February SCAM :Warning Reminder Message

[Cyclofiend Jim]

Hey there - 

I'm going to post this now and again as a reminder to all members.

This week (1/30/25), I had a member reach out to let me know they encountered another online scam attempt.

Their story followed the most common recent SCAM vector:

A group member posts a WTB or ISO or "Looking for..." post

They are contacted directly via email by someone who has exactly that item, wants to sell it to them at a fair/realistic price, includes photos or other visual assets, etc. 

The photos are not theirs. In past scam attempts, other group members have recognized images that were theirs or belonged to riding partners. 

The item does not exist. The potential buyer will lose their money. 
It is a scam.

These are believable attempts preying upon the excitement of saving a few bucks or finding something which is currently unavailable, It would be very easy to fall for the scam. 

And we do not fall for scams because we are stupid.
We fall for scams because we are human. 

The "seller" is not a list member. That means that some other "sleeper" account is harvesting your email address and then using it to contact you. 

If someone is not am RBW list member, they cannot see your contact info and would not be able to contact you directly.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMS:
If you are approached after creating a WTB/ISO post
- Search the other person's email in the group archives, to see if they have a track record of posting. If they have no posts, it's likely a scam.

- Search their email in the group member section, to see if they are actually a member. If they are not a member, it's almost certainly a scam. 

If you do choose to proceed with any transaction, you do so at entirely your risk. Due diligence and paying with a protected method are always good practice. 

Please feel free to append this reminder to anyone's WTB/ISO post.

- Jim / list admin

[Cal Patterson]

Ah shoot.  I think I got scammed on my WTB Tosco Bars post.  "Seller" has gone radio silence after payment.... :(

Thanks for this reminder Jim!  Stay vigilant, fellow listers!

[John Rinker]

Thanks for keeping us informed Jim. You provided a fine service. I also really appreciate your sentiment:

'And we do not fall for scams because we are stupid.
We fall for scams because we are human.'

I do remember reading (on The Radavist, I believe) that it is also good practice to ask a seller to provide a photo of the item and a piece of paper with their email address and the date. Seems like a good idea.

Cheers, John 

[Cyclofiend Jim]

I will admit to quoting that sentiment from the "World's Greatest Con" podcast...  ;)

And I do like that photo with handwritten note, but these days that's probably trivial to create. So, if they can't immediately provide it, I'd worry. But the existence of it would not assuage my concerns...

If anyone is contacting you from outside the list, that would cause me to say "Run Away!"

Jim