Scammers Changing Tactics

[Lowlight]

FYI

We have found some of the PX scammers using proxies to log on with new accounts

These scams almost always ask you to reply to other addresses or have some variation what to do.

Do your homework,

if it doesn't sound right, back off and let a moderator know, we cannot protect everyone, and it's not our job to do your Due Diligence for you, so get details

Don't worry about saying NO to sale or purchase, if the poster complains because you decided against the sale, I am not holding it against anyone.

They also use proxies in the US to accept the item, if the addresses don't match, another red flag

 

[RNWRKNP]

Thanks frank?

 

[BCX]

I always ask for a copy of drivers license first than try a google search. At least if you have to drive across the country for a tune up you have something to go off of lol!!

 

[Strykervet]

I always ask for a copy of drivers license first than try a google search. At least if you have to drive across the country for a tune up you have something to go off of lol!!

Hey, that's a good idea actually. I usually ask a lot of questions before buying and generally deal with members that have been around a while.

 

[lash]

I always ask for a copy of drivers license first than try a google search. At least if you have to drive across the country for a tune up you have something to go off of lol!!

This seems like a good idea, but last year, I asked for some sort of personal I.D. from a member selling a firearm here and he got quite indignant that I should question his integrity. Actually, the reason I asked is that his pictures of the rifle were all so stock looking, that I could not be sure that they were from him at all.

We did work it out when I found another way to insure that he was in actual possession of the firearm in question. Understand that I can completely see his point and am not sure exactly how I would feel if someone demanded I send them a picture of my DL.

In any case, it really does pay to be cautious about who you deal with. As popular as this site is, especially for sales of high quality precision rifle products, it is a prime target for scammers and other opportunists.

Thanks to Frank for bringing up the newest approaches and reminding people to be careful with their hard-earned money.

 

[W54/XM-388]

I probably wouldn't send someone a picture of my driver's licence, a bit too easy for someone to get it somewhere along the transit path and use it for identity theft purposes.

 

[Lonestar1027]

I've used magazine labels in the past. It's the same information(Address and name) that I'd be giving the seller anyways. I might be missing something, but I don't see any harm in asking for or providing that info.

 

[18Echo]

I probably wouldn't send someone a picture of my driver's licence, a bit too easy for someone to get it somewhere along the transit path and use it for identity theft purposes.

As someone who used to investigate ID Theft for a living, I can tell you that you are spot on. No way I would send Personal Identifying Information like that to a stranger....

 

[bigwatchpilot]

Transparency, good communication, and knowledge of the item and sport are helpful with sending hard earned money to strangers on the internet.

Photo I.D. after they provide name and address to make sure it matches...I provide the same. Tape over DOB and License number is easy enough, your name and address are easy enough to find (remember the Yellow Pages)

If the photos look questionable I ask for a picture with a piece of paper with their Snipershide handle and current date in the picture with the item. Some forums make this a requirement to sell stuff...not a bad idea.

If they will not take a phone call...its a no go

 

[W54/XM-388]

If they will not take a phone call...its a no go

That is a good plan not just for buying stuff here.
At work we are constantly called with people wanting to "just give us information"... Basically cold calling pressure sales scum (how they can live with themselves I have no idea), usually the fastest way to weed them out is just to say: what number can I call you back at? Then after the usual you can't reach me, simply reply "Please place us on your do not call list" and hang up.

 

[lash]

Transparency, good communication, and knowledge of the item and sport are helpful with sending hard earned money to strangers on the internet.

Photo I.D. after they provide name and address to make sure it matches...I provide the same. Tape over DOB and License number is easy enough, your name and address are easy enough to find (remember the Yellow Pages)

If the photos look questionable I ask for a picture with a piece of paper with their Snipershide handle and current date in the picture with the item. Some forums make this a requirement to sell stuff...not a bad idea.

If they will not take a phone call...its a no go

The items I bolded have worked fine for me.

 

[BCX]

I have no problem showing my ID. Shit i have to produce it on a daily bases. All your info can be found online if someone knows to find it. Plus anything firearm related I need to know I’m not breaking any state or federal laws.

 

[pdmedley]

If the photos look questionable I ask for a picture with a piece of paper with their Snipershide handle and current date in the picture with the item. Some forums make this a requirement to sell stuff...not a bad idea.

I came here to post this. One of the big car forums I'm on make this a requirement to post something for sale. I know the mods here don't manage the PX like a lot of forums do, so make this a part of your own due diligence

 

[corey4]

I told a guy a few weeks ago to print out our PMs and I wanted to see them in the back ground with the firearm and his ID. It was a $3900 exchange and it was his first post. The only reason I even considered it in the first place was he listed in his ad he was from my state. If it wasn't for that I wouldn't have even bothered PMing him. We meet a few days later half way thru PA. If he wasn't within a reasonable driving distance, I wouldn't have done the deal with him. being a new guy around here even with the proof he provided I would have vetted more thoroughly if I was sending money. If it was a scam, I'm just out a day of driving and some gas money. I also watch the new guys who are here for 2 months and have 784 posts already, or are just post bumping to get their post count "cred" up.

First thing I do is check the join date, then if I'm really interested, see where they are located.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Face to face or not at all; which doesn't really mean much since I only buy guns from brick and mortar dealers, and only dispose of guns by giving them to my descendants. My guns are investments in my family's future. There is no commerce aspect where I'm concerned.

Greg

 

[Tucker301]

We are still rooting some of these bastards out on a daily basis. Many signed up before the verification processes were hardened. I just dumped one that signed up back in February via a proxy server. He was going through high end optics listings and asking for pictures of serial numbers, most likely to use elsewhere to increase confidence on a scam.
Good members here are flagging the activities and it's very helpful, and we are very appreciative!
A handful of mods simply cannot review every post and every comment, so whenever you see something that looks fishy, drop us a PM or hit the report button. We'll never stop them all from getting through, but things are improving.

 

[W54/XM-388]

Interesting that that one guy on the Optics section was using an account he had stashed since February.
I wonder if we are going to have to start watermarking the photos in the for sale section eventually to have them not as quickly show up elsewhere?
(I'm assuming then they would be asking for pictures via PM without the watermark).

 

[corey4]

I've been trying to watermark my high end items so dick face scammers can't use the photos.