Joined
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13,833 Posts
IF you're buying something valuable-
1) Ask to speak on the phone
2) Ask for NEW photos, in context YOU require. (Next to a household item)
3) Use Google Lens to search the net for the posted ad photos.
4) Copy and paste Ad copy/Item description into a Google search.
Dear RFC community-
In recent years, internet crime has become a pervasive plague in all areas of our lives. Unfortunately, RFC has also become a target.
Scammers create member profiles and hide among our ranks. They post in forums and even upgrade to "Premium", to lend an air of legitimacy to their user profile. They hack into existing, legitimate user accounts.
They've become patient and more effective, but they're NOT infallible. They can be beaten if you follow some simple precautions. Unless you KNOW the seller is legit, TRUST NO ONE & VERIFY BEFORE SENDING $$$.
Their most frequent tactic is to respond to a WTB aka Want to Buy ad via PM. They also have been known to post guns and scopes for sale that they do not own.
They send a photo of an item the member wants to buy. They often request to take communication off site, to text or email. They even accept USPS Money Orders, and have accomplices in the US to cash them. We highly recommend you avoid using Zelle, CashApp, or PayPal.
First off- length of membership is your first clue. If they are new here, be suspicious and verify them. Get a phone number, actually talk to the seller. Most scammers will bug out rather than try to BS their way through your questions.
Run any photos they send through Google Lens- you might find that they copied and pasted them from GunBroker or another internet marketplace.
Request that they take a new photo of the item with an everyday household item, such as a wooden spoon passed through the trigger guard of the firearm, or place the scope on a baseball cap. Try to think of things that can't be easily Photoshopped. If they make excuses, walk away.
RFC staff is always working hard behind the scenes to protect the site, but it's a constant vigil. We need your help to succeed.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!!!
If you receive ANY suspicious communications via PM, REPORT IT to site staff. There is a report function for PMs, posts, ads and user profiles. Help us protect this great community by reporting anything that seems "off". We will investigate every reported instance and take appropriate action. If you don't know how to report it, send a PM to a moderator or admin.
TAKE SCREEN SHOTS of private messages/conversations. If you DO receive a suspicious PM offer to sell, start another PM by sending a message back to the member offering the sale. When they respond, ask for ALL their information- Name, address, phone number, email address, and photos with props as described above. By initiating the conversation, you can then invite me, JEE, LtCrunch and FlysAlot to the conversation. We can then investigate appropriately.
Unfortunately, if you DO get scammed, law enforcement does nothing to help. Your money is gone, you're on your own.
I've been a victim of it myself.
We are here, we want to help. Take the time to report suspicious offers and reach out with any questions. I'd rather answer 100 mundane questions and vet 100 IP histories than have one more member fall victim to a scam on our site.
Respectfully,
DrGunner
RFC Admin & Consigliere
1) Ask to speak on the phone
2) Ask for NEW photos, in context YOU require. (Next to a household item)
3) Use Google Lens to search the net for the posted ad photos.
4) Copy and paste Ad copy/Item description into a Google search.
Dear RFC community-
In recent years, internet crime has become a pervasive plague in all areas of our lives. Unfortunately, RFC has also become a target.
Scammers create member profiles and hide among our ranks. They post in forums and even upgrade to "Premium", to lend an air of legitimacy to their user profile. They hack into existing, legitimate user accounts.
They've become patient and more effective, but they're NOT infallible. They can be beaten if you follow some simple precautions. Unless you KNOW the seller is legit, TRUST NO ONE & VERIFY BEFORE SENDING $$$.
Their most frequent tactic is to respond to a WTB aka Want to Buy ad via PM. They also have been known to post guns and scopes for sale that they do not own.
They send a photo of an item the member wants to buy. They often request to take communication off site, to text or email. They even accept USPS Money Orders, and have accomplices in the US to cash them. We highly recommend you avoid using Zelle, CashApp, or PayPal.
First off- length of membership is your first clue. If they are new here, be suspicious and verify them. Get a phone number, actually talk to the seller. Most scammers will bug out rather than try to BS their way through your questions.
Run any photos they send through Google Lens- you might find that they copied and pasted them from GunBroker or another internet marketplace.
Request that they take a new photo of the item with an everyday household item, such as a wooden spoon passed through the trigger guard of the firearm, or place the scope on a baseball cap. Try to think of things that can't be easily Photoshopped. If they make excuses, walk away.
RFC staff is always working hard behind the scenes to protect the site, but it's a constant vigil. We need your help to succeed.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!!!
If you receive ANY suspicious communications via PM, REPORT IT to site staff. There is a report function for PMs, posts, ads and user profiles. Help us protect this great community by reporting anything that seems "off". We will investigate every reported instance and take appropriate action. If you don't know how to report it, send a PM to a moderator or admin.
TAKE SCREEN SHOTS of private messages/conversations. If you DO receive a suspicious PM offer to sell, start another PM by sending a message back to the member offering the sale. When they respond, ask for ALL their information- Name, address, phone number, email address, and photos with props as described above. By initiating the conversation, you can then invite me, JEE, LtCrunch and FlysAlot to the conversation. We can then investigate appropriately.
Unfortunately, if you DO get scammed, law enforcement does nothing to help. Your money is gone, you're on your own.
I've been a victim of it myself.
We are here, we want to help. Take the time to report suspicious offers and reach out with any questions. I'd rather answer 100 mundane questions and vet 100 IP histories than have one more member fall victim to a scam on our site.
Respectfully,
DrGunner
RFC Admin & Consigliere
