Prevent scams: Request proper PMs before trading!

Hi,

Over the past few months, malicious users have revived an old, cunning scam: the 'PM trap.' The staff would like to express its sincerest condolences to those that have fallen victim the recent PM trap scams, and we'd also like to inform you about how to prevent such scams from occurring.

For those that are unfamiliar with the scam, I have outlined it in its entirety here- http://www.sythe.org/12032547-post6.html.

To combat this clever scam, not only should you request and/or send PMs, you must make sure that the PMs are formatted correctly. Here is the suggested format you should use to verify a user's identity on Skype:

I am speaking with you on MSN (or skype) now.
My MSN (or skype ID) is: ---
Your MSN (or skype ID) is: ---
The trade is: My --- for your ---
Copy-paste of the last 5-10 lines of the conversation we've been having:

Here is an example of a proper private message:

I am speaking with you on Skype right now.
My Skype ID is: "live:superman_3"
Your Skype ID is: "frenzysythe"
The trade is: My 1B RSGP for your $250 through Western Union
Copy-paste of the last 5-10 lines of the coneversation we've been having:

[1/1/13 5:48:17 PM] Frenzy: So I will buy your 1B RSGP for $250
[1/1/13 5:48:26 PM] Frenzy: I will pay through Western Union
[1/1/13 5:48:51 PM] Superman: Yep! I will PM you this conversation to confirm that I am the real Superman.
[1/1/13 5:49:01 PM] Frenzy: Thanks!
[1/1/13 5:49:04 PM] Superman: No problem.​

Omitting any part of the suggested format puts your trade at risk, and opens the door for scams to take place. Please also note that Staff Members and Official Middlemen will NEVER refuse to PM you properly! We wish you the best of luck trading.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to PM a moderator or post here.

 

[Dave]

Thanks for making this public Superman!

 

[Jay Zee]

Good call making an announcement, the template might be useful for people who get lazy with PMs

 

Hopefully users read this

 

[theGuitarist]

Good of you for spreading the word. Now, there should be no more excuses as there is a proper explanation of how to avoid this.

 

Thanks, Superman.

By the way, I should be in that conversation.

 

Thanks...

 

[Heads447]

Cool beans.

 

[DipperBaby]

Great! Too many people are getting scammed with that little imposter buyer and seller scheme.

 

That is a pretty "smart" scam. Hopefully this will reduce or remove these types of scams.

 

[Questguy]

Great job, hope everyone can read this.

 

[RSGoldstop]

Maybe include:

My number of contacts:

For alot of imposter of trusted people's accounts - they only have less than 10 contacts, whereas the actual trusted skype has 500+

 

[kmjt]

Maybe include:

My number of contacts:

For alot of imposter of trusted people's accounts - they only have less than 10 contacts, whereas the actual trusted skype has 500+

Anyone can see how many contacts you have.

 

[ThePrestigedMuzza]

Thanks for putting the word out there.

Possible suggestion, although this can cause some minor delays from my experience, it's still a very good way to prevent these traps. I actually refuse to send out pms to people unless they pm me first or at the very least post on my thread with the format i have out. In order to avoid being victim to the PM trap when your considered the 'trusted player' don't send out a pm to people you don't know.

 

[RSGoldstop]

Anyone can see how many contacts you have.

Yes but the imposter skype would only have like 10.

 

[S]

Hope people are more vigilant now.

 

Thanks Superman

 

[Armadonillo]

Nice template Superman I'll use it every time I make a transaction.

 

[Yenthe666]

Very nice template with very little room for scamming.
Thanks for this

 

[MrAussie]

are you the real superman? :O