Safety & Scam Prevention
Your safety is our top priority. Learn how to identify scammers, protect yourself, and report suspicious activity.
Most members of our community are genuine, but bad actors sometimes attempt scams through fake listings, deceptive messages, or suspicious behavior. This guide explains how to spot common tactics, protect yourself, and report issues so we can act quickly.
Red Flags to Watch For
"Too Good to Be True"
Examples:
- Unusually low prices for high-demand items (e.g., optics, premium rifles, suppressors, ammo)
- Seller claims a sudden emergency ("moving tomorrow," "deployment," "divorce") to rush a sale
⚠️ If it looks unreal, walk away.
Requests for Upfront Payment or Deposits
Examples:
- Asking for a deposit via bank transfer, PayPal Friends & Family, gift cards, or crypto before you inspect the item
- "Courier service" promises after you pay
- COMMON SCAM: "I'll ship it to your local FFL, just pay me first" - then they disappear with your money
⚠️ Never send money before you've seen and verified the item.
Avoiding In-Person Meetups
Examples:
- "I'm out of state/overseas but can ship"
- Refusing to meet locally at a safe location
⚠️ Scammers avoid face-to-face verification.
Odd or Risky Payment Requests
Examples:
- Gift cards, crypto to strangers, wire services, or obscure apps
- Overpayment schemes ("I'll send extra; refund the difference")
⚠️ Use traceable, legitimate methods only. Never refund "overpayments."
Pressure and Artificial Urgency
Examples:
- "Send money now; other buyers are waiting"
- "First come, first served—pay immediately"
⚠️ Don't be rushed into mistakes.
Suspicious Communication
Examples:
- Poor grammar, copy-paste responses, evasive answers
- Pushing to move conversation off Utah Gun Hub to text, email, or WhatsApp immediately
⚠️ Keep chats on-platform until trust is established.
🚨 ACTIVE SCAM ALERT: Fake FFL Shipping
Recent scam reports from our community members:
The Scam: A seller claims they will ship a firearm to an FFL (Federal Firearms License dealer) near you, making it sound legitimate and legal. They then pressure you to pay upfront before the gun is shipped or before you can inspect it at the FFL.
Why It Works: Using an FFL sounds official and follows proper transfer procedures, so buyers let their guard down.
The Reality: Once you pay, the seller disappears. No gun is ever shipped. You lose your money.
NEVER pay for a firearm before:
- You've inspected it in person, OR
- It has physically arrived at your FFL and they confirm they have it
Legitimate sellers understand this. Anyone pressuring you to pay first is likely a scammer.
Smart Safety Practices
Follow these guidelines for safe transactions
Meet at a public, well-lit location with cameras (many police departments offer safe exchange zones).
Bring a friend when possible.
Inspect the item thoroughly before paying.
Do not pay deposits or send funds in advance.
Trust your instincts—leave if anything feels off.
Follow all federal, state, and local laws. When in doubt, consider using a licensed FFL for transfers.
Note: Utah Gun Hub does not broker transactions, hold funds, or verify parties. You are responsible for complying with applicable laws and ensuring a safe exchange.
How to Report Suspicious Activity
Report a Listing
On-site reporting:
- Open the suspicious listing
- Click the Report button
- Choose “Scam or fraud” and briefly explain what seems off
Email Safety Team
If there's no listing to report, email us at:
utahgunhub@gmail.comInclude:
- Username and profile link (if available)
- Related listing URL(s)
- Screenshots with timestamps
- Payment details or transaction IDs
- Your contact info for follow-up
What Happens After You Report
We Review
We review reports as quickly as possible
We Act
If confirmed, we may limit, suspend, or ban the account
We Follow Up
We may contact you for additional details
Law Enforcement
In serious cases, we cooperate with authorities
We Improve
Your reports help us improve fraud detection across the platform
If You've Already Been Scammed
Take these steps immediately:
Stop Communication
Stop communicating with the person immediately
Report to Us
Report it to us (listing report or email above)
Contact Your Bank
Contact your bank or payment provider to attempt a reversal or dispute
File Police Report
File a police report with your local agency and keep the case number
Save Everything
Save everything: messages, screenshots, receipts, tracking numbers, and transaction IDs
We will provide any available account information to authorities when requested through proper legal channels.
Quick Safety Reminders
Prefer in-person meetups in public, well-lit places (police “safe exchange zones” are ideal)
Verify the item before paying
Avoid upfront deposits and untraceable payments (gift cards, crypto to strangers, wire services)
If something feels off, walk away and email utahgunhub@gmail.com for a second look
Stay safe. Stay smart.
Thank you for helping protect the Utah Gun Hub community.
— The Utah Gun Hub Trust & Safety Team