Inspector scam warning.

1

----- Original Message -----
From: Oldcarriagehi@aol.com
To: FastReply@nachi.org
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 9:02 AM
Subject: Inspector scam

Hello, my name is Jason Clemence with Old Carriage Home inspections in Westerly, R. I. I recently had a client contact me about performing inspections on 7 homes his company was buying in southern R. I. Later, before the inspections were performed, he sent me a cashier’s check for more than the quoted fee($4000 over). He asked me to send the overage to the listing agent. It did not feel right to me and I did some research and discovered that the FDIC has an alert out on cashier’s checks from Citizen State Bank in marlin, TX. I am contacting the Police, but I wanted to let your membership know that someone is preying on Home Inspector’s. If you want more information give me a call at 401-481-6602

Jason Clemence

2

I think that this is a good example of why all states should license home inspection clients.

3

This is the Nigerian Scam. They do this with horses, Ebay, etc… It’s a nasty scam but I thought everyone pretty much knew about it. Too bad this guy almost got taken.

4

Just spoke to Jason. It makes me angry to here about such things, but guys like Jason make NACHI strong.

5

This is a pretty popular - and from what I understand a pretty profitable - scam.

They always want you to deposit the money and then send them, say, half of it back.

Never send money back to someone whom you do not know who has sent you “money”.

If you send them money, you will discover a few days later that the check that they sent you has bounced.

Adding insult to injury, you may even be charged by your bank for their bounced checks.

Here’s the FDIC link:

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/specialalert/2006/sa06131.html

6

I thought these scams only come though on email. Today I actually got a fax like this.

7

THIS IS NOT A SCAM, I REPEAT THIS IS NOT A SCAM, just send me the money (and don’t expect to get half back !!!)

Mic

8

Veni, Vidi, Velcro
(I came, I saw, I stuck around)

I nominate James for the “Chair” of this committee.

Entertaining quote btw. :smiley:

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9

I got thie one and replied, twice.

When I e-mailed that I wouldbe glad to do the inspections, once I had a signed contact and the cashier’s check cleared (usually only takes a day).

For some reason, they never called back.

Maybe it was my breath :mrgreen:

Here are the e-mails. Notice the name?

Hello Will,
Thanks for your swift response
Kindly give me the total cost for the inspection of the 7 houses
Hope to hear from you soon.

Moses.
Will Decker <wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com> wrote:
My fee will be $500 for the 2 houses under 4,000 SF and $600 for the five
houses over 4,000 SF. This is my standard price, based upon square footage.

If you require complete swimming pool inspections, I would need to sub
contract that out. Inspecting swimming pools is a specialized inspection
and would cost an additional $250.00 per pool.

My inspections are very thorough and include thermal imaging. Each
inspection would take approximately 3-4 hours, so it will take about a week
to inspect each house and prepare the reports.

Please visit my web site, www.deckerhomeservices.com, for information on my
credentials and certifications.

Thank you for your interest. I will await your information.

Thanks;

Will Decker
Senior Inspector, Decker Home Services, LLC
Office: (847) 676-8393
Cell: (847) 609-2345
Home: (847) 673-2702

-----Original Message-----
From: GRUNT MOSES [mailto:grunt_moses@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 4:11 AM
To: wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com
Subject: HOME INSPECTOR NEEDED

Hello,
Your company will be inspecting 7 homes for my client ok
The homes are located at Riverwoods

I want the houses to be inspected individually ok
What i need is a thorough inspection
I do not think money will be the problem
DETAILS
5 of the houses are about 4000 to 5000sqf
2 of the houses are about 3000 to 4000sqf
All with swimming pools
All the houses are above 15 years
Give me a comprehensive cost for the inspection of the 7 houses.
Like i said money will not be the problem ok
Give me the total cost for thorough inspection of the 7 houses.Thanks and
have a nice day.
The listing agent will provide all the information concerning the homes to
be inspected ok
INSPECT THE FOLLOWING

EXTERIOR: grading, walls, coverings, patios & decks, patio covers,
sidewalks & driveways, soffits & fascias, doors/windows & trim, gutters &
downspouts, retaining walls, fences & gates.
STRUCTURE: foundation, crawlspace, footings & columns, floors, walls,
chimneys.
ROOFING: structure, coverings, flashings, skylights, vent/stacks.
ELECTRICAL: service entrance, grounding, panel & sub panels, branch
circuits, outlets, GFCI’s, circuit integrity.
HEATING and A/C: description, combustion system, A/C components, supply
& discharge lines, venting, duct work & registers, controls &
thermostats.
PLUMBING: main supply line, distribution lines, fixtures, vents & traps
& drains, functional flow.
INSULATION: attic, walls, crawlspace, floors, lines, duct work, air &
vapor barriers.
INTERIOR: walls, ceilings, windows, floors, doors, stairs, fireplaces,
smoke detectors

Regards
Moses.