SPAMMING / SCAMMING in Private messages....... Please read

[Steven Vaccaro]

If you get a private message from someone you don't know, please double-check to see if they are real or a scammer!

What's happened is that scammers are targeting private messages because the forum admins can NOT see private messages to know what's happening.

If you do get a message you are worried about, please take a screenshot and then email them to Danny or I with it.

[ray schrauwen]

RC Groups had same issue so they made a change that new members had to have a min 50 posts before they could PM people.

[Steven Vaccaro]

Thanks for the suggestion. I could try something like that.

[Xrayted]

Yeah these WTB add scammers are prolific in every forum out there with a classified section. Mostly originating in Nigeria or Eastern Europe, and always the same MO. Joins just to go after a WTB add, and "has a friend" they want you to contact that just happens to have exactly what you want.

Red flags everywhere on this old scam, but they are still successful. First red flag is why would someone that doesnt even have what you need join five seconds ago and just so happen to be browsing the classifieds instead of their friend who has the stuff? I know I join random forums about things I know nothing about and browse the classifieds all the time just to see if anyone needs anything that I dont haveHow anyone still falls for this obvious scam is beyond me?

Of course there is no friend, and they are playing multiple roles in the scam. Red flag #2 is the asking for Zelle, cash apps or PP friends and family. Any numbers that look to be US based they provide for texting are spoofed (they dont want to talk on the phone or you will hear the accent and terrible english).

Users should also disable the ability for people to see their email contacts in their profile and communicate with them outside of the forum. Another new tactic they are using on RCG is to see someone make a deal in the classifieds and then quickly reach out to the buyer by email with their PP info posing as the seller requesting payment. In this case the real seller gets blamed for scamming

[Steven Vaccaro]

Yeah these WTB add scammers are prolific in every forum out there with a classified section. Mostly originating in Nigeria or Eastern Europe, and always the same MO. Joins just to go after a WTB add, and "has a friend" they want you to contact that just happens to have exactly what you want.

Red flags everywhere on this old scam, but they are still successful. First red flag is why would someone that doesnt even have what you need join five seconds ago and just so happen to be browsing the classifieds instead of their friend who has the stuff? I know I join random forums about things I know nothing about and browse the classifieds all the time just to see if anyone needs anything that I dont haveHow anyone still falls for this obvious scam is beyond me?

Of course there is no friend, and they are playing multiple roles in the scam. Red flag #2 is the asking for Zelle, cash apps or PP friends and family. Any numbers that look to be US based they provide for texting are spoofed (they dont want to talk on the phone or you will hear the accent and terrible english).

Users should also disable the ability for people to see their email contacts in their profile and communicate with them outside of the forum. Another new tactic they are using on RCG is to see someone make a deal in the classifieds and then quickly reach out to the buyer by email with their PP info posing as the seller requesting payment. In this case the real seller gets blamed for scamming

Great info, THANKS!!