There are some obvious signs that can assist you to recognise a scam e-mail.

1. The scammers always use non traceable, free public e-mail addresses such as yahoo and GMail (Google).
    
2. Contact names often include use of a “reverend" or a similar church related title.
    
3. The majority of quotation requests purport to be on behalf of a church or other charitable institution.
    
4. The majority of print artwork (currently) is related to ‘saving children’. (see examples at right.
    
5. Contact is always via e-mail often showing poor written literacy.
    
6. Often the scripting is in non standard novelty fonts (Comic Sans is popular).
    
7. Where artwork is supplied it is poor quality (Word document or PDF) sometimes containing only two or three words and a clip art image on an A4 sheet.
    
8. There will be a request for freight pre-payment – the scammers centrepiece.
    
9. Credit card information will be provided "for security" and for your payment once the job is completed and freight prepayment made by you. The credit card information is usually fake or stolen. Either way you lose out when you try to process payment.

Have you been solicited by a scammer? Check our e-mail and name list here

Report Scams Here

If you receive suspicious e-mail quotation requests or any out of the ordinary requests that may involve you in parting with money, check them thoroughly before taking any action. Make sure you staff are fully informed of possible scams. remember, if in doubt - don't!  Members should call their local Printing Industries' office or send the information to us at: scamwatch@printnet.com.au