Guys, it's the Internet.
Unless you personally know the buyer or seller, be cautious and careful.
Now that we are back here, hopefully the scammers will be kept at bay by the 100 post count or pay to play rules, but you still need to do your homework before sending thousands of dollars in cash or goods to someone you don't know.
Common Sense:
Precautions and Research:
You don't have to do all of these things. You just need to do what makes sense in any given transaction. Obviously, if the seller has been a member here for 10 years and has a thousand posts, they are not likely the world's most patient scammer.
The key is to get to a point at which you feel comfortable sending payment or shipping the item. If a buyer or seller refuses to provide information, and you are not comfortable with what you have, walk away.
However, this is not an excuse to get out of a deal because you changed your mind or the Mrs. said you can't have the money because the refrigerator broke.
The "I'll take it" rules still very much apply, and if, at our discretion, we determine that you are using the above to get out of a deal to which you committed, you could very well lose membership, paid or not.
[HR][/HR]
How to Google Image Search
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t99BfDnBZcI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Unless you personally know the buyer or seller, be cautious and careful.
Now that we are back here, hopefully the scammers will be kept at bay by the 100 post count or pay to play rules, but you still need to do your homework before sending thousands of dollars in cash or goods to someone you don't know.
Common Sense:
- If it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true.
- "Wired" funds like money packs and prepaid cards are scam red flags. Don't do it.
- PayPal gift offers very little to no protection, which means you need to do your homework before you use that method.
Precautions and Research:
- Check and verify addresses in Google.
- Reverse search phone numbers.
- Ask for picture ID or at least a copy of a utility bill that shows the name and address being given.
- Ship payments and goods insured and signature required. It's worth the few extra dollars.
- Google the username, phone number, and email address. Often scammers will get lazy and use the same ones for too long, leaving a searchable trail of negative feedback on other forums.
- Check social media. Not everyone is on social media, but it's pretty close to everyone.
- Google Image Search the photos to see if they are showing up on Armslist, Gunbroker, or other sites under different names and dates.
- Keep documentation that is somewhat traceable - All email headers have IP addresses in them. It's not much, but it could prove to be helpful in a law enforcement investigation.
- Use regional GIS information and whitepages listings to verify city of residence.
- Ask a moderator to verify the user's IP against where they said they are located.
- Ask the seller to send you a picture of them holding the item.
You don't have to do all of these things. You just need to do what makes sense in any given transaction. Obviously, if the seller has been a member here for 10 years and has a thousand posts, they are not likely the world's most patient scammer.
The key is to get to a point at which you feel comfortable sending payment or shipping the item. If a buyer or seller refuses to provide information, and you are not comfortable with what you have, walk away.
However, this is not an excuse to get out of a deal because you changed your mind or the Mrs. said you can't have the money because the refrigerator broke.
The "I'll take it" rules still very much apply, and if, at our discretion, we determine that you are using the above to get out of a deal to which you committed, you could very well lose membership, paid or not.
[HR][/HR]
How to Google Image Search
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t99BfDnBZcI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>