Beware of Internet Scams Targeting Web Designers and Developers

As a web designer or developer, you likely receive dozens of inquiries each month from potential clients seeking your services. While many of these inquiries are legitimate, there is a persistent scam targeting our industry that you should be aware of. This blog post outlines how the scam works, shares an example of the typical communication, and provides actionable advice on how to avoid becoming a victim.

How the Scam Works

This scam specifically targets web designers and developers through various channels, including:

• Inbound email inquiries

• Lead generation platforms like Bark.com

• Google Business profiles

• Developer Facebook communities

Here is the scam process:

1. Initial Inquiry: The scammer reaches out with a seemingly legitimate request to build a website. The budget they propose is above average, making it enticing to engage further.

2. Payment Method Assurance: Early in the conversation, they ensure you can accept payment by credit card. This is critical because they plan to use a stolen card.

3. Additional Request: After accepting your quote, they introduce a last-minute request. They ask you to charge an extra $5,000 to $10,000 on their behalf to pay a “marketing consultant” who cannot accept card payments. They request that you wire the funds to this third party (their accomplice).

4. Fraudulent Chargeback: Once payment is made, the legitimate card owner disputes the charge. Your business is left responsible for refunding the card owner, and you lose the money you wired to the scammer.

Unfortunately, this scam is alarmingly common. At our firm, we receive 20-30 such requests per year.

Example of a Scam Email

Here is a direct quote from a scam email we recently received. We are including the full text because many designers and developers search for these phrases to verify their legitimacy:

Here’s the job details

Thanks for your response, i have business which i want to turn into large business now it located in the state and the company is based on exporting of smaller products within the automotive niche like parts and tools. so i need a best of the best layout design for it. Can you handle that for me ?

So i need you to check out this site but i need something more perfect than this if possible ething more perfect than this if its possible [EXAMPLE DOMAIN SHARED] the site would only be informational.

so i need you to give me an estimate based on the site i gave you to check out, the estimate should include hosting and i want the same page as the site i gave you to check out and i have a private project consultant, he has the text content and the logos for the site.

Note:

i will be providing the images, logos and content for the site.

i want the site up and running before ending of next two months.

My budget is $4000 to 8000

I want the same number of pages with the example site i gave you to check excluding videos and blogs.

I want only English language

I don't have a domain yet but i want the domain name as [EXAMPLE DOMAIN SHARED]

you will be updating the site for me.

Kindly get back to me with:

(1) Budget estimate

(2) Your name

(3) And will like to know if you are the owner ??

How to Spot and Avoid These Scams

Red Flags:

1. Unrealistic Budget: They offer a budget that is unusually high for the scope of work.

2. Focus on Payment Method: They insist on using a credit card and confirm this early in the conversation.

3. Additional Requests: They introduce last-minute requests to pay a third party using your account.

4. Vague Project Details: The project description often lacks specifics and contains grammatical errors or inconsistent phrasing.

Protect Yourself:

• Verify the Client: Look up their business or ask for references. Scammers often use fake business names or unverifiable details.

• Decline Third-Party Payments: Never agree to process payments for a third party. Legitimate clients will not ask this of you.

• Use Contracts: Always use a detailed contract that includes payment terms and a clause about chargebacks.

• Wait for Payment Clearing: Ensure that funds have cleared and cannot be reversed before starting work or transferring money.

• Report the Scam: If you suspect fraud, report the email to FTC Complaint Assistant and your local authorities.

What to Do If You Encounter This Scam

If you receive an email like the one above, here are steps you can take:

1. Do Not Engage: Avoid responding or providing any details.

2. Report the Email: Use the following links to report phishing attempts:

   • Google’s Phishing Report

   • FTC Complaint Assistant

3. Warn Your Network: Share the email within your professional communities to alert others.

By staying vigilant and sharing information about these scams, we can protect our businesses and help others avoid falling victim. If you’ve encountered a similar scam, share your experience in the comments to help build awareness.