN]

I just received a text from this same number a few minutes ago, pretending to be a forum member.

 

[PhilC]

Funny how folks make a BIG DEAL out of having their home phone # listed in a big book, like the one you use to sit on to raise you up higher at the dinner table.
Answering machine. Please leave a #.... CLICK!!

Answering machine and caller ID, if I don't know the number, I don't answer. Very few people have my cell # and all know it sits on my dresser off except when I want to use it.

99% of our phone calls today are spoofed numbers that terminate when they get my machine. Caller ID displays on our TV, actually got a laugh out of seeing my name and phone number pop up, no, I didn't take that call. LOL.

 

[coldboreshot]

I can just hear the accent while reading that text

Yeah, amazing how many Nigerian princes there are out there. And all their winning lotto tickets that need US currency coversion.