- Report: #597021
Complaint Review: Gina Mikelson - London Select State/Province
Reported By:
Amanda -
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Gina Mikelson
140-124 Salisbury Road London, NW66PB Select State/Province, United States of America
Phone:
447024064861
Web:
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Gina Mikelson She stole thousands of dollars from me for a service that was a cover-up for theft London, Other
Gina contacted me weeks ago and asked if I was interested in helping with a business she wanted to get going in london training people how to cook from different countries.
I thought it was a scam but played along with it asking what she wanted from me.
She hired me to make a cooking video showing a typical American dish so she could use it in her training program.
I agreed only if she sent me a payment up front in the form of a money order and signed a contract, which she did.
The payment came and was thousands more than the agreed upon amount - she managed to convince me that it was a mistake but since I had it can I cash the money order for her and wire her the difference.
It sounded weird but since it was a money order I assumed it was legit. I went to the bank and cashed it, they gave me the money and I thought it was for real.
I sent her the difference and am ashamed to say the amount as it was a scam!
I found out a few days later that the check was cancelled- I had no idea that a money order was not the same as cash. I have never heard otherwise.
The bank said that somehow the check was not honored and now I am out that money. Hard to believe isn't it?
So buyer beware- or anyone that has a service to offer, don';t accept money orders! They are not safe and not like cash after all, you must have it approved at the bank by a manager before you can assume a money order is for real.
My mistake will hopefully protect others from losing their cash. What a sorry state of affairs, needless to say, the video will not be sent after all.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
Really?
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, April 27, 2010
"I thought it was a scam but played along with it asking what she wanted from me"
So, basically you outsmarted yourself. If you're going to play with scammers, it helps to know how the scams work. Anytime anyone sends you a check or money order and asks you to wire them money back, it's a scam!
Going a bit further, the vast majority of scams require the victim to send money via Western Union or Moneygram. Doesn't matter what else the scam involves, this one feature is the tipoff. Since that is one of the few ways a scammer can get your cash without leaving a paper trail, just about every scam requires the victim to use that method of transfer. Bottom line; anytime someone you don't know requires payment via Western Union or Moneygram, you are being scammed.
