Protecting yourself when buying and selling firearms, hunting gear, and accessories in Canada.

 

1. Local Face-to-Face Deals

We highly recommend meeting in person and paying in cash when possible.

  • Avoid fraud – Many scams involve sending an EMT to a fraudulent seller who never ships the item.
  • Inspect before buying – Check the bore, crown, action, and overall condition before agreeing to a final price.
  • Meeting locations – Your home is fine if you’re comfortable. Otherwise, choose a public but appropriate place (e.g., shooting range, gun shop parking lot, rural Crown land). Avoid high-traffic public spots like mall parking lots where firearms may cause unnecessary concern.

 

2. Online Deals & Shipping

When buying remotely:

  • Check member history – Reviews, membership length, and past sales matter.
  • Use COD (Cash on Delivery) – Canada Post offers COD for ~$7.25. It ensures you receive the item before payment is released.
  • Watch for red flags – Misclassified items, no phone number, mismatched postal codes, unrealistically low prices, or swiped photos (use Google Reverse Image Search).
  • Require verification – Live video chat showing the item with both parties’ emails visible, or a custom short video clip. Avoid relying on still photos with notes (can be faked).
  • Avoid sellers who refuse calls, meetings, or verification – This is a major scam indicator.

 

3. Protecting Your PAL Information

  • Restricted sales – Provide only your name, RPAL number, and expiry. Do not send a photo of your license.
  • Non-restricted sales – Use in-person verification or live video calls to show your PAL instead of sending a photo. Only send ID to highly reputable sellers with multiple 5-star reviews.

 

4. Reporting Suspected Scammers

If you suspect fraud:

  • Use the “Report Ad” button or email us at info@gunxpress.com.
  • Include the ad link, details of your concern, and any supporting screenshots.
  • Forward suspicious emails or texts if the conversation happened outside Gunxpress messaging.

 

5. Fake Cheque Scams

If someone sends you a cheque for more than the agreed price and asks for the difference back—it’s a scam.

  • Never send items or refunds until payment clears legitimately.
  • Beware of mobile deposit scams via emailed cheque images.
  • Report immediately via our Contact Us link.

 

6. Wanted Ad Scams

Scammers target wanted ads because they can avoid our ad screening.

  • Confirm the seller’s item is posted on Gunxpress and that the account contacting you matches the listing.
  • Avoid sharing your phone number publicly—force contacts through Gunxpress messaging.
  • Use Google Reverse Image Search on any photos provided.
  • Call their phone number—if it’s a text-only app, it’s likely fake.
  • If in doubt, follow the same online deal precautions in Section 2.

 

7. Fake E-Transfer Phishing

Scammers may send fake e-transfer notifications to steal your banking info.

  • Enable Auto-Deposit – Payments go straight into your account without clicking links.
  • Never log in to your bank from a link in an email—always go directly to your bank’s site.
  • If targeted, report the account username and email used in the scam.

Remember: Your safety comes first. Meet in person whenever possible, verify identities, protect your PAL, and report suspicious activity.