Pianotech

  • 1.  Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-26-2021 08:37
    Since this is easily the third similar email I've received over the past months, I'm wondering how far anyone has gone into learning the nature of this scam?

    Here's a paste of the text received yesterday:

    Hello ,

    How are you doing today? I am looking to give away my old Yamaha Baby Grand Piano, I got a  New Bigger one and want to give the old one away . Please let me know if you will take it or have someone who will care of it .

    Regards.


    Just curious.






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    Brian Mott
    Madison WI
    608-246-0506
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  • 2.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-26-2021 08:42
    These have been going around. I've received a few of these in the past year and change. The most recent a couple of weeks ago was very similar to what you quoted.

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    Wesley Owen
    Evanston IL
    847-257-5554
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-26-2021 10:08
    I've had two recently. Was not wise to the first one and responded. No response of course. Second time I recognized the pattern and deleted immediately. I don't know precisely what they're after but I know it ain't good. 

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-26-2021 11:04
    Peter,
    They want you to pay for the moving expense, in advance, of which there is no piano and there is no moving company.
    Roger

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    Roger Gable
    Gable Piano
    Everett WA
    425-252-5000
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-26-2021 12:10

    Hi all.

     

    I responded to this email a couple months ago saying we were on to their scam and to halt.  Obviously it is computer generated and not programmed to respond unless you say yes. Just delete. It's a shame what people will stoop to make a quick buck.

    Paul




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Member
    Posted 08-26-2021 10:07
    There have been many of these emails in recent months. As the saying goes if it seems too good to be true it probably isn't. The ultimate end game is to get you to give up your banking information or credit card, personal info and address . Many PTG members got invites to take free grand pianos . Recently I have been getting emails that I am being billed for software subscriptions I have for anti-virus and backup software I have usually at 3 to 4x the true renewal rate.  Someone recently got cash out of our checking account we have no idea how that even happened but suspect it was an inside job. The bank is "investigating".  A word of advice- review your bank statements as soon as you get them in the mail and also on line. If you have a debit card you need to question charges within 30 days.

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Member
    Posted 08-27-2021 10:47
    Most likely, if you bite and say you want the piano, they will say you must pay for shipping and you must use their shipping/storage service, which is already in possession of the piano. You pay for shipping and the piano never arrives, because it's a fake shipping company. If you say you'll send another shipper to pick up the piano, they'll say nevermind... 

    Ewing Piano Services
    Medford, MA
    774-292-9981
    ewingpiano.com



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Posted 08-26-2021 10:53
    Hi Brian. 
    To me, a scam is a scam and I don't care the slightest bit about its nature.
    To me, just clicking that email away is more time wasted than I care for.
    So much more meaningful things to do.
    Kind regards,
    Peter

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    Petrus Janssen
    Peachtree City GA
    678-416-8055
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-26-2021 22:11
    I just got one today that appeared to come from Amazon (where I've bought plenty of stuff), however there was something about it that did not ring quite right...'confirming my order #Yadayada' but with a $00.00 balance (and I have not placed an order lately).

    It certainly looked official and would fool many (almost me) but I decided it was scamworthy and deleted it. I also had "Norton" trying to get me to renew (​I don't have Norton anything). Delete.  Tiresome. Makes you want to just toss all the tech (which would actually be the only way to stop it).

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Experience with this scam, anyone?

    Posted 08-27-2021 08:21

    After receiving five or six of these scam attempts, I decided to play along with one to see where they would take it… They give you the number of the "company" that is currently storing the piano, who says they can deliver it to you THIS AFTERNOON, but you have to pay the moving fee in advance via Zelle or crypto – nonrefundable payment types. 



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    Jonathan Cleghorn, MME
    Iron Range Piano Co.
    Serving Duluth and Northeastern MN
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    Original Message