Will the bad news this is a scam!
Now you ask how can this be a scam. Will they will pay you with a fraudelent credit card then cancel and request a refund via Western Union or other means. Then you get the letter from the bank to say the charge has been disputed. Suddenly not only do you lose the booking but you have lost some of your money.
So how do you pick them. I have copied a recent email below. The grammar is normally a giveaway, addresses don't quiet match - search on google.com to see if the person exists, try google maps as well.
The email address is yahoo, gmail or some other free service. Check the email header - look for telltale signs like different from to reply to address, the to address may not be your normal address or a completely different company.
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:13:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Johnson Frank
Subject: BOOKING INQUIRY
To: xxx
Hi,
I will like to book reservation for 6 people that will be coming for vacation in your area on the 20th Norvember to 30th Norvember 2007. If you have vacancy for the specified period, give me the total cost for the whole period of 3 single or double rooms for 10 nights for 6 guest. Also, confirm if you will accept major credit card for your payment. Thank you and looking forward to hearing from soon.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Hanks Payne,
Baird Hall,
High Street
Linlithgow,
+447024062538
West Lothian EH49 7ES
Scotland
End of email
Okay how to make it even harder these type of people.
Make sure you have a booking system on your website such as Seekom. That way you can redirect any email inquiries to use the secure booking system. Generally scammers won't bother as too much hassle and it will help you with any dispute with the bank.
NEVER EVER REFUND a booking in a different way from the original credit card or make them wait for six months (or the minimum dispute time as outlined on your credit card merchant account).
For more information on this scam check out this website.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Hanks Payne,
Baird Hall,
High Street
Linlithgow,
+447024062538
West Lothian EH49 7ES
Scotland
End of email
Okay how to make it even harder these type of people.
Make sure you have a booking system on your website such as Seekom. That way you can redirect any email inquiries to use the secure booking system. Generally scammers won't bother as too much hassle and it will help you with any dispute with the bank.
NEVER EVER REFUND a booking in a different way from the original credit card or make them wait for six months (or the minimum dispute time as outlined on your credit card merchant account).
For more information on this scam check out this website.
2 comments:
It's like that old saying, if it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is.
You are right mark, even though I'm dyslexic and have problems spelling some words, the spelling in the email is usually the give away, the other one is if you click reply, and the email address is a yahoo or hotmail address there's usually something shady about it.
Lynny
Bravo, you were not mistaken :)
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