I visit there periodically as there is a bit of interesting gun chatter there from time to time. Only this time after logging in I am told I need to give a phone # as a condition of reading any threads.

Stated reason is to police up WTB/WTS section fraud, and they solemnly swear only admins will be able to see your phone #. Well besides whoever hacks their site, that is.

Well who are these admins? What makes them trustworthy? More to the point, given how easily scammers come up fake #s from which to call/text me, how does this combat WTB/WTS fraud?

Leaning against giving them my # for now.