A Better Business Bureau (BBB) investigation into Revolutionary Firearms, a purported gun retailer with an Omaha, Nebraska address, confirmed that the company is a fake business. The address advertised on the website is not affiliated with the company.
BBB established a company profile for Revolutionary Firearms on January 15, 2023, after receiving a consumer complaint. As of March 24, 2023, the company has received nine inquiries. The domain name revolutionaryfirearms.com was registered on May 6, 2021, via Hosting Concepts B.V. d/b/a Registrar.eu, and the registrant contact is in California.
The website displayed photos and descriptions of guns for sale, but after the BBB sent a complaint to the company, the website went inactive. The “About Revolutionary Firearms” section claimed to offer the best online collection of firearms at competitive prices. The website also listed a physical address at the bottom of the home page: 4811 S. 96th St, #157, Omaha, NE 68127.
The owner of Omaha Outfitters, another business located at the same address, contacted the BBB to deny any affiliation with Revolutionary Firearms. The owner said they had received several inquiries from consumers asking if they had changed their business name to Revolutionary Firearms.
BBB received one complaint from a consumer who claimed to have ordered a gun from Revolutionary Firearms and paid with a credit card. The consumer later noticed on his credit card statement that the payment was made to “Savinicarwheel” in Lees Summit, MO 64082. After receiving an email claiming there was a technical error with his credit card, the consumer requested a refund, which he never received.
According to the Nebraska Secretary of State and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, there is no registration or licensing information for Revolutionary Firearms. BBB also contacted the Douglas County Nebraska Assessor, who confirmed that the parcel of land listed on the company website is a commercial office space owned by Circo Enterprises 1 LLC. The property manager confirmed in an email that there is no business called Revolutionary Firearms located there.
BBB urges consumers to exercise caution when purchasing firearms online and to research businesses thoroughly before making a purchase. Consumers can report suspected fraudulent activity to the BBB’s Scam Tracker.
BBB offers these tips for safe online shopping:
- Know the advertiser. Some of the best deals are only available online, but be careful. It’s easy for a fake site to mimic a famous retailer’s website, so make sure you shop with a legitimate site. If the site is missing contact information, that is a red flag. Check out retailers at BBB.org before you shop.
- Check a site’s security settings. If the site is secure, its URL (web address) should start with “HTTPS://” and include a lock icon on the purchase or shopping cart page.
- Be a savvy shopper. When shopping online, take your time and read the fine print before submitting your order. Look for the return policy; although many online orders can be returned for a full refund, others have restocking fees. Some items cannot be returned; know before you buy.
- Protect personal information. Read a site’s privacy policy and understand what personal data is requested and how it will be used. If a site doesn’t have a privacy policy, that’s a big red flag that it may be a scam.
- Think before you click. Be especially cautious about email solicitations and online ads on social media sites. Many sketchy retailers advertise great deals or trendy clothing that doesn’t match the promotional hype.
- Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals. Offers on websites and unsolicited emails may offer free or very low prices on hard-to-find items. There may be hidden costs, or your purchase may sign you up for a monthly charge. Look for and read the fine print.
- Beware of phishing. Phishing emails can look like a message from a well-known brand, but clicking on unfamiliar links can place you at risk for malware and/or identity theft. One popular scam claims to be from a package-delivery company with links to “tracking information” on an order you don’t remember making. Don’t click!
- Shop with a credit card. In a fraudulent transaction, a credit card provides additional protection; it’s easier to dispute charges you didn’t approve or get your money back if there is a problem. Debit cards, prepaid cards, or gift cards don’t have the same protections as credit cards.
- Keep documentation of your order. Save a copy of the confirmation page or email confirmation until you receive the item and are satisfied. Know and understand the return policy and keep this documented with your purchase records. According to the FTC, when you shop online, sellers are supposed to ship your order within the time stated in their ads or within 30 days if the ads don’t give a time. If a seller can’t ship within the promised time, they have to provide you with a revised shipping date, with the chance to either cancel your order for a full refund or accept the new shipping date.
- Keep a clean machine. Install a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software for network security. Check for and install the latest updates and run virus scans regularly on your computer, tablet, and smartphone.
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