Scam Attempt

[Stompbox]

I'm not sure where to post this information, so I thought I would put it here. Last night I sent a private message to a member on here saying I would purchase an item he had for sale and he later replied with his information so that I could send payment. He is well established and I was not worried about him. But, this morning I received a text message from a phone number with the same area code as the seller and an e-mail from an e-mail address that used some of the sellers initials and they were trying to get me to send a PayPal friends and family payment to them. When I asked them to confirm the phone number that the seller had supplied in his private message, they tried to make excuses and said they were using the wife's number and wanted me to send a payment as quick as possible so they could get this item shipped.

Later in the morning when I had a break at work I called the seller and he confirmed that neither of those text messages or emails were from him.

Now, neither one of us included any personal information in his for sale thread, all of the critical information was only in our private message. Maybe nowadays it's not too hard to do something like that but if I wouldn't have been so suspicious I probably would have sent the payment. It was very close to seeming like it was legitimate.

Be aware and stay alert.

Ken

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

That seems really fishy .... glad you caught it. Hope the sale on your SPS went smooth

 

[375Fox]

That’s concerning they had all your information and enough of his information to make that quality of scam attempt. I wish there was a way to delete PMs like emails so no information could ever get stolen in event someone hacking an account.

 

[D.M.V]

Ya. Might notify Jerome if someone is hacking the pm's

 

[C.W. Richter]

Also pay strict attention to payment method. Not all have the same protections. PayPal is a bank owned by Ebay, bank-issued Visa cards are just as good, atm/debit cards are ok, but not as good, and so on down the line...Meeting in-person is best if within reasonable travel distance (on an expensive piece!)

 

[Altitude sickness]

That is a pretty sophisticated scam. And if distracted or not paying attention could cause someone issues. Thanks for sharing.

 

[HankBuck]

I'm not sure where to post this information, so I thought I would put it here. Last night I sent a private message to a member on here saying I would purchase an item he had for sale and he later replied with his information so that I could send payment. He is well established and I was not worried about him. But, this morning I received a text message from a phone number with the same area code as the seller and an e-mail from an e-mail address that used some of the sellers initials and they were trying to get me to send a PayPal friends and family payment to them. When I asked them to confirm the phone number that the seller had supplied in his private message, they tried to make excuses and said they were using the wife's number and wanted me to send a payment as quick as possible so they could get this item shipped.

Later in the morning when I had a break at work I called the seller and he confirmed that neither of those text messages or emails were from him.

Now, neither one of us included any personal information in his for sale thread, all of the critical information was only in our private message. Maybe nowadays it's not too hard to do something like that but if I wouldn't have been so suspicious I probably would have sent the payment. It was very close to seeming like it was legitimate.

Be aware and stay alert.

Ken

@Stompbox - you’re smart to be suspicious and ALWAYS should be suspicious…even down right Paranoid when dealing with any on line sale and sending payment.
And any legitimate Seller should tolerate “questions & verification attempts” by the Buyer - if they act “offended” then I’d walk away from the Sale. Thanks for giving us all a ‘Heads Up’.

 

[dogcat1]

Have had the same issue. Always be suspicious.

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

Agree on being able to delete old PM's being a worthwhile option. That is troubling that a scammer came up with what they did so quickly. Seems nothing beats a quick phone call or a txt with verification between each party rather shipping or meeting ftf. In doing that I have never had a problem...yet.

 

[Rare Breed]

I'm not sure where to post this information, so I thought I would put it here. Last night I sent a private message to a member on here saying I would purchase an item he had for sale and he later replied with his information so that I could send payment. He is well established and I was not worried about him. But, this morning I received a text message from a phone number with the same area code as the seller and an e-mail from an e-mail address that used some of the sellers initials and they were trying to get me to send a PayPal friends and family payment to them. When I asked them to confirm the phone number that the seller had supplied in his private message, they tried to make excuses and said they were using the wife's number and wanted me to send a payment as quick as possible so they could get this item shipped.

Later in the morning when I had a break at work I called the seller and he confirmed that neither of those text messages or emails were from him.

Now, neither one of us included any personal information in his for sale thread, all of the critical information was only in our private message. Maybe nowadays it's not too hard to do something like that but if I wouldn't have been so suspicious I probably would have sent the payment. It was very close to seeming like it was legitimate.

Be aware and stay alert.

Ken

I refuse to use paypal. just me. they every other day send me scam asks for payment on my gmail

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

I refuse to use paypal. just me. they every other day send me scam asks for payment on my gmail

same here or even Venmo. For electronic payments ApplePay or Zelle only for me which most people have, some even unknowingly through their financial institution.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Besides security I’m as concerned with digital financial tracking using apps. With trusted members a check is best.

 

[deewayne2003]

I refuse to use paypal. just me. they every other day send me scam asks for payment on my gmail

I refuse to use PayPal because they froze my account and cash for 6 months because I bought ammo on a forum and used PayPal.

PayPal is extremely anti firearms & hunting.

 

[BOSSGobbler]

I'm not sure where to post this information, so I thought I would put it here. Last night I sent a private message to a member on here saying I would purchase an item he had for sale and he later replied with his information so that I could send payment. He is well established and I was not worried about him. But, this morning I received a text message from a phone number with the same area code as the seller and an e-mail from an e-mail address that used some of the sellers initials and they were trying to get me to send a PayPal friends and family payment to them. When I asked them to confirm the phone number that the seller had supplied in his private message, they tried to make excuses and said they were using the wife's number and wanted me to send a payment as quick as possible so they could get this item shipped.

Later in the morning when I had a break at work I called the seller and he confirmed that neither of those text messages or emails were from him.

Now, neither one of us included any personal information in his for sale thread, all of the critical information was only in our private message. Maybe nowadays it's not too hard to do something like that but if I wouldn't have been so suspicious I probably would have sent the payment. It was very close to seeming like it was legitimate.

Be aware and stay alert.

Ken

I would think that the seller has had his AH account compromised without his knowledge.