Best way to send money when buying on the forums?

[Sasquatch]

I do that all the time.

That's my preferred method. I don't mind a road trip for the right deal. Hell, for the *right* deal, I'd drive across the state, instead of just meeting half way.

 

[Andiamo]

I’m going to potentially buy a firearm from a member and I had him call me, didn’t get a response so I called back and it went to voicemail, turns out the number is from Textfree, a free phone number app that lets you pick your area code. Fishy…. They want to do it via Zelle then ship the firearm but I’m not too comfortable about not being able to get my money back…

 

[Axxe55]

I’m going to potentially buy a firearm from a member and I had him call me, didn’t get a response so I called back and it went to voicemail, turns out the number is from Textfree, a free phone number app that lets you pick your area code. Fishy…. They want to do it via Zelle then ship the firearm but I’m not too comfortable about not being able to get my money back…

Is his number listed in the Classified ad?

Another recourse, if you think the Classified ad might "fishy" you might also reach out to one of the Mods or Admins to check out the member.

 

[Axxe55]

That's my preferred method. I don't mind a road trip for the right deal. Hell, for the *right* deal, I'd drive across the state, instead of just meeting half way.

Amen!

 

[Andiamo]

Is his number listed in the Classified ad?

Another recourse, if you think the Classified ad might "fishy" you might also reach out to one of the Mods or Admins to check out the member.

It was a direct message in response to my WTB ad

 

[Hoji]

I’m going to potentially buy a firearm from a member and I had him call me, didn’t get a response so I called back and it went to voicemail, turns out the number is from Textfree, a free phone number app that lets you pick your area code. Fishy…. They want to do it via Zelle then ship the firearm but I’m not too comfortable about not being able to get my money back…

Sounds like someone will be doing the needful on a pile of your money once converted to rupees with his sister and mother.

 

[Sasquatch]

I’m going to potentially buy a firearm from a member and I had him call me, didn’t get a response so I called back and it went to voicemail, turns out the number is from Textfree, a free phone number app that lets you pick your area code. Fishy….

A little fishy - is this member a long time member, or at least prolific poster enough to get "well known" under their avatar vs "new member" ?

We've had scammers target the forum recently, and sadly its epidemic across forums and sites like Texas Gun Trader.

I came across a Glock 48 advertised in Corpus Christi last month, for $100 less than anyone else had one. That was a red flag. I texted the guy - told him I could meet him the next day if he was ok holding the gun 24 hours. I'd drive to Corpus to get it. It was just too late in the afternoon for me to make that drive when I found the ad. He was insistent that we just do an FFL transfer, he'd ship the gun to me. Bright orange flag, bordering on red. I told him it would be faster and cheaper for both of us, and I hadn't been to Corpus so I was more than willing to make the drive to see the sights along the way. He kept coming up with excuses "oh, I'm leaving on a business trip in two days" - "okay, that's fine, I'll be there tomorrow around noon" "oh, we should just ship via FFL" - I told him if he wasn't willing to meet in person, so I could inspect the gun, that I would have to pass.

Pretty sure the guy was a scammer. There was no Glock 48, and once he had my cash he was gonna disappear. Funny enough other ads popped up with the exact same pictures, allegedly in other parts of the state, under other user names.

 

[Hoji]

It was a direct message in response to my WTB ad

If you follow through you should bring plenty of lube ‘cause you are probably about to get bent over

 

[Andiamo]

A little fishy - is this member a long time member, or at least prolific poster enough to get "well known" under their avatar vs "new member" ?

We've had scammers target the forum recently, and sadly its epidemic across forums and sites like Texas Gun Trader.

I came across a Glock 48 advertised in Corpus Christi last month, for $100 less than anyone else had one. That was a red flag. I texted the guy - told him I could meet him the next day if he was ok holding the gun 24 hours. I'd drive to Corpus to get it. It was just too late in the afternoon for me to make that drive when I found the ad. He was insistent that we just do an FFL transfer, he'd ship the gun to me. Bright orange flag, bordering on red. I told him it would be faster and cheaper for both of us, and I hadn't been to Corpus so I was more than willing to make the drive to see the sights along the way. He kept coming up with excuses "oh, I'm leaving on a business trip in two days" - "okay, that's fine, I'll be there tomorrow around noon" "oh, we should just ship via FFL" - I told him if he wasn't willing to meet in person, so I could inspect the gun, that I would have to pass.

Pretty sure the guy was a scammer. There was no Glock 48, and once he had my cash he was gonna disappear. Funny enough other ads popped up with the exact same pictures, allegedly in other parts of the state, under other user names.

New member, since may 2021, 25 posts

 

[Sasquatch]

New member, since may 2021, 25 posts

The exact minimum to post in classified ads, without buying a membership. I'd call that a red flag.

 

[Axxe55]

It was a direct message in response to my WTB ad

If I were you, send a message to one of the Mods and Admins with the member's username and let them investigate the member.

Just a few months ago, a scammer used a non-active member's account to perpetrate a scam. @Hoji knew that member from a past sale they had done.

As a result, that is why the increased vigilance in how deals are done here on TGT. There is even an entire thread about the ordeal. I'll dig it up and link that thread here later.

 

[1911'S 4 Me]

I think there are a couple of newly joined shady characters here.

 

[Andiamo]

The exact minimum to post in classified ads, without buying a membership. I'd call that a red flag.

It’s @Freeman45

He offered to sell me this Saiga 12 for $600. I wonder if we can reverse image search and see if these were posted elsewhere

 

[Axxe55]

New member, since may 2021, 25 posts

The exact minimum to post in classified ads, without buying a membership. I'd call that a red flag.

I have to agree with @Sasquatch. Huge red flag to me as well.

 

[Sasquatch]

I don't even see a listing from Freeman45 in the Guns for Sale section - mods or he must've deleted it?

 

[Brains]

Send it PayPal and put "For secret mission to North Korea" in the notes?

 

[Andiamo]

I don't even see a listing from Freeman45 in the Guns for Sale section - mods or he must've deleted it?

I put a WTB ad up and he direct messaged me.

The phone number was a Textfree app messaging number, that was the biggest red flag to me

 

[Axxe55]

It’s @Freeman45

He offered to sell me this Saiga 12 for $600. I wonder if we can reverse image search and see if these were posted elsewhere

View attachment 287221 View attachment 287222

Looking at his post history, I'd sure be very suspicious in doing a deal with that member.

 

[Hoji]

It’s @Freeman45

He offered to sell me this Saiga 12 for $600. I wonder if we can reverse image search and see if these were posted elsewhere

View attachment 287221 View attachment 287222

Joined in may. All of his posts started in October. Hits 25 and offers a deal too good to be true. Here is a link to what they have recently sold for.https://truegunvalue.com/shotgun/saiga-12/price-historical-value

 

[mp_tx]

thats why you do Family and Friends and don't put no notes, ez

This is not true. My account was frozen, and they seized my remaining balance ($55) due to “suspected violation of policies concerning sale/purchase gun parts.” I had no notes in any transactions. Their algorithms can figure it out—it’s kind if scary that they can piece together my associated email, an “I’ll take it” on a gun forum, and the transfer amount. But they can.


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