phone scam questions [RE-wrenches]

Kirk Herander, VSE kirk at vtsolar.com
Wed Mar 3 13:20:48 PST 2004


We have had legitimate purchases from customers in Kazastan (sp?), Mexico,
and Japan - all by insisting on a transfer into a dedicated bank account. We
always receive the money first before shipping, and pull it out of the
account as soon as it arrives, just in case.

That said, we may hay fallen victim to a domestic scammer. My merchant
account provider and the credit card holder's bank are duking it out as to
whether it's a legitimate charge and wether we're liable. This is my first
chargeback ever. The money was immediately pulled out of my account as soon
as the cardholder said he never authorized the purchase. BTW - know one
calls to say they yanked the $$, you get a notice in the mail, and it was
especially unpleasant since it took the cardholder 7 weeks to challenge it
and I risked bouncing a few checks as a result. Once we provided the invoice
and proof of delivery, my provider returned the money to my account. But its
not over yet. We verified the card was not reported as stolen and the name
and address was correct with the holder's bank before the sale. But this was
a phone order and you can't be 100% protected I now know as a business
without the card physically swiped. I'm going to feel like a real idiot if
we end up losing the $$$$$.......

Vermont Solar Engineering
Kirk Herander
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
Certified Solar PV Installer(TM)
Xantrex Certified Dealer Charter Member
NYSERDA-eligible installer
Vermont Solar and Wind Partner

PO Box 697
Burlington, VT. 05402
www.vermontsolar.com
www.backeastsolar.com
800.286.1252 - 802.863.1202
fax 802.863.7908

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Geddes" <b.geddes at clear.net.nz>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 3:08 PM
Subject: Re: phone scam questions [RE-wrenches]


>             The States isn't the only place they try this on.  I have had
> enquiries way down here in Lord Of The Rings land.  My initial thoughts
were
> there must be some dealer closer that is cost competitive so why not use
> them?
>
> After sending such a message to the enquirer I got the response that they
> REALLY wanted to deal with my business.  Yeah-sure.

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