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@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@mailman.qth.net <milsurplus-bounces@mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Hubert Miller
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 4:58 PM
To: milsurplus@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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