In the last couple of months we are seeing a new criminal activity.
Scammers read posts in the classifieds, then send texts to the phone number of a forum member who posted he wanted to buy. The scammer pretends to be the seller and then requests payment via Zelle, PayPal F&F, or other electronic system.
The scammers are getting the intended buyer's phone number via web searches, or in many cases, because the would-be buyer has posted his phone number in the thread (or prior posts).
PEOPLE READ THIS and FOLLOW the instructions:
1. NEVER Send money when prompted by an unsolicited Text message to your phone.
2. Do NOT put your full name and phone number in ANY public post -- use a Private Message.
3. Do NOT use your actual name as your Forum Name.
4. NEVER ever do a deal without a VOICE Phone Call. Talk to the seller ON THE PHONE!
REPEAT -- NEVER EVER do a deal without a VOICE Call -- pick up the phone and TALK.
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5. If someone demands payment by Zelle or PayPal/Venmo F&F, refuse and contact Forum Boss. Record the incoming phone number for potential referral to the police and FBI.
NOTE: PayPal "Good and Services" with FEEs does have buyer protection. It is OK, but still may never be used for Guns and Ammo.
6. If you do get a text seeking payment, check the area code -- if it is different than the seller's stated location, record the number and confirm (via PM) with the real seller.
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If you do get a text requesting payment for an item you want -- tell the person to communicate via Private Message inside the Forum. Do NOT send any money!
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We strongly recommend that you
disconnect Zelle from any Bank account you may have. Scammers are grabbing billions of dollars now via Zelle scams. Zelle connects directly to your bank account and the scammer can pretend to do a $50 sale and instead take $5000 and clean out your bank account in seconds. Zelle has no buyer protection.
