Scam advice

Buying items online is both hugely popular and typically very convenient.

However, although most sellers are genuine, if you set out to buy an item online you are at risk of being targeted by online scammers, who can sound extremely believable.

Below are a few of the most common scams to look out for and how to protect yourself from being caught out. 

1. Don’t pay up front without viewing

You see a gun advertised for sale that is significantly cheaper than others of a similar age and condition.

When you contact the seller, they claim they are out of the country/in hospital/working away, which means you are not able to view it in person. They offer instead to organise for delivery to you if you send them the money and promise you a full refund if you are not happy with it.

They may suggest you pay via an escrow account such as PayPal, Amazon Payments or Google Wallet ‘for protection’ saying the money will be held here until you confirm you are happy with the deal.

Don’t be caught out by these scams no matter how legitimate the excuse may sound or how tempting the deal is.

The scammer doesn’t have the item they are advertising – they are simply going to take your money and leave you without your money or the item.

2. Don’t buy a gun without trying it yourself

You’ve seen a gun advertised that appears to be everything you are looking for and is appropriately priced (or it may be priced cheaply for what it is).

When you speak to the seller they say they’ve had loads of interest and the only way for you to secure the item is to give them a deposit or even pay the whole value of the gun up front without having viewed or tried the gun in person.

While the seller may be legitimate, we do not recommend you agree to buy a gun without having tried it.

3. Research the seller

You can avoid dodgy sellers by doing your research. Find out what you can online about the person selling the gun or item.

Also check if the person who is selling is the owner or whether they are an agent for the owner. This affects your legal rights if the sale goes wrong.

4. Take a friend to viewings

When going to a viewing of a gun take someone with you to act as a witness to what is said and also for your personal safety.

Agree to meet the seller at their home or office, not in a random location such as motorway services. 

Key points

·       If something seems too good to be true, it usually is

·       Use your common sense; if the process doesn’t fit the expected process of buying a gun, then do not proceed with the purchase

·       Always trade face-to-face for larger purchases, but don’t take large amounts of cash with you.

·       For smaller items, pay via goods and services (not friends and family) via Paypal for added protection. Bank transfers offer you no protection.

The Shooting UK  website brings people selling a gun, gundog, property or accessories together with people who want to buy. We will always recommend that once the introduction has been made, you conduct the rest of the sale face-to-face. Don’t part with your money without meeting the buyer in person.