An experience I thought could never happen to me and my business.
Let me just start off by saying this. Being scammed is not cool. Don’t do that. P.S. this blog post will be a bit long because I will be giving the complete showdown of the scam I experienced.
About a month ago, I received an email that was sent straight to our email address. The following are the email correspondence between us and Paul. The reason for the complete text of each email is we found the scam online with the exact wording and responses to other design and website companies.
“Hello, I’m Paul. I’ll like to know if you offer design services, do let me know.
Regards, Paul Wade.”
Hello Paul,
We do offer graphic design. What are you looking for?
Paul- I need help with catalog and logo design, can you do that?
Hello Paul,
It really depends on complexity of the design. How many pages for the catalog? Design ideas for the logo? When would you need this to be complete? Both are doable.
Paul- It is detailed; it’s a newly established company. Do drop your cell number for easy communication.
The company is really based on sales of furniture such as ottomans, desk lamps, sectional, buffets & sideboards, counter & bar stools, kitchen cabinet, sofa, office chair, accent tables, king bench bed etc.
The company name is VEEHAUS
My website is under fabrication which would be registered soon.
The full text content and all images for the catalog will be submitted to you by the project consultant you’ll just handle the layout.
The brochure should be 24 in pages (including front and back cover) because i have lot information, approved and crosscheck text and images.
The size of brochure should be 8.5 x 11.5.
I’ll want you to add to add my mission, value, vision, etc to the catalog, I’ll have it sent to you.
Alright that is very doable. Do you have a projected deadline for this project? Any vision for what you would like for logo design to look like?
Before I can begin the designing process, I will need to ready a contract for you. I am currently out of the office but will be back tomorrow. For design work, I charge $40/hr with 2 corrections once the project is complete. If that works, you can text me at
Veehaus is a modern and stylish brand name
Veehaus to me is a metaphor to illustrate secure and intimate relationship.
Using the german word for ‘haus’ gives this name a certain european flair, and suggests contemporary architectural excellence and interior style. The vee- could of course reference the letter v, or to the v-shape so often found in buildings and architecture. veehaus is short, modern and very, very cool.
Whosoever purchase our furniture should be guarantee of relish and convenience’ that’s what it should mean to my customers.
What makes veehaus uniques to customer/location is that there’s no other furniture company nearby also it name and style.
PURPOSE OF BUSINESS:
The purpose of my business is to bring modern furniture that will provide pride for everyone.
WHO MY BUSINESS SERVES:
My customers and others who are willing to patronize our company.
We have an inspiring personality
My brand should represent “high quality option”
The tone of the brand should be “friendly”.
My targets and mission:
My mission is to serve consumers and industrial market segment with leading edge product that will satisfy their needs in functionality, comfort and style.
My core values are autonomy and growth.
Most of our customer will be from the age of 35 and I will like to target their income demographics.
I want my company to be perceived as professional, I want them to know that we offer best prices and there’s a discount for every product when you are buying more than 3 pieces.
I would like to compete with other furniture company. my main competitor is ikea, my favorite products is accent tables.
For colors I would like red, orange and brown (let me know what you think about that).
In the next decade I would like my company to be known worldwide.
Important elements that i would like to stress are: friendly, modern, high quality, intimate, secure, convenient, effective, efficient, value.
For logo inspirations you can look at brands like america signature furniture, crate&barrel, west elm or williams sonoma.
Good afternoon Paul,
Hope you are doing well this Thursday!
I have attached the proposal in this email for you.
I really like the mission of your business and I look forward to working with you.
One question I do have for you, how did you hear about us?
(at this point he now switches to communicate via text message)
Hi Keisha, this is Paul. We discussed about my catalog and logo design via email. Wed 1:13 PM
Message by You: Yes, hello!, Wednesday, September 4 2019, 1:14 PM
Message by You: My first question would be for you is there a set deadline you have for the completion of the catalog?, Wednesday, September 4 2019, 1:16 PM
Sure! The time frame for the job is late October. I just emailed you more details for the job, let me know your thoughts once reviewed.
Also do get back to me with a quote and proposal so we can proceed. Okay?, Wednesday, September 4 2019, 1:18 PM
Message by You: Okay perfect!, Wednesday, September 4 2019, 1:18 PM
Message by You: I have received your email. I think everything is great! Those colors are great. Thank you for the logo inspirations. I will email a quote to you by end of day tomorrow., Wednesday, September 4 2019, 1:37 PM
Okay, I’ll be on the lookout!, Wednesday, September 4 2019, 1:38 PM
Here is where the scam starts. He is in Delaware for medial purposes, and wants to know do we have a merchant account?
Hi, how’re you doing today? I got your email. As am currently in Delaware for medical purposes I’ll be making the deposit with my card, hope you got a merchant for that?, Friday, September 6 2019, 5:19 PM
Message by You: I am doing well! I hope all goes well for you. Awesome, happy to hear that. I just need the proposal to be signed and sent back with a billing address. I will then send you a method for the deposit. Monday i will send you a feedback planner so that you will know the complete process of the design project., Friday, September 6 2019, 5:32 PM
I just sent over the signed proposal. Let me know what merchant service you got for invoicing., Friday, September 6 2019, 6:04 PM
Message by You: Awesome! Thank you! We go through Wave Financial., Friday, September 6 2019, 6:05 PM
Message by You: We will send you an invoice through Wave. You should see it in your inbox soon., Friday, September 6 2019, 6:14 PM
I’m afraid I can’t use that, my credit card company doesn’t remit it for payments due to some issues with my bank. To avoid delays and disagreements do do look into Intuit Quickbooks or Clover Go., Friday, September 6 2019, 6:52 PM
Do look into Intuit Quickbooks. They offer 30 days free trial for new users, you can set up free. Okay?, Friday, September 6 2019, 6:52 PM
Message by You: I could bill you through US Bank if that is doable for you?, Friday, September 6 2019, 7:07 PM
Message by You: Or better yet you could do bill pay and they would send us a check in the mail. And we would still start the project Monday., Friday, September 6 2019, 7:12 PM
The only option left on my end is making the deposit with my card. Do set up intuit Quickbooks and let me know., Friday, September 6 2019, 7:42 PM
Now he is telling us that we need to use Quickbooks again
Message by You: Will your bank send to PayPal ? If not it will take til Monday to set up Quickbooks. We will start on the project Monday either way., Friday, September 6 2019, 8:08 PM
Again he is insisting we set up Quickbooks — To set it up and 8PM in the evening.
Ok, you can set up now or Monday., Friday, September 6 2019, 8:09 PM
We can wait., Friday, September 6 2019, 8:09 PM
So this was all taken place on that Friday. Consulted with a friend who has been in business for quite some time and they advised that something was off. So then i proceed to do some digging. Sure enough found out that this Paul fellow went by few names and different companies but with the same story line. Thankful for disaster being averted. The hope is through this others can be warned and kept away from falling into the same scam.
Here is the link to someone else that had the same scam https://elod.in/veehaus-scam-theres-a-new-scam-targeting-designers/
Comments
Post a Comment