topic Re: Scam share in Community Chat

Scam share

SeaMaiden — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:16:44 GMT

This is not a new incident of a scam to rip off your money, but, someone shared it to me and to ME it was something I was unaware of. So, I am sharing it with all my QVC forum friends so we can all be aware of scams to protect ourselves.

The following is a recounting of the incident from the victim: Wednesday a week ago, I had a phone call from someone saying that he was from some outfit called: "Express Couriers," (The name could be any courier company). He asked if I was going to be home because there was a package for me that required a signature. The caller said that the delivery would arrive at my home in roughly an hour. Sure enough, about an hour later, a uniformed delivery man turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and a bottle of wine. I was very surprised since there was no special occasion or holiday, and I certainly didn't expect anything like it. Intrigued, I inquired as to who the sender was. The courier replied, "I don't know, I'm only delivering the package." Apparently, a greeting card was being sent separately. (The card has never arrived!) There was also a consignment note with the gift. He then went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol,
there was a $3.50 "delivery/ verification charge," providing proof that he had actually delivered the package to an adult (of legal drinking age), and not just left it on the doorstep where it could be stolen or taken by anyone, especially a minor. This sounded logical and I offered to pay him cash. He then said that the delivery company required payment to be by credit or debit card only, so that everything is properly accounted for, and this would help in keeping a legal record of the transaction. He added, "Couriers don't carry cash to avoid loss or likely targets for robbery." My husband, who by this time was standing beside me, pulled out his credit card, and 'John,' the "delivery man," asked him to swipe the card on a small mobile card machine with a small screen and keypad. Frank, my husband, was asked to enter his PIN number and a receipt was printed out. He was given a copy of the transaction. The guy said everything was in order, and wished us good day.
To our horrible surprise, between Thursday and the following Monday, $4,000 had been charged/withdrawn from our credit/debit account at various ATM machines. Apparently the "mobile credit card machine," which the deliveryman carried now had all the info necessary to create a "dummy" card with all our card details including the PIN number. Upon finding out about the illegal transactions on our card, we immediately notified the bank which issued us a new card, and our credit/debit account was closed. We also personally went to the Police, where it was confirmed that it is definitely a scam because several households had been similarly hit. WARNING: Be wary of accepting any "surprise gift or package," which you neither expected nor personally ordered, especially if it involves any kind of payment as a condition of receiving the gift or package. Also, never accept anything If you do not personally know or there is no proper identification of who the sender is. Above all, the only time you should give out any personal credit/debit card information is when you yourself initiated the purchase or transaction! PLEASE Pass this on, it may just prevent someone else from being swindled.

Re: Scam share

PhilaLady1 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:28:11 GMT

Wow ! Thanks for this. Those evil-doers never seem to stop thinking up new schemes.

Re: Scam share

kaydee50 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:36:34 GMT

Whenever anyone called either on the phone or at the door, and before the person went into a lengthy spiel, my father would say "Not interested" and either close the door or hang up. Good technique.

Re: Scam share

hayseed00 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:37:21 GMT

@SeaMaidenIf individuals would only use their swindling talents to get a real job this world would sure be a whole lot better. Thanks for the info,

Re: Scam share

mom2four0418 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:42:11 GMT

If you copy and paste this on Google, the info is explained on Snopes.

Re: Scam share

Suzeecat — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:49:32 GMT

Imagine where this world would be if these cretins used their brains for GOOD! Thank you for alerting us, it is a new one for me.

Re: Scam share

chrystaltree — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:55:03 GMT

I stopped reading at the $3.50 request...LOL I knew where it was going and honestly, I don't know a single person, who would have forked over their credit card for a story like that.

Re: Scam share

SharkE — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:59:11 GMT

I wouldn't fall for that. First of all it was a call. First hint.

Nobody would send us alcohol that knew us well.

I've never got flowers in my life, so, that would be clue # 2 LOL

I'd hung up on them

Re: Scam share

2blonde — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 17:09:59 GMT

Well, since I never answer my phone unless I know who's on the other end.......game ended.

Re: Scam share

luvmybeetle — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 17:34:33 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
I stopped reading at the $3.50 request...LOL I knew where it was going and honestly, I don't know a single person, who would have forked over their credit card for a story like that.

I totally agree. I would have hung up the phone immediately after the first sentence. Wake up people.

Re: Scam share

Happiness Is Inside JOB — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 19:23:34 GMT

thank you for posting this information. I can see a person falling for it. But I shared on another message board. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!

Re: Scam share

bridal_diva — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 20:10:42 GMT

This scam has been going on for awhile. My interest would drop at the delivery charge even if I answered the call at all. Who would send that and make you pay a delivery fee anyway?

I no longer even open my front door unless I know that who is out there. We have had a "KNOCK & ROB" alert in our community. Once the door is open, they push in and sack the place.

Re: Scam share

esmerelda — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 20:39:16 GMT

If the cops knew this was going on they should have been making it known to the community.

Service charge to prove delivery to someone of drinking age? Why not just a signature?

Thanks to the OP for posting.

Re: Scam share

Anonymous032819 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 21:02:24 GMT

Sorry, but this story sounds as fake as the "delivery" charge.

Re: Scam share

Marp — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 21:08:00 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:
Sorry, but this story sounds as fake as the "delivery" charge.

From snopes.com: ...in actuality the crime took place in Sydney, Australia between 1 October and 3 October 2008.

snopes.com/fact-check/daze-of-wine-and-roses/

Re: Scam share

FrostyBabe1 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 21:08:25 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:
Sorry, but this story sounds as fake as the "delivery" charge.

According to Snopes, it did happen. Once. In Australia. In 2008.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/daze-of-wine-and-roses/

If the link doesn't work, just highlight the text of the story, right click and then click "search on Google". You can get to Snopes that way.

Re: Scam share

Anonymous032819 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 21:30:09 GMT

@FrostyBabe1 wrote:
@Anonymous032819 wrote:
Sorry, but this story sounds as fake as the "delivery" charge.
According to Snopes, it did happen. Once. In Australia. In 2008.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/daze-of-wine-and-roses/

If the link doesn't work, just highlight the text of the story, right click and then click "search on Google". You can get to Snopes that way.

Once.

11 years ago, and NO incidences of it ever having happened here in the States.

Ever.

Re: Scam share

MamaWick — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 23:39:11 GMT

Regardless, it is still a good warning.

Re: Scam share

sidsmom — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 00:01:43 GMT

The term PIN was mentioned.

That means a debit card was used.

For the 1,946,364th time....

DO NOT USE A DEBIT CARD FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN ATM.

It’s not a ‘scam’ or ‘warning’ if someone is this ignorant to

open their wallets & let them grab your money with a PIN transaction.

“Here....take whatever you want. Oh, you want a blank check?

Here, let me sign it & take as much as you want.”

Debit Card/PIN is Same=Same.

Yes, this particular story is prob fictional but people are doing this

every single day when they go to retail stores & swipe w/ their

debit cards & tap in their PIN. Just....no.

Re: Scam share

SeaMaiden — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 00:24:09 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:
@FrostyBabe1 wrote:
@Anonymous032819 wrote:
Sorry, but this story sounds as fake as the "delivery" charge.
According to Snopes, it did happen. Once. In Australia. In 2008.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/daze-of-wine-and-roses/

If the link doesn't work, just highlight the text of the story, right click and then click "search on Google". You can get to Snopes that way.

Once.

11 years ago, and NO incidences of it ever having happened here in the States.

Ever.

@Anonymous032819 It was not to say that this exact situation is going to come to your door....it just may make someone be more skeptical of a situation that seems too good to be true. I am sure you would not fall for any such thing, but many people are gullible, and a bit naive.