Ask for a proof of life picture, IE: maybe the date next to the firearm or a word you ask them to write next to it.
Do they ask you to make payment via none trackable/ no buyer protection? Venmo, Zelle, bit coin? ......PayPal has buyers protection, just don't mention anything in the comments for PayPal and if you got scammed and have to do a claim don't say it's for firearm related things......they will lock your account.
Ask the selller to take the firearm to the nearest FFL to them. Call that FFL, with a number you can verify; not one they gave you. Then call and ask the FFL to verify that they have the firearm in their possession BEFORE sending any money.
If you think it's a scam, get as much info as you can, IE: zelle info, phone number, forum name, things like that so you can post it so others can see and maybe save someone from getting scammed.
These are just something to check if you can't meet local. ( If meeting local do it in a safe manner and place) They will not protect you all the time ( some scammers are really good) but should help for some. Take it for what it's worth but we need to protect our pages and like minded people. Don't let these scammers screw up the pages.
If I missed something that works for you to protect your self when getting a firearm shipped please comment below so others can learn. ( I'm not saying everyone trying to ship a firearm is a scammer, I've done plenty of great deals with people and having them ship me things but sometimes you find your self dealing with a scammer) be safe. Hope this helps.
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A big red flag I see is whenever you call a phone number listed with a sale and it goes to voicemail and says the following message or something similar "the text now subscriber you are trying to reach is not available". I'm not saying all scammer use this service to communicate but all the people that I've come in contact with that do use this service have been scammers.
Is like to clarify #4. I didn't mean you're info was BS. The info a scammer gives you probably is. They have an endless supply of information to draw from. I also think that if the buyer/seller use FFL on both ends to handle shipping and receiving the likelihood of scam is very reduced. And like you said mandrew707, even getting the "proof of life" verified by an ffl dealer is a good step. Thank you for bringing this topic up! There are a lot of scammers these days and buyer beware can be an expensive lesson!
Yes, They can photo shop but it weeds out the crappy scammmers fast. Also I never said anything about them calling your FFL. I said that if they are selling a firearm have them take it to a established FFL in their area and call the FFL to verify that the dealer has possession of the firearm. Don't call a number the seller gives you, get it your self and call. The FFL will not lie for some random person and if the seller is trying to scam you they will never show up to the dealer. Yes, PayPal, Zelle, Venmo have no firearms in the terms hence why you don't post comments on what your buying. Most scammers will not take paypal Goods and Services for this reason ( don't do Friends&Family they don't cover you) . If you think it's all useless or BS that's fine but others might learn a little. Sorry you got scammed. Yes. FACE TO FACE IS BEST but the whole point was to inform people about when someone offers to SHIP them a firearm........
Use a proxy
1. Too easy to photoshop. They'll send fakes. 2. Yes, they get your money thru options that are easily moved and don't cost much. Bitcoin, Zelle to and Venmo all are terrible I've learned. They all also say in their end user agreement that they done allow firearms purchases. 3. If you can manage this, your on to something! 4. Most of this is useless and bs. My scanner called my FFL and gave fake info over the phone! 5. Ultimately F2F at a dealer is best.