Simple way to avoid having your ham radio identity stolen and used in Scams!!

[K6TEP]

Two things you can do::

1. claim "your" identity at popular sites before the scammer does. I grabbed CALL@gmail.com when I was first licensed. When I changed calls, my new call was too short for gmail, so I used call.firstname (k6tep.tom@gmail.com). Years and years ago I claimed first.last@gmail.com even though I had no intention of ising it any time soon. I have always (until very recently) run my own domains and mail servers, but now gmail just has the best anti-spam, so...

2. As recommended, put your email address in your QRZ bio. I also just added a note that "I am not currently buying or selling any ham equipment." If I decide to sell equipment in the future, I'll update the bio while the sale is active with the item name. That's an out of band signal that the scammer will have no control over.

[KJ5XX]

@AD6KA & K6TEP - good advice from both.

Without question, scammers are getting more sophisticated. I have no doubt that they are working in teams. The guy that I dealt with when I was looking for a Flex was very smooth - good command of English, good grammar, and spelling. But, like I said there were some telltale signs. However, that said, even after I was pretty sure he was a scammer, I found myself doubting my own intuition - for the simple reason that I didn't want to call the guy out and be wrong. Best advice again is that if it doesn't feel right, doesn't smell right - just walk away.

It pays to not do business with sellers overseas - even though there are many that are legit.

As far as the email suggestions you mention. Unfortunately GMAIL doesn't allow emails shorter than 6 characters, so you would have to add something to it. But GMAIL makes it VERY easy to manage multiple emails. I have multiple email addresses for various purposes, and I can manage all of them directly from my primary GMAIL account.

To add/manage an account from your GMAIL page, go to Settings>Accounts. From there you can add and manage accounts regardless of whether they are GMAIL, Yahoo, whatever.

I use MAIL.com as the mail service for my KJ5XX callsign. They have over 200 domains you can choose from, so I created KJ5XX@email.com. I then just set that account up in my primary GMAIL account and it periodically grabs email from that account and routes it to my GMAIL inbox. From GMAIL I can send/receive mail as KJ5XX@email.com. Very simple.

And you are absolutely right - good idea to update your bio on any/all ham related sites, and then get in the habit of emailing any ham you are considering dealing with as a 2nd point of verification.

Google is your friend here for several reasons - you can google a callsign to see if you can find the email address of a ham, and you can (as I did in this case) email the text of the ad, to see if it has been used elsewhere.

Beware of ads that advertise features that you know darned well don't go with what is being sold. BE FAMILIAR WITH THE FEATURES AND SPECS OF WHAT YOU ARE BUYING.

And remember, scammers are not hams - they're just posing as them - which means that they aren't going to know the things that ANY ham should know - so, use this in your favor. Ask them a question that might trip them up - just make sure it's not a question that they can easily lookup with Google. For example you might ask them a technical question (not a yes or no question) about their experience with the item they are selling. I actually just made up a feature that had nothing at all to do with the item or ham radio and asked them about that. Ask them if the inverse audio modulator works or some made up term like that.

[GITOTO]

I think it already was discussed.

[KE7VZW]

FYI, even if there isn't reverse DNS available on a host IP address, there is always subnet information available, unless the NIC for that country or region is crooked. I have seen some obfuscated info in apnic before, but it's rare. Also, you can use a looking glass and traceroute to get hints from the router DNS names, and worst case, the latency across some of the links (tier 1 ISP links exceeding 50ms consistently are usually trans-oceanic).

Search for the network if the IP is coming up short

[AE2S]

I agree completely with the idea that if you want to deal safely over the internet, deal with someone in your own country, preferably locally. Skype isn't a bad idea at all and if you request a Skype call and your dealer is hesitant, then that is how you flush them out. The are very seditious, some of them are very smooth and they are definitely learning the ham lingo.

Personally I enjoy playing the dumb, confused person that really isn't very good with technology, and ask them the same questions over and over, and then do the wrong things. apologize profusely and keep stringing them along letting them think that they have a live one and that they actually going to get a transaction done. Of course, it's all just designed to waste as much of their time as possible. Nothing funnier than a very frustrated "Lad" that realizes that you've been screwing with him for weeks on end.

I absolutely agree! I love screwing with a scammer!! I like the idea of the QSL card.. gonna have to get some printed up anyway.

Here's my latest scammer.... just happened today for a TS-950SDX..... A radio I've been looking for...... Please note that the callsign has obviously been hijacked even though he is a member here with a posted email. I'm sure the real owner of the callsign would be appalled someone did this!!

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From: <ae2s@ymail.com>
To: "n5yyz@yahoo.com" <n5yyz@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 5:59 AM
Subject: 950SDX

Hi,
I'm interested in you 950 SDX. The $1050.00 is a bit much for the rig. Are you willing to talk? Shipping would be to NY 12518.
Let me know, Steve - AE2S

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From: <n5yyz@yahoo.com>
To: <ae2s@ymail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: 950SDX

Yes, i am willing to ship to your address.
What's your complete shipping address? 73 (This is where I knew he was a scammer)

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From: Stephen Schaller <ae2s@ymail.com>
To: Carlton Harrison <n5yyz@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 6:29 AM
Subject: Re: 950SDX

We should talk price first and payment method.
The rig is at least 15 years old and I know I'll have to do some maintenance on it. How low can we go to make this happen?

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From: <n5yyz@yahoo.com>
To: <ae2s@ymail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: 950SDX

ok i will accept a $950 shipped. I think this is the best price i can go. 73

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From: <ae2s@ymail.com>
To: <n5yyz@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 6:41 AM
Subject: Re: 950SDX

The value of the radio is much lower. (yeah, right)
I'll offer $550.00 shipped to my QTH.... QSO?

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From: <n5yyz@yahoo.com>
To: <ae2s@ymail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 9:53 AM
Subject: Re: 950SDX

OK! What's your complete shipping address? 73 (Boy, he really wants my address)

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From: <ae2s@ymail.com>
To: <n5yyz@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 6:41 AM
Subject: Re: 950SDX

Deal!
I will transfer funds pending submittal of FGA and FCC approval of the transfer.
As per FCC part 97 you will have to submit your federal authorization to transfer the radio to me and I will transfer the money to the Federal Communications Commission for distribution to you.

Please send me your Federal Government Authorization so I can submit to the boys down in Washington D.C. as fast as possible.... we know how long they take!!

Thanks!! This is a great radio!! I’m ready to transfer the money to the FCC as soon as you send me the info!!


Needless to say..... he didn't respond.

Beware Everyone!!! They are out there!!

[PU7MSR]

Boa dica , obrigado amigo -pu7msr