05/02/2024
**SCAM ALERT**
Here's a scammer using the name Christopher Harrington.
He sends a check to nonprofits, then says, "Oops, we sent too much, please send the difference back," before the check clears. The check does not clear. It is a scam. Thanks to Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue for sharing this. We googled the guy's text in his letter, and their experience popped up.
Hello,
I hope this email finds you well. My wife and I are interested in making a donation to your organization this year. Could you please guide us through the process of donating or direct us to someone who can assist us with it? We are looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
Chris Harrington.
Hello Adoption Team,
I appreciate your email. My wife, Leslie, and I have a tradition of contributing to the community each year as a gesture of goodwill. We prioritize directing our donations to organizations with strong reputations, and we've learned that yours is highly regarded. We're delighted to pledge a donation of $2000 to support this commendable initiative.
Given our adherence to a predetermined budget, I'll be instructing my financial associate to issue and send you a check for the specified amount. We are very old school and prefer to make payments through paper checks for all our obligations. Could you kindly furnish me with the necessary details for mailing the check? Specifically, I'll need the name that should appear on the check and the corresponding mailing address.
We hope that our contribution will provide you with added resources to pursue your objectives, and we extend our best wishes for the ongoing success of your projects. Looking forward to reading from you soon and could you please provide me with the name of the individual I am communicating with?
Best regards,
Chris Harrington.
Hello,
Thank you for the gift; we appreciate it. Both myself and Leslie wear size XL (46). You can mail it to Leslie at the following address:
Leslie Harrington
14602 Fonmeadow Drive, Apt 346
Houston, TX 77035
I have shared the information with my secretary and I'll ensure you receive the tracking number once the check is sent. Do you have a phone number we can use to call or text (preferably) for any follow-ups concerning our donation? I still don't have the name of the person I'm communicating with.
Regards,
Chris Harrington.
The address is FAKE.
This is long but Please read.. if you have a NON-PROFIT.. Watch out! Scammers are out there!!!!
HEADS UP, PSA, BEWARE SCAM
Mastiff Rescue of Florida was contacted through our website Feb 16,2024---
Hello,
I hope this email finds you well. My wife and I are interested in making a donation to your organization this year. Could you please guide us through the process of donating or direct us to someone who can assist us with it? We are looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
Chris Harrington.
MRF wrote back and told him how and that we appreciated it.
___________________________________________________
Feb 24,2024
I appreciate your email. My wife, Leslie, and I have a tradition of contributing to the community each year as a gesture of goodwill. We prioritize directing our donations to organizations with strong reputations, and we've learned that yours is highly regarded. We're delighted to pledge a donation of $2000 to support this commendable initiative.
Given our adherence to a predetermined budget, I'll be instructing my financial associate to issue and send you a check for the specified amount. We are very old school and prefer to make payments through paper checks for all our obligations. Could you kindly furnish me with the necessary details for mailing the check? Specifically, I'll need the name that should appear on the check and the corresponding mailing address.
We hope that our contribution will provide you with added resources to pursue your objectives, and we extend our best wishes for the ongoing success of your projects. Looking forward to reading from you soon and could you please provide me with the name of the person I am communicating with?
Best regards,
Chris Harrington.
___________________________________________________________
Feb 26,2024
I have shared the information with my secretary and I'll ensure you receive the tracking number once the check is sent. Do you have a phone number we can use to call or text (preferably) for any follow-ups concerning our donation?
Regards,
Chris Harrington.
March12,2024
Thanks for your email. Please keep me updated once the check has been received and deposited. You can also utilize mobile deposit for your convenience. I look forward to reading from you with the deposit receipt.
Regards,
Chris Harrington.
_____________________________________________________________
March12,2024
Hello Chris,
MRF has an enormous amount of appreciation for your donation of $3,780.00. What a wonderful surprise! I have no idea if you are on Facebook and able to see Our page. https://www.facebook.com/mastiffrescueofflorida.
We have recently brought in 13 English Mastiffs in the past 8 weeks. It was a miracle we found the best foster homes and most will probably adopt. Some of the dogs were starved..all have wonderful personalities and are getting veterinary care, good food and love and a stable environment.. Your donation came at a wonderful time.
What is your mailing address, we send out thank you cards and tax receipts.
______________________________________________
March12,2024
My trip is scheduled for 5pm tomorrow, and I would appreciate receiving the receipt before my departure. I'll look forward to your email.
Regards,
Chris Harrington.
____________________________________________________
March14,2024
My apologies for the delayed response, my schedule is quite packed today, just getting on my computer and reading your email. Thanks for sending the receipt but I'm a bit perplexed as the amount stated differs slightly from what we intended to donate. Upon consulting with my secretary and reviewing her records, we discovered that a donation of $3,780 was mistakenly processed instead of the originally requested $2,000. The excess funds in question were originally intended for an outgoing bill. Due to a combination of record processing being overloaded and carried over from last month, the funds were inadvertently included in the check you received. I was wondering why this discrepancy wasn't brought to my attention when you received the check.
I believe there might have been a miscommunication but I want to assure you that it's not a major issue. I've also discussed the matter with Leslie, and we've come to a decision to request a refund of the overpayment, which amounts to $1,780, as it exceeds our budgetary constraints. Leslie was a little upset about the error, but I assured her that I trust your organization and sincerely hope you won't perceive this error as an opportunity to withhold our funds, considering our genuine intention to support your organization through the donation.
To expedite the process, would it be possible for my secretary to contact you directly? This way, both of you can collaborate and ensure the issue is promptly addressed. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to resolving this matter amicably.
Regards,
Chris Harrington.
March14,2024
Hello Chris
MRF will of course return the funds once the check has cleared.
March 14,2024
Mr Harrington,
To think that you would scam rescues that do so much good.
I have just been sent Rickies Parrot and Exotic Rescue and Sanctuary of South Florida and your donation and discrepancy being the same.
We have heard nothing back!
_________________________________________________________
We then started researching on the internet and came up with another rescue that had the same correspondence Rickie's Parrot Rescue ..https://www.facebook.com/rickiesparrotrescue --MRF contacted them.. The check was written on Central Maine Motor,Inc so we contacted them as well and we were told a scam and that Harrington had contacted 12 NON-PROFITS. We contacted the fraud dept of our bank and gave them all the info. The next morning we went to the Martin County Sheriff and gave them all the information Case number 24-037096
Heads up on this scam. This scammer tried to get us to send him $1760.00 back before the check cleared (bounced)