I Fell For A Scam

I got this email this morning:

hiringzipfizz@gmail.com>
7:01 AM (5 hours ago)

to bcc: me
Hello,

How would you like to make money by simply driving your car ? ZipFizz Energy Drink

Company is asking all Cars,Bikes and Truck owners with a driver’s license, who are

above 18 years of age to advertise with there cars,trucks or available open space to advertise our product( that is if you don’t have car/truck). Its a good pay of $300

weekly for allowing ZipFizz Energy Drink wrap your car, if interested kindly respond for

more details.

Very Respectfully,
Nemetis Hayward
Hiring Manager
ZipFizz Energy Drink®

I replied that I was interested. They then asked me:

Thanks for your response. It is very easy and simple, no application fees required, Here’s

the basic premise of the “paid to drive” concept: ZipFizz Energy Drink® seeks people,

regular citizens, professional drivers to go about their normal routine as they usually

do, only with a big advert for “ZipFizz Energy Drink®” plastered on your car. The ads are

typically vinyl decals, also known as “auto wraps,”that almost seem to be painted on the

vehicle, and which will cover any portion of your car’s exterior surface.

Don’t Have a Car?
If you don’t have a car, you can also participate if you have a bike.

What does the company get out of this type of ad strategy?
Lots of exposure and awareness. The auto wraps tend to be colourful eye-catching and

attract lots of attention. Plus, it’s a form of advertising with a captive

audience,meaning people who are stuck in traffic can’t avoid seeing the wrapped car

alongside them. This program will last for 3 months and the minimum you can participate is

a month.

What is the Contract Duration?
Once the wrap has been installed, minimum term is 2 weeks and maximum is 12 weeks.

Would the wrap/decal damage the paint of my car?
The decal doesn’t damage the paint of car and will be removed by our representative once

the contract expires or at anytime you want to unsubscribe. We will be responsible for installation and removal of the wrap.

Does it cover the whole car?
No, the decal is only installed in the car trunk and doors.

You will be compensated with $300.00 per week which is essentially a “rental”payment for

letting our company use the space and no fee is required from you. ZipFizz Energy Drink® shall provide experts that would handle the advert placing on your car. You will receive an upfront payment of $300.00 in form of check via courier service for accepting to carry this advert on your car.

It is very easy and simple no application fees required. Get back with the following

details if you are interested in this offer.

Full Name:
Age:
Occupation:
Make of car/year:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip code:
Do you have a driver’s license?
Phone Number(s) mobile and home :

We shall be contacting you as soon as we receive this information.

Best Regards,

I sent in that info like a chump and then Googled the matter and found this.

A few minutes after I replied with my phone number, I saw there was a voicemail message for me on my Blackberry Z10. I hit the voicemail button and got a message that my phone function no longer worked. I upgraded its software last night. The upgrade failed multiple times but seemed to take at the end. After an hour with customer service, we’ve wiped my phone and it has yet to boot up two hours later.

POSTSCRIPT. I got the phone fixed a day later.

Next email:

Hello Luke,

This is to inform you that adequate arrangements have been made for your car to be wrapped. Payment($2500.00) to cover the cost of wrap has been processed and approved. You would receive the payment anytime next week so i urge you to keep “peeled” eyes on your mail.

Kindly proceed and deposit the check into your bank account upon receipt,funds will be available for withdrawal 24hrs after it has been deposited. I will be waiting for a confirmation message immediately the check is deposited. Send me a scan or snap copy of the deposit slip issued to you at the bank via email, after you have deposited the check for record purposes. You are to black out your account number on the deposit slip before it’s sent over to us. Payment for subsequent weeks will be sent out and will be delivered subsequently.

The decal company have graphic artists nationwide who also have garages where the wrap can be done but you can choose to have it done at your residence as it is not totally mandatory to take it to the garage within your proximity.. A graphic artist will be assigned in your State to get the wrap done. The remaining funds should be paid to the decal company, so on receiving it, they would send down the wrap installer/brander along with the wrap to get the wrap done.

As soon as the cash is out you are to deduct $300.00 which is your upfront payment and forward the balance to the graphic artist head office that will be wrapping the decal on your vehicle via Money Gram Transfer and they will be responsible for removing the decal when the program is completed. Please visit www.moneygram.com to check agent location close to you and make transfer through them. Transfer charges/cost about $150.00 or there about should be deducted from balance after you must have taken your $300.00 weekly.

Below is the Graphic Artist Money Gram Transfer Details to send the Money to:

Graphic Artist Head Office Rep. Receiver’s Information:

NAME – Michael David
ADDRESS- 21 RUE DE MACADET
CITY-PARIS
ZIP CODE-75011
COUNTRY- FRANCE

Kindly get back with the information below once the transfer has been completed.

Ref Number & Total Amount Sent

FAQ:
-Why am I sending money to France?

The head office of the graphic artist is in France. In addition, the decal wraps are produced and manufactured in France. As soon as payment is acknowledged by them, a local person (graphic artist) in your zip code will come to your house and install the decal wrap on your car. He will come along with the contract and all other document including preview pictures on how your vehicle will look when installed.

-How do I receive subsequent payment?
Payments will be mailed to you address weekly once the wrap is installed on your vehicle.

Let me know as soon as the check is deposited.

If you require additional information, do not hesitate to email. A simple response to my e-mail is greatly appreciated so that I’ll know it was received and to confirm you understood all instructions.

Best regards,

Nemetis Hayward
Hiring Manager
(678) 827-6649
ZipFizz Energy Drink®