oboeinsight

Sometimes a spam comment is just too crazy! I just received this:

Hello, this weekend is fastidious in support of me, since this occasion i am reading this fantastic educational post here at my
home.

Needless to say I deleted it. But not before copying it to share with readers (and reeders).

… or maybe the scam never left, but I hadn’t received one of these for quite some time. Please know that these are NOT legit. And yes, some teachers have fallen for it: the scammer sends a payment that is too much. The teacher refunds the overage. Then later it’s discovered that the payment wasn’t real. Go figure. I suppose we musicians are just so desperate for income sometimes we forget to be cautious.

Hello,

I’m Mrs Debbie Mann from Paris,France.during my search for a Oboe lesson teacher that would always take my son ( Chris is very good speak English ) and I found you..Your advert looks great and it is very okay to me since you specialize in the area i am seeking for him… My Son would be coming to US (your city) by next week for a period of time and with his friend for 2 Months.he is just a beginner and he is 16 years old, i want you to help me teach lesson during his stay. So, kindly let me know your charges cost per week’s ,in order for me to arrange for his payment before he travels down to your side. I have also made preparation for his personal equipment he will be using privately at home after the lesson during his stay.

Please Advise back on;

(1). your charges per 1 hour twice a week for 2 Months?

(2).The Day and time you will be available to teach him During the week?

(3).Tuition address?

I will be looking forward to read from you soonest.

Best Regards,
Mrs Debbie Mann

(I received this email three times in a row, thus the three noes in a row.)

This is your typical scam spam alert!

Hello,

I’m Josh Anderson, During my search for a lesson teacher that would help in taking son (Kenneth) During is stay in your location. I found your advert and it is very okay to me since you specialize in the area I’m seeking for him, My son would be coming to your city before the end of this month for a period of time with his friend, I’ll like to know if you can help in taking him for the lesson? just to keep him busy and refresh. Kenneth is 11 years old, So kindly let me know your charges per hour/lesson in order for me to arrange for his payment before he travels down to for the lessons to commence.
He will be staying there for 2 weeks and Please Reply back on:

(1). Your charges per 2 hours (3 times a week for 2 Weeks):starting from 11th March until 25th March 2019

(2) Total Cost For 6 class/12 hours lessons in 2 Weeks

(3). The Day you will be available to teach him During the week:

Well am very happy that i see you as my son tutor and about your years of Experience there is no problem about the lessons, My son will be coming with his caregiver. So there is no problem for the lesson to commence by next week, my son caregiver will be bringing him to your location for the lessons and you can teach him anywhere around you including the Library or your home if that is okay by you so i will like you to teach my son the best of you when he get to the city for the lessons. I will like you to email me with your schedule for the lessons, I will like you to email me with the name on the check and Full mailing address where
the check will be mailed to and including your Home and Cell phone number for my attorney to issue out a check to your before leaving the the state, by this week, I will be awaiting to read from you soon with your name and address.

Best Wishes,
Josh.

Teachers beware … they continue to send this stuff!

Hi,
How are you doing today? My name is James Bright. I want a private
lessons for my daughter, Sharon. Sharon is a 13 years old. She was
formally home-schooled and ready to learn. Kindly write me back with
the following information: Area of specialization, Fees,
location/meeting point and make-up lessons. Also, get back to me with
your policy and any necessary information you think that might help.
The lessons can start by first week of August, 2018. Looking forward
reading from you.

My best regards
Mr James Bright

It appears that they are now trying to catch us via text messages! I just received this:

I’m not buying it. I would suggest you don’t either. Notice they don’t mention an instrument or give you much information, and imply that they want so many lessons per week, yet only for one month? Those are most often bad signs.

If I’m wrong, he can write again with more info, but I won’t even reply to something like that, just as I don’t reply to emails that are similar.

No. Thanks.

(Just another scam.)

When they name the instrument they do come across as more believable. Still … I’m not one to believe this sort of email. (Wouldn’t it be funny if I was wrong to be skeptical?)

Do you get my last email regarding the music lesson for my daughter? Please respond if you are available to offer private lesson.

Instrument:
Present teaching location:
Years teaching:

I await your urgent respond.

Thank you and get back…

Yet again, something I recommend ignoring. Clearly not a real request: note that there is no knowledge of what it is I teach nor any indication the person knows my location? Pretty much guarantees a scam.

Do you teach flute private lesson or any instrument? Please tell me your present teaching location and your year of teaching.

Thank you!

Right. And your email address made you just as believable.

These continue to arrive in my mailbox. If you are a teacher of some sort they may arrive in yours as well. They are scams. Don’t bother responding — you only let them know they’ve reached a legit email address when you do so. Don’t fall for them — you’ll lose money if you do. Yes, people have fallen for them. Someone told me she lost a couple hundred dollars. I’m guessing some have lost more.

Hello,

I’m Mrs Debbie Mann from Paris,France.during my search for a
Oboe lesson teacher that would always take my son ( Chris is very
good speak English ) and I found you..Your advert looks great and it
is very okay to me since you specialize in the area i am seeking for
him… My Son would be coming to US (your city) by next week for a
period of time and with his friend for 2 Months.he is just a beginner
and he is 16 years old, i want you to help me teach lesson during his
stay. So, kindly let me know your charges cost per week’s ,in order
for me to arrange for his payment before he travels down to your side.
I have also made preparation for his personal equipment he will be
using privately at home after the lesson during his stay.

Please Advise back on;

(1). your charges per 1 hour twice a week for 2 Months?

(2).The Day and time you will be available to teach him During the week?

(3).Tuition address?

I will be looking forward to read from you soonest.

Best Regards,

Mrs Debbie Mann

How does it work? “Mrs. Debbie Mann” (hah!) sends you a check for much more than you asked. She then asks you to send the overage back to her. Only later do you find out the check she sent was bogus.