So what kind of scam is this?

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snafu

snafu

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Mar 2, 2003
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1,156
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GA
So what kind of scam is this? I receive a call from ip-relay, they told me that they help the handicap to communicate with business; he said he has a person that wants to do business with me. So we started to communicate thru the ip-relay. I immediately told them to contact me via email. So I started receiving his emails. He wanted large frames with museum glass a total of $4575.00 in merchandise. Then we got around to payment he sent me two credit cards and asked me to charge half on each. I asked for his billing address and he sent it to me but the city was misspelled. I overlooked this because he was handicapped, he could be typing with a stick in his mouth was what came to mind. But then I asked for the name of the bank the cards were with so that I could contact the bank to verify the info he gave me. He never told me the bank names. But for some reason he wanted the credit card approval code.
It was all very suspicious to me! I didn't do the order or run the cards and he never replied to my request for the bank names.

So my question is how could he benefit from this? What good would is the approval code to him?
I have attached a link if you would like to view the entire e-mail correspondence, remember the beginning of the email starts at the bottom.
http://www.thegallery.us/temp/scam.pdf


homey.gif
 
And here's one. I never got as far as credit card conversation, except that he would be paying with one over the phone, but had e-mails and faxes. He stopped when I said I was suspicious and would have no further contact until he physically came into my shop:
http://thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=2686&highlight=phone+relay
It starts getting weird with my post#22.

I don't know how they benefit, but they must, or they wouldn't keep doing it. Someone must be biting somewhere.
 
I wonder if you could call Visa/MC fraud division and chat with them.

What is the most expensive item you have ever bought without have the slightest clue what you were actually going to get? I really can't think of an example but I doubt it would be over $10.

Carry on.
 
Jay beat me to it: Sounds fishy but do call the CC card company and run the info you have by them.

And still be prepared to be stiffed (both by the buyer and the CC company) even after the CC card company has given you the green light!

So make sure you keep records of everything you discuss at the CC company (date & time, who you spoke with, etc).

I wouldn't give that guy the approval coder, I would give him a fictitious number if he insists.

And to be on the safe side: Ask for down payment, send for approval, wait a few days and see what happens. Then you can either start framing or not.
 
Funny, I was in Boone Iowa this past weekend for my wife's 20 Year reunion.

Did some checking for you, that is not a valid address (Click here http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?AppID=84&LayerID=795&PageTypeID=3&PageID=551 )and the name does not exist as an owner of a house on Benton Streetwith an address between 500 and 600, and as you pointed out, Boon is not the correct spelling.

Refer him to a local framer in Boone, I think there are 2 in town.
 
Jay H said:
What is the most expensive item you have ever bought without have the slightest clue what you were actually going to get? I really can't think of an example but I doubt it would be over $10.

Carry on.
Click to expand...

A frame store, Jay. A frame store.
 
Is this guy even American?

He uses "okay" alot, and "please kindly".

I know of no one born here who communicates like that.
 
IT's A SCAM~

I got a few emails - which had the "feel" of a scam, asking me to price up a 2" black frame with museum glass, or something.

I said we have thousands of frames... blah, blah,.... and asked him if he could come in. A while later, I got a similar email.

Eventually - I think I looked up the first half of his email name in google. Like - if it was "johnsmith@yahoo.com", instead I looked up "john smith scam" and sure enough, there were a bunch of scams listed using the same email beginning name.

One day while helping a customer I get a phone call saying it's some kind of operator... and the operator tells me they are "saying" what someone on a computer on the other end is typing for them to say - but they could not tell me if it's a handicapped person.

ANYWAY

Once I got the same "Please tell me price of museum glass and black frame..." question - I told the operator to tell them I will be glad to help them if they come in the store.

The operator said "oh, they just disconnected".


So - I believe it's a total scam. BEWARE since it looks like they are targeting the framing industry!!
 
No charge card present, nothing signed, nor an imprint of the card in your hands; this willl be a problem and you will lose out and get your account charged back for the full amount. If you do decide to take it get the 3 digit code from them on the back of their cards or you'll have nothing but problems. Best not to touch it, it is probably a scam.
 
There's no probably about it, it is a scam. It has been reported here over and over again. I think LJ sent something out warning their customers about this. Maybe PFM or Decor could take a page and broadcast it so others aren't fooled.
 
Wouldn't it be wise for merchant services to put a flyer in with our monthly statements every now and then about the latest in scams? Then they reach everyone....it seems that it would save a lot of people, including the cc companies, a lot of grief and unwarranted expense. It's not only our industry ~ it's anyone who is accepting credit cards.

Although it's hard to believe, not everyone is on the internet and is wise to these scams. We're lucky to have fellow framers who share problems and warnings. If merchant services were to send out a flyer, they would reach those 'non-computer' folks too.
 
Hello,
I was strolling through this site and noticed the thread. As a result, I registered.
We have offers like this several times a month. They contact you for a large purchase. They always want it shipped overnight (usually overseas or South America), regardless of the price. If you fall for it, you ship it and charge their credit card. A few days or weeks later, you get a call from your credit card company saying their has been a "charge back." They get their money back, have the product, and you have just lost thousands.
We checked with the credit card companies. If you don't have the persons signature on the credit card slip that comes out of your machine, it makes it very easy for someone to say the charges were unwarranted and charge back given in their favor. Therefore, unless you have the signed slip in your possession, you are not covered. That includes you faxing a copy of it to them to sign. Stay away from phone orders. Unless the purchase goes through the banks gateway online, and it is approved for phone purchases (which will increase your monthly payment because you are at higher risk), I wouldn't do it. Bottom line. Check with yor credit card merchant and know all the loop holes.
 
PaulSF said:
What I still can't figure out is what they would want with all these frames. What's in it for the scammer?
Click to expand...



A beautifully appointed home.

These scammers have style.


;)
 
PaulSF said:
What I still can't figure out is what they would want with all these frames. What's in it for the scammer?
Click to expand...

I can see several ways they might make out pretty well on these.

1. They will usually overpay (such as for shipping) and get you to refund the difference (in good funds) or give a check to their "courier."
2. Notice how all the orders are for large frames? The mouldings could be resold to local framers.
3. The large lites of museum glass would bring in a few shekels as well, particularly in places where it was hard to get through normal channels.

In fact, I just might go into a global business. (Now where's my number for the IP relay operator?)
 
He said that the order would be picked up.

He insisted on getting the approval code of the charges. What could he do with my approval code?

I accept credit cards over the phone all the time, never had a problem. In fact I sold a Concerto frame to a new customer in New York yesterday. Monday I sold length moulding to a customer in Los Angeles.


homey.gif
 
I just received an IP call which made me immediately suspicious sense I know about these scams.

Sure enough someone communicating in broken English wanted to order wooden frames.

I immediately responded that this is a known scam and I was terminating the conversation!
I should have asked for email coversation and reported the creep.

I wonder how many framers are falling prey to this?

If nothing else it is an annoying waste of time!
 
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