I typically accept credit cards in person or over the phone, so I get a personal authorization to use the card, but I have a new customer out of state that has sent his billing address and credit card info via email on a large order. Our email correspondence history outlines the quote details, and contains his email with the card information - is this enough authorization to charge the card that he supplied, or do I need to get additional information from him? I just want to make sure I'm not charging a fraudulent card that will get charged back or wind me in some sort of trouble with it.
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Credit Card Authorization
- Thread starter Pwear
- Start date
Malkin
New Member
I hope it's not for 100 banners that say "help feed the homeless" and can you kindly send the price without shipping so they can pay by credit card ok?
Seriously whatever you do, DO NOT send money via Western Union to some "shipping company" that the supposed customer wants you to use.
Seriously whatever you do, DO NOT send money via Western Union to some "shipping company" that the supposed customer wants you to use.
Replicator
New Member
yes!
lol- you might be on to something. They actually say "_______ Children's Home" and he wants 30 banners. I said shit, a big order, why not just process the card? But then my morals and fear of chargebacks kicked in and I thought I'd check for other opinions on this first. I think I'm going to call my merchant account tomorrow and see what their rules are about processing cards without a physical swipe.
No western union or shipping company on this one, he actually said he wants to pick them up in person (but his billing address is in WA, hmm...)
On the other hand, someone not as cautious as me might have processed the card immediately - there's got to be some damage protection for a business owner if he unknowingly charges a fraudulent card, no? In reality this might be a legitimate customer, there's no way for me to know.
Malkin
New Member
Seriously. If I was you I would be very careful. Sometimes these scams (using stolen credit cards) will ask you to ship after the order has been fufilled.
Does he have poor grammer, never spoken by phone (always email), title of Reverend, a last name that sounds like a first name, and a driving need to get these banners quickly?
You could ask for a check and tell him it has to clear for 10-15 days before processing.
The protection is for the individual who had their card number stolen, the business owner will get screwed.
Does he have poor grammer, never spoken by phone (always email), title of Reverend, a last name that sounds like a first name, and a driving need to get these banners quickly?
You could ask for a check and tell him it has to clear for 10-15 days before processing.
The protection is for the individual who had their card number stolen, the business owner will get screwed.
StopSignGraphics
New Member
This sounds like a scam.
I would try to figure out why a guy in WA would want to do business with you. Surely there must be closer shops that could produce his order.
Why not ask him...maybe it's a referral from a previous customer or a friend. If that's the case, the person that referred you could validate his story.
Can you verify the Children's Home? Why do they need 30 banners? That seems like an unrealistic number unless it's for a larger charity. If that's the case you more than likely would have to bid on the job or at the very least the organization would issue some sort of purchase order.
I'm not sure 15 days is enough of a hold on credit card payment, talk to your merchant account about it. The safest thing is have him send a cashiers check.
~Chris
I would try to figure out why a guy in WA would want to do business with you. Surely there must be closer shops that could produce his order.
Why not ask him...maybe it's a referral from a previous customer or a friend. If that's the case, the person that referred you could validate his story.
Can you verify the Children's Home? Why do they need 30 banners? That seems like an unrealistic number unless it's for a larger charity. If that's the case you more than likely would have to bid on the job or at the very least the organization would issue some sort of purchase order.
I'm not sure 15 days is enough of a hold on credit card payment, talk to your merchant account about it. The safest thing is have him send a cashiers check.
~Chris
Idea Design
New Member
You should absolutely proceed with caution.
Just for piece of mind, use the search feature here, and search the term "banner scam" and read through some of the stories that have hit this site.
It'll open your eyes and provide a little education for this specific situation.
Just for piece of mind, use the search feature here, and search the term "banner scam" and read through some of the stories that have hit this site.
It'll open your eyes and provide a little education for this specific situation.