RED Flag

[Major 2]

A friend of mine, whom is on Facebook, received a nicely throughout ad, stating a Museum in Lousanna
was closing. 
The ad showed many desirable items, with photos for sale. Hmmmm

First RED flag, the prices were in word unbelievable  everything it said was $30 and under ! 
Example: a nice looking original S&W American ' Save $2850.00  sale price $29.99 

Well, my friend   fell for it    and ordered the American, He also ordered an Ames 1812 Saber.

OH! he got shipping Info ( next RED flag ) it is coming out of CHINA - DoH !

Tracking showed it in route from China, made it to US customs, then to Florida and finally Poke City Fl.
out for Delivery....but no package arrived, imagine that !

I tried to tell him, "if it seems to good to be true, it isn't true! " but he  ( actually I should say BUTT HEad )
  So, now the shipper says a package was sent but is was incorrectly packed and contained sunglasses.
When he receives the glasses, please return them and they will send the correct items.....

This how it was related to me    and my friend is working with his Credit Union to get his money back.

PLEASE don't be a victim, watch your back , don't dumb yourself !

[Abilene]

Sheesh!  I think your friend's picture should be in the dictionary next to the definition of "gullible"

At least he didn't lose big money.

[Trailrider]

Worse than that are the "notices" allegedly from USPS or UPS, et al, saying that an attempt was made to deliver an item (which you never ordered, and wasn't identified in the email), and would you please verify you address and other information.  This is an attempt to gain information for identity theft. I "reply" using my delete key! NEVER, NEVER send this information!

[Professor Marvel]

The Professional Head Shrinkers call this a FOMO (the fear of missing out) syndrome ....
Combined with being "overly trusting" and generally gullible, and wanting to be a part of the "special crowd"
It leads to such unfortunate results.

Stranger " hello friend! I just happen to have....."
Me " whatever you are selling I am not buying. See this sign? "
Stranger steps closer " I'm not selling anything! I just ..."
Me " now you are trespassing and committing assault. I am counting to three.... "

My lovely Spousal Unit ( She Who Must Be Obeyed ) and I seem to be "outliers"

Trust no outsider further than you can throw them.
Question Everything.
Ascertain and verify all claims.
Always make sure you have multiple forms of recourse and be on frinedly terms with the LEO and attorney general...

Prof Grumpy

[Major 2]

My friend sent me, the link (I don't Facebook or any of the other, so-called social media).
In his defense, the link was quite well done and rather convincing. 


But there was no way it was legit, not at those asking prices    IMHO
I warned him, he did not heed.

My friend, went to the PO and spoke to the Postmaster, she confirmed the Tracking number was bogus.
The Prefix's letter in the code were nothing used by the USPS.
The tracking emails are sent by the scammer, directed to keep the SCAMED pacified I assume.
I suppose there is time limit to contest or dispute a charge and the scammer successful in getting the funds.
He also called the named museum, but the phone number in the Facebook ad is a recording. (go figure). But he did look them up and phone them, (they do exist) they are not selling nor are they closing.

Moral...Buy nothing on Facebook or others, less you clearly know whom and trust the seller.
I don't know what the outcome will be... His credit union is reviewing the charge.

[Major 2]

The final outcome, the friends credit union responded favorably, and he got his funds restored....
  I expect he has learned his folly  ...because he got lucky this time.

[St. George]

Don't be so sure - P.T. Barnum said there's one born every minute...

It's like all those guys who find a treasure and despite all the information proving that it's not - their thought is 'But What If They're WRONG?'

Even after they're proven wrong, that niggling doubt will still exist, because how can 'their' gut tell them anything different, even though they did no provable research and relied on forum (and they all belong to a forum) consensus?


Scouts Out!

[Jeremiah Jones]

Worse than that are the "notices" allegedly from USPS or UPS, et al, saying that an attempt was made to deliver an item (which you never ordered, and wasn't identified in the email), and would you please verify you address and other information.  This is an attempt to gain information for identity theft. I "reply" using my delete key! NEVER, NEVER send this information!

I treat them like spam calls. 
Name: Frank N. Stein, Email address: FU2@giggle.com, etc.

[Baltimore Ed]

A little paranoia and skepticism is a good thing. I don't belong to the book of faces either. Now where did I put my tinfoil hat?

[River City John]

This firm, WWII or something like that, is advertising on Facebook as a "sponsored" ad. Selling ammunition and antique firearms at unbelievable prices:i.e. an 1851 original Colt revolver, was $3,890.00, only $27.95. And they guarantee money back for 180 days! Of course, they'll disappear long before that.
Ad was reported, of course. But will do no good, as Facebook is too invested in reaping in the profits from "sponsored" ad buyers without bothering to perform a due diligence.

https://www.wwmuseum.com/collections/Original-Antique-Guns-650a683f2b11b