By ARTHUR VIDRO
On Consumerism
Every day I receive offers from folks running scams. Most are robot-generated phone calls. If they don’t ask for me by name, I hang up.
But when a scam arrives via e-mail, I read it carefully, just in case it’s coming from a prospective client. Some folks get my name and contact information from the website of the Editorial Freelancers Association, of which I am a dues-paying member.
In theory, the membership allows folks seeking help to hire me.
In reality, it’s usually a case of attempted fraud.
But sometimes a request has enough hint of validity to it that I explore further. For instance, back in June, I received the following well-written e-mail:
“Hello, my name is Samantha, an academic consultant … I got your contact details online and I need your service. Can you write an article on a specific topic for an upcoming workshop? The article is to be given as a handbook to the attendees of the workshop. I have a title for the article and have drafted an outline to guide you. Please get back to me for more information.”
It was signed “Samantha.”
Although this smelled like a scam, the e-mail included a phone number to call. Fraudsters rarely give out their phone numbers (or their real addresses).
The biggest red flag was that “Samantha” said she had gotten my contact details online (probably true), yet her e-mail did not include my name. So I figured it was a mass-generated e-mail sent to multiple potential victims.
The inclusion of a phone number, though, left me wondering, “What if it’s NOT a scam?” I refrained from phoning, because I couldn’t verify if the unfamiliar area code was legitimate or for a pay-per-minute set-up.
I cautiously replied with an e-mail that contained five questions:
What is the topic of your article?
When is the workshop?
How long (in words) do you want the article to be?
Would you be comfortable paying via PayPal?
What online source gave you my e-mail address, and did it also give my name? (I did not divulge my name.)
She answered the first three questions — those about the so-called assignment she wanted me to tackle — but ignored the final two.
First red flag: She proposed payment via certified bank draft, cashier’s check, or bank certified check. Fraudsters often send counterfeit versions of such checks or drafts, and “accidentally” include a hefty overpayment, then ask the victim to repay the surplus amount (with real money). Later on the victim learns the original payment received was bogus.
Second red flag: Samantha proposed paying 95 cents per word, which is tons higher than the going rate.
Third red flag: She again failed to address me by name. Neither my first name nor my surname.
This was a fraudster fishing for a victim.
I responded with an e-mail that included: “I’m afraid the payment choices you offered are not acceptable to me. In the future, if you want my services, I would require that you use either PayPal or mail me cash. I take personal checks too, but for first-time clients wait for the check to clear before releasing the work. Also, I would need your last name, your complete residential address, and I would ask you to address me by name.”
Never heard back. Which is fine by me.
On the other hand, sometimes a scam apparently comes from a trusted source.
For instance, I received an e-mail once from my friend Julie. The e-mail, which addressed me by name, asked for my help. Being away on vacation, she was somehow unable to buy a certain gift card as a birthday gift for her niece. Would I purchase the card and relay the card’s details over the computer?
Wow. From someone I know, and addressing me by name. Plus, I was aware the niece exists. Could it be real? Even though the e-mail contained a kernel of truth, I was doubtful and proceeded with caution.
I wrote back saying I’d be delighted to help, though I didn’t understand why the situation couldn’t wait for Julie to return and buy the gift card herself. I said I’ve never been comfortable sending financial information via computer, so how about if I purchase the card on Julie’s behalf and then travel the mile to Julie’s house and place the card on or in her front door? Then the niece could pick it up in person. Would that be all right?
The entity who had sent the request never replied.
Eventually, Julie herself replied, confirming my suspicion that her e-mail account had been hacked.
Alas, in today’s computerized world, one must always assume “scam.” Even if one proceeds on the possibility it isn’t.
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