Posted August 23rd, 2007 at 8:44 pm by Dan Musick
As links to our door prices appear on the first page of a Google search of “garage door prices,” we tend to catch the first assaults of scam artists. Last year it was phone calls for an order from someone who was hearing impaired and had to type messages through a special service provided by the phone company. This was reported in the DASMA trade journal Door & Access Systems in the Fall, 2006 issue at http://www.dasma.com/articles/feature/feature231.asp.
There was an earlier story shown on MSNBC detailing the schemes of these con artists.
It looks like they are at it again this year. Following is an email exchange from the last few days. I may have called his bluff in the last transmission, but I’m not holding my breath.
If you have come to this site by googling phrases from his e-mails, beware!
The subject line read: “Order.” James Amoroso 8/20/2007 6:55 AM
Good day,
My name is James and I want to know if you carry or can order a Non-Insulated Garage Door with size 16′ x 7′ to be picked up from your store.
Please let me know the unit price plus the terms of payment you accept.
Hope to read from you son as it is possible.
James.
My Response: On 8/22/07, DDM Garage Doors wrote:
James,
A CHI 2250 25 ga. non-insulated garage door would be $450.00 plus tax.
This includes door, hardware, torsion springs and perimeter weather seal.
Dan
To which the scam artist replied: 8/23/07 12:33 AM Re: Order.
Please update total quantity to 20 units and let me know the total cost so I can email you with my credit card info for full payment processing prior to pick-up.
James.
At this point we smelled a rat. To which we replied on 8/23/07:
James,
Doors are not in stock. They would take about two weeks to get. Where are these doors going to be installed? Also please provide a phone number so we can discuss details.
Thanks.
Dan
To which “James” replied on 8/23/07:
Dan I am hearing impaired so everything will have to be done via email.
Also the doors are to be shipped outside the Country to a Church in West-Africa.
James.
To which I replied on 8/23/07:
James,
I have contacts with missionaries in West Africa. Which church needs the doors, and what will they do with all the doors?
Dan
(If, you are a door dealer and you’re getting similar e-mails, send us your story of this scam and we may post or quote from it.)
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