UKCampsite.co.uk

Hi all

Long time baiter just shuffled across from 419eater to post a warning to those thinking of advertising on the above website.

A friend of mine used UKCampsite.co.uk to advertise the sale of his caravan. Of course, he received replies from a couple of scammers, and as he had followed a few of my baits over the years, he was alert to the fact that he was being set-up for an "overpayment scam".

He immediately posted to the site's forums warning others to be careful as the ads were being targeted by scammers. I asked him to follow up by posting a link to scamwarners so folk could get an idea what to look out for to avoid being scammed. Before he could post again, his original post was deleted by the webmaster. He posted another warning to their forums; again his post was pulled almost immediately and his posting rights suspended. The webmaster has ignored his request for an explanation.

So here we have what appears to be a reputable site in total denial! They are truly misguided if they think that by deleting any warnings that scammers are using their site to target victims they are doing their members or their business any favours.

So here is the warning! Scammers ARE targeting members of and visitors to www.UKCampsite.co.uk. I would caution anyone to think twice before buying or selling on UKCampsite.co.uk - certainly until the owners/administrators of the site cease their "ostrich" approach to internet scams.

regards

Welcome to Scamwarners frankie5062.

Interesting first post and I'm looking into it more deeply.

We are well aware that all ad sites are targeted by scammers, even the largest, and this site-owner's reponse is quite novel and ultimately self-defeating, unless he contemplates banning everyone eventually.

The major sites even have forums in which open discussion of scams is allowed to assist members avoid them. We'd wish they did more, but the 'shoot the messenger' option will only make matters worse.

Unfortunately the world's largest free classified ad sites are also infested with scammers, so there isn't an easy solution. This site owners' reaction is a little extreme and not helpful but we don't know how the issue was raised. It's self-defeating if his members are unprotected and don't have any inkling of the risks and dangers and, no offence to caravan owners, but many may be in the age group that is naturally trusting.

Scammers are like locusts and will monotonously respond to every ad and, if several separate groups are operating, every ad will receive several replies. It's a problem that never gets better, and it should always be remembered that our argument is with the scammers.

A simple warning pointing out that it is very strange if a person doesn't arrange to view a caravan before purchase would be enough to protect members without alarming them unduly.