PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others

Topic Wiki

https://www.dansdeals.com/more/dans-commentary/dark-side-earning-credit-card-points-psa-dont-swipe-others/

https://www.mixcloud.com/zev-brenner/talkline-with-zev-brenner-on-credit-card-scams-affecting-the-orthodox-jewish-community/

http://podcast.headlinesbook.com/e/31616-credit-card-miles-and-points-swiping-for-rewards-buying-and-selling-miles-is-it-assur-and-a-chillul-hashem-or-a-great-way-for-a-side-parnassah/

BEFORE SWIPING FOR SOMEONE READ THIS: (first hand story)

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=36812.msg2062371#msg2062371
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/dans-commentary/dark-side-earning-credit-card-points-psa-dont-swipe-others/#comment-1399884

Dan's warning to DDF:

Quote from: Dan on February 10, 2019, 10:47:31 PM

I hope people realize that any buying group or anyone else that gets merchandise in advance of payment can go south at any time. That's even if you get a check at the time of delivery.

Quote from: Dan on February 10, 2019, 10:51:55 PM

X-posting as I don't want anyone to say that I never put a warning here.

A story that ended up in court - https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/DocumentList?docketId=iRcRHuyZUdOIx69D00a5XQ==&display=all&courtType=Kings%20County%20Supreme%20Court&resultsPageNum=1

Quote from: halperng on July 24, 2023, 06:00:12 PM

I am one of the biggest buyers for buying groups, I have done millions in transactions and have sent to every group there is over the past 3 years. Most buying groups are okay, some scan in slower than others, some pay slower than others - most will lose a few packages over the year. You can research and find which are better for you.

However there is a bigger problem now with Amazon itself. Amazon in the past has been great with any problems always ready with a refund for lost packages even if it was thousands of dollars. Lately Amazon has clamped down and has tagged these buying groups addresses in their systems as "freight forwarder" and now no longer will fix any problem you have whatsoever. Doesn't matter what the problem is, even if it shows the package was never delivered, amazon will not help you in any way. Their copy and paste response will always be "this item was sent to a freight forwarder and we're unable to replace or refund the item. We recommend contacting your freight forwarder for more details, as we don't have any more insight or information regarding this matter, For more information about sending items via freight forwarders, please visit our Help Pages: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201117950." As well the amazon drivers either must know this or have been increasingly bad at delivering packages because the numbers of packages missing has gone up astronomically. Previously you would have very few packages missing, now the past 3 months I have had 59 "lost" packages. I now have over $15,000 of loses and some guy in Delaware is probably living the life with all the stuff he stole from me. I will survive, I have made a lot more than $15,000 over the years however just a warning to others here that things are not as they used to be and it really is no longer worth doing buring groups with all the loses piling up

« Last edited by Yo ssi on July 24, 2023, 06:47:26 PM »

Chaikel:
Over the past few months many stories have come to my attention of people swiping for companies or people, and getting scammed to the tune of $100k+ each.

I'm not saying you can't offer to put something on your credit card for someone, but be smart. Even the most honest trustworthy people can hit a rough patch and be unable to pay back.

The specific stories I've been told were of out right scammers. Some had a great reputation, and were part of a community.

Bottom line - At the very least, consider swiping for someone an investment with risk. Don't put down more money than you can afford to lose. Even million dollar companies go under. Ask yourself, are you really willing to risk $20-50k and up for a few points?

If you believe you can trust someone, you should still have a hard limit in the range you can afford to lose, and don't go over it. The guy has truckloads of cash? Then let him prepay you, or put the money in escrow.

This is a very serious matter. Lives have been ruined. You've been warned.

Please don't PM for details. They won't be answered

ushdadude:
So you mean i should ignore the sign in shul advertising a company that will apply for an AMEX plat on behalf of the shul and do all spending?

churnbabychurn:
Its very simple, when you swipe for a business you are lending money to a business, not an individual. There is a darn good reason why that business needs your credit card for cash flow...

Super Speed:

--- Quote from: ushdadude on January 01, 2014, 08:48:20 PM ---So you mean i should ignore the sign in shul advertising a company that will apply for an AMEX plat on behalf of the shul and do all spending?

--- End quote ---
You should ignore it for other reasons! :D

Myccrabbi:

--- Quote from: Chaikel on January 01, 2014, 08:45:19 PM ---Over the past few months many stories have come to my attention of people swiping for companies or people, and getting scammed to the tune of $100k+ each.

I'm not saying you can't offer to put something on your credit card for someone, but be smart. Even the most honest trustworthy people can hit a rough patch and be unable to pay back.

The specific stories I've been told were of out right scammers. Some had a great reputation, and were part of a community.

Bottom line - At the very least, consider swiping for someone an investment with risk. Don't put down more money than you can afford to lose. Even million dollar companies go under. Ask yourself, are you really willing to risk $20-50k and up for a few points?

If you believe you can trust someone, you should still have a hard limit in the range you can afford to lose, and don't go over it. The guy has truckloads of cash? Then let him prepay you, or put the money in escrow.

This is a very serious matter. Lives have been ruined. You've been warned.

Please don't PM for details. They won't be answered

--- End quote ---
very upsetting to hear:(
But so true!
I have a friend who got scammed by a friend of his into funding a summer camp with his card, after summer keeps telling him another day, another day.....
Don't think he ever saw the money yet,and he claims it was a "good" friend.