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Scammers on this forum?

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    I just wanted to get an idea of what exactly happened to me today. I placed an WTB for a side by side shotgun last night on this forum and listed my phone number. I am getting one for my son as a last minute Christmas gift. I had a text this morning from a seller who said he was in Mobile, Alabama with a double. He gave me the price(really I have no idea what this gun would be worth) of 150 and a couple of pictures. Sounded good to me, so I said I wanted it and tried to get his address to drive down there tonight. He then became insistent on mailing the gun to me USPS after receiving payment. He said he was disabled(not sure what this would prevent me from picking up the gun)? The whole experience was weird in that I would ask questions that he would not answer. I thought about posting the entire message transaction on here. Anyway, I receive two other texts from two different numbers within an hour with pictures of guns and wanting to mail them(New York) after I sent money. Has anyone had this experience with guns listed here? I am use to craigslist scammers, but this one caught me somewhat by surprise. Even gave me a forum name that I can not find. Still looking for a double 20 or 12 if anyone has one that they would like to part with in the next couple of days.
     
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    Any WTB ad, on any gun forum, will get scammers. I would never post a WTB ad, unless I was prepared to ignore any responder I wasn't familiar with.
     

    donr101395

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    Did he have a name on this forum? If not then he's just some random person not on the forum

    Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
     

    JWlineman

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    When creating an ad or thread I make a habit of asking members to "PM me for further info". This verifies the membership, allows us a way of following up, and any guest browsing the forum cannot have direct access to your number.
    With over 6k members I would've felt confident in giving a fake member name as well.

    Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
     

    Viking1204

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    I would never post my phone number on the forum for all to see, even if you're not a member you can see when someone lists a phone number. I would remove your phone number and request a PM from potential sellers.
     

    TennJeep1618

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    I would never post my phone number on the forum for all to see, even if you're not a member you can see when someone lists a phone number. I would remove your phone number and request a PM from potential sellers.

    Exactly this. I never give out my phone number until I've corresponded with someone via PM (or via email on other sites) and I'm reasonably satisfied they're not a scammer/spammer.
     
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    I would never post my phone number on the forum for all to see, even if you're not a member you can see when someone lists a phone number. I would remove your phone number and request a PM from potential sellers.

    Thank you, I will do that now.
     

    Viking1204

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    Just like on Craig's List I have them email me through a link that doesn't show my email address. These days you have to do everything you can to protect yourself from scammers.
     

    Zeroed in

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    You're not going to get someone to mail you their gun w/o payment first. And you'd be an idiot if you sent them your money.
    So, this is what I have done in the past, it will help thin out the con artists. I get the city they are from (allegedly), then I search for a FFL in that area. I call the FFL and ask to send them money for a particular gun and ask if they will call me "when" the seller brings it in, and negotiate a fee for his/her service.
    I then tell the seller I want him to take the gun to the FFL which I picked, (not them), and once there, the FFL will hold it until I send the payment to him (FFL).
    Yes, expect to pay extra to the FFL person for their time and trouble, but you will not lose your money this way. And if the seller is unwilling to leave the gun or even go to the FFL, then you know they're a scammer.

    * You do not send money to the FFL until he has called and said he has the gun in his possession.
     
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    FrommerStop

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    For me all firearms are purchased face to face and money so exchanged at that time in my state of residence.
     

    wildrider666

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    Most scammers don't know guns or gun laws. "Mail it to you" instead of ship to your FFL is a Red Flag! Using Chrome you can click/hold on the pic then select Find similar image. Often, scammer will use same text from copied pic (some are so stupid it includes orig sellers info). When your seller/scammer is telling you he/gun is in one place and the same image shows on a Net broker/deals site located in a diferent site, thats another Red Flag.They may bait with active sale or old sold pics. You want NEW pics! You normally research what you want to buy, Scammers will not know detailed specs that are not in the ad: ask question that you know the correct answers. If the pistol was only made with a 4 inch barrel and you say you were hoping for a six: Scammer will tell you its a 6 inch or that he has "another one thats a 6 inch that he will sell!

    Tell suspect sellers to send you a pic of an identifable part of the gun WITH a common object "you pick" also in the picture. Example: ejection port with pen inserted, engraved mdl/ser# with pencil pointing at it, Q-Tip in muzzle. This shows current possession. Gun Law inquiry: Is it possible to mail/ship it to my house? Unless he asks if you're a FFL, the answer is NO. Is he ignorant or willing to break the Law or will say whatever it takes to get your money.? Scammers just want the money! The want payment via un-refundable source: mail cash money order to another Name/address (third party drop, takes cut and sends rest to scammer) or to abandoned house mailbox (use google maps street view), transaction on sites that don't allow firearm transactions but call gun something else, Western Union. Use App "infosniper": it will track sender IP actual location which could be different from that stated (some folks use blocking/bouncing encription. Google search sellers screen name, email AND phone number: see volume and type of ads come up! Offering puppies (all breeds), cars, passports, DLs, pot, dope, viagra: just how much crap is he peddling on the Net?

    Watch for inquires about what else your interested in, scammers will always have it! They may offer other "deals" to get more money from a single contact at unbelievable low prices, whatever you offer!

    Some legitimate folks may do some of the above but if it comes with red flags forget it. Don't let a shinny object of desire and low price overide you cautionary feelings.
     
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    Welldoya

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    When I’ve answered an ad and a potential scammer tells me it’s in a faraway city, I say “You’re kidding, my brother lives in xxx (a nearby city). Send me your address and I’ll have him come by and check it out.”
    Weeds out the scammers fast.
     

    FelixH

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    I always ask for PM's to trade contact info on this, and any other, forum.
    I already get way too many telemarketer calls on my phone, so I prefer to not list it on the open forum.
     

    Big Shrek

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    I'm thinking some of y'all might need to be more up on State-to-State gun transfer rules...
    BATF has some serious Federal laws in place that one needs to take the time to read up on...
    so they don't end up dealing with BATF the hard way...and losing their gun rights by becoming a Felon.

    Not to mention certain states, like NY, NJ, Hawaii, etc...etc...require ALL gun transfers be made thru an FFL. Even old skanky Damascus Shotguns that would be dangerous to fire with modern ammo. That scumbag Bloomberg is famous for paying other scumbag anti-gun douche-canoes to get folks to break laws, then tout the arrest on the evening's NY news & his anti-gun conglomerate website..

    Which is why, when I sell a gun, which is rare as heck,
    require a Florida Resident with Current Florida ID.
    Any other state license, and it's going thru an FFL.
    Ain't even gonna play about that.
    When I buy, I'm HAPPY to show my ID & CC card! :usa:
    Got no problems with a background check, either!
     

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