Red Flags to Watch For
- New domain registration (less than 6 months old)
- Parking nameservers such as DNS‑Parking or Hostinger defaults
- No physical address or unverifiable location
- Prices far below market value — classic scam tactic
- Poor grammar or spelling throughout the site
- Copied content from legitimate firearm retailers
- No phone support or unreachable contact info
- Suspicious payment methods (Zelle, CashApp, crypto only)
How to Verify a Legitimate Dealer
- Check for a valid FFL license and verify it online
- Look for an established online presence older than 2–3 years
- Read reviews on multiple platforms (not just their own site)
- Verify the physical address using Google Maps
- Test customer support with a phone call or email
- Check domain WHOIS for registrar, age, and nameservers
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
- Report the domain to its registrar abuse email
- File a complaint with IC3 (FBI)
- Report to the FTC
- Contact your bank and request a chargeback
- Warn others by leaving public reviews
Visual Examples
Here are examples of common scam patterns compared to legitimate sites.
Scam Website
New domain, fake discounts, no address.
Legitimate Website
Verified FFL, established history, real support.