Scammers afoot
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 882
Likes: 52
Scammers afoot
Just a general note of warning.
In the last 2 days I replied to an ad here, asking if the item was still for sale.
Out of no where i received a text message to my cell phone, stating that it was and what did I want to offer.
I was a little taken aback, as I expected to receive a message from the seller either via the ad, or a PM.
I replied to the text my offer, and they immediately agreed to the price I stated, asking me to send via Venmo. I hesitated, as I started to get suspicious about the Venmo.
I sent a PM to the seller here on the Forum, and he said he had no idea what I was talking about!!! He didn't have my cell phone. So, I played along and asked them how they got my cell.
They stated they found it in another post of mine. I still didn't like it. So I asked them are they the person did we speak to last night, and what is their screen name. They gave me the name of the person selling the item.
P.S. beware around here. I am sure the majority of people are for real and honest, but I was almost taken in. The seller said someone else had just gotten ripped off the same way.
Lesson, only deal via PM's, don't give email or cell in posts.
Moderators, please take note here.
In the last 2 days I replied to an ad here, asking if the item was still for sale.
Out of no where i received a text message to my cell phone, stating that it was and what did I want to offer.
I was a little taken aback, as I expected to receive a message from the seller either via the ad, or a PM.
I replied to the text my offer, and they immediately agreed to the price I stated, asking me to send via Venmo. I hesitated, as I started to get suspicious about the Venmo.
I sent a PM to the seller here on the Forum, and he said he had no idea what I was talking about!!! He didn't have my cell phone. So, I played along and asked them how they got my cell.
They stated they found it in another post of mine. I still didn't like it. So I asked them are they the person did we speak to last night, and what is their screen name. They gave me the name of the person selling the item.
P.S. beware around here. I am sure the majority of people are for real and honest, but I was almost taken in. The seller said someone else had just gotten ripped off the same way.
Lesson, only deal via PM's, don't give email or cell in posts.
Moderators, please take note here.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 31
Likes: 5
From: SW Wisconsin
Yeah, same thing...beware on Facebook as well, I was just taken by 'Phillip Anderson' from the Chicago area for C4 parts to the tune of $230. Said he'd pay delivery, then the delivery company came back with my owing $150 for insurance. 'Phillip' came back saying he'd cover $50 of the $150 (80% of the $150 would be returned upon safe delivery, so I'd actually be MAKING money!) WELL, I'm stupid and Venmo'ed the $230 for the parts (before the shipping company issue), but said HELL NO to the shipping. I'm out $230 and embarrassed as hell, but maybe others to learn from my misfortune/ignorance/stupidity/dumbassedness (I think that's a word ; ).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 882
Likes: 52
sorry to hear this.
they are so brazen, the minute they came back with Venmo, and a text to my cell I immediately became suspicious which is not my nature.
But when I asked the actual seller via a PM, the jig was up.
I told them to F off, funny, they never wrote back.
they are so brazen, the minute they came back with Venmo, and a text to my cell I immediately became suspicious which is not my nature.
But when I asked the actual seller via a PM, the jig was up.
I told them to F off, funny, they never wrote back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 449
From: NJ
About half the time I post something for sale or place a wanted ad on here, I get at least one attempted scam. Everyone just needs to be aware that this is happening no matter what platform you post on, not just here on the forum. Most attempts on this forum are made by users who have just created an account and have zero or next to no thread or post activity which is easy to look up by clicking on their profile. And they usually ask a stupid question to lure you in regarding whether it will fit their car or how much you want for it when you already clearly specified that information in your post. When in doubt hit the alert button and let the mods figure it out. It really pisses me off that good people on here have been screwed by just doing what they love.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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Likes: 24,891
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Just an FYI - moderators and administrators are well aware of the scammer problem. In the sticky portion of each FS section, there are multiple warnings about scammers, especially concerning the posting of personal information in open threads.
We spend a lot of time identifying and removing scammers from the forum. We also rely on other forum members to assist us by using the Report Post/Report Message function to bring suspected scammers to our attention.
Bottom line is always be on guard - if something seems fishy, proceed with extreme caution. Trust your instincts. Ask questions, verify with the original seller (especially if contacted by text/e-mail), etc.
We spend a lot of time identifying and removing scammers from the forum. We also rely on other forum members to assist us by using the Report Post/Report Message function to bring suspected scammers to our attention.
Bottom line is always be on guard - if something seems fishy, proceed with extreme caution. Trust your instincts. Ask questions, verify with the original seller (especially if contacted by text/e-mail), etc.
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,227
Likes: 7,492
From: Pittsburgh
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The administrators do a good job of thwarting the scammers, but we all need to be on guard for ourselves & each other.
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