p.1 #1 · Warning: Buy & Sell board, Use Private Messages Only
Posting this message here to make you urgently aware about scam on FM.
If you reply to any ad by regular "PMed" or "tag for feedback" - it is visible for scammer.
They will find your email online and send you email saying "Hey, I'm that person from FredMiranda, the item you want is still available, please send me your shipment address". Then they'll most likely trick you to use unsafe payment.
To avoid this scam - please keep your internal FM communications directly.
Apology for posting it here, this post will be removed soon, but I hope it helps you to be aware and not get scammed. I almost got! Even though made so many safe transactions before. Stay safe!
p.1 #3 · Warning: Buy & Sell board, Use Private Messages Only
In my case it was quite easy by guessing, or finding it on blog perhaps.
If your email is very different from FM nickname, it's harder, but modern network is very weak.
I think if your email is listed anywhere, it may be scrapped and found.
p.1 #4 · Warning: Buy & Sell board, Use Private Messages Only
Two possible things... they may try matching the UID with email mapping with search engines or straight mapping for example userid at gmail dot com... Sending email is simple as spreading the net widely... So let us better be safe! madaphoto wrote:
How can they find your email?
p.1 #6 · Warning: Buy & Sell board, Use Private Messages Only
True, I also have a habit - after PMing on purchase I just instantly commenting the thread for future feedback, so I don't forget later.
It's still fine to do that, just be aware that scammer is acting asap (to get money before actual seller responds). So they communicate quick with intent to make you feel like it's a regular flow.
Looking back into my conversation I see so many red flags now that I can't believe I didn't notice at first.
Thanks goodness PPal blocked my initial attempt to send "test $5" to double check address has no typo, otherwise I'd loose full payment.
Imagine my surprise when I got PM from real seller later confirming they didn't email me in parallel...
So I think key safety point here - keep conversations in FM PM.
Scammers often find new ways to slightly confuse your attention, and it works very well even on experienced buyers.
p.1 #7 · Warning: Buy & Sell board, Use Private Messages Only
I see what happened, and yes, there are unfortunately active scammers everywhere online looking for opportunities to take advantage. Your advice was absolutely the right call. For safety, it's always best to communicate only via PM on FM and avoid moving conversations off-site.
I will go ahead and move this to the Forum and Misc board so it remains active so others can see it as well.
p.1 #9 · Warning: Buy & Sell board, Use Private Messages Only
Is somebody emailing and pretending to be an FM member? It's surprising that anyone has email addresses out there openly.
I'm not seeing the difference from other scams.
