Scammer alert: Hodgdon.org and goldammo.org

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GravelRider

GravelRider

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Last night I bought two 5 lb jugs of TAC powder from goldammo.org. Well, I tried to, I should say. After I hit "buy," it said "order complete," but never asked for credit card information. I then received a text from goldammo.org asking for a Zelle payment to a gmail account. Red flags went off obviously, and I didn't send any money. Then I got to thinking, and realized I never saw a 5 lb jug of TAC, only 1 lb and 8 lbs. I called Hodgdon this morning and they verified they never made TAC in 5 lb jugs. They also never heard of goldammo.org. In addition, they just discovered a scammer clone of their site hodgdon.org (compared to their legitimate site hodgdon.com). The guy at Hodgdon said they're having a lot of issues with scammer sites popping up selling primers and powder during the shortage. Just letting everyone know so they don't get burned.

And now that I'm thinking back, I should have definitely spotted this obviously fake site from the beginning, but I think a couple of Irish coffees last night may have impaired my cognition. :)
 
The .org is your first clue. <dot>org site domains are for charitable or not-for-profit operations. from FAQ page:
AUGUST 29, 2019: "Q: Can I register a .org domain name if I am not a 501(c)?

A: Yes, .org is an open and unrestricted domain. Anyone is allowed to register and use .org domain names. .org is the home for millions of nonprofit websites, including charitable, artistic, scientific, personal, educational, social, cultural and religious sites. .org sites are run by clubs, incorporated and unincorporated not-for-profit organizations, industry associations, families, individuals, schools, foundations, and more. Even for-profit companies have .org sites devoted to their charitable or volunteer programs."

If you see a commerce site with a .org extension, it should be immediately suspect.
 
Ya gotta love goldammo's shipping policy.

"SHIPPING POLICY
We use discreet diplomatic delivery services. We ship to over 160 countries worldwide under Federal immunity.

Discreet diplomatic delivery companies deliver high value packages, They do not go through customs because they use private airports. Packages are stamped with discreet restriction stamps which prevent authorities without specific authorization from opening the package.

With just a provision of your home address, email, phone number, state, city, county, and a receiver’s name, we can make delivery to any part of the world with a valid tracking registration number for each and every package."
 
I am happy to give 1% of the blame to the brand name owners. They really need to buy up all the domains that can be used to confuse customers or defame them, and especially all the TLDs for their identical name. As stated, they can often put them to good use (brandname.org is the landing page for their public good and charity work even if minimal, etc).

I have been at big orgs where they did this then just sorta... forgot. A couple thousand dollars a year and meh, who cares. Annoying.

But man yes: SO many scams out there for this industry. I am very careful to check out everywhere someone sends me I haven't been before, and that includes apparently big corporate sites. Double check it all, and even be suspicious if it's a place you have been before and looks unfamiliar; there are URL typo exploits, etc.
 
GravelRider said:
Last night I bought two 5 lb jugs of TAC powder from goldammo.org. Well, I tried to, I should say. After I hit "buy," it said "order complete," but never asked for credit card information. I then received a text from goldammo.org asking for a Zelle payment to a gmail account. Red flags went off obviously, and I didn't send any money. Then I got to thinking, and realized I never saw a 5 lb jug of TAC, only 1 lb and 8 lbs. I called Hodgdon this morning and they verified they never made TAC in 5 lb jugs. They also never heard of goldammo.org. In addition, they just discovered a scammer clone of their site hodgdon.org (compared to their legitimate site hodgdon.com). The guy at Hodgdon said they're having a lot of issues with scammer sites popping up selling primers and powder during the shortage. Just letting everyone know so they don't get burned.

And now that I'm thinking back, I should have definitely spotted this obviously fake site from the beginning, but I think a couple of Irish coffees last night may have impaired my cognition. :)
Click to expand...
the Irish will make you forget
 
higgite said:
Ya gotta love goldammo's shipping policy.

"SHIPPING POLICY
We use discreet diplomatic delivery services. We ship to over 160 countries worldwide under Federal immunity.

Discreet diplomatic delivery companies deliver high value packages, They do not go through customs because they use private airports. Packages are stamped with discreet restriction stamps which prevent authorities without specific authorization from opening the package.

With just a provision of your home address, email, phone number, state, city, county, and a receiver’s name, we can make delivery to any part of the world with a valid tracking registration number for each and every package."
Click to expand...
Their CEO must be Allen Dulles' ultrasecret great grandson. :eek:
 
I found an 8 lb jug from Powder Valley. After shipping and Hazmat, it came to $35.50 per pound. I hate paying these prices... But if you want to play, you've got to pay!

Mark_Mark said:
Ireland, land of who cares anyways… great place
Click to expand...

We took a trip there in 2019 before the pandemic, and loved it. We spent five days in Dublin, then three days in a rental car up to Northern Ireland. Besides the narrow roads and getting used to driving on the left hand side of the road, we enjoyed the countryside much more than Dublin (though loved it all). We'll definitely be back one day.
 
"Yeah we just have these because we kept them in stock" - I love that line...
you should have told them "The check is in the mail"

FWIW I got an email for round trip flights to Dublin out of Chicago and NYC for $332 yesterday. And no it's not a scam...
 
reddog81 said:
"Yeah we just have these because we kept them in stock" - I love that line...
you should have told them "The check is in the mail"

FWIW I got an email for round trip flights to Dublin out of Chicago and NYC for $332 yesterday. And no it's not a scam...
Click to expand...
This time of the year in Dublin is wet wet wet cold cold cold
 
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