Posted by Curtis Knight on August 27, 2007 at 5:35 PM
I'm almost embarrassed to post this story, but I think it's good for everyone to be aware of how stupid some people think we are.
I was contacted about a week and a half ago by a woman wanting to buy 4 large prints. I had a funny feeling about it from the get-go, but nothing really seemed out of line, so I went with it to see if it was legit.
We had a few email exchanges, still nothing was out of line. Then when I got home last night, there was a message waiting in my inbox from her, stating that her husband would like to "transfer the funds into my credit card". Holy crap, did the Red flags ever go up! I kept reading and she wanted all the right information about my credit card. Right information so she could use it herself that is!!!
I did not reply, and simply reported her email address and the text of the email to the FBI. Probably nothing will come of it. the email address was a yahoo.co.uk address. Probably out of their jurisdiction.
Anyway, I'm just glad I'm not a complete idiot. I'm also glad I didn't come bounding into the forum and joyfully announce that I'd sold my first print
For the record, she go zero financial information from me.
Posted by Richard Wong on August 27, 2007 at 7:05 PM
That seems to be a big issue nowadays. Some guy from another country supposedly wanted to buy 2 prints from me. the agreed amount was 600. but then his messages started making less sense. something about his "people in america" would be sending me a check. So I got this check for $5,500. That was the last time I corresponded with him. To be honest, I usually delete emails from foreigners and there's really nothing we could do to them legally anyway if they are overseas. if they want my pictures then they'll have to go to thru the stock websites.
Posted by Mike Dawson on August 28, 2007 at 12:02 AM
Thanks for a Good reminder Curtis!
Mike
Posted by Kelly Rowe on August 28, 2007 at 12:59 AM
It's getting to the point where if you want to sell something, you have to meet the buyer at the bank and take cash only. Even the former gold standard, cashier's checks, are no longer safe. People really are starting to suck. Evil walks side by side among us every day...
So what is safe in that case? I'm from South Africa where you have to practically sell your mother to get a credit card (mixed blessing), although once you've got the credit card people think you're as honest as the Pope. At any rate here we tend to use direct bank transfers rather than credit card numbers. So is this any safer? What about PayPal...does it have flaws? have people been stung through it? If PayPal is safe, is this the answer for photographers selling their work?
Posted by Kent Staubus on September 5, 2007 at 2:02 PM
The only time I was ripped off on eBay, PayPal was involved. Haven't used them since. I have to say that when I get ANY email involving money from someone on the internet, I start with the assumptions that it's a scam. So far I haven't been disappointed.
Watch for one going around now claiming to be the IRS with a refund for you. Perfect logos, even a link that looks legit. Lovely. No, we didn't bite, but we've had some real fun with the FBI and others over this one.
We accept cash. credit cards, postal money orders and local checks. But no one gets any financial info on us. In fact, no commodity or service changes hands till the checks, credit cards or PMO's clear. Break the chain between you and any of your finances or critical identity details, then assure the money and deal is real before compleating the exchange. Sorry, but we don't accept Paypal. There are too many Paypal scams floating around the net now.
Speaking of scams. There is one currently afloat as of 02/06/08 from the "Rev. Edwin Donko". He plans to be here in the states for something like a two week wedding anniversary and needs a photographer for the whole two weeks...something like that. Some group in Ghana will be paying you! Google "rev edwin donko" and you will find a site associated with the ASMP making reference to this. I have received two mailings from him. Funny how his email address evolves each time!!
Troup
Discussion
8 repliesI was contacted about a week and a half ago by a woman wanting to buy 4 large prints. I had a funny feeling about it from the get-go, but nothing really seemed out of line, so I went with it to see if it was legit.
We had a few email exchanges, still nothing was out of line. Then when I got home last night, there was a message waiting in my inbox from her, stating that her husband would like to "transfer the funds into my credit card". Holy crap, did the Red flags ever go up! I kept reading and she wanted all the right information about my credit card. Right information so she could use it herself that is!!!
I did not reply, and simply reported her email address and the text of the email to the FBI. Probably nothing will come of it. the email address was a yahoo.co.uk address. Probably out of their jurisdiction.
Anyway, I'm just glad I'm not a complete idiot. I'm also glad I didn't come bounding into the forum and joyfully announce that I'd sold my first print
For the record, she go zero financial information from me.
Mike
E
Kent in SD
Watch for one going around now claiming to be the IRS with a refund for you. Perfect logos, even a link that looks legit. Lovely. No, we didn't bite, but we've had some real fun with the FBI and others over this one.
We accept cash. credit cards, postal money orders and local checks. But no one gets any financial info on us. In fact, no commodity or service changes hands till the checks, credit cards or PMO's clear. Break the chain between you and any of your finances or critical identity details, then assure the money and deal is real before compleating the exchange. Sorry, but we don't accept Paypal. There are too many Paypal scams floating around the net now.
Troup