I've been following this thread with fascination, and this morning I received a similar email, sent to my personal (not work) account. The email address is: harry cole <
adrianhills2365@gmail.com) - which already doesn't make sense. The message is brief and suspicious.
"Hello, I'm Adrian Hills How are you doing today? Do you do Architecture drawing and design planning for residential house also can i know your service area?"
I agree with the advice of others - delete and block these messages. Do not respond in any way - not even to say "not interested". If you respond, then they know that yours is a real email address. If you have an IT department, work with them to ensure that these types of addresses are detected by spam blockers, etc.
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Shawn Cencer AIA
Project Architect
Kalamazoo MI
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-26-2019 14:10
From: Michael Kemp
Subject: Internet Inquiries
I just wanted to thank once again everyone that replied to my post on these suspicious internet inquiries. I have been so impressed with the response. I really value these Knowledge Community forums, and the ability to share issues with other members of our Architectural Community.
Thank you all for your time and insight.
Best regards,
Michael Kemp, AIA
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Michael Kemp AIA
Principal
Michael Kemp Architects
Los Angeles CA
Original Message:
Sent: 09-26-2019 08:42
From: Ellen Hunt
Subject: Internet Inquiries
I got one of these last week. I asked for the property address and looked up the tax info. The name of the property owner and the "client" didn't match, neither did the property size match what they told me. I just told them I didn't want the job and they became abusive. Blocked.
Be very careful with these scammers.
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Ellen Hunt AIA
Owner/ Architect
Ellen Pulner Hunt Architect, Inc.
Austin TX
Original Message:
Sent: 09-23-2019 18:15
From: Tarit Chaudhuri
Subject: Internet Inquiries
I have received many like that. Initially I believed the enquiry and replied. Very soon I figured they are lying. Because I being a Real Estate Broker as well, I find out that the lot he is talking about, does not belong to him. He cannot even provide the survey. But he will too eager to pay you by credit card in advance. I am sure his goal is to find out your credit account information. Because I asked him to mail me the check before I can do anything. But he was insisting on credit card account. Same thing happened to me about four times. Later on any enquiry like that, I blocked from my email account. I hope you all will be careful about these easy clients appeared from blue sky. Thanks.
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Tarit Chaudhuri AIA, CCIM
President
Archicon Services, Inc.
Houston TX
Original Message:
Sent: 09-20-2019 18:30
From: Michael Kemp
Subject: Internet Inquiries
The last several months I have been getting several emails (at least 6) through my Firm's general mailbox ("Info@...) that are very short and just state "Do you do drawings and design for residential houses". What makes me somewhat suspicious is that the various emails are almost always identical, with the same wording, but from different people. I usually respond with a basic message that states our Firm's contact information (phone number, etc.) and a link to our Firm's website for more information.
Just wondering if anyone else has seen this type of email? Or if anyone has heard of any type of scams using this format? Thanks!
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Michael Kemp AIA
Principal
Michael Kemp Architects
Los Angeles CA
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