UK Designer Scam

Transitional Designs, LLC

7 years ago

Ruth Smith is who she says she is. Any other designers been contacted by her to set up their newly purchased home?

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PRO

JAN MOYER

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

it's so simple. God made made wire phones for a reason. You either talk, or it goes to voicemail. Your mobile is a number for EXISTING clients, not potential clients, unless a referral from an existing client. Remove any mobile number from Houzz.

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Comments (50)

PRO
JAN MOYER
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Put your question on the PRO page. With a bit more detail as well please.
PRO
Transitional Designs, LLC
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Jan ~ Thought I did post on Pro page? I will copy and paste her email. So awful that these 'people' are sneaking their way into our industry.
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PRO
Transitional Designs, LLC
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi again... over the long holiday weekend I received two more texts

1st on Nov 26th from Mrs. Christian ~ (503) 379-5231 - email: howardchristian804@gmail.com Re: installation and staging items just purchased.

2nd on Nov 28th from Mrs. Megan in Florida ~ (772) 979-7643~ email: megansefton175@gmail.com. Re: same as above.

I've reported these to houzz legal & to internet fraud hope all you who are getting these are doing so as well so we can get these scammers.
PRO
CSS PRODUCTIONS INC
5 years ago
Yes, for the past 2 weeks- Claiming to be hearing impaired.
PRO
CSS PRODUCTIONS INC
5 years ago
Luciehoward1089@gmail- Beware !! It seemed a little fishy.
PRO
Imago Creative Living
4 years ago
jonazach8@gmail.com, staging and wants to be emailed....
PRO
Transitional Designs, LLC
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you Imago ~ We all need to report this destructive activity.
PRO
ALC Interiors
4 years ago
I just received a text from Joana Zach (503-395-4764) asking me to email her at jonazach8@gmail.com . Says she is moving from London England to the USA and is looking for decorating help at her new house and wants to pay by certified cheque
PRO
Transitional Designs, LLC
Original Author
4 years ago
thanks for sharing don't forget to report to houzz as well. Need to stop these people
PRO
Terri Symington, ASID
4 years ago
I received a text from this same number a couple of days ago under the name of Shay Gonsales at gonsa54544@gmail.com .... I always ignore these obvious scammers ...
PRO
R O C H A Design Studio
4 years ago
I received a similar text... From Mrs Joana asking me to email her at jonazach8@gmail.com from phone number 928-379-2387
PRO
Stage Coach Services LLC dba "The Stage Coach"
4 years ago
I received a similar text today with read receipt requested from jonazach8@gmail.com using phone number 928-379-2387, and I'm in Pennsylvania. She's hitting all geographic locations. This is the fourth similar scam attempt under a different name and number in a year.
PRO
Eral Interiors
4 years ago
I also received a text from the same number 928.379.2387. Text read, "Hi, I'm Mrs Gonsales , I got your contact on Houzz. Pls, email me at: gonsa54544@gmail.com, we need a interior decorator for installation/styling. Thank you."
PRO
User
4 years ago
Received similar text from the same number 928 379 2387 .
PRO
East & Ivy Design Co., LLC
4 years ago
We received a text from same phone number (928)379-2387 saying:

"Hi, I'm Jody McClaren, I got your contact on Houzz. Pls, email me at: mccjdy112@gmail.com, we need an Interior Decor for our home project. Thank you."
PRO
Createahome
4 years ago
I was contacted by Mrs Thompson via text just now. Phone number (928) 379-2387
PRO
Girl Meets Lake
4 years ago
I was contacted via text by Mrs Thompson today phone 928 379 2387 and a Mrs Gonsales 302 212 0430 on September 28th. Exact same message text message from both wanting staging.
PRO
Sevin Design Co.
4 years ago
Hello! I too received a text message on 10/16/19 at 3:16pm EST form same phone number: 928-379-2387 that said "Hi, I'm Mrs Thompson, I got your contact on Houzz. Pls, email me at: tkirk.tech@gmail.com, we need an Interior Decor/Staging for our home project. Thank you." I'm reporting it to Houzz as well. It seems very odd since I don't believe I have my number posted on my Houzz profile. Stay safe and aware out there!
PRO
House of you Interior Design
4 years ago
I too received a text from "Mrs. Thompson". Thought she seemed a little fishy.
PRO
Art by Design Interiors
4 years ago
I got one as well from Mrs. Thompson. It started with a text about helping in her new home. I emailed her and got a reply back from Kirk Thimpson that he wanted my phone and address to set up a "meet" next week when they got into town. 928-379-2387 beware!
jtummi1
4 years ago

Evidently "Mrs Joana" @ jonazach8@gmail.com gets around!
PRO
Nancy Bowden Stewart Design
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Same exact text, from Mrs. Joana at 928-379-2387! she's targeting the New Orleans area!
PRO
NV Interiors
4 years ago
Yikes, I thought this was a little off too! The same number contacted me first via text 928-379-2387, Mrs. Thompson, tkirk.tech@gmail.com.
PRO
Koos Design
4 years ago

First message..
PRO
Koos Design
4 years ago

First Email.... with attached photos of her and her “family” and another photo of her son. After a response from me, she then sent photos of furniture and accessories that she already sourced and has planned to be delivered. It already seemed odd but what stopped me and made me research her contact was the fact she has a Frozen toddler bed sources for her “son“ who was clearly a very small baby boy.
PRO
NV Interiors
4 years ago
Same here all the details were just a bit off. What do you suppose this scam is all about? Based on our email exchange they can’t meet in person and want to pay with a certified check. Obviously the project is not real but what are they looking for??? Just wasting our time? So lame.
elunia
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
For what it’s worth, you can report these types of things to the FTC. FTC Complaint Assistant

I used this website when we were receiving Robo calls in Mandarin Chinese on our landline (yes, still have one - my Mom & MIL would flip if we got rid of it). The calls were clearly targeting a certain demographic as we could hear English words such as Internal Revenue, Social Security and Immigration in the messages.
PRO
Blair C. Price Interiors
4 years ago
Just talked to her too. Who knows...
PRO
Blair C. Price Interiors
4 years ago
Joana zach
My House
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Certified Check Scam -How it works:.

You deposit the cert. check, which is over the amount required. They tell you to go ahead and cash the check and send them the difference. Since most ppl believe a certified check is legit, they operate thinking that it is as good as cash, but the check is fake -a good one. YOUR BANK will release funds to you upon receipt of the check rather than waiting for it to clear, but hold you responsible for the bounced deposit/ check should it occur. Criminal has money you gave them. Bank gets their money back from you, plus fees.
PRO
COLORS and TEXTURES , LLC
4 years ago
I was just contacted as well. Red flag is the verbiage. Texting to request an email follow up. Jody McClaren.
This is not the first time I have received similar texts/correspondence.
PRO
COLORS and TEXTURES , LLC
4 years ago
I was just contacted as well. I did respond, but couldn’t help but suspect that it was a phishing attempt. It is not the first time I have received one of these through Houzz.
PRO
An Orderly Abode
4 years ago
I can’t believe I was the only fool naive enough to fall for this!
I was also contacted by the infamous Joanna Zach ... she sent pictures, blah blah, etc.
So many red flags looking back on it...
1st : the photos of items they purchased were just painfully ugly.
2: she wouldn’t give me the address.
1. Her verbiage was a way off.
I’m embarrassed to admit it ... but I fell for it. They mailed me a check and explained that they had added on extra funds in order for me to pay the movers.
I really didn’t think much of it... until they clarified that I was to pay to movers via electronic transfer.
At this point I had already deposited the check, but made sure not to touch any of that green.
When she started getting pushy about me “depositing movers payment” I realized it was sketchy !

I went into bank to confirm . Money had temporarily deposited but the check was indeed fraudulent !!
Capital One gave me a break but if I would have actually spent any of that money or transferred it to the movers account (Joanna) they would have dropped my account, I would have had to come out of pocket to repay, and it would have put a significant hit on my credit.

Moral of the story. She almost screwed me MAJOR !
Lesson learned.

Because I took it so far.... she gave me the account name and account number that was to receive funds. I would assume that’s his/her account, right ??
Could that info be used to track her down ?
I found “Joanna Zack” on facebook in London. But there’s no telling if that’s actually her.
Rachie Cat
4 years ago
Following
PRO
Blair House
4 years ago
Yes, but it felt scammy, so I ignored it.
PRO
Stage A Property
4 years ago
received a text too! here Is the text sent below:

Hi, I'm Jody McClaren, I got your contact on Houzz. Pls, email me at: mccjdy112@gmail.com, we need an Interior Decor/Stager for our home project. Thank you.
PRO
JAN MOYER
4 years ago
Really, really. anyone who has a mobile number on this site is clear out of their mind. : )
PRO
DS & O Studio
4 years ago
I just received it to from:

Hi, I'm Mr Gonsales, I got your contact on Houzz. Pls, email me at: gonsa54544@gmail.com, we need an inteerior decorator for installation/styling (home staging).Thank you

IGNORE THESE AND BLOCK THE NIMBER ON YOUR PHONE!
PRO
waterfolk studio
4 years ago
Same story here! I got a text from "Jody McClaren" and followed up with her via email. The verbiage, photos and the circumstances seemed so strange! I told her we'd bill her via PayPal and that I would need to set up a FaceTime or Zoom call before sending her a quote and contract. Obviously she didn't go for that and I haven't heard back since. So ridiculous! Glad I didn't get scammed, but completely wasted my time!
Sue Kurtz
4 years ago
Yep! Just got the text, and suspicious, I googled the email address they gave me ... jonazach8... and all I found confirmed my suspicions. Blocking 'her' now.
PRO
Eyeometry Design
4 years ago
Mrs. Zach is at it again!:

Hi, I'm Mrs Zach, I got your contact on Houzz. Pls, email me at: jonazach8@gmail.com,we need an Interior decorator for installation/styling (home staging).Thank you

(‪Text from (320) 894-5013‬)
HU-40317427
4 years ago
Yes - just cut her off this morning! Makes me want to delete my Houzz account
Mike Savoy
4 years ago
Got this this morning. I live on an island off the coast of Massachusetts.
PRO
Figar Handy Solutions LLC
4 years ago
Good morning I report Jody Mclaren, this person is sending mail, requesting information, I'm sorry I wasted my time, I do not understand how there are unscrupulous people who did this to this.
PRO
Sandy Newhart Designs
4 years ago
Hi everyone!

I also have been getting text messages. This has been about 4 in the past year. I live in Pennsylvania.

This one today is from Mrs. Zach. It says:

Hi, I'm Mrs Zach, I got your contact on Houzz. Pls, email me at: jonazach8@gmail.com,we need an Interior decorator for installation/styling (home staging).Thank you. The phone number was 1(620)482-0641. It is definitely a scam... BEWARE. DON'T E-MAIL OR RESPOND... BLOCK AND DELETE IMMEDIATELY... I am reporting it to Houzz as well.
PRO
Picture Perfect Design by Marnie
4 years ago
Same story here... I received a text today from "Mrs. Zach" at 620-482-0641 saying she wants help staging her new house. She asked for me to email her at jonazach8@gmail.com. SCAM FOR SURE!!!
PRO
Merits Design Group, Inc.
3 years ago
I’m a designer in the Atlanta area and received the exact same text request. When I emailed her (Mrs Mathew) and asked to set a time to discuss her project, and then I received the EXACT same email that others have posted above. Beware!
PRO
Sarafine, Inc. 212 661 7850
3 years ago
I got the same email - say ing they were from London. I told them I need the exact address to be staged. Never heard back. I came here to see if it was a scam. His email was Karpfthoma@gmail.com
PRO
Allison Fresco Interiors
8 months ago
Same thing happened to me. I did not fall for it. It seems that all the stories are the same.

On Aug 1, 2023, at 8:26 PM, Lizzy Ford maldrb36ft@gmail.com wrote:

Hello

I really appreciate your response and I'm glad to read from you. My name is Polly F., I'm married and I have a 6 months old daughter Naomi. I am a Graphic Artist, I work independently. I get hired by advertising agencies, printers, etc . My husband, Mathew Lawson is a Software Developer and System Engineer, we are moving back to the United States from Brisbane, Australia, because he just secured a contract and he's to resume First week in October 2023.
Our busy schedule doesn't give us the luxury of time to put things in place when we arrive, that is why we want you to apply your expertise and give us a good home look. We have ordered furniture and some home appliances, so all we need you to do is to make use of our supplies for the project to stage(furniture and electronics layout, artwork placement, kitchen ware placements etc) once the orders are delivered. I can send you images of the ordered items and house description along with the floor plan.