[coupedupm4]

I was interested in buying an arm rest for my 2025 M4 and replied to a thread, but since I was a new member, I couldn’t send a PM. Someone replied to me via email shortly, and we talked back and forth, and I sent payment via Zelle. The next day, I got a reply from another person, who said he was also the seller. I realized at that moment that I got scammed probably. I reported it to Zelle, but haven’t heard anything back. I just wanted to report it and let someone know that is a moderator here. It’s really not great that new members can’t send PMs, because I had no way of knowing who the person was and if that was the original seller. I don’t understand why new users can’t sent PMs. I know I should have verified the person via email, but honestly, how exactly would I have done that anyway…I mean, anyone can send a pic of a product. It’s easy to fake it. Anyway, I don’t know if there is a way to find that person on this forum, but his email was-

bjjb7338@gmail.com

And the email I sent payment to via Zelle was

joeslimdavid214@gmail.com

Attached is a copy of the Zelle transaction. I’ve reported it to my bank and to Zelle.

I hope that someone sees this and doesn’t get screwed next time. But maybe enable PMs for new users, because it would be easier to know who you’re communicating with via PMs.

[whofelt]

Got. Ouch.

[B58-M340iX]

Sorry to hear that this happened to you Using PayPal or other like vendor (even with fees) is better than losing your money.

[Kilabyte]

Then why in the world would you use Zelle?

[StradaRedlands]

Sorry coupedupm4 that sucks. It's a pretty good place here, and I hope this doesn't sour you on it too much :-( Good luck getting reimbursed, hope it's no drama!

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by Kilabyte

Then why in the world would you use Zelle?

NEVER use Zelle. Always pay with protection.

[noemon]

Originally Posted by coupedupm4

I was interested in buying an arm rest for my 2025 M4 and replied to a thread, but since I was a new member, I couldn’t send a PM. Someone replied to me via email shortly, and we talked back and forth, and I sent payment via Zelle. The next day, I got a reply from another person, who said he was also the seller. I realized at that moment that I got scammed probably. I reported it to Zelle, but haven’t heard anything back. I just wanted to report it and let someone know that is a moderator here. It’s really not great that new members can’t send PMs, because I had no way of knowing who the person was and if that was the original seller. I don’t understand why new users can’t sent PMs. I know I should have verified the person via email, but honestly, how exactly would I have done that anyway…I mean, anyone can send a pic of a product. It’s easy to fake it. Anyway, I don’t know if there is a way to find that person on this forum, but his email was-

bjjb7338@gmail.com

And the email I sent payment to via Zelle was

joeslimdavid214@gmail.com

Attached is a copy of the Zelle transaction. I’ve reported it to my bank and to Zelle.

I hope that someone sees this and doesn’t get screwed next time. But maybe enable PMs for new users, because it would be easier to know who you’re communicating with via PMs.

Sorry to hear that mate and hope you get your money back from the bank or zelle.

I'm not a mod so take this with a pinch of salt. I believe that the reason why new members cannot PM is to minimise this scam situation where "new members" aka scammers, abuse the PM function to scam other newbies.

Don't be in a hurry to buy something and you will avoid this. Wait from the original OP member to reply to the thread and avoid sending money to anybody without first confirming he and the part are real. Videos, reference numbers, etcetera.

There are many different versions of scams going on.

For example, in facebook in the UK a certain group of scammers post desirable items at knock off prices and when you get there they rob you.

[NSXR]

This sucks, but honestly, you asked for it. You just can't do business like this these days.

[Gemini562]

That really sucks, I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Zelle’s not great in these situations, they usually say that if you authorized the payment, even if it was to a scammer, there’s not much they can do.

[coupedupm4]

Yeah, I know it was partly my fault for not being more suspicious and asking for identification of some sort. Lesson learned, and I hope no one else has to learn it. I was actually on vacation and drinking when I got the email, so I didn’t think it through. But nonetheless, lesson learned and maybe I’ll see the money back. If not, I’ll do things differently next time. Mostly posted this to put his email out there and make others aware.

[T.R.S.]

It sucks, for sure. Unfortunately, seems we're now in an era where those kind of people are not only tolerated but celebrated because they're so "cleaver".

It's a $300 lesson, but then it could've been $3000... or more. Maybe making way too big of an assumption, but if you're driving a '25 M4 Comp probably not a huge hit to you.

[astvn]

It happens to the best of us man. Pretty sure everybody has been scammed at least once whether they realized it or not. Always try to pay with protection if possible.