Old School RuneScape/Guides/Anti-Scam

= Introduction =

Scamming in RuneScape involves a player cheating another player. This is a very common thing that happens everyday. However, scamming can be easily avoided.

= Common Scams =

There are many different kinds of scams in RuneScape. Many players fall for these scams, though they can easily be avoided.

Armour Trimming
Some players may see other players saying that they can trim armour. These players are most commonly found in Varrock and Falador, a majority of them on free worlds. However, trimming armour is a scam.

It is impossible for a player to trim another player's armour. Some players say that they can trim armour because they are a member. However, this is also not true.

Trimmed armour can only be gained from doing treasure trails, a mini-game that members can do. When the member has complete the treasure trail, they will then receive a random reward. The reward will sometimes be trimmed armour.

This is a scam and can be reported using the "report abuse" button. The "report abuse" button is located beneath the chatbox. When a player sees another player saying that they can trim armour, they are recommended that they use the "report abuse" button and report the player for breaking Rule #2

Password Blocking
Some players will say that JAGeX has made an update that allows players to not say their password or that the censor blocks player's passwords. However, this is a scam.

The player may say, "Jagex blocks your pass! ******* see?" This is not true. A player's password can only be censored if it is a swear. Also, players must never give out their password. If a player does tell their password, then they are only asking to be hacked.

Players doing this scam can be reported. A player simply has to click on the "report abuse" button and report the rule breaker for breaking Rule #3.

Trade Scams
A player is buying a rune platebody. Another player trades them and puts up a rune platebody in the trade window. The player buying then puts up 80,000 gp. Both players hits accept, but the player buying doesn't look at the second trade window. They hit accept immediately, and then complete their trading. The player that bought the plate looks in his inventory only to see an adamant platebody. They were just scammed.

This is the most common scam in all of RuneScape. However, players can easily avoid this simply by being patient and observing the trade window.

When a player trades another player, a trade window will appear. In this window, players can put up their items that they will want to trade. Both players can see what items are being traded. When both players click the accept button, a second trade window appears. In this window, players can see what they are trading in words. This is where players can check to see if they are being scammed.

In the second trade window, players must read carefully what they are trading. All a player has to do is be patient and read the second trade window to make sure they are not being scammed.

If a player is scammed by this, they simply have to use the "report abuse" button and report the player for breaking Rule #2.

Gem Cutting
Some players may say that they will cut other player's gems for free. While some honest players may cut gems for free, many players will be greedy and steal the gems they receive.

Players are recommended that they raise their crafting level up to cut their own gems so that they won't be scammed.

If this scam happens, players can use the "report abuse" button and report the player for breaking Rule #2.

JAGeX Impersonators
JAGeX is the company that makes RuneScape. Some players will claim that they are JAGeX staff or that they know people who work for JAGeX and that they can give players free items or free membership. However, this is always a scam.

JAGeX staff will never contact players in the game. They will only contact players using the message center. Also, JAGeX staff members always have a gold crown beside their name and most of them have the word Mod before their name.

If a player sees another player doing this, the player can be reported for breaking Rule #5.

Edgeville Scam
Players may private message other players saying that they are selling something rare at a incredibly low price. The player selling will want the player buying to come to Edgeville's wilderness. When the buyer gets there, they will enter the wilderness with all their money and trade the seller. The seller will then get a friend to kill the buyer, or kill the buyer themselves if the buyer's level is close enough to theirs.

It is very simple to avoid this scam. Do not trade in or around the wilderness or near Edgeville.

Buying Items at High Prices
A player be buying rune essence for 800 gp each rather then the common 30 gp each. A player will notice this great deal and trade the buyer. The player selling the ess will put up 1,000, and the buyer will put up 800,000 gp. The two players click on the accept button on both trade windows and complete the trade. However, when the buyer looks at the 800,000 gp they made, they notice that they only received 80,000 gp.

This is a very serious scam, but can be easily avoided. Players must carefully watch the trade windows to make sure they are receiving the correct amount of money or item.

Players who are buying items at high prices are usually scammers. If they are scamming players, they can be reported for breaking Rule #2.

Two person trade scam
A buyer is offering way over the odds for an item which is not incredibly rare.

A seller not too far away is offering the item at a lower price, but still considerably higher than the going rate.

They are in league and you will be left with an unwanted item at an excessive price. The way to avoid this scam is to know the prices, and never buy in an overpriced item, as even if the trade did turn out to be legitimate, you could be beaten to it.

Selling Rare Items
A player may be selling an item that they are saying rare. However, they may be lying. Rare items are covered in the Rare Items Guide.

Free Membership
Some players may say that they can offer free membership. However, this is a scam.

No player can give free membership. Player mods also cannot give membership or receive free membership.

= Avoiding Scamming =

Players can easily avoid being scammed by following these points.


 * Take time trading. Observe the items the other player is putting up.


 * Never fall for the "trimming armour" scam.


 * Be wary of trades near Edgeville or the Wilderness.


 * Be wary of trades with people offering very high prices.


 * Know the items involved in your trade.


 * Always look at the second trade screen.

= What to do When Scammed =

If a player is scammed, the only thing they can do is work to get the items they lost back.

JAGeX will not give players back the items they lost. Many players turn to JAGeX when they get scammed. However, JAGeX will only say that there is nothing they can do. They do not give items back because people would take advantage of getting free items.

If a player is scammed, they should raise their skills to get money or merchant some items. In time, the player will be able to get back their items.

= The Difference Between Hacking and Scamming =

There is a large difference between scamming and hacking.

Scamming is when a a player cheats another player. Here is an example.

A player is buying a rune platebody. Another player trades them and puts up a rune platebody in the trade window. The player buying then puts up 80,000 gp. Both players hits accept, but the player buying doesn't look at the second trade window. They hit accept immediately, and then complete their trading. The player that bought the plate looks in his inventory only to see an adamancy platebody. They were just scammed.

Hacking is completely different from scamming. Hacking involves a player's account being stolen, not a player cheating another player.