Be careful - forum is targeted by dishonest low-lifes

[fe7565]

I am NOT a moderator, just from a member's point of view:

Be careful - the forum is targeted by dishonest bottom feeder low-lives trying to wiggle their way in to posting on the Classifieds. Just in the last 24 hours two of them (or two accounts) were booted by AGN. At this point, this (or these) potential scammers failed because their mental capacity was quite limited and they tried insulting their way to the 10 posts required for use of the Classifieds. Also, some AGN members called them out for their arrogance and blatant disregards for the rules in place to protect the rest of us.

They are preying on the less technically savvy or less internet sophisticated airgunners, and the older members amongst us, who may not be able to recognize or research the seller/poster and the items they are selling. Do net let this forum become another American Airguns Classifieds where you are on your own in spite of Brad Troyer's best efforts to log IP addresses and post names of scammers and responding to warning messages from participants.

This (or these) criminals will try to slip in again (under the radar next time). Albeit, not sure of their limited mental capacity and lack of morals will not give them away. Regardless...check their feedback, membership history, some of their posts...and above all: if the deal is too good to be true (with a very very few exceptions) it is probably not going to be true.

And look out for your fellow AGN members. Use the post 's "flag" option to alert moderators. 

 

[orion]

Well said.

As a consumer I will say always pay with PayPal and do not use Friend and Family if you don't know the seller, assume the fee because PayPal will have you covered...and the scammer will probably lose the PayPal account. 

 

[dayjd]

I 100% agree with Orion. Have used Paypal for over 12 years now and they have saved my butt two times out of 100's of transactions thru them. Plus you get what you are buying much quicker because the seller doesn't have to wait for a money order or check to clear. 

 

[Eaglehorn]

Yep, unless the seller has rep it's better to be safe and pay fees.

 

[wyshadow]

I think 10 posts is still way to low. I never deal with anyone who has less then a 100 posts unless they have positive feedback or transactions. I bought some scope rings several weeks back and this person only had posts on ads he sold and he had positive feedback. 

 

[Skydivingmiami]

I read online that paypal doesn't cover "gun" related transactions and they classify airguns in this category. Nonetheless, still better to be safe and it should cover you if you don't receive the items. 

 

[JimNM]

PayPal has recently updated their seller protection / buyer protection deal. I did not get into the small print, but don't trust PayPal to cover you. I use a credit card through PayPal so I have at least two layers of protection.

 

[Bobbypew]

Thanks for sharing. I am a newer member here, and have not used the classifieds yet, but may in the future. When buying anything second hand, I usually like to at least talk to them on the phone to get a better feel of the person before buying. Most people I meet are straight shooters, but obviously there's always the low lives. 

 

[Michael]

Thanks to everyone that takes pride in keeping this community safe. If you notice anything suspicious please use the "Flag" button. 

But also keep in mind that we host a wide variety of people here. Some are computer savvy, some are not. It's important to make everyone feel welcome. So please don't be afraid to help out your fellow airgunners with guidance and encouragement when needed.

Thanks

-Michael

 

[Hgb7862]

I agree with Michael, I joined up yesterday and got so aggravated with the system that I deleted my account, mostly comments from one individual. When you are new you don't understand what the 10 post are for, so is tedious. After calming down a little and rethinking I came back in the door. But to jump on the heads of everybody that walks in assuming they are scammers is a little over board as well. I actually didn't know that this forum even had a classified section and was just asking a question for some guidance. Thanks to all, that helped!!

 

[fe7565]

Welcome Hgb7862, glad that the rules are now clear and that you returned with new enthusiasm to join the rest of us. Just trying to look out for each other...which requires cooperation from all of us.

 

[ctshooter]

Excellent thread and always a good reminder for people to be vigilant. 

Maybe it would benefit AGN to put a time threshold on accounts as well before posting in the Classifieds. If an account required 20 post and 2 months of being active it would discourage many of the bad actors out there.

 

[Michael]

I've been working on something that is very time consuming and costly, but it should help us identify and block more scammers.

Lots of people are going through desperate times right now. We've all seen or heard accounts of people rioting, looting, and stealing. Online classified are no exception.

Most scammers operate via DM (Direct Message) only. But obviously some of them are getting brave and posting publicly. Here are a few tips that may help you avoid them:

• Visit the buyer/seller Profile to view the number of public posts they've made. Review their posts to determine whether their content is legitimate or just fluff.
• View their Accuracy score. If they've been a helpful part of the community they will likely have a few (+) scores.
• Search the Known Scammers List.
• Search the Member Feedback section for their username. If the buyer/seller has not yet established a reputation on AGN, then we suggest you cautiously consider alternative sources such as: other forums, Amazon, Ebay, etc.
• Ask the seller to provide a picture of themselves with the item they have for sale and a handwritten note that says "For Sale on AGN with the date".
• Talk to the buyer/seller on the phone.  If the buyer/seller only wishes to deal via email, refuses to provide personal information, refuses to talk on the phone, refuses to share unique pictures, etc. then you should heed the signs.

 

[fe7565]

Excellent thread and always a good reminder for people to be vigilant. 

Maybe it would benefit AGN to put a time threshold on accounts as well before posting in the Classifieds. If an account required 20 post and 2 months of being active it would discourage many of the bad actors out there.

I think the time threshold is a great idea. Many forums require that, and also a much higher post count minimum. In addition, some forums (not airgun) require a threshold of accumulated points earned before reaching certain privileges. These points are given by fellow members based on the value of your contributions. That way the person actually has to "work" for the privileges instead of a drive-by selling of airgun things that expose forum members to a potential drive-by scammer.. 

As far as the minimum post count. Maybe that should be voted on by the forum members, so there is a "buy-in" from most members.

 

[ctshooter]

Ask the seller to provide a picture of themselves with the item they have for sale and a handwritten note that says "For Sale on AGN with the date".

This is a good one. A similar approach an unrelated forum took was to make people post at least one picture of their item along with the for sale note, the date, and their username required in at least one posted picture.

 

[boscoebrea]

Be aware...Great advice that I will use in the future.....There are full time scam companies that millions$$$ off of honest people.

 

[provels]

Be aware...Great advice that I will use in the future.....There are full time scam companies that millions$$$ off of honest people.

Google, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, ...?

 

[Long_Gun_Dallas]

Excellent suggestions and info here. I think Michael's post should be pinned in the classified section. It looks like no matter the topic, if it's pinned, it is pinned in any forum section.



I have seen a few items come up that I wanted to buy, but just didn't because I didn't recognize the forum member. Some I have bought from with no hesitation. And for good reason.

 

[davidsng]

Thanks for the update!

 

[davidsng]

Have the buyer tell the seller to write a number on a piece of paper, take a photo of it with it to prove the airgun exists. Proves the person is there with the gun.