Watch out for scams.....

I don't normally post yucky negative stuff, but I thought this post may help someone out in the future. There are LOTS and LOTS of internet scams out there (well lots of scams out there period) so I just thought I'd let you all know about the one that affects photographers. It's actually not a new idea. I've received about 5 of these type of e-mails over the past 3 years. The first one I got just seemed like something wasn't right so I just ignored it and shortly after that the Professional Photographers of America sent out warnings about these types of e-mails. They do not give you a phone number and only want to communicate via e-mail. It's usually from someone out of state or out of the country that wants you to photograph their wedding and the english (not that my writing skills are all that great either....lol) is usually very strange. Apparently what happens is if you reply and try to get the photography "job" they end up sending you a "check" that you are supposed to cash and immediately send a money order to "another vendor" (I know I'm using way to many quotation marks) well what happens is the check they have sent you is BAD and you have already sent a money order on to another vendor.....who is actually them. That's how they get your money. Anyway here is the e-mail I received and thought I'd let you all read it so you are aware of this internet scam.


*EDIT 1-15-07

I just received an e-mail from another photographer who got a very similar e-mail. The wording is a bit different so just thought I'd post it too. Here ya go:

"Hello Friend, how are you doing ? My name is Lili, I'm from Catano, (Puerto Rico) i will be coming over to the state soon to start my new job with my company branch and i'll be getting married just before then to my lovely guy named Matt... We need a wedding photographer to take care of all the pictures for the ceremony from the church to the hotel reception. I would like to find out what your plans are for March 8, 2008 which is the date of our wedding. Please kindly let us know your availability for this date, and also the cost/pricing of your service to be rendered per hour. We' ll need to know as much information needed so as to futher with the wedding arrangements.We're hoping to read from you soon, have a blissful day ! Sincerely, Lili & Matt"



"Hello Friend, My name is Lili McClure from Los Angeles, CA. presently in Cotonou City, and probably will be moving back home soon, and i'll be getting married shortly after my arrival, to my lovely guy named Matt. We will need a wedding photographer to take care of all the pictures for the ceremony from the church to the hotel reception, kindly let me know if you can be of help to me with about 4 hours service, as i will like you to provide me your pricing rates charged per hour. Kindly let us know your availability for this date, March 8th, 2008, which is the date of our wedding. The venue of the wedding will be made known to you in my next e-mail, we might not be able to meet you soon until few days to the wedding as planned, also we are willing to make deposit payment prior to my arrival to be sure we are interested in your service. I'll be awaiting your response soon enough. Here is my email address in future references lilimcclure77@ . My regards, Lili"