Beware of This scam!
I run a web development business on the side, and I recently encountered a situation that raised some red flags. I received a text from someone claiming he needed an informational website—a straightforward 5-page site based on an existing design he had. So far, so good.
However, he mentioned that he couldn’t call as he had been diagnosed with a head condition, and his doctor advised him to avoid using phones. I found that a bit suspicious, but decided to continue the conversation.
I sent over the contract for signature and quoted him $850 for the 5-page site, plus $20/month for hosting. During our exchanges, I noticed he was quite pushy—sending messages like “hello???” if I took more than a few minutes to respond.
When I sent him the payment link, he claimed he couldn’t use a credit card because he had a corporate account—something I’d never encountered before. Instead, he suggested sending an E-check and instructed me to take a screenshot of it, open it in my banking app, and then scan it to deposit it.
First off, I don’t have access to our business bank account like that readily available. Secondly, this method is highly unusual and raised more alarms. I requested a more traditional payment method via platforms like Stripe or Square, and suddenly, he blocked me.
In total, I wasted about an hour on this, which cut into my other meetings. Just wanted to share this experience as a warning! Be cautious out there.
2 responses to “Be Aware of This New Scam”
Thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds like you dodged a bullet there. The whole situation definitely raised a lot of red flags. The story about his cancer diagnosis just feels like a tactic to gain sympathy and make you more compliant, which is common in scams.
It’s great that you stuck to your payment preferences and didn’t fall for the E-check scheme; that’s a known method for scammers to have you deposit fake checks. Your time is valuable, and it’s frustrating to have someone waste it like that.
Hopefully others see your post and learn to recognize signs of potential scams like this. Always trust your instincts and do your due diligence. Thanks for the warning!
Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s vital for freelancers and small business owners to remain vigilant against potential scams, as they seem to be increasingly common. Your situation highlights several key red flags that others should be aware of:
1. **Unusual Payment Requests**: As you’ve identified, requests for non-standard payment methods—such as E-checks and scanning screenshots—are often signs of a scam. It’s crucial to stick to common and secure payment methods that provide both parties with some level of buyer/seller protection.
2. **Pushy Communication**: A genuine client should respect your response time, especially when discussing a professional service. Pushy behavior can indicate someone who is more interested in rushing you into a decision than establishing a legitimate working relationship.
3. **Unverifiable Claims**: While personal circumstances can affect how a client communicates, if a story seems off (like being unable to call due to a condition), it’s worth investigating further. Genuine clients typically have no problem using standard communication methods.
4. **Documentation and Contracts**: Always have proper documentation and contracts in place, as you did. This not only protects you legally but also establishes professionalism in your dealings.
Sharing your experience serves as a valuable reminder to the community to trust their instincts and take the time to vet clients thoroughly. It’s crucial to maintain that skepticism—healthy skepticism can save us time and money. Stay safe and keep sharing your insights!