How to avoid scammers

[schmoozer]

While JAC's intentions seem sincere, I would like to point out that speculative assumptions only serve to ward away recent, new, and or not-so-chatty RFD members. I'll elaborate:

1. Look at the join date. Less than a few months ago? Few posts? No feedback? Bad signs.

- Such traits are typical of *new* accounts, aren't they?

3. Google the seller's email address. If you can't find it anywhere else, it's probably disposable.

- Are all known personal email addresses in wide, public distribution? More Spam w/that email?

4. Ask for a phone number. Use it. Google it. Do a reverse lookup.

- Phone services don't all publish personal info.
- Getting prepaid phones, inputting garbage @activation isn't very difficult.
- My personal favorite: unstable/irrational people with unreasonable expectations, harassing to no end & forcing favorite phone #'s to be discarded.

5. Ask to pay by cheque or money order. Do a reverse lookup on the mailing address. Google it.

- If the transaction is in-person, a cheque/money order may not be the wisest decision (unless you're craving Russian roulette).

6. Look at the photos. Google the link to see if they've been used before under different accounts, or different user names.

- Useful *if* photos claimed to be 'actual' item; sifting through countless pictures online isn't exactly feasible either.

7. Visit the photo gallery if you can, and look for photos with different user names. Google the names.

- Not a bad idea, but people with security/personal concerns won't be eager to plaster their face/butt/etc. all over the internet
- Adding identity theft/unauthorized usage of someone else's pictures/etc. to the mix doesn't help either.



All in all, I'd still like to thank JAC for his efforts

[JAC]

You seem to have missed all my points. I'm not going to explain them to you, nor will I bother to express anything other than amusement at a noobs condescension.

[schmoozer]

Likewise, though it's rather pitiful for you to see attacks, where there are none; adding your belittlement of others only serves to further emphasize, just how 'small' (minded) you really are.

But please, don't let pesky details such as most *new RFD'ers meeting your criteria, get in the way...

...while I'd love to stay and chat, you'll have to make-do self debating from here on out.


In the interest of the record: I'd take being a 'noob' - over being a *boob* like you any day.

Cheerio!

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[saphyre50]

I am new to this forum and just want to thank you for the awesome info. Everyone.