Why hide the serial # when selling?

Jonnyt5050 · Jan 31, 2013

First,

I've really enjoyed reading the blog & forum here at WUS and I've learned a great deal. Here's a question I haven't quite sorted out though:

I've noticed about 50% of the PAMs that are offered for sale black out or hide the serial number in the pictures.

Curious as to why this number would need to be hidden. What harm would it possibly do if someone knew that the specific watch for sale was M 0245 / 1000 (as opposed to M ????/1000)?

azsmartbet · Feb 1, 2013

subscribing

Watch OCD · Feb 1, 2013

Jonnyt5050 said:
First,

I've really enjoyed reading the blog & forum here at WUS and I've learned a great deal. Here's a question I haven't quite sorted out though:

I've noticed about 50% of the PAMs that are offered for sale black out or hide the serial number in the pictures.

Curious as to why this number would need to be hidden. What harm would it possibly do if someone knew that the specific watch for sale was M 0245 / 1000 (as opposed to M ????/1000)?

wondering the same thing....waiting for replies

timefleas · Feb 1, 2013

By covering the serial number, the seller, or owner, is protecting his (or her investment). Scammers will often copy photos posted on forums such as these, and then use the photos to try to sell the watch to someone else, though they of course don't own the watch. Serial numbers can be used to verify the authenticity of a watch, and scammers can even use these numbers when replying to a potential buyer, which with some checking, can be used to show that the watch is authentic, which it was, but of course it is not in possession of the potential "seller" (scammer). The buyer, however, thinks that he is getting a legitimate watch. There are many variations on this scam, including reporting the watch as stolen, and submitting this falsely acquired serial number as proof--this kind of scam in often seen in trying to make false claims with insurance companies--and the list goes on...

RAD1OHEAD · Feb 1, 2013

timefleas said:
By covering the serial number, the seller, or owner, is protecting his (or her investment). Scammers will often copy photos posted on forums such as these, and then use the photos to try to sell the watch to someone else, though they of course don't own the watch. Serial numbers can be used to verify the authenticity of a watch, and scammers can even use these numbers when replying to a potential buyer, which with some checking, can be used to show that the watch is authentic, which it was, but of course it is not in possession of the potential "seller" (scammer). The buyer, however, thinks that he is getting a legitimate watch. There are many variations on this scam, including reporting the watch as stolen, and submitting this falsely acquired serial number as proof--this kind of scam in often seen in trying to make false claims with insurance companies--and the list goes on...

I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for the informative reply.

Scott S · Feb 1, 2013

I still don't think blanking out the numbers will keep a scammer from using your pics. If I had any doubt that someone was not in the possession of a watch I was considering buying, I would ask them to send me a picture which would prove they had it, i.e. sitting on a dated newspaper or something like that. I think covering it up is overkill.
Same for people who blank out license plates on car forum pictures. License plates are public record, they're seen by everyone anytime you're driving, how is a picture of that on the interwebz going to harm you?

Jonnyt5050 · Feb 1, 2013

Thanks Rad1ohead,

Much appreciated. I don't think covering up the number would provide a whole lot of benefit but I do like knowing the thought behind it. Personally, I think taking photos with the person's user name visible or watermarked would be more helpful than to cover up the serial.

Odin43 · Feb 1, 2013

Covering up the number protects potential buyers of used watches more than the owner of the watch. As timefleas described, scammers who have access to bb and unit numbers are more dangerous than those that don't. It's an effort that should be appreciated as a measure to reduce scams imo.

Pandu79 · Feb 2, 2013

timefleas said:
By covering the serial number, the seller, or owner, is protecting his (or her investment). Scammers will often copy photos posted on forums such as these, and then use the photos to try to sell the watch to someone else, though they of course don't own the watch. Serial numbers can be used to verify the authenticity of a watch, and scammers can even use these numbers when replying to a potential buyer, which with some checking, can be used to show that the watch is authentic, which it was, but of course it is not in possession of the potential "seller" (scammer). The buyer, however, thinks that he is getting a legitimate watch. There are many variations on this scam, including reporting the watch as stolen, and submitting this falsely acquired serial number as proof--this kind of scam in often seen in trying to make false claims with insurance companies--and the list goes on...

Thanks, for the info |>
I too was also intrigued with why people covered the numbers.
rgds
PJ

Why hide the serial # when selling?

Jonnyt5050

azsmartbet

Watch OCD

timefleas

RAD1OHEAD

Scott S

Jonnyt5050

Odin43

Pandu79

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