Hey guys,
I recently was hired by someone to write health-related articles for them. They wanted three articles per week that they could send to an orphanage - something their late parents did and they wanted to continue the "tradition" so to speak.
Their English wasn't so great and the details/how they explained things sounded a little fishy. We agreed that after they sent the check (they wouldn't pay by Paypal) that I would then come up with the article title/ideas for their approval. Upon the check clearing, I would release the articles to them.
Well, they sent a check. It was fishy looking, too. Plus, it was for more than what I was expecting. It was supposed to be $500 for two weeks, which is on-par with my regular clients. However, it was for $1,950. I thought *maybe* they decided to pay for a whole month.
But the company was in NJ and the bank in PA. The printing looked funny, too. So I took it to my bank and told them to verify everything and I'd call them next week. However, upon letting my client know it was deposited - they relplied with instrucitons to tak out my $500 and for the rest to Western Union to xxx in NY for book purchases they want to send to orphanage.
YEAH. Right. OK. Don't think so.
So just head's up. It doesn't have to be something sending money out of the country like most. They are starting to target freelancers, now. I've contacted a couple local news channels and sent an email to CNN.
What else do you think I can do? The check should still be sitting in the bank here if there's any way for authorities to try to catch them. I've also tried calling the company the check "came from". I checked their BBB and they have been around for years and have A+ rating. But the guys I've been in contact with are not any names I've found in the company. So I think that company may be used in this without them knowing. I'll continue to try to talk to someone there.
I recently was hired by someone to write health-related articles for them. They wanted three articles per week that they could send to an orphanage - something their late parents did and they wanted to continue the "tradition" so to speak.
Their English wasn't so great and the details/how they explained things sounded a little fishy. We agreed that after they sent the check (they wouldn't pay by Paypal) that I would then come up with the article title/ideas for their approval. Upon the check clearing, I would release the articles to them.
Well, they sent a check. It was fishy looking, too. Plus, it was for more than what I was expecting. It was supposed to be $500 for two weeks, which is on-par with my regular clients. However, it was for $1,950. I thought *maybe* they decided to pay for a whole month.
But the company was in NJ and the bank in PA. The printing looked funny, too. So I took it to my bank and told them to verify everything and I'd call them next week. However, upon letting my client know it was deposited - they relplied with instrucitons to tak out my $500 and for the rest to Western Union to xxx in NY for book purchases they want to send to orphanage.
YEAH. Right. OK. Don't think so.
So just head's up. It doesn't have to be something sending money out of the country like most. They are starting to target freelancers, now. I've contacted a couple local news channels and sent an email to CNN.
What else do you think I can do? The check should still be sitting in the bank here if there's any way for authorities to try to catch them. I've also tried calling the company the check "came from". I checked their BBB and they have been around for years and have A+ rating. But the guys I've been in contact with are not any names I've found in the company. So I think that company may be used in this without them knowing. I'll continue to try to talk to someone there.
