2. misc-audio
  3. 167138-83032

Fraud and scam, how many of you are victims?

I was a victim of the most unpleasant experience just recently.I thought i was buying a preamp, but it proves i have been sending money to a scammer. It turns out the seller had been using a stolen ID and digitally manipulated photos.
I managed to get in contact with the fellow whos ID had been stolen, and it proves many more have been scammed like me. I'd like to point out that this is NOT through Audiogon, but another big sight.

Utterly painful when it's borrowed money. This makes me totally rethink any future purchase on the used marked.

I wonder how many of you fellow audio-friends have had this happen to you?

rird
rird OP
91 posts
 
I don't use paypal for larger amounts. Also like to add, paypal has not proven to much help in the past. Yes, i did a bank wire.
First time ever this has happened to me through 20 years of deals in most of EU, Asia and USA. Mainly wanted to check if anyone else had same experience. Personally i have had a few hobbies so there's been alot of money going. Yes, most funded through loans. 
Post removed 
gary_c
46 posts
 
No issues for me, for sales and purchases through Audiogon. I have also used Canuck Audio Mart for a speaker purchase, and no issues there either.

I strongly prefer Audiogon when buying, and from someone with excellent feedback and transaction count.

Like others mentioned, PayPal is the only method of payment that I will use. Never had any issues with them, and they were helpful when I reached out to them one time regarding the speaker purchase through CAM.

@rird, would you mind sharing which site this happened on?
Are we allowed to share this info on Audiogon forums?

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,269 posts
 
I got scammed last year for almost $300.00.  I ordered some DeWalt tools at a discount. 2 weeks later, UPS dropped off an envelope with smiley stickers.  Did some research and found the site was one of many that were scam sites. Got my money credited back from BOA.  BOA took the loss.  The site is still operating, despite my formal complaint to the FTC. 
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,744 posts
 
Not a huge deal but I bought some speaker wire in a face-to-face transaction with someone I found advertising on this site. I could see they had been reterminated and the seller said it was done "at the factory". After the sale, I called "the factory" who told me they had not done the work.
I left negative feedback for Mr. ScamA** which was removed. I inquired why and was told "You had a chance to examine the merch first so it's your fault". Perfect logic.
More to discover