This week our lovely Graphic Artist was the recipient of e-mails that could have led to a very bad case of identity theft... or worse. She wanted to share her story with you on our blog so that you can be aware of this scam. So here's what happened...
She received an e-mail — from a man named Bill Curry — with an
inquiry about one of her top selling products... a handmade arcade style
Knock Down Doll...
From: Bill Curry <emadamiduro01@gmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 10:36 PM
Subject: Tillie Knock-Down Doll arcade-style plush doll
Hi,
I'm Bill Curry from California. I was going through your works and my
eyes caught this particular piece, I want to purchase it as I am moving
to a new apartment next month. Kindly let me know if you still have the
piece available and also let me know it's final price and more
information about it. I will be waiting to read from you.
Regards,
Bill.
------------------
She thought it was a little odd the way the e-mail was worded, but
she's a nice person and thought, "who am I to take off for grammar? I sell items internationally all the
time in this cyber world and lots of people speak broken English".
Although, she felt it was a bit strange that he used the name of the product but
did not indicate where he saw the item. But she replied with the
information he requested and a link to her Etsy shop anyway.
Soon
after, she received another e-mail from Mr. Curry. But that time she had an
uneasy feeling in her gut after reading his reply. Red flags were
popping up all over the place...
From: Bill Curry <emadamiduro01@gmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2013 9:08 PM
Subject: Payment and pick up
Dear Michelle,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
Unfortunately, I'm on my way to France on an official trip (I'm a marketing Executive) and wont be back for another two weeks.
If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to South Africa soon and I'm trying to gather some good stuff for my new abode.
However,
I'll have to notify my shipper who's helping me move my stuff to get
set for the pick up of the piece from your place as I MIGHT be delayed
depending on how things goes.
P.S.
In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your contact address and
phone# so I can get a check prepared and have it mailed out to you right
away.
-----------------
Following her intuition, Michelle googled "Bill Curry California scam" and sure enough,
found numerous posts and articles about this same person, using the
same name*, and even the same e-mail address... as far back as 2008! And
in each article, the e-mails sent were worded the exact same way!
She wanted to warn all you lovely, hard-working artists out there to be
careful when you reply to queries and what type of information you give
out. It's too easy to these days to fall victim to identity theft. Trust
your gut and ask yourself some important questions. Here's a few things
that made Michelle think twice about "Bill Curry".
• The broken English and poor grammar.
• His name is Bill Curry, but his e-mail was emadamiduro01@gmail.com. Not even close.
• He knew the exact name of the product, yet there was no mention of where he had seen it.
• He's giving too much information about his life, "If you'd like to know..."
•
If he's some big-ass, jet-setting Marketing Executive, why does he need
to send a check? Doesn't he have a credit card that he can use to
purchase the item directly from her shop?
• Instead of having to send the item to his "shipper", he's going
to have the shipper personally drive to the New Jersey coast and pick
it up at her house? Really?
•
He wants her address and phone number. Michelle doesn't even give potential dates
that information! And why does he need her phone number to write her a
check?
So
there you have it. Michelle's intuition saved the day, and hopefully by sharing
this, it will save someone out there from becoming a victim too.
*Michelle also
wanted us to mention that when she found the articles on this scam, there were
other names used, but the e-mail wording was exactly the same. Sellers....
beware!
