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Scammers have found a new targetâtherapists. As more professionals conduct business online, especially freelancers and small business owners, these predators are becoming increasingly clever in their methods. In this article, we explore the details of one such scam that caught the attention of Ryan King, a therapist who recently shared his unsettling experience on Reddit. His story sheds light on how scams can trick even the most vigilant professionals.
Ryan King, a seasoned therapist, recounts an odd encounter with someone pretending to be a father looking for therapy for his son. What appeared to be a legitimate client inquiry quickly raised a series of red flags that pointed to a scam. The email exchange, the strange payment requests, and the untraceable contact information were all part of a scammer’s strategy. While Ryanâs quick thinking and refusal to accept a large upfront payment saved him from falling into the trap, many other freelancers and small business owners might not be as lucky.
Ryan was contacted through a third-party referral site that had been an essential part of his business for years. The initial contact form, which asked for basic client information like name, email, phone number, and insurance, seemed normal at first. However, there was an immediate discrepancy: both the email and phone number listed were inactive, but the “client” had intentionally corrected the phone number in the message body. This seemed strange and intentional, likely to make the scammer less traceable.
Further, Ryan received a detailed message from the “father,” who claimed his teenage son was in need of therapy. The father expressed a strong preference for upfront payment for over 30 sessions, offering a cashierâs check or money order. While itâs not unusual for clients to want to pay upfront for multiple sessions, this specific request felt offâespecially the insistence on payment methods like a cashierâs check, which can often be fake.
Suspicious, Ryan continued to engage with the “father” and his son, asking them to fill out necessary intake forms. The son responded by signing treatment consent forms but left most intake questions unanswered. Ryan also noted that during a phone call, the son spoke with a thick Latino accent, which made it difficult to hear details clearly. The conversation was odd, and Ryan quickly followed up via email, asking for more information and clarifying the terms of payment.
Despite these strange interactions, Ryan remained calm and refused the upfront payment, explaining that payment was due per session, not in advance. After this, the communication stopped, and neither the father nor the son reached out again. Ryan was left confused and wondering how this scam would have played out if he had accepted the payment.
After posting his experience on Redditâs scam forum, Ryan gained insight into how the scam might unfold. The scammerâs goal was likely to send a fake cashierâs check, and once it was deposited, the scammer would have asked for a refund via an irreversible method, such as Zelle or gift cards. The fake check would later be flagged, leaving Ryan responsible for the funds that were never truly his.
While Ryanâs story ended without financial loss, itâs clear that scams like these are growing more sophisticated. Freelancers, especially those in small, client-based businesses like therapy, coaching, tutoring, and photography, need to be aware of the signs of a scam to avoid falling victim.
What Undercode Says:
This scam targeting therapists is just one example of a larger issue in the freelance and small business world. Scammers often prey on the vulnerability of independent professionals who rely on client inquiries to keep their businesses afloat. The tactics used in this scam were well thought-out: an initial, seemingly genuine inquiry, followed by an attempt to pressure the professional into accepting an unusual payment method.
One of the most notable elements of this scam is the insistence on paying upfront for multiple sessions, something that would rarely occur with legitimate clients. Professionals in any industry should be wary of clients who push for payment in bulk, particularly when they are offering cashier’s checks or money orders, which can easily be faked.
The use of fake checks or overpayments is a common strategy in scams targeting freelancers. Once a scammer convinces the professional to deposit the check, theyâll often request a refund for “overpayment” or send the funds to someone else (a supposed assistant or vendor). These are all red flags.
Another important takeaway from this situation is the role of professional integrity in protecting oneself from scams. Ryanâs refusal to accept upfront payment and his clear communication about payment terms played a crucial role in avoiding a financial loss. Small business owners and freelancers should always adhere to their standard payment protocols and never make exceptions for seemingly urgent or overly pushy clients.
Beyond the immediate dangers of the scam, thereâs also a broader issue of how these kinds of frauds reflect the growing sophistication of scammers. As businesses and clients move online, scammers have adapted their strategies to exploit new weaknesses. For therapists, freelancers, and small business owners, itâs not just about protecting financial assetsâitâs about safeguarding professional reputation and personal security as well.
Fact Checker Results:
- Ryanâs experience highlights a common scam tactic: a seemingly legitimate client offering upfront payment through cashierâs checks or money orders.
- The red flagsâincorrect contact info, strange payment requests, and inconsistent detailsâare common in this type of fraud.
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References:
Reported By: www.bitdefender.com
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