A new scam on graphic designers

Hi All,

I have freelanced for over 20 years, and recently a new scam has come my way - twice since May 1. I just want to make others aware of the signs. Both times the first contact was via text, and both times from out of state, and from Google numbers. I have a standard workflow which revolves around email, and I send clients our regular "Work Request", which is a simple contract with a copy of our policies and rates. Clients need to return that. In both cases they resist moving to email, and then provided either Hotmail or Gmail - not a regular business email. These possible clients resist giving contact info, and only provided a zip code for delivery estimate - which was not in the same state as the phone number. One wanted to send a courier to pickup the job, when we drop ship all the time. On the second contact, they provided a local address, which was residential. They would not return the Work Request or confirm the delivery address (in another state). Anyway - just a bunch of things did not add up. On Tuesday, after they paid a deposit (which Intuit quickly put a hold on), I got in the car and took a short drive to the address he provided - and of course no one had heard of Dave Lopez. Within 12 hours Intuit had rejected the transaction. I used that as a test of the deal, and was surprised when they paid something. So anyway, just be on your gaurd, and if people are not cooperative with your normal business requests and workflow - be very weary, it may be some sort of scam. Go with your gut feeling.  Good Luck.

In the screen shot he mentions a logo, there was no logo. I sent him 5 stock photos and he needed to select one.  Craig