THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN DEALING WITH SCAMMERS

[illnino]

Hello SCR,

Okay there has been a lot of scams going on everywhere. Not only here but other platforms.. I would like for us reefing family(community) to give our experiences with scammers so others can learn from us and not fall for their scams.

1. If a seller says, I have a friend that has what you are looking for.

2. If a seller contacts you and he or she has joined recently and has no post.

3. If a buyer says, I can't pick the item up but my friend, coworker, employee can, and they will give you a check for the amount for the item.

4. Tries to buy by check, cashiers check.


Now, for FLIPPING Flippers, that one is harder to identify and has to be on us to call them out. There is no way for a buyer to know if the seller is a flipper unless someone tells us.


Please be careful when selling and buying. if anything seems off or you get that gut feeling, just walk away. not worth it. There is always a better deal around the corner.


Happy Reefing

 

[iammrhappy]

.

 

[weelo111]

Always do PayPal Service/Goods especially with people you're dealing with for the first time. If they try to convince you otherwise it's an automatic red flag. They'll try to raise the issue about getting hit with the fees - tell them you cover the fees in the overall price (really not much I think PP charges 3%) , but really if they're selling that's part of the who process.

NEVER NEVER go through Zelle, CashApp, or anything Friends and Family there's no recourse in these situations.

 

[Rikyrudd89]

Also note, when they are really pushy in trying to make the sale as quick as possible. They you manipulating a stressful situation to keep you focused on something else vs what their trying to do. Always take your time, ask a lot of questions that will help reassure you that it’s legit.


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[dattack]

Might be best if admin get rid of private DMs. LOL
Keep transaction most transparent.

 

[iammrhappy]

.

 

[Coloredrock]

So, when I check this site I go to

https://www.socalireefs.com/index.php?whats-new/

Which gets everything posted on a slower site.

Sad that people do this and are perfectly fine with it. What a crappy way to live, sadly they just make new accounts and rinse and repeat. Be wary of newer accounts that start to say "sorry bro" or offer up free items only to say that they are gone. Not saying they have ill intent, just a weird way to start off posting on a board.

So lets create a list and keep it to the top when you see it drop off the “whats new” and copy and paste this list

Create a separate post with the details of what happened like the ones below. Let s see if we as a community self govern this shit.




@Alaji35

Tommy.count52@gmail.com

john.burden1@icloud.com

@kehys7

@Nano_Tank

 

[illnino]

So, when I check this site I go to

https://www.socalireefs.com/index.php?whats-new/

Which gets everything posted on a slower site.

Sad that people do this and are perfectly fine with it. What a crappy way to live, sadly they just make new accounts and rinse and repeat. Be wary of newer accounts that start to say "sorry bro" or offer up free items only to say that they are gone. Not saying they have ill intent, just a weird way to start off posting on a board.

So lets create a list and keep it to the top when you see it drop off the “whats new” and copy and paste this list

Create a separate post with the details of what happened like the ones below. Let s see if we as a community self govern this shit.




@Alaji35

Tommy.count52@gmail.com

john.burden1@icloud.com

@kehys7

@Nano_Tank

Agree


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[dontavo27]

If we all contribute something to the community on the regular, we get familiar with who’s who, no need to try and filter out the scammers or flippers.
just by starting build threads, and sharing your knowledge will do, I see a few decent ones posted recently.

 

[Coloredrock]

If we all contribute something to the community on the regular, we get familiar with who’s who, no need to try and filter out the scammers or flippers.
just by starting build threads, and sharing your knowledge will do, I see a few decent ones posted recently.

I agree with you on everything except for the bolded.. If you are part of the community and check it regularly, you are are doing more then half the battle own your own.. but there is also alot of people that just come on to trade or buy once in awhile and if we as a community police ourselves.. its going to incur less. But that just me thinking and most of the time when Im thinking it doesnt end up good .

Sad to say the bigger boards have taken over the brain storming of ideas some good and some not so good "knowledge based threads"

... and most of the local reef forums have become "trading hubs" I do love the build threads better on the local scale more then the big boards tho.

 

[Tikalize]

Always do PayPal Service/Goods especially with people you're dealing with for the first time. If they try to convince you otherwise it's an automatic red flag. They'll try to raise the issue about getting hit with the fees - tell them you cover the fees in the overall price (really not much I think PP charges 3%) , but really if they're selling that's part of the who process.

NEVER NEVER go through Zelle, CashApp, or anything Friends and Family there's no recourse in these situations.

THIS PART to the LETTER!! If you don't have a PayPal account get one its worth it. Most people that get scammed trust strangers too much. We don't live in Mayberry and everyone don't play by the same rules as yourself. If this sounds harsh well we live in a harsh world unfortunately. Follow your dollar until goods and cash change hands!

 

[ZOMBIEKILER]

tHNKS ... LAST YEAR A NEW MEMBER GOT ME FOR 100 DEPOSIT ON SOME FISH. USED PAPYPAL BUT SENT AS GIFT LIKE A DUMB ASS ,,,, NEVER AGAIN

 

[iammrhappy]

.

 

[Rikyrudd89]

Definitely I agree with everyone for sure. I think has members that been in the hobby a while and understand it’s like an unspoken duty to help bring to light the scammers. I think just sharing best practices for communication and potentially more admins will help a lot. I’m glad I posted and even thought it’s a horrible financial loss I’m glad we can come together as a community and have a discussion on this and share together. Let’s keep this going for sure!


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[Grayston]

Before you send money,
Ask questions… their location… willing to share pickup address… or ask them to send their contact number so you can discuss. Offer to pay in person… even if you do not finally end up picking up or calling them it’s the reaction to each question that hints if there may be a problem. Is it a real person? Scammers don’t like anything that links them to traceability.

Also, beware of any request for Zelle or Venmo deposit… that is a red flag. Buyers are typically not scammers… scammers disguise as sellers it’s your money they want.

Beware when you feel they are hiding (don’t have a picture or name) and refuse to any contact with excuses… big red flag 🚩 It just happened to me

 

[suvuong7]

Any new members ask for references on who they bought from before on this site and cross reference it with that member….that would be best when dealing with new members. If they can’t give you any references I would not deal with them at all


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[Rikyrudd89]

So, when I check this site I go to

https://www.socalireefs.com/index.php?whats-new/

Which gets everything posted on a slower site.

Sad that people do this and are perfectly fine with it. What a crappy way to live, sadly they just make new accounts and rinse and repeat. Be wary of newer accounts that start to say "sorry bro" or offer up free items only to say that they are gone. Not saying they have ill intent, just a weird way to start off posting on a board.

So lets create a list and keep it to the top when you see it drop off the “whats new” and copy and paste this list

Create a separate post with the details of what happened like the ones below. Let s see if we as a community self govern this shit.




@Alaji35

Tommy.count52@gmail.com

john.burden1@icloud.com

@kehys7

@Nano_Tank

Another name to add to the list

Steff dushane

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[dattack]

I guess we need to half at least half the thread's talk about scams so just a friendly reminder to everybody.

 

[cboltsd]

They never stop

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[Grayston]

Beware, recently came across a seller claiming to be taking down a tank. The odd part was asking for Zelle or Venmo deposits. I worried the tank would be gone as well as the seller. As I inquired and pushed forward the seller stopped responding. Just beware of the “hiding not responding” patterns too.