Warning from another forum

Steve
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I have copied this from another forum. I do not think anything like his could happen on here but please be aware on other forums you may use.
It has come to our attention that a scammer is targeting internet forums that have classified areas. Please read this carefully and DO NOT become a victim of such criminals.
Basically, the scammer is watching the classified sections and waiting for someone to make an offer on an item, which is then refused by the seller. The scammer then registers with a user name almost identical to that of the seller and simply adds a full stop, underscore, or similar.
A PM is then sent to the prospective buyer suggesting a change of heart, accepting the offer, asking for payment and sending bank details. The forum concerned has handed over all this information to the police and hopefully this individual will be stopped, BUT that doesn’t mean someone else won’t try the same thing. The scammer in this case used all manner of free internet hotspots so it’s easy to see how it can be done. People have already been caught out and we don’t want a member of TP to be the next one.
We do what we can by way of protecting members - no PM access for new registrations, classifieds only viewable to members and so on - but we cannot restrict everything, so please do not fall for anything like this.
 
dsio
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Steve Steve
I have copied this from another forum. I do not think anything like his could happen on here but please be aware on other forums you may use.
It has come to our attention that a scammer is targeting internet forums that have classified areas. Please read this carefully and DO NOT become a victim of such criminals.
Basically, the scammer is watching the classified sections and waiting for someone to make an offer on an item, which is then refused by the seller. The scammer then registers with a user name almost identical to that of the seller and simply adds a full stop, underscore, or similar.
A PM is then sent to the prospective buyer suggesting a change of heart, accepting the offer, asking for payment and sending bank details. The forum concerned has handed over all this information to the police and hopefully this individual will be stopped, BUT that doesn’t mean someone else won’t try the same thing. The scammer in this case used all manner of free internet hotspots so it’s easy to see how it can be done. People have already been caught out and we don’t want a member of TP to be the next one.
We do what we can by way of protecting members - no PM access for new registrations, classifieds only viewable to members and so on - but we cannot restrict everything, so please do not fall for anything like this.

We'll keep an eye out for it, thanks for the tip. Generally we track new member registrations and try to remove any obvious spammers but nothing we can do replaces a well developed scepticism and sense of caution by the buyer. Do check references, google search the seller you're dealing with, ask for a phone number and residential address and if you're ever in any doubt, there is NOTHING wrong with posting a thread here asking for a reference check or for other's opinion on proceeding. No legitimate seller will be offended by a thread asking for references, as they will not have any problem attracting them.
 
Spy
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Do you think it might be worth creating a list of trusted sellers to post on the forum in the way of a sticky?

For example, there are a couple sellers on eBay that are known among a few forums for selling authentic brand watches. The watch forum community is small enough that someone can voucher for at least one person.
 
Trev
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Spy Spy
Do you think it might be worth creating a list of trusted sellers to post on the forum in the way of a sticky?

For example, there are a couple sellers on eBay that are known among a few forums for selling authentic brand watches. The watch forum community is small enough that someone can voucher for at least one person.
You can create entries for them in the seller profiles forum. 👍
 
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