BATFE Warning - Fraudulent Gun Sales

[Len-2A Training]

Everyone should read this if you buy off the Internet.
View attachment BATFE 030714-final-advisory-fraudulent-ffls.pdf

 

[doughboy]

Thanks for posting.

Section of particular interest:

"To help you avoid this scam, licensees are reminded that only transactions between licensees require the furnishing of a certified copy of the license. Licensees should consider only providing the basic license number to individuals (e.g., 1-75-12345). The individuals can use FFL eZ Check to confirm the validity of the license number before sending payment for firearms advertised online. FFL eZ Check is on the ATF website at http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-industry/applications-FFL-eZ-check. If you have general questions regarding the FFL eZ Check system, you may contact the Federal Firearms Licensing Center at 1-877-560-2435."

 

[icyclefar]

Thanks for posting.

Section of particular interest:

"To help you avoid this scam, licensees are reminded that only transactions between licensees require the furnishing of a certified copy of the license. Licensees should consider only providing the basic license number to individuals (e.g., 1-75-12345). The individuals can use FFL eZ Check to confirm the validity of the license number before sending payment for firearms advertised online. FFL eZ Check is on the ATF website at http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-industry/applications-FFL-eZ-check. If you have general questions regarding the FFL eZ Check system, you may contact the Federal Firearms Licensing Center at 1-877-560-2435."

Also worth mentioning, even if a license clears through eZ check, alarm bells should be ringing if you are asked to send payment to an address other than the one listed for the FFL via the eZ check verification.

 

[76Too]

thanks for the heads up...i would have never considered someone would be running scams with firearms, but then nothing is sacred anymore. i'll definitely be extra cautious in the future when dealing online...especially over state lines.

-Mike

 

[Reptile]

Surprised they would go through such an effort.

A scammer can set up an account on GunBroker to sell a gun.

Just arrange to get paid and not even worry about falsifying a FFL.

On the other hand the ATF should be more concerned about this situation:

Buyer sends the seller a fake FFL with his address.

Seller does not confirm on EZ check.

Buyer receives gun in mail.

ALL sellers MUST check on EZ check to make sure the FFL is real- that would cover you.

 

[Len-2A Training]

What they don't address is that C&R FFLs can NOT be checked with EZ Check and the results could be the same.