Problem with Gunbroker (flagged as suspect?)

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wojownik

wojownik

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I have a problem with Gunbroker. I updated my account with my new e-mail address -- the system sends you a link via e-mail, which you click to confirm your change. Then it prompts for some more personal info (DOB).

Next thing, I get an error message that my account has been flagged as suspect, and that I should fax a copy of my driver's license and a current utility bill.

I used their customer support portal to ask for assistance - since this is just an e-mail change, and I've been a user for several years now. Their e-mail reply was pretty gruff - to supply "the required information" or I can't log into the site.

I am very reluctant to provide that kind of personal info ... especially when their privacy policy says they don't collect that kind of info (and what they do is "voluntary" ... which in doesn't seem to be the case here). Been an identity fraud victim once, and don't care to repeat the experience.

Anyone else run into this, and have any advise what to do?
 
Is there a phone number on their website? I would try to talk to a human. Their site may have been hacked...
 
Good thought, but no phone number from what I can see. And last time I had occassion to call them (some years ago), it just went to voicemail, never got a phone reply...
 
That sounds very suspicious. I would not provide that information even if you get a response from an admin.
 
I got the same type of message trying to log on to my Schwab accounts a few weeks ago. It was not from Schwab. Had to establish new user name and password after running a free Microsoft antivirus program Schwab tech services directed me to. Not at that computer for a couple of days and don't remember what it was.
 
Here's the thing - the message wasn't an e-mail, it was a page on the GB website that said:

"Please review the following problem(s):
Your account has been flagged by the GunBroker.com security system as suspect. The information you entered could not be verified by our service.

In order to verify your identity send us a copy of your driver's license and a current utility bill. Please fax this information to 770-573-3671.

If you have further questions please contact customer support about your account."

So, even if this really is GB asking for that kind of info, I think its a bit inappropriate...
 
wojownik said:
Here's the thing - the message wasn't an e-mail, it was a page on the GB website that said:

"Please review the following problem(s):
Your account has been flagged by the GunBroker.com security system as suspect. The information you entered could not be verified by our service.

In order to verify your identity send us a copy of your driver's license and a current utility bill. Please fax this information to 770-573-3671.

If you have further questions please contact customer support about your account."

So, even if this really is GB asking for that kind of info, I think its a bit inappropriate...
Click to expand...

If some scumbag hacked their website they probably added a redirect to a fake web page.
 
They may indeed have institued a more stringent policy for identifying users. I remember it was a PITA to register/get verified in the first place. I don't think I had to fax them anything but it was not a breeze.
 
Did you change your email address to a free one? Like a yahoo or gmail account. I don't think they trust those types of emails.
 
one would never think that the anti-gun groups would think to turn technology against honest people who happen to hold differing opinions.

or hire others to do it for them

but as it is political and the basis for truth and justice is rather low....
 
Did you change your email address to a free one? Like a yahoo or gmail account. I don't think they trust those types of emails.
Click to expand...

I saw that they require a $1 fee to use a free e-mail address (separate issue). But for my part, I switched from one major cable operator to another. Definitely not free for me! :p

No reply yet from my follow-up inquiry. Guess I'm not getting back on GB...
 
I don't know about gun sites, but any other website I've been on, they've always said things like: "We will never ask for your personal information. Do not give anyone your personal information." That's how Bungie does it.
 
I attempted to create a new account with GB a couple months ago and received the same message when I logged into my account. I decided they weren't worth the trouble. It's too bad because a local pawn shop here sells their firearms on GB.

fkmbdy.gif
 
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I'd be very reluctant to fax my dl and a phone bill. Idk what they could do with a dl# but I rather not find out the hard way. I hope u get it resolved because I use them a lot for selling and like the site.
 
microsoft msert

This is the program I was told to download and run but the Schwab techs.

What you got was a scam. Not from Gunbroker. It is the same thing I got when I tried to log on to Schwab.

Download and run the above program.
 
Unfortunately I have logged into my gunbroker account on multiple computers including machines not running Windows (Mac & Linux) and no matter what, I get the same message when I log in. So to me, it looks like a gunbroker problem.

To be fair I have not bothered contacting GB to get an explanation from them.
 
What they are trying to prevent are "serial deadbeat bidders". Those are folks that will sign up an account, (or hack into one), execute bids on several guns ... "buy it nows" if they can find them, and then vanish.

This causes the seller to loose a sale, loose money on the un-sale, waste a lot of time trying to track down the deadbeat and re listing their item. It also prevents legitimate buyers from purchasing the item.

I sell on both sites ... I get a LOT of deadbeats on AA (it's a major topic of discussion over there now), but I've never had one on GB.
 
Been an identity fraud victim once, and don't care to repeat the experience.
Click to expand...

I would suspect the actual source of your problem is the fact that your identity has a lot of hash marks floating around with it. Even your attempts to rectify your identity causes more flags, and I would guess that's what GunBroker is seeing about your new application. Just a thought to be aware of.

kerf
 
Kerf - after some more web searching, I'd have to disagree. It seems that folks have been getting this kind of message for all manner of reasons - e-mail changes, first time users, minor profile changes, etc.

Also, this is not a new application, just a change of e-mail address in my user profile.

Further, my GB profile would not contain sufficient information to run any kind of bona fide credit or background check - which would be very unauthorized in any event.

So, either GB has been hacked (as suggested above) or they are asking for some rather personal information in response to pretty routine things. In either event, GB still has not responded, which IMHO is a red flag of another type on that site...
 
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