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Dealing with Scammers Posing as your company

by spock0149
9 replies
Hey folks,

I'm having an issue with scammers. They are using a domain name very similar to my own, are using {mydomainname}@gmail.com to communicate with people, using our company logo, and trying to scam people out of money by getting them to send money orders for 'services'.

Fortunately I'm getting emails from folks checking if these guys are for real, and I'm telling them they are scammers - but I'm worried about how many people are getting duped, and the possibility of this bringing a bad name on my company.

I know that this happens all the time on Craigslist, so maybe it comes with the territory, but does anyone on this board have any advice on how to handle this sort of thing to put the scammers off?

Thanks for any advice!

Rich
#company #dealing #posing #scammers
  • Profile picture of the author Entrecon
    Contact the police? When they are asking money orders, do they provide an address to mail it to?
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  • Profile picture of the author Tadresources
    I think you should definitely contact the authorities, but how much they can actually do depends greatly on where these guys are located. You might also want to contact whoever is hosting their site, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author spock0149
    They are asking folks to pay through "Walmart payment services" and providing a name and location in Jackson MS.

    I'd be pretty surprised if they are actually US based, or if the police can do anything - but may be wrong.
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    Work on Your Terms. Perform Errands for People in Your Community, Get Paid.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    I think you should just contact Google first and get the gmail account deleted or even better under your control.
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  • Profile picture of the author selfleader
    I'd take this as serious. Particularly if your domain is part of your branding. You could end up (through no fault of your own), with a ruined business reputation. Perhaps, in circumstances like this it is wise to drop the domain name and start with a new one. If you are well established in the market place, this may not be an option. I'm just rambling really ...and have no authority on the subject ...someone tell me to 'shut up'.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Add a BIG alert at your site (and all the other channels you own) stating you ONLY work/sell/whatever with your OFFICIAL email address.

    That's a starter but can (and will) save you a lot of headaches.
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    • Profile picture of the author spock0149
      Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso View Post

      Add a BIG alert at your site (and all the other channels you own) stating you ONLY work/sell/whatever with your OFFICIAL email address.

      That's a starter but can (and will) save you a lot of headaches.
      Good call! I'll do that. I know Craigslist has a big sign on their page that does this.

      Thanks.

      Rich
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      Work on Your Terms. Perform Errands for People in Your Community, Get Paid.
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  • Profile picture of the author Entrecon
    Normally what they do is dupe someone in the US into becoming a payment processor. That person collects the payments and subtracts their commission and bundles the payments up to send over seas. The less than knowledgeable person thinks they are just a VA and oblivious to their role in the scam.
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