66 - Seller Beware and a big change!
Seller Beware
I almost got scammed this weekend but thankfully my “this feels odd” meter went off fast enough to that I didn’t lose any money. The event got logged in my Conversation Log - a tool I teach about in my Facts of Life Book course (use code FRIEND1 for 50% off).
What’s the story?
I am selling a few things around the house via Facebook marketplace. It is a nice way to make a little extra cash off of things that I’ve stopped loving and using - and I get a cleaner house and things avoid the landfill a little bit longer.
I always meet in a public place during daytime hours or ship to a buyer. Goods only get exchanged after money does.
I am selling my Cricut Air 2 die cut machine because I’m just not paper crafting anymore (it’s still for sale if you’re interested - just hit reply). I wasn’t surprised it got an offer almost immediately. The conversation went well with the person saying their sister would come pick it up at my pickup location.
Then the weirdness happened. The person asked how I wanted to be paid and offered to send money immediately. Okay - you really want this - but again it started to feel off. Then when I sent my email address to the person (for a Zelle payment) I got a weird email.
I use Zelle through my bank and know that the money goes straight in my account. Also, I have a business account so the line in that email on the right that my account isn’t a business account is false.
I did a quick google for this specific scam and found that this is normal. While I was googling the scammer said - “Oh, I see you don’t have the right kind of account I’ve sent the other $200 - did you get that email saying I sent it? Would you hit the link in that email and go ahead and refund me the extra $200?”
No, no I won’t and now I’m blocking you and reporting you!
What to do when this happens to you?
I hear all the time that people feel embarrassed they got scammed and so they don’t tell anyone. We are all potential victims so please talk about these things when they happen to you and report them.
No actual crime had been committed so it wasn’t necessary to call the police. Had I actually been scammed - as happened when one of my credit card numbers got hacked a few years back - I would have reported it to the police as I did with the credit card number back in the day.
Block and report the person through whatever communication channel they used with you.
Log this event in your Conversation Log or other journal so that if anything ever comes up about it you’ve got the information you need. I teach all about the Conversation Log in the Facts of Life Course so come join us. Coupon code is FRIEND1.
8 Other Things I Think You Might Find Interesting
My friend Stephanie recommended the book 📙 Smart Brevity to me several weeks ago and I was able to read it this week. It’s a quick easy read and inspired me to change up the format of my newsletter - and rethink pretty much all of my communication. Same information but hopefully easier to browse and read quickly. Let me know what you think - just hit reply.
My friend Tracy Winchell is running her workshop 🎓 “Note to Next Day Self” this Thursday from 9:30 - 10:30 Central Time. I’m so excited to join in and learn more about this very sustainable journaling practice that focuses on helping you be the best version of you every single day!
I’ve been running into Tracy a lot in 📝 Creative Work Hour. I never thought I’d be the person to say that I have friends all over the world but because of this incredibly group I absolutely do say that now! It’s free. Come join us any day and every day from 10 - 11 Eastern Time.
🗣️ I stumbled upon Youglish this week. Type in a word and Youglish looks across the Internet for videos that feature that word so you can hear how others have pronounced it. I tried it with a few words and was really happy with it. Here’s a quick “How to” image!
I’m working on two client projects right now where groups want help reviewing policy through an “equity lens”. I was happy to learn about 🛜 the Conscious Style Guide which I’ve added to my bookmarks to consult when I’m trying to work through language in any writing project. This was another great resource from Smart Brevity!
Need to get something done? Write it down in the system you trust. Gayle and I chatted yesterday about my writing and publishing schedule which is essentially non-existent. She kindly reminded of my own advice to others to “write it down”. 📆 So, my calendar now has 4 writing blocks on it this week along with blocks to work on three work projects and two other long term personal projects. 📝
I shared a few weeks back that I was really inspired by Marilyn McEntire’s delightful book 📙“Make A List”. Two lists that were on my list to make - a financial wish list and a home projects list - both got made this weekend! Listing is one of my favorite forms of journaling and I always feel better after I do it.
Between house hunting and home projects, this weekend went by in a flash but Gayle and I still made some time on Sunday just to enjoy some new to us television. We both agreed that Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies on Paramount+ was better than we expected it to be. I was surprised to learn - but agree - that the original Grease passed the Bechdel test. I’m looking forward to watching more of the series to see how it evolves the story of the Pink Ladies.
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