Shopping For a Gun Online? Read this first.

Photo via ATF.Gov

If you happen to be in the market for a firearm and you are turning to the Internet for your purchase, the ATF (the department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) wants you to be aware of an online scam.

Here's an excerpt from the ATF's warning released Monday:

"A typical online scam starts with an online firearm advertisement. Purchasers who 
respond to the advertisement by telephone or email receive an invalid, counterfeit copy of 
a license that appears to be valid. After sending payment, the purchaser never receives 
the advertised firearm(s) and the fraudulent seller removes the original online 
advertisement and contact information." 

To avoid being duped the ATF advises consumers visit the below website to check the validity of the sellers license number. If the number is invalid or doesn't show up in the system, buyer beware, it could be a scam. 


Check for valid license number here: http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-industry/applications-FFL-eZ-check.




Tags: guns, firearms, atf, online scam, gun scam,buyer beware 

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