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Possible piano tuning scam

  • 1.  Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-13-2025 22:25

    Has anyone gotten any strange text messages lately from a Los Angeles area code looking for a piano technician?

    In this instance, he says he's looking for a piano technician for his boss. He goes on to say the piano is located my very small town, and he also asks if I sell pianos. He then directs you to Whatsapp where you can text with his boss to schedule, etc. and it gets personal quickly, which is what tipped me off (among some other things too). I'm still not sure what they're after because I just stopped responding, or whether they're just targeting my area (Washington, DC) or the whole country, but it's surprising that they are so specific as to say they need a piano technician. A fellow technician in this area got the same text, except this time the piano was located in his town. It can turn in to a huge time suck if you let it.

    Anyway, curious if anyone else has gotten this as well.



    ------------------------------
    Marc Abram RPT
    Highland MD
    (202) 468-8270
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-13-2025 22:36
    I got this about a month back here in the LA area. I suspected something strange, but couldn't see what the game was. 

    Don Mannino 
    Sent from my phone. 





  • 3.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Posted 02-13-2025 22:47
    I got a text like that last month. Can't recall the area code, but it was not from the Nashville-Middle Tennessee area where I'm based 



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 05:29

    Me too.

     

    Tom Servinsky 

    Registered Piano Technician

    Concert Artist Piano Technician

    Jazz Pianist for events

    tompiano@tomservinsky.com

    772 221 1011 office

    772 260 7110 cell

     




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 01:35
    I got a similar text in my area, (Jacksonville FL), 2 weeks ago from area code 425, (where's that?) She also wanted to schedule an appointment on Whatsap for her boss. Also asking if I sell pianos. She gave her boss' name as Annabell and her phone number. I also told her I was going on vacation and couldn't schedule an appointment for several weeks, and she responded that her boss has gone there, too and wished me safe travels.

    Is that what you meant it got personal?  I was going to respond back when I get home. 

    Wim






  • 6.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 06:21

    Yes, about a month ago.  Her boss wanted to buy a $150k piano.  I asked where they were located and it was about 15 miles away. I suggested we meet at the coffee shop in town, but she only wanted to meet on WhatsApp.

    I can't figure out the scam, could be that if you sell them the pianos they want persona/bank info to secure the sale.



    ------------------------------
    Gina Bonfietti, RPT
    Connecticut
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 06:54

    The end game is ALWAYS about money (getting your money) somehow. Putting all these experiences together I suspect that the scam is aided and abetted by an AI bot with some sophisticated scheme that is carefully concealed from "normal human thinking". 

    I may have received one of these, however I have now gone to instantly deleting ANYTHING that I do not already know who it's from. I figure that if it is legit, and they really want me, they'll find a more "human" way to reach me. And this has now been proven true enough times to support my "extreme" deletion/spam/non-response protection system. 

    The AI of course is designed to fool you into thinking it's human so as to get your guard down. However, they're still stupid enough that an astute human can detect their game (as you all have done). 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 18:59

    Have fun with these:

    You're in luck. You've contacted the network of piano technicians heeding Trump' call to place a Steinway baby grand piano in every room of his Mar a Lago resort (https://www.maralagoclub.com/guest-suites). Call their number (561-832-2600). He does have an unimpeachable record with his resorts' vendors and contractors. You'll be proud to have contributed to this gold standard of excellence.

    You've reached just the right person. I have recently opened a piano store Piano Salon International, and sell 3-4 pianos a month. Currently, the offers to take possession of a departed spouse's piano are coming in so frequently  these days, that I can choose only those offers who pay for the delivery of the piano. I am sorry for your loss, but I'll have to decline unless I'm assured that you're paying for the delivery, and there will be no further costs for me to pay. I look forward to it showing up at my doorstep.



    ------------------------------
    William Ballard RPT
    WBPS
    Saxtons River VT
    802-869-3161

    "Our lives contain a thousand springs
    and dies if one be gone
    Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
    should keep in tune so long."
    ...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Member
    Posted 02-14-2025 08:16
    I got a message with a slightly different twist.  They gave a phone number with an out of state area code...of course with cell phones that isn't necessarily a scam giveaway. Looking for a piano tuner, how much does it cost? Last question was asking where I was located!

    I just hit delete.

    Debra





  • 10.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 09:28

    Wow- they are certainly making the rounds. Those examples all sound like the same entity- the $150k budget, the names, etc. 

    I have a picture of my daughter on WhatsApp as the profile pic because I mostly use it for playdates. She (the boss) commented on the photo, then proceeded to send me pics of her "daughter." After a bit, she said I'm easy to chat with and asked how old I was.  She also asked if I watched the Super Bowl. But she had also sent a picture of her piano, which kept me guessing (a little). Before I was certain it was a scam, I referred her my friend who sells pianos. In their back and forth, she would ask what his hobbies are and he received pictures of her at the gym. But she also said she went to a piano dealer in LA and sent a picture of a piano she liked. Very sophisticated, kind of. I've never seen the requests be so targeted.

    Thanks for the replies. Hopefully this saves some people some time. I'm worried about those who may take it a little too seriously.



    ------------------------------
    Marc Abram RPT
    Highland MD
    (202) 468-8270
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 09:53
    I got two texts last month from a 213 area code with a similar message. Their boss is looking to purchase a piano with a budget of $150K and needs it by the following week. They want to have a tech help them find a piano. On the first call, I responded but they said that their boss told them I had blocked her number. I said I don't recall blocking anyone. Then they asked how old I was. At that point I referred them to the local piano dealers. 
    A few days later, I got a similar text from a different 213 number. I reached out to a few of my colleagues and they told me it was a scam. Perhaps it's a way to get into your mobile phone and get your info. Not sure but I get weird texts all the time. This is new.
    Another weird one was someone saying that I tuned for them in the past. I checked the name but didn't recall the person so I decided to pass. With AI becoming more accessible, I think we all need to be very careful.





  • 12.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 10:05
    When I was still in Hawaii I got a similar scam. The person wanted to buy a piano I had for sale on Craig's list, and was willing to pay me the full amount, but on PayPal. Since I don't do PayPal I told them I only accept credit cards. He said that he was in the military and would be back from a tour in 2 months, but wanted to buy the piano now and keep it until he got home. That's when I smelled a rat. That and between not accepting Pay Pal, the deal quickly fell apart. 

    I have the message still on my text site. I think I'll delete it. 

    Wim



    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 11:00

    Happened here in N CA (707) several weeks ago. Smelled fishy, but I played along a bit. Caller wanted me to call his boss on WhatsApp to set up an appointment.

    I said that the 'boss' needs to call me as I don't solicit business. All communication ended when I said I don't use WhatsApp. 

    I do have WhatsApp but only for several overseas friends. The end game? Probably data mining your information for nefarious purposes.



    ------------------------------
    Michael Hagen RPT
    Rohnert Park CA
    (707) 664-9857
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 11:31
    That’s what mine asked me to do. I haven’t got that far.

    Wim
    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 01:43

    LOL I got the same call.  I told them that they might be subject to my oligarch pricing which means add three zeroes to my standard fee but the "boss" would have to call me to see if they qualified.  They replied, "ok thank you very much" and hung up.  



    ------------------------------
    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 17:48

    Almost any text message I receive from someone I don't know I consider junk and ignore. Rarely do I make an exception. Making first contact with me for piano service via text is really a stupid idea for anyone requesting legitimate service. On the rare occasion that their text message seems like they are not just, say, price hunting or a scam I invite them to call me so we can discuss their needs. Fortunately, and not unexpectedly, that almost never happens. Text messaging is, for me, a really bad business tool. Text messaging is an immediate communication tool. If not dealt with right away, they're too easily lost in the stream or just plain forgotten. Should an existing customer contact me for service via text my reply is almost always, "See email reply." Text messaging is great for real time contact, like letting a customer know that traffic is causing a delay in my arrival, or chatting with friends, but, seriously, not much else. 



    ------------------------------
    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-14-2025 23:40
    Geoff

    You might be loosing out on some business. I’m probably older than you, but I’ve learned that texting is how the new generation communicates. I’ve seen young people talk to each other via text while sitting right next to each other.

    Yes, it’s easier to communicate by phone or email. But get with it man. It’s not as bad as it seems. Lol

    Wim.
    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 02:48

    Wim --

    While you may be older than me, I assure you it's probably not by much. 😏

    At my age I'm as busy as I want to be. I feel no loss by not pursuing potential scams and the business of someone who is too busy to make a phone call, and can't write a complete sentence in an email or text. If I'm working for the wrong people with the wrong piano then I'm not available for the right people with the right piano. 



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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 03:49

    Wow - I get a substantial fraction of new customers through texts.  Many customers I never talk to until I get to their house.  I have only had one bad experience doing this, where I didn't get paid.  Years ago, I was hesitant to visit anyone I hadn't had a phone conversation with, but now it's normal.  I even visited a fellow's house when no one was home - he sent me the door code and I let myself in, then paid with a credit card.  In fact, I have visited his house twice to tune and haven't met him yet.  Very modern!

    I remember finding a tuner's business card in an old piano.  It looked like it was from the 1920s or 1930s.  There was no phone number, just an address in Portland OR.  How times have changed.




    Original Message


  • 20.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 00:05

    Yes, I also received a text from someone named Jessica, asking about a $150,000 piano for her boss. The number was (213) 557-9147.

    I directed her to our sales rep, who later discovered it was a scam. He was then contacted via WhatsApp, where the messages included Chinese translations.

    Very odd. Stay alert, everyone!



    ------------------------------
    Elisha Katamura RPT
    Fresno CA
    (559) 765-7373
    ------------------------------



  • 21.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Posted 02-15-2025 01:41

    I am just confused how the scam works?

    I mean I had conversation with some scammers by the past but they always ask for non material things.

    Here they are asking a piano if I got it well?

    How do they make the piano disappear or maybe they ask for a caution to the piano seller?



    ------------------------------
    Danxian Lian
    Bench reseller at
    htttps://benchoom.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 22.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 02:08

    Here is AI answer to the situation..

    ---

    This scam likely involves overpayment fraud or data harvesting:

    1. Overpayment Scam: They pretend to buy a $150,000 piano, send a fake payment, then claim they overpaid and request a refund. The payment later bounces, leaving the victim with a loss.

    2. Data Harvesting: By moving communication to WhatsApp and engaging with personal questions, they might be collecting personal or business information.

    The use of AI-generated text helps make the scam more convincing, and the Chinese translations suggest potential overseas origins.

    Best practices:

     Avoid engaging further

     Block and report the number to your phone carrier and the FTC/FCC

     Warn others in the community, as you did in the forum.

    These scams often start with niche-targeted inquiries, like piano tuning, to appear more legitimate.

    ---



    ------------------------------
    Elisha Katamura RPT
    Fresno CA
    (559) 765-7373
    ------------------------------



  • 23.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 07:02

    They can also serve to surreptitiously install malware on your phone the instant you activate it. That's why deletion without opening is safer, especially email, but it still applies to texts. The malware will likely be dormant and undetectable for a period of time, then activated later. 

    The people who program these things consider themselves to be geniuses (sound familiar?). Of course, we know that what goes around comes around, but in the meantime they can make things quite difficult for others. 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 24.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 08:38

    Have received the similar message. Just got another yesterday (2-14). Curious how the bad actors were able to ,  believe the term is "tag", piano technicians associated with the PTG.  Make ya wants to go Hmmmmmmm.  



    ------------------------------
    Gerry
    Gerald P. Cousins, RPT ~ Director of Piano Service and Resources
    West Chester University of PA
    gcousins@wcupa.edu
    ------------------------------



  • 25.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 08:45
    Gerry, 
    The online Find a Technician button, non-RPTs, can be found there too.


    Gina Bonfietti
    Registered Piano Technician 




    Original Message


  • 26.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 10:38

    I received a similar inquiry. When the "boss" contacted me on WhatsApp, she offered me a $1,000 "reward" for helping her find a piano for her daughter. I suspected a scam from the beginning, but the "reward" wording prompted me to block the contact.



    ------------------------------
    Tim Foster RPT
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 27.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 12:34

    The use of WhatsApp is also a red flag because AFAIK it's untraceable. If one has a good reason to "disappear" that'd be a good way to do it. 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 28.  RE: Possible piano tuning scam

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-15-2025 12:46

    I wonder if this is an example of the AI era scams. Elisha's AI seemed to know exactly what was going on. Inside information? It might be interesting to flat out ask if one is communicating with an AI. It might just say yes. My experience with ChatGPT is that if you ask if they are making stuff up, they will admit it. And then apologize profusely. Then start making stuff up again. The first thing I do if I'm chatting with some business, say an airline, is to ask whether I'm talking to a program or a human. 

    Seriously, this one seems common enough for an alert to be sent out from the home office or at least posted in the Journal.



    ------------------------------
    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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    Original Message