I have been apart if a scam I think has been reported on here before. Here's the email:
On Jul 18, 2015, at 10:13 AM, Deborah Winchester <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,
How are you doing? My name is Deborah Winchester,My husband name is Robert, Our daughter Megan, I told my sister to scout for a Caregiver so am trusting her judgement, . I am relocating to your neighborhood from RI. my husband recently got a contract with a company on a private research job. And am 6 months pregnant, was in a little accident few weeks ago so am a little indisposed and this is going to be our second child so we want everything to move smoothly and stress-free, so i am gonna have limited time for our fur babies and Fishes and this is where i hope you come in and help.
I need someone to work 3 days per week 4 hours per day, someone that is mature whether young or older, loves pets, reliable, attentive, honest and punctual. You will be taking care of 2 Dogs and 2 fishes, Misty a yr old Australian Terrier and Razor a 4 years old German Shepard for any three days of your choosing excluding Sundays and will have to take them on a walk at least once a week, give them a bath, brush their hair and make them comfortable while we are away. I can handle the feeding but the rest i wont be able to do, so you can work for us as long as you want. Our 2 fishes on the other hand are my daughter's favorite One is a Fancy Goldfish, while the other is an Auratus Cichlid, Fin and Stiff, you will assist my daughter in their up keeping. I trust you can do this for us.
Which city and suburb are you?
I will be offering you $400 weekly, i will be needing your services for 4 hours at any suitable time of yours. Bonus will be paid if there are any overtime, If you believe you are fit for this position in as much you will prove yourself to be a reliable and good person, I will instruct my financial clerk to pay for the first week before our arrival so as to secure your service in advance and to show our commitment on our part.
I will be waiting to hear from you.
Deborah Winchester
Providence, Rhode Island
401-402-0310
I was excited about the gig, but once I asked for a call from her or her husband to make sure it was real, I started to worry that it wasn't real, which is why I searched the email via Google.
Here are the responses (start from the bottom):
Hello Katherine,
How are you doing today? I just got a confirmation from my financier right now that the payment has been mailed out to you and would be delivered at your address today via USPS mail service.....I was provided with the tracking number 9405501699320054184414.
The payment is in the amount of $2,350, kindly have it deposited at your bank for the fund to be available next day and then deduct your upfront payment of $400. I shall be providing you with further details on errands you would be running for us later this week. Kindly send me a message to confirm that you have deposited the check once received.
Confirm the receipt of this message....thanks... Deborah
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 10:22:23 -0500
Subject: RE: Pet Sitter Inquiry
From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Good morning,
When should I be expecting a call from you or your husband?
Katherine
On Jul 22, 2015 7:35 AM, Deborah Winchester <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello, it's my husband store manager they have done business for years, so this takes the stress of the stuffs we are buying off our neck and we can concern ourselves on how to best to take care of our pets. I will also have my husband call you on phone also. How is the weather over there? Hope to hear from you soon
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 07:05:26 -0500
Subject: RE: Pet Sitter Inquiry
From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Hello,
I'm doing great, hope all is well with you, too.
Are you referring to the store manager of petsmart or a manager of a store that you own? And does this mean that I don't have to buy the food and supplies anymore?
Also, will we get a chance to speak on the phone? I would like to formally introduce myself to you at least before we meet in person.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Katherine
On Jul 22, 2015 3:17 AM, Deborah Winchester <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,
How are you doing today?.. I so much look forward to meeting you with my family, i promise you wont regret working with us, i got an update for you. We just concluded with our personal store manager that he would be taking care of the items needed, I contacted the store manager so all you will have to do now when you get the Check is deduct $400 for your first week pay in advance as a sign of commitment on our part and please get the rest sent to the store manager. I so much count on you and your words and i know you are a honest and God fearing person. I trust you to take care of this perfectly! so sorry about the change of plan but i believe its to get things easy, due to the mounting off the kennels and placement of the aquairum needs extra caution.
Hoping to read back from you soon.
Thanks.
Deborah
Subject: Re: Pet Sitter Inquiry
From:
[email protected]
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:37:49 -0500
To:
[email protected]
Mrs. Winchester,
Here is the price list as requested:
1) PentaView Triangle Corner Aquarium including all the necessary decorations (35-gallon) ----- $1,198 (via atgstores.com) + $100 for rush delivery before August 1st + about $40 for aquarium decorations = $1,338
2) Lucky Dog European Style 5' x 10' 2-Run Kennel with Common Wall ----- $1,399 (via Walmart.com) + $100 for rush freight delivery before August 1st = $1,499
3) 2 Bags of BLUE Freedom - Adult Dog Food 11LB, Chicken or beef preferably. ----- $70 ($35/bag)
4) 10 Tins of Purina ONE - Natural Adult Dog Food ----- $10 + tax ($1/tin)
5) 10 Tins of Wellness Ninety-Five Percent Dog Food - Natural, Grain Free ----- $32 + tax ($3.20/tin)
6) 2 Leashes ----- $40 ($20/leash)
7) Shampoos for their baths ----- Nature's miracle shampoo/conditioner @ $15 (32oz bottle)
8) Balls and other various toys you think is fit for them. ----- $40-50
SUBTOTAL (without taxes): $3,059
The prices for everything not online are based on PetSmart prices. Hope all of this is okay.
Thanks,
Katherine
On Jul 21, 2015, at 3:08 AM, "Deborah Winchester" <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,
Thanks for accepting to be taking care of our dog, I have forwarded your information to my husband. Here is a list of things you will be getting for us both for the dogs and the fishes
1) PentaView Triangle Corner Aquarium including all the necessary decorations (35-gallon)
2) Lucky Dog European Style 5' x 10' 2-Run Kennel with Common Wall
3) 2 Bags of
BLUE Freedom - Adult Dog
Food 11LB, Chicken or beef preferably.
4) 10 Tins of
Purina ONE - Natural Adult Dog Food
5) 10 Tins of
Wellness Ninety-Five Percent Dog Food - Natural, Grain Free
6) 2 Leashes
Shampoos for their baths
7) Balls and other various toys you think is fit for them.
You can get all these from any pet store or mall around you or online, so i need you to check them and reply me ASAP with the estimate.
Hope to hear back from you soon
Deborah..
On Jul 20, 2015 7:47 PM, Katherine Kier <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,
Okay everything sounds great. I hope you understand why I had to ask for a reference, I just have to be careful who I give my information to online.
Full Name: Katherine Oliver
Address: 5855 Thrush, Houston, TX 77033
Age: 23
Phone: 281-217-1465
Again, thank you. Please let me know what else you need from me. I am able to start on the day you get here, I can have all of the materials arranged on the 30th so that way when you arrive everything will be there waiting, as requested.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Katherine Kier
On Jul 20, 2015 10:42 AM, Deborah Winchester <
[email protected]> wrote:
No problem about working for us, we will be living close to your neighborhood (Jackson St). I and my family would be coming into town on the 31st of July so let me know when its most convenient for you to start and also my financial Clerk will make out a check to you before our arrival. You will receive a Certified Check which you will deduct your wages of $400 for the first week and the remaining funds will be used to buy foodstuffs, leashes, toys,collars and the Kennel in which they will reside once they arrive, And also an aquarium, and fish food for Fin and Stiff, You will be getting the foodstuffs and some other items which you believe might be needed on or before the day of our arrival which will be the 31st of July. Actually our flights from RI will arrive at night so you will be getting the foodstuffs in the morning and making all other preparations. And you will also need to check your mail more often as i might need to contact when i feel so.
I will also instruct my estate agent to mail the keys of the apartment to you and email or text you the apartment address, so as to do all other necessary preparations before we arrive. You have to get all this shopping before our arrival so that we wont have to start running around when we arrive, so my financial clerk would be needing the following information to make out the check payment.
Full Name:
Full address with zip-code & Apt Number:
Age:
Phone number:
All i need from you is total honesty and sincerity. I know you will be committed to the work, You will also have a nice period of time working with us.
I will be waiting to hear from you.
Deborah
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Re: Pet Sitter Inquiry
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2015 11:13:57 -0500
To:
[email protected]
Hello,
I am definitely interested in working with your fur babies and your daughter's fishies! I currently live in the central Houston area.
I can work for you three times a week as requested, after July 28th, since I am on another pet sitting job until then. At the moment I'm a senior college student but I will be taking all of my classes online starting at the end of August, so my schedule is pretty open at this point.
When exactly will you arrive? I would love to speak to you on the phone, here's my number (281)217-1465, feel free to call me anytime you're available.
Can't wait to hear from you!
Katherine Kier
I received the check but I am not touching it. The mistake I made was giving out my address, and now I am worried. I am going to speak to a lawyer to see what the next step is to protect myself and others who may get spammed as well.