[Harp-L] Harp teachers beware

["Dave Payne Sr." <payneoutdoors@xxxxxxxxx>]

I posted my e-mail on the Coast to Coast harmonica teacher directory. Been on there a year and the only inquiries I EVER get are these from France or wherever, where they are sending their kid to the U.S. to get some harmonica lessons. The scam works like this, they send a cashiers check that looks O.K., OK enough that the bank will take it. The teacher gets this bogus check and its written out for too much, maybe a grand  over, cause the guy's wife accidently included the kids air fare or something. They say, keep your part of the check, send back the extra and while you're at it, keep an extra 200 bucks for your trouble. All is well with the bank until the check bounces. Or, if I prefer, I could send my credit card information and have money "wired" to it. 
   
  Usually it's people who don't know a bit of English and have goofy names, like Mr. Scotfield Lincoln. This was one of the more polished -- even if he did spell "right" as "rite" and ''his'' for ''is" etc., so I wrote this cat, probably a guy poses as a more easily trustable woman, back. Who wouldn't trust this poor mother who says "God Bless You?" 
  I thought I would pass on the exchange for y'alls reading pleasure:
   
  debra santos <debrasantos007@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
     #yiv1473953550 .ExternalClass P {padding:0px;} #yiv1473953550 .ExternalClass {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;}   Hello,
  How are you doing..I need a music lesson  teacher for my son in the usa..but rite now am in Australia on a vacation..But my son his in usa now..so i want to know time and fee for him...Just want you to know that i will be paying by checque or thru credit card. since am not in there to pay cash  okay..God Bless You..
Debra Santos
  
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  Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:27:04 -0700
From: payneoutdoors@...
Subject: Re: Music Lesson Teacher
To: debrasantos007@xxxxxxxxxxx

You know the USA is very big place. Where is he? 
________________________________________________________
debra santos <debrasantos007@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
     #yiv1473953550 .ExternalClass P {padding:0px;} #yiv1473953550 .ExternalClass {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;}   Hello ,
   How are you doing?thanks for your email.He is in Cali..i will like to ask you some  few question..
1.Are you going to be teaching online..or he needs to come over to you?
2.what is your home address, time of lectures and if online how ?
   About the payment,i will ask my client in the state to post to you a cashier check in form of your payment, or if u have a credit card he can wire the funds in it..and pls do have it in mind that you will be taking an overpayment on my behalve which will be sent to me in Australia after you most have debucted your own lesson fee out of it..
 Pls do let me know what you feel about this.
God Bless You.
Debra.
  ____________________________________________
  Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:58:17 -0700
From: payneoutdoors@...
Subject: RE: Music Lesson Teacher
To: debrasantos007@xxxxxxxxxxx

O.K. let me get this straight, he's driving 3,000 miles for a harmonica lesson? 
  ________________________________________________________
  debra santos <debrasantos007@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
   
  That was why i ask if u can teach him online..but if not..tell me where u are..maybe he could put up with a roommate.God Bless You
Debra
_____________________________________________
  From: payneoutdoors@...
Subject: RE: Music Lesson Teacher
To: debrasantos007@xxxxxxxxxxx
   
  I charge $200 an hour. Payable in cash. What instrument does he want to learn? 
   
  debra santos <debrasantos007@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
  Hello ,
    You will be teaching him piano..an hour will be alrite for 2weeks..So get back to me with the payment details..
GOD BLESS YOU...
Debra

   
  Well, I won't be getting back with payment details, but you get the idea. 



__________________________________________________________________
Dave Payne Sr. 
Journalist and writer
1114 Charles St. 
Parkersburg, WV 26101
       
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