Have you ever been exposed to a coin scam? Describe.
From the August 2, 2024, Numismatic News E-Newsletter Readers’ Poll: Readers are vulnerable to scams.
Yes ... Facebook ads, but I still can’t for the life of me know what people are thinking. When these scam artists are selling a U.S. Mint silver Eagle for $19, and if you buy two, they will send you one free. I know most folks don’t keep up with silver prices, but before I shell out $19 or more, I think I would go online to check the per-ounce price. Now, not saying that I haven’t been scammed on Facebook on products that sound [like the] greatest thing, but I’ve learned.
Roy E. Robertson, Annapolis, Md.
Over the years, I have had numerous scams proposed to me. Anything that sounds too good to be true isn’t, and it’s just as true in our industry/hobby as anywhere else. Basically, I do one of three things when I suspect a scam. If it’s just so blatant it’s laughable, I tell them to take a hike. If it’s more sophisticated, I will listen while the scammer goes on and exposes himself, then tell him what I think of him and his scheme. Sometimes I just hang up.
But you have to be vigilant. No one gives anything away for free over the phone or online.
Roy Herbst, Address withheld
I was scammed last month. I recently bought some coins on the 10th of July and haven’t received them. The USPS rep I spoke with said they’ve been sitting in Nashville, Tenn., since July 14. The seller refuses to answer my texts or emails. The post office said the seller sent it by registered mail and left part of the address off. Since they sent it that way I can’t intercept the package, I could only send it back to the seller. They would have my money and the coins back. The rep said this is a common thing among scammers. So, buyer beware.
Name and address withheld
Yes, I was scammed. I am embarrassed to write this, but if it helps one person, it is worth it. I am a member of a lot of coin groups on Facebook. About two months ago, I saw an ad in a group for a gold florin at Spot, and I was very excited. I went to the group and saw it was a group administrator making the offer and made the assumption it was a good offer. Well, I did a Venmo of the cash, and then they started saying the money didn’t go through. Well I did a lot of additional checking at this point, but it was a weekend so the transfer had not gone through.
Well, on Monday, the transaction was completed, and I never heard from the seller again, and the group disappeared.
So again, if it is too good to be true, it is! Learned my lesson.
Mike, Address withheld
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