Any way to restrict access to the BST board to prevent scams?

K6AZ

I was just browsing the BST board, and see yet another scammer has been exposed, and this one was major. Is there anyway to limit posting on that board such as only allowing members registered for XX days? On most of the other non-coin boards I post on, their BST boards all have restrictions that prohibit newly registered users from posting.

And please, I don't want to hear how it was the ripped off board member's fault. This guy was slick, and scammed many respected board members.

mgoodm3

They would probably just wait XX days prior to trying to scam people.

ksteelheader

I think that's a good idea Eric....

KlectorKid

Link to thead

Myqqy

I HATE hearing about scams like this one- I would be all in support of restrictions to the BST board. No one solution would stop all of the problems, but if you make people jump through more hoops, you at least increase the odds that the quick-hitters will go away......

ziggy29

I've got it! Let's create this thing called a "feedback system," and every time you successfully complete a transaction or fear being retaliated against if you're honest, then you check this thing called "positive feedback" which indicates your trading partner's trustworthiness...

Seriously, though, there would certainly be ways around whatever roadblocks we threw out here. Still, if we could at least put in some "speed bumps" without overly infringing on honest traders, I think it would be a great idea...

joeyuk

I've checked "referals" on people I don't know.

MICHAELDIXON

I think Eric has an excellent idea! It's sad this guy got away with what he did!

XpipedreamR

Did everyone who "bought" from this guy get ripped off?

K6AZ

Michael, be sure everyone who got ripped gets the number I posted over there to the detective division of the Fayetteville police department. North Carolina has some pretty tough fraud laws, and perhaps a visit from the police might encourage this guy to make good on the coins returned.

As far as limiting access to the board, of course nothing is fool proof. But anything you can do to slow down crooks is a good thing.

Myqqy

I've got it! Let's create this thing called a "feedback system,"

Well, we've got this cool little feedback system in place here, but people aren't really sure which direction the 1-10 scale runs. But I'm currently running a 5.3 rating, so I'm not sure if I can be trusted.....

HTubbs

Which is a better a 10 or a 1?I don't know so I don't ever rate any one.
I think the BST forum should be left alone,there's not really much that can be done without causing heaps of trouble to the honest sellers on there.

mrearlygold

In my opinion there should be a form we all have to fill out with verifiable addresses etc before an item is listed for sale at least for the first time. As it is right now it's way too easy for a lowlife ( there's that word that gets me in trouble with those types) to post anything and rip anyone off.

Would increase bandwidth, and someone would have to be in charge of this file etc but somehow I don't think it would be that big a deal.

It's a shame but where there's old money ( or new), there's bound to be these things happening.

Tom

stujoe

I just recently created a Feedback Forum on my site where people can post comments about transactions with each other. On a forum this size, that would probably be impractical.

Nothing is going to be 'safe' for members but some of the things I have seen is restricting by number of posts and by time registered. Scammers can easily wait out the time, post some BS and get around those kind of estrictions and can also move their offers to PM's.

One thing that someone might do is create a "How not to get cheated on the BST Forum" post and have PCGS 'sticky' it to the top of the BST forum. Things like being cautious about new or unknown members is somethhing that buyers can do themselves. Other things too that, if they were posted, might get some buyers thinking and maybe save them from a scam.

ibzman350

<< <i>Did everyone who "bought" from this guy get ripped off? >>



I did 2 deals with "Kevin" both times went smooth, no problem here.

Strange but true

I bought a coin from a fellow board member who also lives in Fayettville. this member was at the PO mailing my coin, he happened to look at the address of the package the lady in front of him was mailing and he recognized it as my address. The lady was "Kevins" wife and she was mailing one of the 2 deals we did, true story.

Herb

coinlieutenant

In a perfect world I would agree with you Eric. I hate to see this kind of crap too.

However, we have a complex network and if communication and referrals are checked, this sort of thing could be prevented.

Just kind of do it the way that we have always been doing it. If you dont know someone, ask someone else who is respected on the board.

If you can figure out a fairly simple way to do it otherwise, I'm all for it but sometimes common sense and a cautious approach can be very effective in fighting this stuff.

Vr,
John

K6AZ

John, what made this guy so deceptive is that he did quite a few deals on inexpensive items, such as what Herb mentioned. Then on the expensive stuff, he emphasized his references. It's the same principal as the guys on eBay who build up some feedback on cheap items, then start selling laptops and plasma TVs that never get delivered. This type of scam is the most deceptive, and this guy screwed a lot of very knowledgable people here. No matter how careful you are, nothing is absolutely foolproof.

coinlieutenant

I see your point. Perhaps we should be more watchful of a strange trend change in customer selling...

TheLiberator

I just posted to the BST board for the first time with my first auctions.

I want everyone to know I am not one of these scumbags!

Ok...so maybe my bathroom gets a bit scummy..but that's all!

So what happened anyway?

jdimmick

Hey Guys, Gals

I just saw this thread! I live here in Fayetteville, Nc, Can somebody PM me the details on this scumbag and let me do some poken around. I am sure somebody here locally has to know of him. Being a military town, there are several folks coming and going, but I know all the local dealers in my area for many years, so I am sure somebody has to know something?

jim d

jdimmick

Herb,

I just read all the way thru, if this is the same guy that I mentioned that I saw his wife mailing coins out, then I think I know who it is. And if so, he is a member of the local club here? Ill burn him! But I need specifics folks!!

jim

Russ

<< <i>John, what made this guy so deceptive is that he did quite a few deals on inexpensive items, such as what Herb mentioned. >>



Yep. I did a deal with him that went very smoothly. Had somebody asked me for a reference I would have had to respond that I had a good deal with him. Eric is right. The real pro scammers are the ones that take their time and set it up in advance with some good transactions. The idiots that come out of nowhere hawking stuff are easy to spot.

Russ, NCNE

Russ

Jim,

YHPM.

Russ, NCNE

ibzman350

Jim,

Yep, your the one that told me the story, I didn't wanna mention any names.


Herb

jdimmick

As I mentioned to Russ in a PM, I am going to try and do some investigating on my own. This address is less than 6 miles from me. In fact, Not tomorrow as I am going a different direction, extremely early, but I will ride over that way friday and take a pic of his address!

ibzman350

anyway that someone hijacked his user name or whatever hackers can hijack ??


just a thought


Herb

EVillageProwler

Folks,

Amongst dealers about to enter a transaction with someone new, we check the references to determine with whom the person has done business, the conduct of the business (i.e.,how smooth, etc.), the type of stuff dealt, and the size of the transactions.

If someone asks you for a reference, or you are contemplating giving a reference -- BE VERY PRECISE.

EVP