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Old 09-18-2009, 03:07 PM
 
212 posts, read 1,076,262 times
Reputation: 78

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FYI - our neighboorhood was canvassed by these conartists posing as starving "Israeli" art students peddling their oil paintings in Round Rock last night.

Turns out its a global scam
Beware of “Israeli” door-to-door art scams! — Design Federation — Australian Design News
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Old 09-18-2009, 03:18 PM
 
93 posts, read 470,332 times
Reputation: 41
Yep, don't answer the door. Call RRPD....suspicious person.
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Old 01-20-2010, 01:22 PM
 
1 posts, read 6,196 times
Reputation: 11
Ugh! We got scammed last night in NE Austin. Stopped payment on the check and filed police report. She called today upset about the check and will be coming by to give me our cash and take the paintings back. If she actually shows I will be calling 911.
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Old 01-20-2010, 01:24 PM
 
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
994 posts, read 1,681,364 times
Reputation: 1208
Here in NYC we don't open door for anyone, unless an appointment is made. I know it seems a bit antisocial but it sure does protect one from such scams. Perhaps you guys can use the same method?
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Old 01-20-2010, 02:20 PM
 
Location: G-Town
428 posts, read 1,064,584 times
Reputation: 162
There have been numerous scams like this going on in Phoenix for the last several years. The worst of which is a teen girl who comes knocking on the door late at night, acting distraught and claiming her car broke down. She asks to use the phone to call her dad, and when the victim complies, multiple male gang-bangers rush the house and rob the homeowners.

It's just sad that people could take advantage of someone by tricking them into doing what they believe is the right thing to do.
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Old 01-20-2010, 02:34 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
680 posts, read 1,383,294 times
Reputation: 508
It's a useful policy to never respond to solicitation of any kind. Whenever someone calls or knocks on the door wanting us to give money, buy something, or support some cause, we are encouraging more people to be solicitors.

The law of supply and demand is handy to remember in all situations. I could get really controversial about this and state that panhandlers are in plentiful supply because there is so much demand for them. Think about it --- when you give money to a panhandler, you're making a purchase. You're paying them to continue panhandling. The benefit you get for your purchase is to feel better about yourself. I'm not arguing for or against, as I've given to panhandlers when the mood strikes, thereby contributing to the aggregate demand for panhandlers.
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Old 01-20-2010, 04:35 PM
 
Location: 78731
629 posts, read 1,652,668 times
Reputation: 347
Quote:
Originally Posted by tongpa-nyi View Post
It's a useful policy to never respond to solicitation of any kind.
Best rule EVER.

And then when I start feeling bad about declining all the panhandlers, I go give to a REAL charity that actually helps people truly in need.

I bothers me to no end how gullible people are.
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Old 01-20-2010, 05:36 PM
 
947 posts, read 3,138,438 times
Reputation: 736
When we first moved to RR three + years ago they were all over our neighborhood in Sonoma. I long since stopped opening my doors for anyone I don't know.

Also in RR you need a permit to solicit door to door so it's just easier to get a description and call the cops.
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Old 01-20-2010, 05:41 PM
 
575 posts, read 2,495,459 times
Reputation: 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlama View Post
Ugh! We got scammed last night in NE Austin. Stopped payment on the check and filed police report. She called today upset about the check and will be coming by to give me our cash and take the paintings back. If she actually shows I will be calling 911.
Make sure you Google how easy it is to print out checks when you know someone's account number. An ink printer and "check bond" type of paper. Keep an eye on your account balance.

An example of a warning from Fort Collins

Probably not what you want to read, but better to be forewarned. Sorry.
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Old 01-20-2010, 07:36 PM
 
7,742 posts, read 15,119,253 times
Reputation: 4295
Quote:
Originally Posted by GANKS View Post
FYI - our neighboorhood was canvassed by these conartists posing as starving "Israeli" art students peddling their oil paintings in Round Rock last night.

Turns out its a global scam
Beware of “Israeli” door-to-door art scams! — Design Federation — Australian Design News
Is it really a scam though? Someone painted it and it is an oil painting. Even if it is $100 that is a pretty good price for oil or even acrylic on canvas. We go to hong kong all the time and bought a few paintings for maybe $10. Im sure that they could be had for $3. But if you buy them in the US how much would it cost you to actually go to china to buy them? Is $100 that unreasonable?
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