Unexpected sale! Your help is needed...

This evening I opened my e-mail on yahoo and found this message:

Hi
I'm working in the United States in advertising and would
like to use one of your photographs for my client. He
does not have a lot of money, but we would be willing to pay
you $150 American Dollars for unlimited, global usage
rights? Would you grant us the rights?
The easiest way for us to pay you would be to have you
submit an invoice to us along with bank wire information.
That way we can just wire the money to you.

The picture he’s talking about is a simple image of a road running along the sea in Ligury (Italy).

I must admit I’ve not clear ideas about selling images. I never sold one through the net. And, not being a pro (just dreaming about it...) I haven’t got a tax registration number so I wonder how could I release an invoice (perhaps with the help of some friend?)

Again, I’ve made some research on the net but I’m not really able to evaluate the price and the (unlimited) conditions asked. I just understood that 150$ for unlimited rights is a little too low (and that “unlimited” must be limited in some way at least...)

Ps: even if I’m not that prepared for this occurrence, I’ll be really happy if this will be my first sale of one of my images on the net!

Can you give me a help?
First of all, how should I reply to this e-mail?

Thanks a lot!
Andrea

Bank info for a $150 sale?

We just received one last week for 'archtechural columns'. We took it as a serious matter until the 'buyer' said he was from Ghana - then we looked closer.

It seems that scammers are targeting specific groups now, not just mass spam messages.
--
What are you waiting for? SHOOT!! (now dthreehundred)
http://gallery.artwhitton.com
http://myPhotoshopSite.com

Anything truly for advertising would be a higher price and would ask to speak with you in peson, not just via email. Definatley looks like a scam. Call their bluff and report it to the FBI.

Greg

Slightly different cover, but same M.O. Click delete.

He does not have a lot of money but he has an agent contacting you on his behalf? What else do you need to know? Don't touch with a ten foot pole!
--
'It is better to have and need not than to need and have not'

Andrea ... this sounds 100% legit to me ... I suggest immediately sending ALL your bank info, along with your SS number and deed to your home and throw in all your children at the same time.

The good news is that you don't even need an "invoice" cause they will take ALL the money out of your bank account.

I hope you realize I am kidding that this is a 100% scam. RUN !!!

Andrea Filippini said:

This evening I opened my e-mail on yahoo and found this message:

Hi
I'm working in the United States in advertising and would
like to use one of your photographs for my client. He
does not have a lot of money, but we would be willing to pay
you $150 American Dollars for unlimited, global usage
rights? Would you grant us the rights?
The easiest way for us to pay you would be to have you
submit an invoice to us along with bank wire information.
That way we can just wire the money to you.

The picture he’s talking about is a simple image of a road running along the sea in Ligury (Italy).

I must admit I’ve not clear ideas about selling images. I never sold one through the net. And, not being a pro (just dreaming about it...) I haven’t got a tax registration number so I wonder how could I release an invoice (perhaps with the help of some friend?)

Again, I’ve made some research on the net but I’m not really able to evaluate the price and the (unlimited) conditions asked. I just understood that 150$ for unlimited rights is a little too low (and that “unlimited” must be limited in some way at least...)

Ps: even if I’m not that prepared for this occurrence, I’ll be really happy if this will be my first sale of one of my images on the net!

Can you give me a help?
First of all, how should I reply to this e-mail?

Thanks a lot!
Andrea

Click to expand...

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

I understand (a little sadly!!!)

It's a curious tecnique to say they can pay only few money for your image, if they'll not pay it at all. I think that, in the same position of the scammer, I would offer a "regular" price. But perhaps this scam is not aimed to photographers but to photo amateurs... (my image was seen on flickr...)

Anyway, really thanks for your replies!
sorry for my english... and my ignorance

bye
Andrea

Andrea Filippini said:

I understand (a little sadly!!!)

It's a curious tecnique to say they can pay only few money for your image, if they'll not pay it at all. I think that, in the same position of the scammer, I would offer a "regular" price. But perhaps this scam is not aimed to photographers but to photo amateurs... (my image was seen on flickr...)

Anyway, really thanks for your replies!
sorry for my english... and my ignorance

Click to expand...

I think the small amount of money is supposed to make them seem legitimate. These scammers seem to have taken over the world. I'm trying to sell an old car on Craigslist and have had three of them get in touch in the past week or 10 days. It's annoying, but unavoidable these days.

Just be careful and stay alert.

You're no longer ignorant in that area so there's no need to apologize. As far as your English use goes, check out some of us who were born and raised using the language. A number of us don't do as well as you do.

--
Charlie Self
Meandering Mind: http://charlie-self.blogspot.com/
http://www.charlieselfonline.com

Andrea Filippini said:

I understand (a little sadly!!!)

It's a curious tecnique to say they can pay only few money for your image, if they'll not pay it at all. I think that, in the same position of the scammer, I would offer a "regular" price. But perhaps this scam is not aimed to photographers but to photo amateurs... (my image was seen on flickr...)

Anyway, really thanks for your replies!
sorry for my english... and my ignorance

bye
Andrea

Click to expand...

Excuse me Andrea ... you still don't seem to get it. They are NOT interested in your photo. It has NOTHING to do with your photo.

You photo I am sure is excellent .... but please believe that THEY NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT IT. You were nothing but a "name" that they got from the site.

Believe that they sent the same message to EVERYONE.

The ONLY thing they want is your "Bank Account" info.

I repeat ... the ONLY thing they want is your "Bank Account" info.

Once they have your Bank Account info, they can withdraw EVERYTHING from it ... EVERYTHING !!!

Do you understand .... EVERYTHING !!!

I know that you may be flattered that it seems like someone wants to buy your photo. But this is a very common scam, and we have ALL gotten them.

They succeed cause MANY people are IGNORANT and GULLIBLE.

You did the RIGHT THING by "asking" here.

I don't mean to be blunt, but your response indicates that you still didn't understand. This was not meant to "photographers" at all ... (amateur or not) ... IT WAS INTENDED FOR "SUCKERS" who are stupid enough to send them their "Bank Account" info so they can STEAL all your money !!!

I hope you understand now.

-- Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

Set up an account if you haven't already done so.

It may be too late for this "sale", but would be helpful in the future. Otherwise, have him send you a Bank Cashiers Check. After you get it, and it clears, e-mail him the image.

An invoice can be a simple typed letter or e-mail with your name & hinfo, his name and ifo, and what you are billing him for. You can get free sample "professional" style invoices online. OR - Do you have office supply stores where you live? If so, buy a simple reciept book.

Andrea Filippini said:

This evening I opened my e-mail on yahoo and found this message:

Hi
I'm working in the United States in advertising and would
like to use one of your photographs for my client. He
does not have a lot of money, but we would be willing to pay
you $150 American Dollars for unlimited, global usage
rights? Would you grant us the rights?
The easiest way for us to pay you would be to have you
submit an invoice to us along with bank wire information.
That way we can just wire the money to you.

The picture he’s talking about is a simple image of a road running along the sea in Ligury (Italy).

I must admit I’ve not clear ideas about selling images. I never sold one through the net. And, not being a pro (just dreaming about it...) I haven’t got a tax registration number so I wonder how could I release an invoice (perhaps with the help of some friend?)

Again, I’ve made some research on the net but I’m not really able to evaluate the price and the (unlimited) conditions asked. I just understood that 150$ for unlimited rights is a little too low (and that “unlimited” must be limited in some way at least...)

Ps: even if I’m not that prepared for this occurrence, I’ll be really happy if this will be my first sale of one of my images on the net!

Can you give me a help?
First of all, how should I reply to this e-mail?

Thanks a lot!
Andrea

Click to expand...

--
People who claim to be open minded never see it my way.

Michael_J said:

Set up an account if you haven't already done so.

It may be too late for this "sale", but would be helpful in the future. Otherwise, have him send you a Bank Cashiers Check. After you get it, and it clears, e-mail him the image.

An invoice can be a simple typed letter or e-mail with your name & hinfo, his name and ifo, and what you are billing him for. You can get free sample "professional" style invoices online. OR - Do you have office supply stores where you live? If so, buy a simple reciept book.

Click to expand...

Michael,

have you read anything of the previous replies? There is no point in setting up ANYTHING. it's a scam. Andrea understood it already. I hope you are not falling for the scam.

--
Joergen Geerds
http://luminous-newyork.com
http://joergengeerds.com
http://newyorkpanorama.com

Sheesh .... this is amazing .... some/many (too many) still don't get it.

There is no "sale" here. This guy never even saw the photo, (he could have had his eyes closed if/when he clicked on it .... he was ONLY interested in trapping the email-address to send his scam invite to.

And the CERTIFIED CHECK will NOT work either. A bank can (and most often WILL) "clear" it quickly, only to have it return up to 6 WEEKS later.

I only know of one example where this worked out for a guy. He advertised a car on Craigs List ... he had a guy contact him from overseas.

He sent a certified-check and had a guy pick up the car the next day.

The check actually went through, and the guy tells me it never returned. I am 100% convinced it was indeed bogus, but just slipped through.

Another friend of mine sold another car after receipt of a "Dow Chemical Company" check ..... the bank clear/cashed it .... and then he found out 6 weeks later it was counterfit when the FBI arrested him .

They gave him 3 days to restore the full $5000 (that he didn't have), or he would have gone to jail.

Joergen Geerds said:

Michael_J said:

Set up an account if you haven't already done so.

It may be too late for this "sale", but would be helpful in the future. Otherwise, have him send you a Bank Cashiers Check. After you get it, and it clears, e-mail him the image.

An invoice can be a simple typed letter or e-mail with your name & hinfo, his name and ifo, and what you are billing him for. You can get free sample "professional" style invoices online. OR - Do you have office supply stores where you live? If so, buy a simple reciept book.

Click to expand...

Michael,

have you read anything of the previous replies? There is no point in setting up ANYTHING. it's a scam. Andrea understood it already. I hope you are not falling for the scam.

--
Joergen Geerds
http://luminous-newyork.com
http://joergengeerds.com
http://newyorkpanorama.com

Click to expand...

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

they deserve to loose their money
some people just have to get up the a _ _ one time to figure out it is a scam.

The price itself is not strange,

The way you are contacted (any serious contact does not use a free webbased mail client, like yahoo, hotmail, or gmail.)
The way they want to do business, money transfer.
The rather empty conditions proposed about using your image/rights

In short, they probable just want to use your personal details and bank account details for fraude scams

Michel

--

Disclaimer: Posts written by me are my views, ideas and opinions only, and should not be taken as facts, unless stated otherwise.

Light is eveything

http://www.fotopropaganda.com
http://www.pbase.com/photopropaganda

JoePhoto said:

Excuse me Andrea ... you still don't seem to get it. They are NOT interested in your photo. It has NOTHING to do with your photo.

You photo I am sure is excellent .... but please believe that THEY NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT IT. You were nothing but a "name" that they got from the site.

Believe that they sent the same message to EVERYONE.

The ONLY thing they want is your "Bank Account" info.

I repeat ... the ONLY thing they want is your "Bank Account" info.

Once they have your Bank Account info, they can withdraw EVERYTHING from it ... EVERYTHING !!!

Do you understand .... EVERYTHING !!!

I know that you may be flattered that it seems like someone wants to buy your photo. But this is a very common scam, and we have ALL gotten them.

They succeed cause MANY people are IGNORANT and GULLIBLE.

You did the RIGHT THING by "asking" here.

I don't mean to be blunt, but your response indicates that you still didn't understand. This was not meant to "photographers" at all ... (amateur or not) ... IT WAS INTENDED FOR "SUCKERS" who are stupid enough to send them their "Bank Account" info so they can STEAL all your money !!!

I hope you understand now.

Click to expand...

Joe, why don't you read Andrea's comment again? There is nothing there to suggest that she doesn't understand. In fact it's you who hasn't understood.

She was, in effect, commenting on how the scammers would do better to "offer" a more realistic price which would attract even more victims. They have nothing to lose by "offering" more realistic amounts.

JoePhoto said:

Sheesh .... this is amazing .... some/many (too many) still don't get it.

Click to expand...

Why do you assume that everyone is stupid? It's this complete lack of respect for other posters that makes DP Review such a lousy forum, where people hesitate to bring up subjects because there are so many unpleasant people so keen to rubbish them.

The fact that Michael put the word sale in inverted commas shows that he understands perfectly well that this is a scam. He is just trying to take the discussion further.

He is suggesting, for future reference, a way of weeding out the scammers that is perfectly sensible. Clearly in this case it's pretty cut and dried, but there may be future instances where it may be less obvious and he is suggesting a means of ensuring that someone is not just phishing for bank details.

John Motts said:

JoePhoto said:

Excuse me Andrea ... you still don't seem to get it. They are NOT interested in your photo. It has NOTHING to do with your photo.

You photo I am sure is excellent .... but please believe that THEY NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT IT. You were nothing but a "name" that they got from the site.

Believe that they sent the same message to EVERYONE.

The ONLY thing they want is your "Bank Account" info.

I repeat ... the ONLY thing they want is your "Bank Account" info.

Once they have your Bank Account info, they can withdraw EVERYTHING from it ... EVERYTHING !!!

Do you understand .... EVERYTHING !!!

I know that you may be flattered that it seems like someone wants to buy your photo. But this is a very common scam, and we have ALL gotten them.

They succeed cause MANY people are IGNORANT and GULLIBLE.

You did the RIGHT THING by "asking" here.

I don't mean to be blunt, but your response indicates that you still didn't understand. This was not meant to "photographers" at all ... (amateur or not) ... IT WAS INTENDED FOR "SUCKERS" who are stupid enough to send them their "Bank Account" info so they can STEAL all your money !!!

I hope you understand now.

Click to expand...

Joe, why don't you read Andrea's comment again? There is nothing there to suggest that she doesn't understand. In fact it's you who hasn't understood.

She was, in effect, commenting on how the scammers would do better to "offer" a more realistic price which would attract even more victims. They have nothing to lose by "offering" more realistic amounts.

Click to expand...

You are correct, I think I misunderstood her. My apologies to her.

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

John Motts said:

JoePhoto said:

Sheesh .... this is amazing .... some/many (too many) still don't get it.

Click to expand...

Why do you assume that everyone is stupid? It's this complete lack of respect for other posters that makes DP Review such a lousy forum, where people hesitate to bring up subjects because there are so many unpleasant people so keen to rubbish them.

The fact that Michael put the word sale in inverted commas shows that he understands perfectly well that this is a scam. He is just trying to take the discussion further.

He is suggesting, for future reference, a way of weeding out the scammers that is perfectly sensible. Clearly in this case it's pretty cut and dried, but there may be future instances where it may be less obvious and he is suggesting a means of ensuring that someone is not just phishing for bank details.

Click to expand...

I think I did misunderstand Andrea, and it appears she does understand; and I just apologized to her.

But I am not sure I misunderstood Michael J.

He was suggesting a certified check, and sending an invoice.

Certified Checks used to be secure, but obviously not any more. And I am concerned that sending an invoice simply gives the scammer more info than they already had.

I don't know what the answer is for deals that we are not "sure" of, (but seem legit).

I can only think of an online-invoice, (since he does indeed already have your email), and PayPal, (even though I have heard it is not very reliable in getting refunds, AND (fake) PayPal is one of the BIGGEST phishing titles).

But I would not "mail" an invoice with your real address on it. Maybe a PO Box.

I have been a victim of Identity Theft (20 years ago, before it was even known as a "crime") that cost me over a $million$. So I don't now even use my "correct" name on the internet, I have 60 domain names, they are not purchased/listed under my "real" name. My PayPal account is also not my real name, it is my "internet" name.

I am sorry, but I have been a victim, they even transferred my mail when they knew I had over a $100,000 in accounts payable coming in. It took me over a year of exchanges with a (USPS) Judge in Washington DC to get it transferred back. But much, much too late to recover the accounts-payable checks that I permanently lost.

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

I was already wondering why no buyers came in via email;
My spam filter works too good.

But serious, I read this topic with interest. It can happen to anyone. And believe me even at company level scam can find its way to someones desktop.

Getting sincere offers assignment via email was and is always possible. I'm glad to be warned for fake deals with criminal intent. They can put whatever number on the work they want to buy.

What I always did and do with emails from strangers with serious looking business offer; Google. (and some nerdy network digging) If that looks good a brief request for their contact information is sufficient. Email helps if you have to do business across language borders. In such case the outlines to be negociated over the telephone can be done by email.

But before any contracts/ bank accounts are exchanged, a telephone call is normal. They are interested in you(r work), you are their 'star' and thus a live conversation with you should be a pleasure for them, even if you both hardly have a common language. If contacting party holds of a telephone call, something smells.

JoePhoto said:

John Motts said:

JoePhoto said:

Sheesh .... this is amazing .... some/many (too many) still don't get it.

Click to expand...

Why do you assume that everyone is stupid? It's this complete lack of respect for other posters that makes DP Review such a lousy forum, where people hesitate to bring up subjects because there are so many unpleasant people so keen to rubbish them.

The fact that Michael put the word sale in inverted commas shows that he understands perfectly well that this is a scam. He is just trying to take the discussion further.

He is suggesting, for future reference, a way of weeding out the scammers that is perfectly sensible. Clearly in this case it's pretty cut and dried, but there may be future instances where it may be less obvious and he is suggesting a means of ensuring that someone is not just phishing for bank details.

Click to expand...

I think I did misunderstand Andrea, and it appears she does understand; and I just apologized to her.

But I am not sure I misunderstood Michael J.

Click to expand...

Yes, I know it is a scam.

I was mostly suggesting ways for any future sales - be cause she didn't seem to have anything set up to sell her photos.

JoePhoto said:

He was suggesting a certified check, and sending an invoice.

Click to expand...

Having them send her a certified check does not give them any information about her than is already in a phone book. What it would really do is get them to go away, because they are not about to send anybody any money or any personal information about themselves.

JoePhoto said:

Certified Checks used to be secure, but obviously not any more.

Click to expand...

What's not secure? You deposit the check, wait for it to clear, e-mail the image.

JoePhoto said:

And I am concerned that sending an invoice simply gives the scammer more info than they already had.

Click to expand...

A name and address? That info is easy to find.

JoePhoto said:

I don't know what the answer is for deals that we are not "sure" of, (but seem legit).

I can only think of an online-invoice, (since he does indeed already have your email), and PayPal, (even though I have heard it is not very reliable in getting refunds, AND (fake) PayPal is one of the BIGGEST phishing titles).

But I would not "mail" an invoice with your real address on it. Maybe a PO Box.

Click to expand...

If you are that scared, then don't do anything.

JoePhoto said:

I have been a victim of Identity Theft (20 years ago, before it was even known as a "crime") that cost me over a $million$. So I don't now even use my "correct" name on the internet, I have 60 domain names, they are not purchased/listed under my "real" name. My PayPal account is also not my real name, it is my "internet" name.

I am sorry, but I have been a victim, they even transferred my mail when they knew I had over a $100,000 in accounts payable coming in. It took me over a year of exchanges with a (USPS) Judge in Washington DC to get it transferred back. But much, much too late to recover the accounts-payable checks that I permanently lost.

Click to expand...

I can see where you would have reservations, after what you went through.

--
People who claim to be open minded never see it my way.