Scammers hitting dive shops for fraudulent Shearwater/Garmin computer purchases

[Marie13]

Removed at mod request

 

[Wibble]

Here is a link to a WI dive shop owner’s FB post that has a lot more info in the comments. There’s a ton of info there and it would be too many screenshots.

This is funny: Faecesbook expecting me to let them track me. Errm, in yer dreams Zukerborg

 

[Akimbo]

Shearwater has a database of stolen serial numbers so people who are suspicious about a purchase off SB, ebay, or FB Marketplace should contact Shearwater.

Better yet, let's ask every manufacturer to add their list to ours. Let's discuss the basics:

Thread Name:​

Here are some ideas. I suggest using emojis to attract more attention.

Stolen Dive Gear Database

DON'T GET RIPPED OFF. Check here before buying.

(keep the ideas coming)

Forum Location:​

We could add a link to the forum description of ScubaBoard's Classified Section. That link could go to the actual thread, but where?

We can easily add another link inside Classifieds SPECIAL RULES - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING - 2019 Update

It "might" be desirable to have the thread at the top of the forum list, in Articles or Knowledge Base perhaps? It is possible to have links, called "Permanent Redirects", in multiple forums.

Thread Summary:​

I thinking of a short intro paragraph that requests people to check here before buying a used product and to add to the list by replying to the thread.

Followed by headings like this. I suspect it will be too much work to sort them in alpha-numeric order but people can just use the browser's search function on the serial number. Sadly, this list could get pretty large.

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Personal Dive Computers​

Garmin Descent​

SN 5WJ000545
SN 5QW015243
SN #5 Wj000543
MK2S SN 6K4000501
MK2S SN 6K7004169
Mk2i Titanium SN 5WH005963
SN 5WJ000545
#5 SN Wj000543
MK2S SN 6K4000501
MK2S SN 6K7004169
Mk2i Titanium SN 5WH005963

Garmin T1 transmitter​

SN 5QW015252
SN 5QW0137622
SN 5QW015243
SN 5QW015252
SN 5QW0137622

Shearwater Perdix​

SN 2062F829
SN 33409A09
Al SN 33409A7E

Shearwater Teric​

Black SN 70AEC420
Black/Silver SN 2EA388B8
Black/Blue SN 60445B44

Shearwater Transmitter​

SN 250880
SN 221628
SN 249444

Regulators​

Aqua Lung​

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All ideas are welcome.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Checking the ID doesn't really do much these days when you are dealing with sophisticated criminals, as you can easily make fraudulent cards that will swipe. Making fraudulent chips cards is possible, but much harder so it is less common in the US, but I've heard of it happening in Europe.

So right now the best protection is to only accept chip cards and match IDs, but that likely won't be the case for long as what happens in Europe makes it way to the US eventually.

 

[ChrisMBC]

Better yet, let's ask every manufacturer to add their list to ours. Let's discuss the basics:

Thread Name:​

Here are some ideas. I suggest using emojis to attract more attention.

Stolen Dive Gear Database

DON'T GET RIPPED OFF. Check here before buying.

(keep the ideas coming)

Forum Location:​

We could add a link to the forum description of ScubaBoard's Classified Section. That link could go to the actual thread, but where?

We can easily add another link inside Classifieds SPECIAL RULES - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING - 2019 Update

It "might" be desirable to have the thread at the top of the forum list, in Articles or Knowledge Base perhaps? It is possible to have links, called "Permanent Redirects", in multiple forums.

Thread Summary:​

I thinking of a short intro paragraph that requests people to check here before buying a used product and to add to the list by replying to the thread.

Followed by headings like this. I suspect it will be too much work to sort them in alpha-numeric order but people can just use the browser's search function on the serial number. Sadly, this list could get pretty large.

---

Personal Dive Computers​

Garmin Descent​

SN 5WJ000545
SN 5QW015243
SN #5 Wj000543
MK2S SN 6K4000501
MK2S SN 6K7004169
Mk2i Titanium SN 5WH005963
SN 5WJ000545
#5 SN Wj000543
MK2S SN 6K4000501
MK2S SN 6K7004169
Mk2i Titanium SN 5WH005963

Garmin T1 transmitter​

SN 5QW015252
SN 5QW0137622
SN 5QW015243
SN 5QW015252
SN 5QW0137622

Shearwater Perdix​

SN 2062F829
SN 33409A09
Al SN 33409A7E

Shearwater Teric​

Black SN 70AEC420
Black/Silver SN 2EA388B8
Black/Blue SN 60445B44

Shearwater Transmitter​

SN 250880
SN 221628
SN 249444

Regulators​

Aqua Lung​

---

All ideas are welcome.

From an organizational benefit, it would be much easier to do this as a Google Forms/Google Sheet setup, where you use a form to input data about a stolen item, and it feeds into a Google Sheet that could be programatically organized and queried. Not sure what integration would look like on the Scubaboard side, but it would be much easier in terms of data management.

 

[Akimbo]

Not sure what integration would look like on the Scubaboard side, but it would be much easier in terms of data management.

I am not aware of an option like that but @Miyaru might, who is our resident database and systems guru.

Now that the search engine build into the ScubaBoard 2021 upgrade is so good, another option would be to have people search on the serial number they are checking, which would turn up the post in that thread and anywhere on ScubaBoard that shows it. No form necessary.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

EDITED BY MODERATOR [//MODPOST]
As someone who had these guys in their store last night, they aren't the brightest.

They are trying a CC, then when it doesn't work, they say try this other one, I'll tell you the number. And then hoping the clerk will manually enter the number into the pinpad instead of swiping. The amount goes thru, and they just got all that equipment.

We didn't lose anything, and the thief caught on that we were on to him and said he was going to get cash, and left. Had we had pictures taken last month by another store, in our possession last night, they would have been caught by the police. We weren't certain with the limited info we had at the time, if it was the same people.

They did hit another shop near us for 2 Garmin computers, really sad. We have communicated with lots of shops in the surrounding states by phone and email, have manufacturers about to send out an email to their dealer list, and have Dive News Wire about to push out an email. There is only 1 way to help other shops and stop these guys, being proactive.

They wear the same clothes, they aren't bright. They aren't sophisticated with complex ways of frauding, some retailers need to be more cautious and never do a manual entry, especially on multiple expensive items. He is also extremely nervous, and squirly when in the store. He unintentionally gave us 3 different addresses at different times too. If you know a little bit about fraud, nothing added up here.

I hope everyone sees this, and can share it with their local shops.

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[formernuke]

How would swipe vs keypad matter?

 

[Jcp2]

How would swipe vs keypad matter?

Pin number

 

[formernuke]

Pin number

I only need a pin for debit cards