Scam Warning.......
I know that I have read about this scam different places. Most entertainers catch that its a scam before they reply. Some do not. This is what happened to one person who fell for it. Don't let yourself fall for it.
Hi Eveybody!
(pause) "Hi Dr. Nick!" Sorry...an obscure Simpsons reference...
Anyway, I wanted to share my recent experience with everyone so nobody here on the Forum gets scammed.
Here's what happened...
I got a lead from someone on the internet for a show through an agent of mine. It's an online agency, so everything's automated. The agency is a company I've worked with for years and is VERY reliable and has resulted in a lot of money for me...I don't blame the agent at all.
Anyway, this guy, a "Rev. Jude Michael," hires me for a gig in Colorado. I'm from New York. No big deal, I tell him in an email, I've been to Colorado for shows before.(True.)
We make all the arrangements for the deposit to be mailed, etc. He explained through email that he was from the UK and was going to send me an extra $2,000 "so I could Western Union the fee for his caterer to her, saving him the hassle of getting two separate cashier's checks."
Hmmm, this seemed weird...but since he was NOT asking for my bank account numbers, I figured I was safe. (If a "prince" from the middle east ever offers you $3,000,000 to take care of his "fortune" by using your bank account...run!)
Anyway, the check arrives and looks legit. I email the client, telling him it arrived. The client emails me and tells me to western union the money to the "caterer" RIGHT AWAY. I explain that I will wait until the check CLEARS, thank you very much!
I deposit it in my account and make my flight arrangements...two hours later, the same day, my bank calls me and tells me they did some research and found out the check was bogus.
I frantically call my travel agent and she was able to cancel my flight and hotel...I didn't have to pay the full $650 for the flight that I would have "eaten" had I booked it on the Internet like I have in the past (Orbitz, Expedia, etc).
So...obviously the scam is like this...this jerk was hoping I'd see the bogus check and happily march on down to western union and send the money to the "caterer", taking money from my own account, without waiting for his check to clear. He also sets himself up as a Reverand, hoping that will give him credibility. I should also point out that this guy's use of grammar in all his emails was hideously bad, and borderline illiterate.
I got off free & clear thanks to my quick-thinking and very observant bank tellers. I also have a GREAT travel agent who was able to cancel everything.
I should point out that flying to gigs is something I just started doing this year and I'm still feeling my way around.
Anyway, I hope this helps other people out there avoid being ripped off. I got lucky and didn't lose a penny.
Thanks for reading!!
Cris