Yes, of course this is a scam! I get them at least once a month,. Here is one recent one:
Hi Sir/Madam
My name is Mr.Douglas ,I am hearing impaired that is the reason why contact you through via Email,I will like to have a Design for Six Bed Rooms All Suit with Five Baths,2 half baths, 3,Parking Spaces, playroom, kitchen, kitchenette, laundry room and will like access the Living from the Garage also have link with the Master Bed room ,If there is anything that can suite my taste which i am yet to included . Please Advice,Hope you accept credit Card as mode of payment for the Drawing , plan and Designs ,and i will appreciate if you can get back to me with the following details Estimate
Yours
Mr. Douglas Paul Jr
and another:
Hi Sir/Madam
My name is Mr.Dorian ,I am hearing impaired that is the reason why contact you through via Email,I will like to have a Design for Six Bed Rooms All Suit with Five Baths,2 half baths, 3,Parking Spaces, playroom, kitchen, kitchenette, laundry room and will like access the Living from the Garage also have link with the Master Bed room ,If there is anything that can suite my taste which i am yet to included . Please Advice,Hope you accept credit Card as mode of payment for the Drawing , plan and Designs ,and i will appreciate if you can get back to me with the following details Estimate
Yours
Mr. Dorian Elliott
and another:
Hi Sir/Madam
My name is Mr.Peter ,I am hearing impaired that is the reason why contact you through via Email,I will like to have a Design for Six Bed Rooms All Suit with Five Baths,2 half baths, 3,Parking Spaces, playroom, kitchen, kitchenette, laundry room and will like access the Living from the Garage also have link with the Master Bed room ,If there is anything that can suite my taste which i am yet to included . Please Advice,Hope you accept credit Card as mode of payment for the Drawing , plan and Designs ,and i will appreciate if you can get back to me with the following details Estimate Yours Mr. Peter James
james peter
Phone: 9738291720
My response goes something like this:
Good Morning Mr. Douglas Paul Jr,
Thank you so much for reaching out! I absolutely accept credit cards and the description of your project and your disability is exactly what I specialize in. I have successfully completed 10 projects this year with hearing impaired clients wishing for a 6 bedroom bungalow!
Please send all you information immediately so we can get started on our joy ride together.
I need a survey of your property as well as credit card number and your social security number to get started. Also a picture of your sister if you have one easily available!
Regards,
Sir/Madam
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Aric Gitomer AIA
Principal
Aric Gitomer Architect LLC
Morris Plains NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-20-2019 15:11
From: Julia Bright
Subject: does this sound like a text scam
So I get a text...
first yellow flag...not sure how they got my number
second flag...it is an area code 908 outside my state. It looks like a NJ number. But they indicate later the project is in my city.
third flag...text are long, words and grammar not typically used
fourth flag...first text indicates got my contact info online from an "architecture company". That just seems weird. I have an old website but it does not have my cell.
fifth flag....no name for them offered in any texts and they do not indicate my name or firm name in any text.
fri May 17 9am First text: Good day to you. I got your information online from an architecture company. I hope i have the right information because i want you to draw a plan for my new home ?
My immediate reply: yes, I am an architect
sat May 18 9am Thanks for your response. Firstly i want you to kindly pay attention to this, I am currently recuperating from the diagnosis of lung cancer and will undergo surgery in a couple of weeks so i'm hospitalized right now and the easiest and most convenient way to reach me is via texts or emails. Secondly i will like to have a design for 6 Bedrooms 2 storey all suit, 2 living rooms, Master suite, playroom, Foyer, kitchen, kitchenette, laundry room and a 3 car garage space that should access the living room and also have link to the master bedroom. If there is anything that can suit my taste that i am yet to include, please advice
Hope you accept credit card as mode of payment for the drawing, plan and designs and also i will appreciate if you can get back to me with the following details estimate of yours.
My reply about an hour later after thinking that is just an odd space program and flow indicated in the text: What city are u located in
Today Mon May 20 1pm: Sorry for the late response, the lot i have to build is over at Nashville, Tennessee but like i said earlier i am currently hospitalized and out of town. Please let me know if i can entrust this project in your care as i will be looking forward to hearing back from you, thanks!
Hum, not sure how to reply to determine if this is for real. Wondering since I have never accepted credit card for payment how can this go horribly wrong and not only lose my shirt but waste my time.
If it is a scam, I also wanted the community to be aware and is there a way to stop this fraud from becoming an issue in our community. As if we don't have enough things on our plate to deal with.
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Elaine Bright, aia LEED AP
Owner
Bright Ventures Architectural Consulting
Nashville, TN
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