I and a few of my colleagues in Cleveland have gotten a number of these. Our investigation is that the scope is always the same - very large detailed program of needs, strange site location selected which always turns out to be fictitious. the owner doe not live here but will come in to town in a month or so to look at concept drawings and meet at the site.
The client wants to pay with a credit card so they want you to give them your credit card so they can 'wire' you half of the retainer.
It's a scam.
William T. Eberhard AIA, IIDA, Managing Partner
Eberhard Architects LLC
2077 East 4th Street, Second Floor
Cleveland, OH 44115
v: 216.452.4592
f: 216.737.9999
c: 216.513.1300