Reporting Suspicious Ads
Help us maintain a safe marketplace by reporting suspicious ads, scams, prohibited items, and guideline violations.
Why Reporting Matters
Your reports help us maintain a safe and trustworthy marketplace for the entire shooting sports community. When you report suspicious activity, you protect not only yourself but also other buyers and sellers.
Protect the Community
Stop scammers before they harm others
Maintain Trust
Keep the marketplace reliable
Improve Safety
Help us identify patterns and threats
What to Report
Prohibited Items
Items that are illegal or against platform policies:
- • Firearms, ammunition, or explosives
- • Weapons modified illegally
- • Items without proper documentation
- • Stolen or counterfeit equipment
- • Illegal substances or dangerous materials
Fraudulent Activity
Scams and deceptive practices:
- • Fake or misleading photos (using stock images)
- • False product descriptions or specifications
- • Asking for advance payment without delivery
- • Phishing attempts or requests for sensitive info
- • Impersonating legitimate sellers or brands
- • Bait-and-switch tactics
Guideline Violations
Content that breaks community rules:
- • Offensive, abusive, or inappropriate content
- • Spam or duplicate ads
- • Misleading pricing or hidden fees
- • Off-topic or unrelated items
- • Ads in wrong categories
- • Contact info in ad description (phone/email bypass)
Suspicious Behavior
Red flags that indicate potential problems:
- • Seller pressuring for immediate payment
- • Refusing to meet in person or show item
- • Unusually low prices (too good to be true)
- • Poor communication or evasive answers
- • Requests for payment via untraceable methods
- • Multiple identical ads from different accounts
How to Report an Ad
Document the Evidence
Before reporting, gather all relevant information:
- Take screenshots of the ad, messages, and any suspicious content
- Save all communication with the seller (in-platform messages, texts, emails)
- Note the ad ID, seller username, and timestamp
Use the Report Button
Click the "Report Ad" button on the classified ad page. You'll be asked to:
- • Select the reason for reporting (scam, prohibited item, spam, etc.)
- • Provide a detailed description of the issue
- • Upload any supporting screenshots or evidence
Our automated reporting system is under development. For now, please use the Contact Support form to report issues.
Provide Detailed Information
The more details you provide, the faster we can investigate:
Include:
- • Specific reason why you're reporting this ad
- • Timeline of events (when you contacted seller, what happened)
- • Any threats, pressure, or unusual requests from the seller
- • Whether you've lost money or been harmed
- • Any other users who may be affected
Submit Your Report
Review your report for accuracy and completeness, then submit. You'll receive a confirmation with a report ID for tracking.
What Happens After You Report
Immediate Actions
- • Your report is logged with a unique ID
- • You receive an automatic confirmation email
- • High-priority reports (illegal items, threats) are escalated immediately
- • The ad may be temporarily hidden pending investigation
Investigation Process
Our moderation team will review your report within 24-48 hours:
- • We examine the ad content, images, and seller history
- • We review all communication logs and evidence provided
- • We may contact you for additional information
- • We check for patterns (multiple reports on same seller)
- • Legal compliance team reviews if necessary
Possible Outcomes
Ad Removed
If the ad violates our policies, it's deleted and seller is notified
Warning Issued
Minor violations result in a warning and request to correct the issue
Account Suspension/Ban
Serious or repeated violations lead to temporary or permanent account suspension
No Action
If no violation is found, the ad remains active. You'll be notified of our decision.
Our Enforcement Policy
Three-Strike System
First Violation: Warning
Ad removed, seller educated about policies. Account remains active.
Second Violation: Temporary Suspension
Account suspended for 7-30 days depending on severity. All active ads hidden.
Third Violation: Permanent Ban
Account permanently banned. All content removed. IP/device may be blocked.
Immediate Ban Offenses:
Certain violations result in immediate permanent ban without warning: selling illegal items, fraud/scamming users, threats of violence, identity theft, or repeated abuse of the platform.
When to Contact Authorities
Contact Police Immediately If:
- • You've been threatened with violence or harm
- • You've been a victim of theft or fraud (lost money)
- • The seller is offering illegal firearms or weapons
- • You suspect identity theft or financial fraud
- • You've been stalked or harassed
- • Any criminal activity has occurred
Important:
Report to us AND to local police. We cooperate fully with law enforcement investigations. Provide your report ID when filing a police report. Keep all evidence safe.
Best Practices for Reporting
✓ Do This
- ✓ Report as soon as you notice something suspicious
- ✓ Be specific and factual in your description
- ✓ Include all relevant screenshots and evidence
- ✓ Follow up if you receive additional information
- ✓ Cooperate with our investigation if contacted
✗ Don't Do This
- ✗ Make false or malicious reports
- ✗ Confront the seller directly about your report
- ✗ Share the report publicly on social media
- ✗ Submit duplicate reports for the same issue
- ✗ Use reporting as retaliation or revenge
⚠️ False Reporting:
Making intentionally false reports wastes resources and harms legitimate sellers. Repeated false reporting may result in your own account being suspended. Only report genuine concerns.
Your Privacy & Confidentiality
Reports Are Confidential
- • Your identity is never revealed to the reported seller
- • All communications with our team are private and secure
- • We don't publicly disclose who filed a report
- • Your report details are only shared with authorized staff
- • Legal requests may require disclosure (we'll notify you when possible)
Ready to Report?
If you've encountered a suspicious ad, scam, or policy violation, report it now. Your vigilance helps protect the entire community.
Report an Ad