The scammers who lurk the exchange

[M.FREEZE]

I’m sure this has been covered dozens of times, but just a word of advice – watch out for the scammers that try and contact you regarding payment of a knife that you:
A) purchased from a fellow member and scammers contact you before the real seller contacts you and they request payment

Or

B) call “seconds” on a knife, and a scammer reach out to you, telling you that the initial buyer backed out and that you have been contacted because you called “seconds” and all you have to do is make payment.

I called “seconds” on a knife last night and received a text from a number that was out of state. The text told me I could purchase the knife if I sent payment because the first buyer backed out. There were several broken up texts that had grammar issues and word patterns that didn’t feel right. When I asked the texter how they got my number, they ignored the question and demanded payment and my address. I replyed that I was no longer interested, and then my phone rang. I ignored the first call, but they called 2 more times. The final time I answered and the voice on the other end didn’t use English as his primary language. I then told him the same thing I texted - not interested.

Then, just to confirm, I re-upped my gold membership and messaged the seller directly, and confirmed that he DID NOT reach out via text/phone call.

 

[abcdef]

Day-um! Thanks.

 

[Terry M.]

Wow. Getting kinda ballsy ain’t they?

 

[Jsega51]

Wow. Getting kinda ballsy ain’t they?

This has been happening for months and there’s multiple threads in GBU where this has happened and the mods have been repeatedly telling members to stop openly posting person information and to remove their personal info from their forum posts. In an ironic twist here the OP is telling people to watch out, yet they have their person info including email and phone number posted, that’s how they got contacted obviously.

 

[Blues]

We have harped on this time and time again, posted notices, posted in discussion threads, posted in sale threads, left banners up and still folks will not take the steps recommended which will greatly enhance their security.

There comes a point after banging your head against the wall repeatedly where you realize that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

It's not rocket science folks. It's a matter of common sense and not being penny wise and pound foolish.

If you're leaving your personal contact details in public, you only have yourself to blame when the miscreants come calling...when you could have access to DMs for the princely sum of 2.7 cents per day based upon a "Basic" membership which costs $10 annually.

Is it worth risking hundreds of dollars, (or more), on a knife purchase to save 2.7 cents? Your money. You decide.

 

[LEGION 12]

We have harped on this time and time again, posted notices, posted in discussion threads, posted in sale threads, left banners up and still folks will not take the steps recommended which will greatly enhance their security.

There comes a point after banging your head against the wall repeatedly where you realize that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

It's not rocket science folks. It's a matter of common sense and not being penny wise and pound foolish.

If you're leaving your personal contact details in public, you only have yourself to blame when the miscreants come calling...when you could have access to DMs for the princely sum of 2.7 cents per day based upon a "Basic" membership which costs $10 annually.

Is it worth risking hundreds of dollars, (or more), on a knife purchase to save 2.7 cents? Your money. You decide.

 

[M.FREEZE]

This has been happening for months and there’s multiple threads in GBU where this has happened and the mods have been repeatedly telling members to stop openly posting person information and to remove their personal info from their forum posts. In an ironic twist here the OP is telling people to watch out, yet they have their person info including email and phone number posted, that’s how they got contacted obviously.

In my case, I didn’t share my email or phone number in the sale thread. My email is posted in my profile, but my phone number isn’t. I’m assuming they looked up my email online and found my number.

 

[jbmonkey]

In my case, I didn’t share my email or phone number in the sale thread. My email is posted in my profile, but my phone number isn’t. I’m assuming they looked up my email online and found my number.

not saying you have, but I've seen folks in the past post their phone numbers in for sale threads and even on peoples profile pages on deals and forget they did it......

 

[l1ranger]

it took me 30 seconds to find your email and 2 minutes and 9 seconds to find you phone number in past posts.

go back and remove those and save yourself the trouble in the future.

and for everybody else, don't do business, especially PPFF by email or phone - especially if you didn't know who you are dealing with

and remember, just b/c you've removed them, doesnt mean some low life scumbag didnt already save them somewhere and won't contact you in the future using them

 

[l1ranger]

In my case, I didn’t share my email or phone number in the sale thread. My email is posted in my profile, but my phone number isn’t. I’m assuming they looked up my email online and found my number.

see above

 

[M.FREEZE]

not saying you have, but I've seen folks in the past post their phone numbers in for sale threads and even on peoples profile pages on deals and forget they did it......

That’s likely the case I wasn’t saying that I’ve never posted it or given it to anyone on the forums. I’m just saying that I didn’t include any info in the sales thread and didn’t give any info the the real seller or the scammer.
Seems like a lot of trouble to go through to comb through old posts to try and swindle $165 from someone.

 

[SharpBits]

There have been many, many data breaches over the years where all of your contact information was taken. I know mine was including email , physical address, phone numbers. The scammers have access to this stolen data and are now using it run their scams. You don't have to have made the error of posting your email or phone on BF. That makes it too easy, of course, but the scammers have a lot of data to correlate these days. Some info may even have been taken from the compromised Bladeforums accounts of others.

So, what to do? Turn on two factor authentication on your account, do not use PPFF with someone unknown to you, do not respond to emails or phone calls regarding sales on BF, unless you actually know the person. Even so, best to deal only via private messages here. If it seems to be too good to be true, it is too good to be true. If your gut tells you something is wrong, stop!

 

[Boru13]

Seems like a lot of trouble to go through to comb through old posts to try and swindle $165 from someone.

I doubt it’s much trouble at all, easy money that requires a little time and effort.., for some it’s a job.

Regardless of the amount, the money adds up when you’re scamming numerous people daily… there was a recent scam attempt on the forums for $47, the amount is irrelevant as long as they’re getting paid.

 

[SharpBits]

for some it’s a job

Very much this ^

It is a fulltime job for most scammers. There are millions of scams taking place and it all adds up to very large sums.

 

[Richard338]

It's no effort at all if you use our handy search feature. I searched the word "email" in posts by M.Freeze and got dozens of hits.

 

[goldie]

Im surprised scammers even found out about bladeforums and the exchange. Seems a bit obscure; i guess nothings safe anymore; only deal with PM/DM do not accept emails,only email you should get is a bladeforums title stating the seller sent a direct message.;then go into DM and deal w the seller that way.......

 

[JTR357]

I wish there was a way to report them & it actually amounted to something. I went through SIX debit cards last year from what I'm guessing was fake card readers in stores, especially gas stations. I only use my card online now & use cash in the physical world. I get reimbursed every time, but they ALWAYS get away with it every time too. It's infuriating.

 

[Dezignguy]

Im getting text messages tonight from scammers pretending to be a seller that I’ve been in touch with through DM. They somehow got my phone number in order to text me. I ran a search on BF for my phone # and my email and both came up empty, so I’m not sure how these scumbags got my info. Anyways they’re not fooling me, but beware of these a$$holes.

 

[braillediver]

I sent you a DM linking to 1 source for the Text Messages. There could be more.

 

[kreole]

Im getting text messages tonight from scammers pretending to be a seller that I’ve been in touch with through DM. They somehow got my phone number in order to text me. I ran a search on BF for my phone # and my email and both came up empty, so I’m not sure how these scumbags got my info. Anyways they’re not fooling me, but beware of these a$$holes.

You "disguised" your number writing some of the numbers out. Check page 2 of your posts on your profile