Scammers Watching CB Listings

[1969miller]

Wasn't sure which section to post this thread but wanted to make this great community aware of what i experienced. A few months back i commented on a for sale thread here inquiring about some inertia switches, jeff (the seller who i have dealt with before) said he wasnt going to be at supercel TN so i did not buy them. However i received a text from a random number asking me if i was still interested in the switches and that they would in fact be at SCTN. I ignored the message because i had already spoken to the seller here on the forum.

Fast forward to last week, i posted in another sale thread here inquiring about a family cage bikini top, i ended up purchasing the top and john, the seller, shipped it out asap, should be here today. This morning, got a text from the same number as before, asking if i was still interested in the top. Even sent me photos stolen from the listing here on CB. Keep in mind these were 2 different sellers here on CB, but the same random number followed up fishing for payment on these items.

All I'm saying is watch out for fishy stuff like this. Deal with people directly here on CB, or exchange phone numbers via PM. But if some random number hits you up asking about something you inquired about here on the forum, don't send them money!

 

[Jetfixr320]

I have also had this happen, but i was contacted by email.
First item, the story wasn't jiving so I strung him along and the OP finally responded that the item was sold. And the second time I had already paid for the item and someone else contacted my about the item and asked if I was interested.

 

[maxellfullmoon]

Interesting...In both cases did you share your number in PMs only? Is that the only way they could have gotten your number?

 

[1969miller]

Interesting...In both cases did you share your number in PMs only? Is that the only way they could have gotten your number?

I have posted the WH shop number here in a few threads over the years, and that is the number they texted to reach me.

 

[NewDog]

Thanks for sharing. I hate hate hate scammers!

 

[admin]

I recommend people NOT post their email or phone numbers here on the forum. Instead use the PM system. Remember, non-forum members can see what you post, so if you post your email/phone number, it's easy for a scammer to contact you off-forum and pretend to be a member here.

And if you post looking for parts, watch for brand new forum members who miraculously have the exact part you're looking for. I have a pretty good system of filtering out scammers before they join the forum, but inevitably a couple will slip through.

And if you buy something, even from a legit long time forum member, please use a payment system that has a protection system in place.

If you use Paypal, always use the "Goods and Services" option and not the "Friends and Family" option. They charge a 3% fee, which is cheap insurance if you think about it. Using "Friends and Family" is free, but offers absolutely zero protection.

If you use Venmo, select "turn on for purchases" when you pay. That enables their "Purchase Protection". Again, there's a fee (1.9% or 2.9% depending) but it's worth it IMHO.

FYI, Zelle does NOT offer any kind of purchase protection. It's strictly for paying people you know and trust.

 

[jeffncs]

Wasn't sure which section to post this thread but wanted to make this great community aware of what i experienced. A few months back i commented on a for sale thread here inquiring about some inertia switches, jeff (the seller who i have dealt with before) said he wasnt going to be at supercel TN so i did not buy them. However i received a text from a random number asking me if i was still interested in the switches and that they would in fact be at SCTN. I ignored the message because i had already spoken to the seller here on the forum.

Fast forward to last week, i posted in another sale thread here inquiring about a family cage bikini top, i ended up purchasing the top and john, the seller, shipped it out asap, should be here today. This morning, got a text from the same number as before, asking if i was still interested in the top. Even sent me photos stolen from the listing here on CB. Keep in mind these were 2 different sellers here on CB, but the same random number followed up fishing for payment on these items.

All I'm saying is watch out for fishy stuff like this. Deal with people directly here on CB, or exchange phone numbers via PM. But if some random number hits you up asking about something you inquired about here on the forum, don't send them money!

Glad your spider senses were working. This seems to be a theme any more. I was talking with a seller by PM about some items….next thing I received was a text asking me to send money to an email address. My senses were ringing and I just ignored the text….

Sadly, the scammers are everywhere!

 

[jeffncs]

I recommend people NOT post their email or phone numbers here on the forum. Instead use the PM system. Remember, non-forum members can see what you post, so if you post your email/phone number, it's easy for a scammer to contact you off-forum and pretend to be a member here.

And if you post looking for parts, watch for brand new forum members who miraculously have the exact part you're looking for. I have a pretty good system of filtering out scammers before they join the forum, but inevitably a couple will slip through.

And if you buy something, even from a legit long time forum member, please use a payment system that has a protection system in place.

If you use Paypal, always use the "Goods and Services" option and not the "Friends and Family" option. They charge a 3% fee, which is cheap insurance if you think about it. Using "Friends and Family" is free, but offers absolutely zero protection.

If you use Venmo, select "turn on for purchases" when you pay. That enables their "Purchase Protection". Again, there's a fee (1.9% or 2.9% depending) but it's worth it IMHO.

FYI, Zelle does NOT offer any kind of purchase protection. It's strictly for paying people you know and trust.

Curious…. Is there a way to see if I ever posted my email address publicly on the forum? If so, please share and I’ll scrub my postings…

Thanks!

 

[admin]

Just search the forum for your email. If you find any posts you should be able to edit them to remove your personal info. If you can't edit, the post might be too old. In that case just let me know and I can delete it.

 

[jeffncs]

Just search the forum for your email. If you find any posts you should be able to edit them to remove your personal info. If you can't edit, the post might be too old. In that case just let me know and I can delete it.

Thanks. I was just coming back to post that I figured it out.

Any way to delete archive posts?

 

[admin]

Any way to delete archive posts?

Yes, just PM me the link(s) to those posts.

*** Edit: Or just report the post like you just did. That works too. You're all set now. If you find any more, just do the same.