[skiyota76]

In 2 days I have received several direct messages regarding one of my WTB posts in the Classifieds. These messages only want to work with payments in Zelle or Venmo. I specifically said I prefer PayPal that way both the buyer and seller are covered. Now they continue to keep trying to get me to send money.

[Thai]

Name of scammers? Are they regular members?

[skiyota76]

Originally Posted by Thai

Name of scammers? Are they regular members?

The 1st private message came from a
mkjoshgee...non stop texts regarding use of venmo or zelle after I said only PayPal. Says they are Junior Members

[CRasch505]

Originally Posted by skiyota76

In 2 days I have received several direct messages regarding one of my WTB posts in the Classifieds. These messages only want to work with payments in Zelle or Venmo. I specifically said I prefer PayPal that way both the buyer and seller are covered. Now they continue to keep trying to get me to send money.

This Zelle stuff is rampant. Is there something about this app that makes it a haven for scammers?

[skiyota76]

Originally Posted by CRasch505

This Zelle stuff is rampant. Is there something about this app that makes it a haven for scammers?

I am pretty sure this is the same person. Pretending to be several different people. Asking for Zelle or Venmo only. Once I said I would not use anything other than PayPal all texts and emails stopped. Until I received another PM under the name Proskier, almost asking the same thing from someone 1 day later. I just do not want anyone to be taken for any hard earned cash. Because we all love this community

[skiyota76]

Originally Posted by skiyota76

I am pretty sure this is the same person. Pretending to be several different people. Asking for Zelle or Venmo only. Once I said I would not use anything other than PayPal all texts and emails stopped. Until I received another PM under the name Proskier, almost asking the same thing from someone 1 day later. I just do not want anyone to be taken for any hard earned cash. Because we all love this community

The handle Proskier could and may be legitimate. I did receive an email with nice photos...but I am still skeptical. Just saying buyer be aware. When someone keeps telling me they would not scam me and lower the price then send a photo of a statement from a bank that I have never heard of with several transactions with a credit card attached to a venmo account that doesn't protect US as a buyer.

[jdt519]

I may be a junior member here but I know from other forums ive been on such as the subaru forums that i always use paypal regardless of the % they charge. it just works better for both parties IMO. I would stay away from venmo or zelle payments. Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope nobody gets scammed its such a scum thing to do especially on forums like these.

[fourwd1]

Thanks for the heads-up and keep reporting anything suspicious

Since we have a forum specifically for this, I'm going to move this there.

[uneekling]

Originally Posted by skiyota76

The handle Proskier could and may be legitimate. I did receive an email with nice photos...but I am still skeptical. Just saying buyer be aware. When someone keeps telling me they would not scam me and lower the price then send a photo of a statement from a bank that I have never heard of with several transactions with a credit card attached to a venmo account that doesn't protect US as a buyer.

I haven't logged in the forums in years but I finally did a couple weeks ago looking a rack for my 4th gen. I replied to this thread: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/for-sale-t4r-items/301707-fs-4th-gen-gobi-stealth-rack-latter-$1450.html

and proskier PM'd me providing me an email to the "seller". Turns out Proskier also Pm'd the other person inquiring about the rack as well.

I emailed the email and it was pretty clear early on the person I emailed is a scammer. Would only take zelle. took forever provided a coined picture, provided a picture of a NEW rack then later a photoshopped picture etc.....

I Pm'd a few mods to provide info but they haven't read my messages yet. I didn't want to call anyone out without any proof ProSkier and the person I email are connected (or the same person). But both conversations did not sit well.

Mod's if you read this please check my PM's. I just wanted to bring awareness of a potential scammer(s) to the community.

[uneekling]

Originally Posted by fourwd1

Thanks for the heads-up and keep reporting anything suspicious

Since we have a forum specifically for this, I'm going to move this there.

I'll Pm you