Beware of scam

[CDRX]

I was recently emailed by someone claiming to be moving from Louisiana to my town. She claimed to have 15-10x14 rugs that she wanted cleaned ($4000-5000). Problem was, they're in possession of a shipping company there in Louisiana that doesn't take credit cards. Because of "health" reasons she can't get out so she wanted to advance me $1200 on her credit card and have me wire transfer $1800 to the shipper to get the rugs here and then she would reimburse me and pay for the cleaning when done. I said go back to Nigeria!

Just thought I'd let my fellow carpet cleaners know to beware of this scam that is obviously being tried with other cleaners.

 

[Zee]

How many times are we going to post the same stuff?

Can we get a scam alert room or something so stories like this could be read, and not be repeated over and over?

 

[ACE]

I said go back to Nigeria!

I am sure they are still in Nigeria


I got the call 2 days ago. I Knew what it was as right away thanks’ to posts here. I’m just smart enough to realize it was a scam on my own but I would have likely wasted a lot more time on it. I wonder what the success rate is with that scam.

 

[Royal Man]

Heads up!
I just got this E-mail this morning.

Beware if it says "Do your clean area rugs? Do you take credit cards? regardless or the media.



From: "Gary Tate" <gary_tate09@yahoo.com>

Hello good day I am Mr GARY and i would like to know if you do rug cleaning at your shop and accept credit cards and can i speak with the owner or the manager
thanks
Mr Gary

 

[Willy P]

http://www.419eater.com/

 

[CDRX]

I sincerely hope that getting the word out about these scams is saving other cleaners from being victims.

 

[dirt smackdown]

I always get weirdos asking if they can come by drop off an area rug they got at walfart for $60 to be cleaned for $135? with pro added. why on God's green earth is the deal with that? I dont have a wash pit. not do I bring business home. or offer pick and deliveries. I had about three calls like that in two weeks, any oppinions??

 

[CDRX]

I'd just offer to do them at their location. If you're using a truckmount there's no reason not to if they're willing to pay your price.

 

[ACE]

Realizing you can’t be a specialist at everything is a hard lesson to learn. Thoroughly cleaning rugs off site is a great way to lose money unless you have a dedicated rug plant.

 

[martin bressel]

I'm bumping this back to the top. We've had 4 calls in 24 hours.

TOTAL NIGERIAN SCAM

The 1st clue is the relay operator who identifies her/himself with an ID#. Then the caller says "Do you clean area rugs, Do you take credit cards and Can I speak to the owner"

A few I strung along merely for fun :mrgreen: and and figured If I had the phone lines tied up, maybe one less victim.

 

[Mark Saiger]

Here's mine after a call from an AT &T operator for the hearing Impaired contacted me, then the person went to my website and contacted me. My wife works at a bank so I was very aware of these scams, but there have been a lot this week for carpet cleaners I guess.

Message from my email:

Hello Mark,
Thks so much for taking your precious time with me on the relaycall , i really appreciate it . Much as i would have really loved to give you a call directly, i can`t cause am hearing impaired and my husband that would have done that is presently in the hospital `cause he had accident last week. Pls send me your full address where the shipper would be delivering the rugs .
What i was trying to explain to you on the phone when i called was that i would really be needing your assistance, i will like you to do me a favor cos the shipping agent that will deliver the rugs does not accept credit card and they have not been paid and i will undergo a surgery in 2 days time,that is why i want you to assist me with this.
I will give you my credit card to charge for the amount of $1,450 out of which u`ll keep $400 as deposit and help me send the $950 via western union money transfer to the shipping agent that would be delivering the rugs, as well the remaining $100 will be western union transfer charges and when you finish the cleaning services, you`ll write me an estimate and i would either be paying you the balance in either cash or credit card when i come around to pick up the rugs from you after my full relocation

Thks so much once more as i anticipate your usual swift response in due course with an update.

Warmest Regards,
Hilda Williams ( Mrs )

 

[Hoody]

Are they simply stealing credit card numbers and asking people to run them, and send them a portion of the stolen money back ?