Customer is quick to ask for my information, is this normal? at DVinfo.net

Doug Horton · May 19th, 2008, 12:19 PM

So I posted an ad for wedding videography on Craig's List, and someone contacted me that doesnt speak the best english. He is about four hours away and requested my services. He first stated that he'd pay me $200 an hour, but I responded with my standard rate for myself and a friend. He agree'd, but in the three emails we've exchanged, he's always ended with asking for my name, address, and phone.
This didn't seem too weird, but I told him I need half the payment up front as a deposit before I commit to his wedding, and he again agreed. However, he said that he'll be sending me extra money, and asked that I send it to where he instructs. I dont know if this is weird or not, because it's his money I'll be sending around, not mine. So should I be worried? Or just do as he requests since he's sending me $800 up front.

Or should I not even give him my personal info?

Craig Demaer · May 19th, 2008, 12:27 PM

That almost sounds like one of those Nigerian scams that happen on ebay and stuff all the time. I'd ask where he is going to want you to send this extra money.

Andy Tejral · May 19th, 2008, 12:35 PM

A scam on Craigslist? Well, there's a first time for everything.

I'd run away.

Doug Horton · May 19th, 2008, 12:46 PM

Well he gave me a complete address to where the ceremony is being held. And I will probably decline to send any extra money to somewhere else, so all is not lost yet. But that's why I made a thread, because I am being very weary of all this to begin with.

Shaun Conner · May 19th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Yeah I'm registered on The Knot and they sent out an email just last week about this very thing happening. I would be very careful. If it sounds too good to be true there's a 99% chance that it is.

Travis Cossel · May 19th, 2008, 01:04 PM

That most definitely sounds like a scam; wants your info right away, wants to send you more money than you need and have you send the extra somewhere else. Watch your step.

Doug Horton · May 19th, 2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun Conner

Yeah I'm registered on The Knot and they sent out an email just last week about this very thing happening. I would be very careful. If it sounds too good to be true there's a 99% chance that it is.

I completely agree, but there's nothing special about this thus far. it's completely normal to have a client who is willing to pay your asking price for a wedding video. So, that's my problem.

Steve House · May 19th, 2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Horton

I completely agree, but there's nothing special about this thus far. it's completely normal to have a client who is willing to pay your asking price for a wedding video. So, that's my problem.

Here's what happens. He sends you a cheque in the amount you requested for your fee plus the extra amount he wants you to send to the third party, probably telling you it's the deposit on the hall or something like that. He explains that the third party needs cash or money order so you hold on to the the extra amount as cash back when you deposit his cheque and buy the money order with it. After all, you've already got the money from him, right? Off it goes to the person making the arrangements for the hall or whatever the story is. A few days or a week later you'll get a call from the bank - the cheque you deposited has bounced and they're deducting the full amount from your account. Now the amount you sent off in the money order has come out of your own pocket, and when you try to track down the party you sent it to they're nowhere to be found. Bye bye your money. And when you show up for the "wedding," the site will be dark and empty, if it even exists at all.

Dave Blackhurst · May 19th, 2008, 01:57 PM

Here's the scam - he sends you a money order or something that LOOKS like it's legit, and you are to deposit it and send the excess to someone else... you send the excess, the original payment is counterfeit, and guess who is out the REAL $$??

This is a pretty common web scam, fake "instruments" presented as real money... laundered through a "sucker" account. Virtually impossible to recover or prosecute, thus why they try it and hope you're dumber than a doorknob... or really naive.

It's apparently even becoming common to "forge" PayPal "payments" hoping the receiver is too stupid to double check their account and make 100% sure the money is actually there.

TRUST BUT VERIFY!! That goes QUADRUPLE on the internet.

He he he - I see Steve was "parallel typing" - now you have it from two "horse's mouths" <wink>. Not sure which one of us was channelling the other's thoughts! Be careful Doug, you've got some good advice as to how to proceed!! Or more accurately how to not proceed and protect yourself!

Doug Horton · May 19th, 2008, 02:04 PM

that son of a bitch.... I hate craig's list....

Before I bought my HVX I rarely avoided buying from a scammer, luckily I tried to contact him before sending my final payment and caught his personal info not matching his paypal info, and then he stopped responding.

Dawn Brennan · May 19th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Horton

that son of a bitch.... I hate craig's list....

Love your reaction to this!

But the pre-posters are right. Sounds scam-ish to me too. I used to work for a large bank and we saw this ALL the time and in many different scenarios - its truly devastating to hear things like this are happening. There was just a bride in my area that tried to sell her dress on Craigs List and got the same scam. She didn't loose out on it, but it did bring light to the Craigs list scams! Don't walk... run from this!

May 19th, 2008, 12:19 PM	#1
Doug Horton New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 13	Customer is quick to ask for my information, is this normal? So I posted an ad for wedding videography on Craig's List, and someone contacted me that doesnt speak the best english. He is about four hours away and requested my services. He first stated that he'd pay me $200 an hour, but I responded with my standard rate for myself and a friend. He agree'd, but in the three emails we've exchanged, he's always ended with asking for my name, address, and phone. This didn't seem too weird, but I told him I need half the payment up front as a deposit before I commit to his wedding, and he again agreed. However, he said that he'll be sending me extra money, and asked that I send it to where he instructs. I dont know if this is weird or not, because it's his money I'll be sending around, not mine. So should I be worried? Or just do as he requests since he's sending me $800 up front. Or should I not even give him my personal info?

May 19th, 2008, 12:35 PM	#3
Andy Tejral Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 523	A scam on Craigslist? Well, there's a first time for everything. I'd run away. __________________ Andy Tejral Railroad Videographer

May 19th, 2008, 01:04 PM	#6
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	That most definitely sounds like a scam; wants your info right away, wants to send you more money than you need and have you send the extra somewhere else. Watch your step. __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

May 19th, 2008, 12:27 PM	#2
Craig Demaer New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 21	That almost sounds like one of those Nigerian scams that happen on ebay and stuff all the time. I'd ask where he is going to want you to send this extra money.

May 19th, 2008, 12:46 PM	#4
Doug Horton New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 13	Well he gave me a complete address to where the ceremony is being held. And I will probably decline to send any extra money to somewhere else, so all is not lost yet. But that's why I made a thread, because I am being very weary of all this to begin with.

May 19th, 2008, 12:55 PM	#5
Shaun Conner Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 196	Yeah I'm registered on The Knot and they sent out an email just last week about this very thing happening. I would be very careful. If it sounds too good to be true there's a 99% chance that it is.

May 19th, 2008, 01:57 PM	#9
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Here's the scam - he sends you a money order or something that LOOKS like it's legit, and you are to deposit it and send the excess to someone else... you send the excess, the original payment is counterfeit, and guess who is out the REAL $$?? This is a pretty common web scam, fake "instruments" presented as real money... laundered through a "sucker" account. Virtually impossible to recover or prosecute, thus why they try it and hope you're dumber than a doorknob... or really naive. It's apparently even becoming common to "forge" PayPal "payments" hoping the receiver is too stupid to double check their account and make 100% sure the money is actually there. TRUST BUT VERIFY!! That goes QUADRUPLE on the internet. He he he - I see Steve was "parallel typing" - now you have it from two "horse's mouths" <wink>. Not sure which one of us was channelling the other's thoughts! Be careful Doug, you've got some good advice as to how to proceed!! Or more accurately how to not proceed and protect yourself!

May 19th, 2008, 02:04 PM	#10
Doug Horton New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 13	that son of a bitch.... I hate craig's list.... Before I bought my HVX I rarely avoided buying from a scammer, luckily I tried to contact him before sending my final payment and caught his personal info not matching his paypal info, and then he stopped responding.