folk scam

Subject: folk scam
From: GUEST,moira craig
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 01:24 PM

This is a warning of a possible scam. Last week i received a request from a person proporting to be a fan asking where they could get copies of anything I'd recorded. They were very complementary ect. i replied giving some details of a CD available directly through me. The reply i received asked if i would be prepared to post them to Italy and suggested that payment be made by bankers draft meaning that i would have to supply details of my account. I have said that I am not prepared to give out my bank details but would accept a cheque make out in euros. I have not yet heard anything back as yet. This may be genuine but I have my doubts. Has anyone else any knowledge of such a scam?

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: jeffp
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 01:31 PM

This sounds very much like a scam. Once they get your bank account information they can clean out your account. Never give out this sort of info unless you are absolutely certain of the person with whom you are dealing.

Good thing you trusted your instincts.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 01:34 PM

Hmm. Difficult to know. I think you definitely played it right, Moira. In the mystery world of business that I have recently entered in my own right, issuing bank account details seems to be done willy-nilly, as I am assured no one can shoe-horn money out, only pay it in. But then you hear about these Sami Abacha Widow scams, where all they need is your name, address and bank account details to apply for bogus credit cards and ending up costing you upwards of £20,000.

My inate hope for humanity is willing your respondent to be genuine, but it can be a wicked world.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 01:35 PM

Moira,

Follow your instincts. They are very good.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: GUEST,munroo
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 02:35 PM

It is a scam. I sell guitars on the net and get similar request all the time. Sometime they want to overpay you by a large amount and eight weeks later the banker's draft bounces leaving you to pay the bank. Don't be fooled if the bank clears the draft then tells you it's a dud later. You are still responsible. This started in Nigeria I'm told and the gang is all over Europe. They always ask for your bank details, don't know how they use them?

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 06:33 PM

Moira

If anyone from Italy wants to pay you for a copy "On ae bonny day", you're absolutely right to ask for a cheque made out in Euros. Might come in handy for the Talbot House weekend.

Kitty

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: breezy
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 06:41 PM

Well done Moira.

Warn George P

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 08:01 PM

Warned...

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 10:53 PM

Paranoid people, frequently peddle, but are seldom paid.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 11:40 PM

Moira-
Can you send me your E-mail address? I've run out of your CD, and I'd like to get some more.

dick greenhaus
CAMSCO Music
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 03:27 AM

Just sent it to you Dick - not sure how often Moira dips into Mudcat

George

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 03:49 AM

Reading this thread and the "challenge to US folkies" I invite everyone to send me unmarked bills in any currency to the value of, oh, say, one thousand UK pounds or else I'll release "The Skiffler whines Leadbelly, with washboard, kazoo and train whistle" on to the market.
No money, the kid gets it. Perhaps Mike Harding would....

RtS
(donning the kevlar vest)

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: My guru always said
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 06:14 AM

Well done Moira! What a rotten trick to play if it is a scam. Luckily not all Folkies are unsuspecting, though it's easy to be trusting within the Folk Community.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 04:58 PM

Yes, I am afraid I get them (as a dealer in second hand books) all the time.

Amazing how many Nigerians (the usual address) have an interest in S/H folk books.........


Best regards,

Dave Eyre
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: Bernard
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 05:51 PM

Just a thought...

Maybe setting up a PayPal account would provide the necessary security? The person wishing to purchase has to give their credit card details to PayPal, and the vendor also has an account. PayPal take the risk.

I'm nowt to do with them, other than using them occasionally to pay for online purchases!

I've sold a few of my CDs abroad, but I've always got into email correspondence with the prospective customers first. I have never ever given out my bank details - I settle for cash in the post, as it's such a trivial amount not to matter too much if it goes missing.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 08:38 PM

Paypal has as one of their terms the ability to empty your linked Bank account if they want.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: leeneia
Date: 16 Oct 04 - 11:36 AM

Roger, when is "The Skiffler whines Leadbelly, with washboard, kazoo and train whistle" coming out?

Not that I want to have it, but the fabric store where I work will no doubt seize on it to play over the PA and drive the quilters up the wall.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 16 Oct 04 - 12:41 PM

You can still be stuffed on Paypal. You get a credit card chargeback a few weeks later and a service charge from Paypal (GBP15 I think) for the privilage of being ripped off.

Considering that a genuine enqurier could simply get an international money order from a post office and mail that direct it sounds distinctly fishy.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: breezy
Date: 16 Oct 04 - 01:51 PM

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: Bernard
Date: 16 Oct 04 - 05:40 PM

My point about PayPal in this particular context is, I believe, valid - you are not giving your details to the would-be scammer, and said scammer cannot take money from you via PayPal...

Okay, perhaps there is the possibility that PayPal could take money from you, but they'd have to have good reason. At least with them you have legal redress, they can't keep money they aren't legally entitled to. If they were villains, they wouldn't still be in business!! Okay, maybe they would...!! ;o)

The simple answer is not to give anyone your banking details until you are completely satisfied they are genuine. If it means losing the occasional sale, perhaps that's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Oct 04 - 09:05 PM

You obviously haven't read the sagas on the "I hate Paypal" sites...

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 02:16 PM

Hello there Moira!
It sounds a bit dodgy to me and I'm sure you're right to be suspicious. A banker's draft will incur a cost (£25? more?) so unless they're buying a whole pile of CDs it sounds a bit impractical.

But all this stuff about your bank details being confidential is a bit spurious: every time you write a cheque, you pass someone your bank details (i.e. account number and sort code), along with a specimen of your signature, and maybe even your address on the back. I don't know of a system that would enable anyone knowing your bank account number to remove money from your account.

Marjorie (now moved to Devon, so won't see you around)

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: GUEST, N'Mikefule
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 05:02 PM

What a coincidence I should happily come across this forum full of such good people. I am African folk singer, part of the m'copper family, singing many traditional African songs such as M'benbow, M'nutting Girl, and I n'Sowed the n'Seeds of Love. Many of these were released on my album, Through Bushes, Briars and Elephant Grass.

Through these means I made many millions of Dollars, but I find myself unable to leave the country due to opproession. If you send me a cheque for £10,000 to cover the air fare, I can pay you back a hundred fold. Thank you kind people.

N'Mikefule

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 05:11 PM

The scam is nothing to do with Paypal or any similar organisation.

What you get from the scammers is not Paypal but a site set up to look like Paypal. Or something similar. See:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1328767,00.html

for an example of how the scam works. (The relevant bit is at the bottom).

I use Paypal a lot with no complaints.

Best regards,

Dave

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: GUEST,moira
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 04:59 AM

Thanks to all of you for responding. I have had no more word from the "Italian" so I reckon it was definatley a scam. Just be careful everyone.

Subject: RE: folk scam
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 06:48 PM

Unfortunately if you replied by email, you have confirmed that your address is a 'live one', so you may have your address on sold and start receiving more spam...