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:
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.
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


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 »

Author Topic: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others  (Read 1183560 times)

Offline churnbabychurn

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #20 on: January 01, 2014, 10:49:14 PM »
the business on this thread was about credit card lending fraud not about molestation, so, back to business...
IMO people should not give out their cards freely, however with proper research trust and small trial then it's ok.
Basically, if you would invest in their business then its ok to lend. If you dont trust the business aspect, you would need to know how the owner is going to pay you if it doesn't work.

A small trial is dangerous. He might be reeling you in...

Offline smee123

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #21 on: January 01, 2014, 10:50:18 PM »
Was wondering, are there really suckers willing to leave their financial future in the hands of a total stranger for $5000?!
unfortunately yes

Offline ushdadude

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #22 on: January 01, 2014, 11:01:26 PM »
unfortunately yes

but only to meet a threshold ::)

Offline Vosizderneias

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #23 on: January 01, 2014, 11:25:51 PM »
Theres some dude that gets a bunch of crown heights guys to email ppl to buy iphones right when they come out. I tried convincing my buddy outta of it, but he laid out $50,000 in cc.
He surprisingly got paid back

Offline Myccrabbi

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #24 on: January 01, 2014, 11:28:34 PM »
Theres some dude that gets a bunch of crown heights guys to email ppl to buy iphones right when they come out. I tried convincing my buddy outta of it, but he laid out $50,000 in cc.
He surprisingly got paid back
hmmm, sounds familiar...
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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #25 on: January 01, 2014, 11:32:53 PM »
Very good advice. This is important.

Offline txtmax4

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #26 on: January 02, 2014, 12:02:20 AM »
the business on this thread was about credit card lending fraud not about molestation, so, back to business..
Exactly. I only brought up molestation to make a point about shaisters, not to joke around.
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Offline Vosizderneias

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #27 on: January 02, 2014, 12:24:25 AM »

Offline Myccrabbi

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #28 on: January 02, 2014, 12:31:12 AM »
?
was offered recently and needed crazy spending done, but didn't do it.
I think it might involve a ddf member.
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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #29 on: January 02, 2014, 01:34:36 AM »
@Chaikel this should go on DD FB as well.

I wish we had a list of scammers compiled, similar to lists of molesters.
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Offline rots5

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #30 on: January 02, 2014, 03:32:50 AM »
so sad to hear these stores. I recently told a friend who is new at the cc game that he should never swipe for people he doesnt know, in the end 100k UR is worthless if ur 100k in debt.

If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #31 on: January 02, 2014, 03:40:33 AM »
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
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Offline Drago

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #32 on: January 02, 2014, 04:31:15 AM »
I firmly believe there should be such a site put up for the wide community, the public should be warned to stay away from those individuals and these people should be put to shame for their actions.

+100

But it'll be really difficult to moderate w/o smearing people's names.

Offline Chaikel

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #33 on: January 02, 2014, 06:54:19 AM »
Theres some dude that gets a bunch of crown heights guys to email ppl to buy iphones right when they come out. I tried convincing my buddy outta of it, but he laid out $50,000 in cc.
He surprisingly got paid back
There are many honest people doing it. Not everyone is getting scammed. The point is be very careful. Realize that letting someone swipe on your card is no different than pulling out that money from your bank and lending it to him, or borrowing it from your parents/friends to give to him. Would you give $100k cash to a random person you meet for a promised return of $1000-2000?

But even if dealing with a 100% reputable, honest, trustworthy person, be clear on the risks and how will you get paid back. What happens if the merchandise gets lost/damaged/stolen. Will he pay you? How? "Don't worry about it" and "He has tons of money in the bank" aren't valid answers. Lehman Brothers had more money in their bank than the combined amounts of every person I've ever known. Things happen. Don't risk your financial future for a few 100k of points
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Offline Reb Jo

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #34 on: January 02, 2014, 07:38:13 AM »
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
+1000 and thanks for posting, I am sure it will help some people reconsider for the future!
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Offline SearchGuy

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #35 on: January 02, 2014, 08:44:35 AM »
My very close relative is in huge debt from a scam, luckily he has a close friend who paid his 6 digit Amex bill just he shouldn't pay the 20%+ interest, but not everyone has this

Yes! It was a close friend... be careful don't lend money without a Mashkon (Halacha)

Offline how

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #36 on: January 02, 2014, 09:13:49 AM »
I have done this for friends often but never big amounts and I always ask for cash on the spot

Offline Drago

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #37 on: January 02, 2014, 09:20:32 AM »
My very close relative is in huge debt from a scam, luckily he has a close friend who paid his 6 digit Amex bill just he shouldn't pay the 20%+ interest, but not everyone has this

Yes! It was a close friend... be careful don't lend money without a Mashkon (Halacha)
Can you share details (nothing personal obviously).
It helps when ppl see how they can easily slide into this.

Offline Dave321

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #38 on: January 02, 2014, 09:43:52 AM »
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?

Whats up with that?!

Someone showed me an ad in a lkwd paper saying that they can make your shul between 50-100k. Do they think that every guy in the shul:
a. has no cc
b. would just give over their social #?

Do people realize all the massive issue this makes?

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Re: PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others
« Reply #39 on: January 02, 2014, 09:48:04 AM »
Thanks! The OP is pointing out how a common pitfall can be encountered by DDFers or anyone motivated to meet a spending threshold or getting extra points.

The same caution should be heeded when signing arvus on a chov. (guarantor on loan, ponyatno?) or stam lending someone cash or credit. The general principle is do not take on a risk that you can not afford, for example if you cosign a loan for $500, first think if you will be stuck with the debt if you can handle it.

There are mekoros for avoiding cosigning in general, as mention that not just the money but also the relationship can be ruined.
siyag lachachma :-)