Vanila / General
Be Aware of Scams - Fake Design Jobs (credit cards)
Be Aware of Scams - Fake Design Jobs (credit cards)
Vanila/General · March 29, 2019 at 12:21amBe Aware of Scams - Fake Design Jobs (credit cards)
Vanila / General · March 29, 2019 at 12:21am (Edited 5 years ago)
I want to share this cause it will probably save someone's time in future by not dedicating time to respond on fake website jobs.
I probably got 10-20 emails like this during the last few years. Some I smell out instantly that are scams by the way they wrote email. Some of them instantly try and ask if you accept credit cards (that's an alert).
This scams are also known under names Overpayment Scam, Third Party Payout Scam, Payment Reversal Scam and Advanced Fee Scam. The Fraud Prevention department at credit card payment processor Stripe put it like this:
Designers such as yourself are common targets for a type of scam known as a Third Party Payout. Essentially, the scammer makes a payment (generally in the thousands) for a project, and pays more than they need so you can then transfer money direct to a third party (e.g. a consultant, graphic designer, etc). I imagine your correspondence with your ‘client’ has been along these line. As I’m sure you’ve figured out, the fix is that the card used is stolen and the third party is actually the scammer. So when the legitimate cardholder disputes the payment the business is left holding the bag on the money retrieved from their account and what they transferred to the scammer.
Why Credit Cards? Well, they probably have stolen credit cards, and wan't to make use of it. You wonder, but how they will get money, cause they pays you?
Well, depends on scammer level, but at one point they will ask you if they can send you more money, and you return them via some other method. Some rush instantly and ask you about that.
Here is example below of the moment he ask for "favor"
“I want to pay the printer some amount to get materials and work started so they can meet up with set deadline but they do not have facilities to accept credit card payment So I’ll add the extra amount to your deposit and once everything clears into your account, you will take your deposit and help me send the remaining amount to them the sum of $3,390 i will be responsible for the credit card charges and tax and there is also a $100 tip for you.”
However, this one I missed to recognize, and it took me quite good amount of time to respond properly on emails and even build proposal for him. Honestly, it was my fault cause I didn't Google his email instantly. I had chaotic days of multi tasking, and even I had that in mind to Google it, i felt tired, lazy in that point so I didn't. And that cost me spending time and hoping of getting that cost effective project ^^.
Initial email from scammer
Name: James Kruse
Email: [email protected]
Hi, i am James, i would like to know if you can handle website development for a clothing store?Get back to me so i can send you the details.Thanks!
Than after my response of asking to share more details, he sent this:
Hi Stefan,Thanks for getting in touch. I would like you to review the details and get back to me with any question you may have.Here is the project details, well i have a small clothing business for both male and female which i run here in Nebraska, now am trying to expand the business and i want you to build an informational website for it for advertisement, drive traffic to my physical location, and to increase my sales rate..so i need you to check out this site but i need something more perfect than this if it's possible http://www.missrebel.co.uk. the site would only be informational, so i need you to give me an estimate .The estimate should include hosting and i want the site to have not more than 5 pages ,since it is informational. I have a private project consultant, he has the text content, images and the logos for the site.Note:1. I want only English language2. I don't have a domain yet but i want the domain name as Nobleclassicwear.co3. You will be updating the site for me.4. I will be providing the images, logos and content for the site.5. I want the site up and running before ending of next month.6. My budget is $2000 to $5000Thanks,James
Next time you get email for potential work, be sure to research with who you are talking with, by looking for his full name and email on Google.
They shows unders this names and emails (will be updated):
Name: James Kruse Email: [email protected]
Name: Kent Walter Email: [email protected]
Name: Luis Lee Email: [email protected] Phone: (732) 893-0731
Name: leon gregory Email: [email protected]
Name: james morgan Email: [email protected]
Name: julian johnson Email: [email protected]
Name: Dan Larry Email: [email protected]
Name: Charles Rodwell Email: [email protected]
Name: Michael Thompson Email: [email protected]
Name: David Dojcak Email: [email protected]
Name: Willie Jame Email: [email protected]
Name: Able Jay Email: [email protected]
May 13, 2020 at 1:22am
May 13, 2020 at 5:23am
August 3, 2020 at 4:10pm
Another scammer: Name: steven kinghunt Email: [email protected] Message:
Hello sorry for my late response,ijust open a new portuguese Restaurant which I run now and I need a website for my business to grow,So I need you to go through this example linksite:https://www.myperiperi.com but I need something more perfect than this if possible, I will like you to get back to me with an estimate and the estimate should include hosting and I want you to understand I want the same page as the example site I gave you to check and I want only English language and I want you to know you will be updating the site for me. I want the site up and running before ending of next month and I don't want a shopping cart in my reservation page also I don't have a domain name yet and i will prefer: LisbonSRESTAURANT.NET. My budget is $2000-8500 for the web design, I have a private project consultant, she has the text content and the logos for the site with the image artwork, so please go ahead and check the example site and get back to me with an estimate also I will like to know if you are the owner or the manager and do you accept credit card and check as payment. Thank you
August 21, 2020 at 1:38pm
Hi Stefan, thanks for sharing it. You saved so much time for me. The guy you mentioned (Powell Joseph <[email protected]>) sent me the following information:
'' HERE ARE THE DETAILS AND PROCEDURE OF THE JOB:
1) Company Name: LAREDDO’S FURNITURE INC2) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON3) I DON'T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMISED LOGO FROM YOU4) I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO ALL ARE
WITH MY PROJECT CONSULTANT BUT THE ARTWORK WILL BE DESIGNED BY YOU
5) I WANT THE BROCHURE TO BE TRI-FOLD IT WILL BE FRONT &
BACK THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK
6) THE SIZE OF BROCHURE IS 8.5 X 11.
I will be glad if you can handle this for me and I will meet you in person after this design is done.I want customise logo for the company name from you with two colour. One gold colour for the company name and one white colour for the background. Company name; LAREDDO’S FURNITURE INC. I want 10,000 copies now, so can i have the estimate now. ''
August 21, 2020 at 8:45pm
Hey @aleksandr I am glad this post saved your time and from problems. Thanks for sharing your version, it helps people find it in future
August 29, 2020 at 1:48pm
I know its a scam but I'm interested to see how they will avoid my terms. This new scam the people behind it are very determine. I got the same message about the furniture shop for 'tri-fold' brochure, asked for an advanced payment via wire-transfer. Today I sent the invoice (something I generated online, not my real invoice template). Its been back and forth with these guys since the 17th. Honestly because of the pandemic, this is entertainment.
August 31, 2020 at 5:19pm
I know its a scam but I'm interested to see how they will avoid my terms. This new scam the people behind it are very determine. I got the same message about the furniture shop for 'tri-fold' brochure, asked for an advanced payment via wire-transfer. Today I sent the invoice (something I generated online, not my real invoice template). Its been back and forth with these guys since the 17th. Honestly because of the pandemic, this is entertainment.
hehe, let me know how it goes :D
September 3, 2020 at 6:27pm
@kinderminder got another one for ya:
Name: Tom Lochry Email: [email protected] Phone: (916) 668-3471
Not sure if that's his actual phone number or not, it rings when called, haven't actually spoken with anyone on it though.
Simplified project brief: Branding and flyers for a new nation-wide grocery chain under the name "Tom Loc Grocery Store" with the slogan "Good things come from Tom Loc."
Thank you for this post! He's supposedly mailing a security deposit in the form of a check now. Hopefully I'll be able to reach out to the account holder and give them a heads up.
September 3, 2020 at 7:59pm
Thanks for reporting mate @john-fownes
September 21, 2020 at 6:06pm
September 23, 2020 at 8:56pm
thanks for the warning .. so his email is [email protected] and name is Tom Lochry
October 14, 2020 at 10:37am
Thank you so much for the information and thread.
Thank God I searched online after a few emails to confirm it was genuine
I also got the below message from [email protected]
Greetings, I'll like to know if you can handle Brochure and Logo Design for my personal company? Kindly get back to me so I can send you more details regarding the full scope of the project.
From me Thank you for getting in touch with us. It will be a pleasure being of service to you. What you require is part of the service we offer. Kindly send more details so we can review and give recommendations.
From [email protected] Thanks. I only have little details then you can decide on designs but I want the colour to consist of Black and Gold with an image of an ancient chair. I want a very mature and presentable design and my budget for this project is $3,000- 3,500. And hope you still offer brochure services as well?. For the Brochure, I want a double folded 8.5"x11 brochure and I can only supply the text content and photos but all are with my project consultant but the logo and brochure will be designed by you and the due date for the project is 30th of November 2020. The company name is SUDLAD FURNITURE INC and is based on importing and exporting furniture.
From me Could you send the information you want on the brochure. Your budget seems to be more than enough, pending when we see the information for the brochure. But all things being equal, your budget can cover website development, as well.
From [email protected] HERE ARE THE DETAILS AND PROCEDURE OF THE JOB: 1) Company Name: SUNLAD FURNITURE INC 2) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON 3) I DON'T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMISED LOGO FROM YOU 4) I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO ALL ARE WITH MY PROJECT CONSULTANT BUT THE ARTWORK WILL BE DESIGNED BY YOU 5) I WANT THE BROCHURE TO BE TRI-FOLD IT WILL BE FRONT & BACK THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK 6) THE SIZE OF BROCHURE IS 8.5 X 11. I will be glad if you can handle this for me and I will meet you in person after this design is done.I want customise logo for the company name from you with two colour. One gold colour for the company name and one white colour for the background. Company name; SUDLAD FURNITURE INC. I want 10,000 copies now, so can i have the estimate now.
October 22, 2020 at 1:18pm
I am so glad I've just stumbled across this thread! I was just about to start a logo design and decided to do a little research for SUDLAD FURNITURE INC... this is the initial email I received:
Thanks. I only have little details then you can decide on designs but I want the colour to consist of Black and Gold with an image of an ancient chair. I want a very mature and presentable design and my budget for this project is £500- 700. And hope you still offer brochure services as well?. For the Brochure, I want a double folded 8.5"x11 brochure and I can only supply the text content and photos but all are with my project consultant but the logo and brochure will be designed by you and the due date for the project is 30th of November 2020. The company name is SUDLAD FURNITURE INC and is based on importing and exporting furniture. That's all I can provide from my end and I need a more perfect Job. Kindly let me know the total cost of the Brochure and Logo Design if it will cost more than I budgeted. NOTE: My website is still under construction and will be completed soon.
Followed by this....
HERE ARE THE DETAILS AND PROCEDURE OF THE JOB:
1) Company Name: SUNLAD FURNITURE INC2) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON3) I DON'T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMISED LOGO FROM YOU4) I C
OULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO ALL ARE
WITH MY PROJECT CONSULTANT BUT THE ARTWORK WILL BE DESIGNED BY YOU
5) I WANT THE BROCHURE TO BE TRI-FOLD IT WILL BE FRONT &
BACK THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK
6) THE SIZE OF BROCHURE IS 8.5 X 11.
I will be glad if you can handle this for me and I will meet you in person after this design is done.I want customise logo for the company name from you with two colour. One gold colour for the company name and one white colour for the background. Company name; SUDLAD FURNITURE INC. I want 10,000 copies now, so can i have the estimate now.
I have invoiced for the job but not received any money... and I'm presuming this is the reason why! May I ask, how did you all approach this once you discovered it was a scam?
Thank you
October 23, 2020 at 12:06am
@kirsty93 if he asks you to pay you via credit card, that is most likely the credit card scam. If he do so, please share his email, so other can search it by email and find this thread.
December 14, 2020 at 10:31pm
@kinderminder Stefan, Stefan ;) thank you for taking the time to put this together. As you have mentioned earlier, I have as well gotten dozens or so email offers that just don't sit right so the latest one brought me here to your page. Just wanted to add, it loos as their strategy is evolving a bit, where now they are going after vehicle wraps... I'm attaching a screenshot of the email.... All the best! SRB-In ;)
March 30, 2021 at 9:17am
Email: [email protected] Name: Luis Juan
I just open a new Mexican Restaurant which I run now and I need a website for my business to grow, So I need you to go through this example link site: https://www.oyamel.com but I need something more perfect than this if possible, I will like you to get back to me with an estimate and the estimate should include hosting and I want you to understand I want the same page as the example site I gave you to check and I want only English language and I want you to know you will be updating the site for me. I want the site up and running before ending of next month and I don't want a shopping cart in my reservation page also I don't have a domain name yet and i will prefer: PKRESTAURANT.NET. My budget is $2000-7500 for the web design, I have a private project consultant, she has the text content and the logos for the site with the image artwork, so please go ahead and check the example site and get back to me with an estimate also I will like to know if you are the owner or the manager and do you accept credit card and check as payment. Thank you
Just got another 👆 credit card scam fraud email
April 2, 2022 at 7:25pm
@kinderminder, sorry to ask you in this community. I'm a web developer, I came here because I'm very interested in Spectrum, then I learnt about vanila . Do you where I can find the maintainers of this brilliant chat system ? Thanks :)
May 12, 2022 at 8:34pm