ATTENTION WEB DEVELOPERS & DESIGNERS: Scammers developed a new scheme targeting Web designers and developers. We’ve outlined the con below. Take 2 minutes to make sure you’re not a target.

Web-Designer-Scam Red Flags

Initial Contact: Perpetrators of the web-designer-scam usually initiate contact via an email originating outside the United States. The sender usually inquires about services and includes a link to an example website.

Air of Legitimacy: What makes this scam particularly lucrative is that the initial inquiry seems legitimate.

Poor Grammar: Though the emails may seem valid, people who’ve been duped noted that the emails were grammatically questionable.

No Direct Response: One of the biggest red flags is the inquirers’ refusals to return your emails or address any questions. They’ll only initiate emails, dictating parameters. This is probably because it’s a semi-automated scam.

Inquirer Controls Terms: They may tell you a money order is coming as a deposit and that they’ll pay the balance on completion.

Large Money Order Arrives: Money orders do arrive. And here’s the rub: they’re usually for more than agreed upon.

Asks You To Refund: The way the scammers make money is by getting you to Western Union money to them. So, the “closer” is almost always a request to send the overage amount to a) them or b) some specified intermediary in the U.S.

Generally speaking, all web developers and designers should be wary of inquiries that ask them to send money to someone else – especially if you’re being paid by credit card or money order.

Speak With A Design and Developer Attorney

Kelly Warner is an Internet law firm that represents Web developers and graphic designers. To learn more about our firm, click here. To get in touch, please use one of the methods presented on our contact page. We look forward to speaking with you soon.