Scam alert: From the Scambusters editors: If you're a photographer or have friends in the photographic biz, be on the alert for the latest advance fee scam that targets this sector. In...

HawaiianEye Loc: Haleiwa, Hawaii

From the Scambusters editors:

If you're a photographer or have friends in the photographic biz, be on the alert for the latest advance fee scam that targets this sector.

In recent incidents, photographers have received inquiries and, subsequently, bookings to cover major events like big weddings.

The scammer sends a check, usually for the full price quoted by the photographer, and then a couple of days later, says the event has been cancelled and that he needs the money back urgently.

The only way to do this, he says, is to wire the money to him -- that is, before the bank notifies the photographer the check is a dud.

Never wire money in refund or partial refund of a recently received check. It's always a scam.

AlohaBob Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I don't mean to be snarky, but wouldn't someone have to be very gullible to refund money that wasn't received? On top of that, if you're not set up for it, wiring money is cumbersome and time consuming. I guess there probably are folks who don't know that the money's not instantly in your account when they deposit a check.

HawaiianEye Loc: Haleiwa, Hawaii

Perhaps you're right, but Bank of Hawaii's mobile deposit accepts and clears deposits of up to $5000 within minutes in my experience. I repeat: caveat emptor.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I have gotten a few requests for event photography where they want me to put the charges for other vendors on my credit card account, and then reimburse them. It has been from people I had some suspicions weren't legit, so I quoted them pretty high, and they accepted without complaining. Then they would say they needed a favor, and tell me about the payment scheme. I told them I couldn't do that, and never heard from them again.

HawaiianEye Loc: Haleiwa, Hawaii

Well, as my criminal defense attorney friends always insist: "Get the money up front. Preferably in cash."

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

HawaiianEye wrote:

From the Scambusters editors: br br If you're a ... (show quote)

Anyone who sends the money back before the check clears can't be trusted to run a business anyway. A good business man, or any intelligent person for that matter, should see red flags popping up all over the place.

Photocraig

AlohaBob wrote:

I don't mean to be snarky, but wouldn't someone have to be very gullible to refund money that wasn't received? On top of that, if you're not set up for it, wiring money is cumbersome and time consuming. I guess there probably are folks who don't know that the money's not instantly in your account when they deposit a check.

Or that it will stay there when the deposit check bounces. Not only is the scammed photog out the "job and fee." he will be charged an NSF deposit fee for depositing a bad check. Wire transfer is for large sums, and is a largely international mechanism for different currency settlement as well as funds transfer. Today it seems quaint, but it is a HUGE business with Billion Dollar and Euro funds transfers for International trade. Those systems earned me and colleagues in the room sized computer business rather big Commission checks--back in the DAY!

Photocraig

HawaiianEye wrote:

Perhaps you're right, but Bank of Hawaii's mobile deposit accepts and clears deposits of up to $5000 within minutes in my experience. I repeat: caveat emptor.

But BOH will remove that money if it proves to be bad funds. Guess who defines "Bad Funds."

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

HawaiianEye wrote:

From the Scambusters editors: br br If you're a ... (show quote)

A fool and his money are soon departed.

hawleyrw Loc: Dayton, OH

Easily rendered - don’t cash the check until after the event occurs. Then just tear it up. Done.
The other is to wait until the event and don’t offer the photos/prints/digital to them until the money is in hand. Time wasted, but no money is lost.

kernowp

The problem is that the bank let good customers have access to the funds well before the cheque is paid. However if it is returned then they have recourse to you. Frausdster relies on you thinking that the cheque must be paid as you can access the funds. Some cheques, drawn abroad might take weeks to clear.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

HawaiianEye wrote:

Well, as my criminal defense attorney friends always insist: "Get the money up front. Preferably in cash."

And the banks, grocery stores, and post offices all sell money orders for a reason.

hawleyrw Loc: Dayton, OH

Any upstanding person will understand you receiving payment upon delivered goods. Anything else, run from it.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

HawaiianEye wrote:

From the Scambusters editors: br br If you're a ... (show quote)

Right on!

al13

AlohaBob wrote:

I don't mean to be snarky, but wouldn't someone have to be very gullible to refund money that wasn't received? On top of that, if you're not set up for it, wiring money is cumbersome and time consuming. I guess there probably are folks who don't know that the money's not instantly in your account when they deposit a check.

36 years in law enforcement and saw this and numerous similar scams that people have fallen for. Some of these for big bucks. That’s why these dirt bags keep sending out this crap as they know they will eventually reel in a fish with enough casts. Very sad that people fall for scams.