The internet is a great place to find new customers and work. However, it’s also the perfect place for shady people to take advantage of unsuspecting web designers.
If you are not careful, scammers can make off your money without ever delivering the service promised. They contact you on social media, through an email, or on your website, claiming they are interested in your services. They may offer some discount to seal the deal before you even know what's going on.
Don't be fooled! Here are some examples to help you avoid being scammed by these scumbags.
Maybe you, my friends-designers, have been in the situation before: you were starring at your inbox and Bingo! You See the quotation request from a prospective customer. That is a minute of thrill and hope. You are starting to communicate with the client. You are going through the quotation process with them; everything is just right, and you're moving towards signing an agreement.
And suddenly, at the very end, when you are agreed about the prepayment, the client says that they can send money only to their checking account in the US. They want to pay by check only, and their accountant recommends them. And it's a game stopper - you are in Europe or Asia, and there is no way for your company to get funds from any other bank than through checks which don't work because of international remittance restrictions due to currency conversion rates. You have no US bank account, so who is using checks nowadays?
It's happened. You are disappointed, and all of this deal is over. It could also occur because something didn't go according to plan, and your project didn't meet your expectations. Either way, it's not very reassuring when things don't work out as expected for whatever reason--it makes you feel like nothing will ever turn out right again.
Time runs, and eventually, you are getting a new quotation request. When you read the email, you feel deja vu - you've read this before! Okay, it's not a 100% clone, but the overall structure, tone of voice, and some phrases are strongly reminding you of that first email you got before.
Then you realize that this email is probably from one person, and it's time to understand why they're writing the emails. Who knows what happens if you sign up for their terms-you might be authorizing them to take your checking account number. You also realize that in all likelihood, you are happy this has been avoided - whether or not it was a waste of time and money.
So I want to share this new scam technique with you to be protected. 👇🏻
Below are the texts of the different email messages. Please analyze them and memorize that pattern, so you may be prepared if such an email appears in your inbox.
Email #1
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm reaching out to you because we need your services in developing website for a restaurant, launching in Cleveland, Ohio, This website in needed to create more awareness and grow the new restaurant business faster. I need you to go through this example link sites: i http://hrcleveland.com/ ii. https://www.albatrosbrasserie.com/ iii. http://www.bourbonstreetbarrelroom.com/
but I need something more perfect, if that's possible for you to do.
We would like you to get back to us with an estimate and the estimate should include hosting and I want you to understand we want the same page as the benchmark website (especially bourbon) as stated above and I only want it in English language. You will be responsible for updating the site quarterly or yearly.
The site should be up and running before the end of November 2021, we believe by then, the world would be better shaped for business after a global pandemic. Also I don't want a shopping cart in my reservation page (no e-commerce and only informational, that is; static website) also I don't have a domain name yet and I will prefer: ZENITHRECIPE.COM
Note:
1. we want only English language
2. You will be updating (maintenance) the site for all necessary changes
3. we will be providing the images, logos and content for the site.
4. We want the site up and running before the end of next three month. (November 2021)
5. My budget is between $35000 to $13000
6. Sit-down and Take-out
7. The site should be user friendly
8. sitemap
9. We have 50 products/menus
10.CONTACT US page to be included
There is a private project consultant, she has the text content and the logo for the site with the image artwork, so please go ahead and check the benchmark sample site.
Kindly get back to with following details;
(1) A price estimate/quotation/proposal
(2) Your Designation/position
(3) Your phone number
Regards,
James Moslera
Zenithrecipe
Email #2 (from a different person)
I am so sorry for the late response i have been very busy lately. I just open a new Mexican Restaurant which I run now and I need a website for my business to grow, So I need you to go through this example link site:https://carnitasuruapanchi.com/but I need something more perfect than this if possible, I will like you to get back to me with an estimate and the estimate should include hosting and I want you to understand I want the same page as the example site I gave you to check and I want only English language and I want you to know you will be updating the site for me. I want the site up and running before ending of next month and I don't want a shopping cart in my reservation page also I don't have a domain name yet and i will prefer:SABRITASRESTAURANT.ORG. My budget is $2000-7500 for the web design, I have a private project consultant, she has the text content and the logos for the site with the image artwork, so please go ahead and check the example site and get back to me with an estimate also I will like to know if you are the owner or the manager and do you accept credit card and check as payment. Thank you
Email #3
Thanks for getting back to me.
I just open a new Thailand restaurant in Houston Texas, which I now run and I need a website for my business to grow. I need you to go through this example link site https://www.andamanthairestaurant.com/ but I need something more perfect than this if possible.
I will like you to get back to me with an estimate. The estimate should include hosting and I want you to understand that I want the same page as the benchmark website. I only want it in English language, you will be responsible for updating the site quarterly or yearly.
The site should be up and running before ending of next month. I want a shopping cart in my reservation page, also I don't have a domain name yet and I will prefer: AETONRESTAURANT.NET.
My budget is $3500-$9000 for the web design. I have a private project consultant, she has the text content and the logos for the site with the image artwork, so please go ahead and check the example site.
Kindly get back to me with:
(1) A price estimate/quote based on the above information :
(2) your cell phone number:
Regards
Keylee Jones
I hope this article might save you from the hassle. Please share it with your friends and send your thoughts in the comments below.
