Watch out for scammers

[Justabirdwatcher]

vvsees responsed to my WTB with pictures of the exact scope I was looking for. Except that I noticed the watermark in the corner, and realized he had just downloaded them. When I asked him for pictures with his PayPal info and the scope included, communications went silent.

I still can't wrap my head around the way these people must have been raised to think it's okay to just rip people off, but they are out there and they are getting smarter. His initial communication was nothing out of the ordinary and if he had more than 16 posts (most just single word responses) I would have probably sent him money.

Be careful and be very wary.

 

[npaden]

Responses to a WTB post are much more likely to be a scam than any other transaction in the classified section.

Do a google search for the item you listed that you wanted to buy and more than likely you will find the exact picture that they claimed was the item they had and were wanting to sell you at a very reasonable price.

It's more work for them to make up a sale ad on the chance that someone might want to buy it than it is for them to respond to someone with something they know the person wants.

Not to say there aren't scam for sale listings, but the WTB responses should be examined extra carefully.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Responses to a WTB post are much more likely to be a scam than any other transaction in the classified section.

Do a google search for the item you listed that you wanted to buy and more than likely you will find the exact picture that they claimed was the item they had and were wanting to sell you at a very reasonable price.

It's more work for them to make up a sale ad on the chance that someone might want to buy it than it is for them to respond to someone with something they know the person wants.

Not to say there aren't scam for sale listings, but the WTB responses should be examined extra carefully.

agreed. I got burned on a transaction (also wtb a scope) about 2 months ago. First time I've ever fallen for a scam. The photoshop job was just good enough to get me to bite. Shame on me. Still can't wrap my head around the mentality of people like this and frankly I hope I never can. I've been desperately poor before, but thankfully I was raised right and knew that hard work was the answer, not this. I just wish there was a better way to go after these people. It's a new era for sure.

 

[cahunter805]

If I feel the seller might be a scammer I do as npaden suggested and search google. Most scammers are getting the photos online.
I will also ask for a picture with something random in it so they can’t just photoshop their username into the photo.