As many of you have seen from my previous posts, I've been searching for a set of Street Scene urethane side skirts for my Silverado.

I wanted to share a recent experience to help others avoid getting scammed.

A forum member, “prestigeb,” sent me a PM stating that “Rida” still had the Street Scene urethane side skirts I was looking for and provided the email address ridamech5@gmail.com. I contacted him, and he sent me a picture of what appeared to be a brand-new set of side skirts.

When I asked for additional photos, he claimed he wasn’t home and couldn’t take any more pictures. We discussed a price and eventually agreed on one. At that point, I was still skeptical, so I told him I would only pay through PayPal Goods & Services since it offers buyer protection.

That’s when the red flags started appearing.

He said he didn’t have PayPal and insisted on payment through Zelle, which offers no buyer protection for private sales. I then asked where he was located, and he said Houston, Texas. I told him I had family in Houston who could pick the parts up in person. He agreed to a date and time for the meet-up.

When the day arrived, he suddenly said he was unable to meet. After that, I was unable to get ahold of him at all. Thankfully, I never sent any money.

At this point, I believe this was likely a scam attempt. I also think there’s a possibility that “prestigeb” may be involved or could even be the same person as “Rida,” since the referral came directly through PM and immediately led to the suspicious interaction. I obviously can’t confirm that for certain, but I felt it was important to mention so others can stay cautious.

Just a heads-up to everyone: be careful when buying parts from individuals online. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.

A few ways to protect yourself:
• Always use a payment method that offers buyer protection (PayPal Goods & Services, credit card, etc.).
• Avoid Zelle, Cash App, Venmo Friends & Family, wire transfers, or other irreversible payment methods when dealing with strangers.
• Ask for multiple photos, including pictures with a handwritten note showing the seller’s username and current date.
• Request a video call or live photos when possible.
• Check the seller’s forum history, feedback, and length of membership.
• If the seller claims to be local, arrange an in-person meeting.
• Be cautious of sellers who refuse protected payment methods or create excuses when asked for additional verification.
• Remember: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Stay safe and protect your hard-earned money.