[Milsurplus] Milsurplus Digest, Vol 262, Issue 47 Assistance

[Mark K3MSB]

I have never purchased anything of any significant value from a completely
unknown person and paid via PayPal.

As indicated by Ray and others,  most of my buying and selling is done via
the various groups that I'm a member of.   I know the people and they know
me, to various degrees.

Here are some guidelines I use for large purchases:
Do not pay via PayPal.
Use a US Postal Money Order or a Certified Bank Check.   If the seller will
not accept these,  that's a HUGE warning flag.

Why a Certified Bank Check?   They're usually free from your bank,  and it
prevents the seller, if he's a scammer, from seeing your checking account
number.

If you send payment via the US Mail and the seller steals your money, you
have legal recourse.   You don't have that with PayPal.

Insist payment is sent to the current address on file with the FCC.   If
the seller doesn't want you to do this, ask why.  "Oh, I moved last year
and forgot to update my license" -- HUGE warning flag.

73 Mark K3MSB




On Thu, Feb 26, 2026 at 9:05 AM Ray Fantini via Milsurplus <
milsurplus at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> Just curious, how many are accustom to or regularly buy gear from people
> you never know beyond online ? So much of this sounds like the old Nigerian
> prince scam, or 419 Fraud. Or is this people who are contacted for “wanted”
> information they have posted on line? Where are people posting this stuff
> and is there a correlation between where they post and scammers? Would like
> to know just to avoid that avenue.
>
> This is why I deal with people I know or at Hamfest and other get
> togethers, or at least within the confines of existing groups.
>
>
>
>
>
> Ray F/KA3EKH
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net <
> milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net> *On Behalf Of *Hubert Miller
> *Sent:* Wednesday, February 25, 2026 4:58 PM
> *To:* milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Milsurplus] Milsurplus Digest, Vol 262, Issue 47
> Assistance
>
>
>
>
>
> How does this scam work ? Is it as basic as, "You send me a money order
> first" ?
>
> I would be tempted to play them, like suggest the money be held in escrow,
> until item is received; held by a person i or a ham radio club chooses. Or
> maybe we can make plans to meet up ?
>
> -Hue Miller
>
>
>
>
>
>
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