I was forwarded an email regarding a piano being given away and the buyer would just pay for the moving. I emailed the person giving the piano away and “she” sent me to a moving company who had the piano. Brisk moving company responded that the delivery fee would be $563 according to my address. They required delivery payment before they would set up the delivery. So I foolishly wired money to him from my bank. Then this morning he emailed and said “we’ve hit a snag, the company is requiring a one time refundable insurance fee of $1300. I said no I was not paying anymore money upfront. He told me “he did his part” and didn’t agree to refund my money. I called my bank and they were opening up an investigation into fraud and he has cut off any further correspondence, and so have I.

Dear Staff, One of our staff members at ****** ***** Schools, in the person of Mrs. ******* ********, is giving her late dad's piano to a loving home for free. She's currently relocating to a smaller apt she just acquired, and she is looking to give the piano out with NO cost to a loving home and to someone who'll make use of the piano. It's a 2014 Baby Grand-Piano, used like new. You can indicate your interest by messaging her before someone else shows interest in the piano. You can reach her via her personal EMAIL: *************@GMAIL.COM I have attached an image of the piano if you have interest in it. Regards, ***** **** Superintendent of Schools (and info) Hello, Thank you for your interest in using Brisk Mover Services, a privately owned carrier of household and office goods, for your pending relocation. I am excited to have you on board. My name is Anthony Abila and I’ll be your on-boarding assistant throughout your moving process for the 2014 Yamaha Baby Grand Piano (Reference: CNGV9337). Dimension of the 2014 Yamaha Baby Grand Piano as follows Length (161 cm), Width (149 cm), Height (101 cm), Weight (285 kg.) Kindly get back to me with your name, mailing address & cell phone number to calculate the moving cost to your house or your preferred delivery location. Thank you. Anthony Abila Many thanks for your prompt reply, your delivery address is duly noted. COST OF DELIVERY: Please find below the different prices we have for delivery depending on your choice: OPTION 1. GROUND SHIPPING: 3-4 Days Delivery Cost Of Delivery: $563 OPTION 2: EXPRESS SHIPPING: 1-2 Days Delivery Cost Of Delivery: $872 Due to the value, quality and size of the piano, we require payment before we can move the piano out and payment can be made via Bank Transfer. If you are serious and ready to take the piano, we can have it moved out today per Mrs. *******' instructions, provided payment is received today. Kindly pick a day or date you want us to deliver the piano and the installation of the piano is free. Thank you. ******* ***** Then they wanted $1302 extra for insurance.

They were giving away a piano that had belonged to a deceased family member and couldn’t take it with them. I was charged $120 per month for storage from December to April. In May, the storage fee increased to $220. A man named Fidel Sanchez was the contact person, and he would harass me if the payment was late. The cost of the move was $556. Red flags started going off, and my husband said, “Absolutely not.” That’s when we stopped paying them. I'm out $940.00, and I hope no one else has to go through this.

Our church was approached about a free piano by email by a "Charlotte Hughes [email protected]" who was recently widowed and hoping to find a new home for her husband's piano (which was already in storage). She sent us the contact info for Erin Leyen Express movers and Storage. Inc to have this shipped to us. I had given her my phone number, but she preferred email. Immediately after I had given her my number I started receiving even more spam calls than previously. I looked up the name of moving company and couldn't find anything except on this site with someone else noting the same story. We never paid any money for the piano luckily.

"Free" riding lawnmower listed in FB Marketplace. Messaged the person. Was told to email her sister "Sandra" @ [email protected] to get lawnmower. Contacted Sandra and was told emailed back with: Thanks for your interest. The lawnmower used to be owned by my husband who happened to had it August last year before his demise. Now, I am currently moving into a new place and I really do not have enough space to keep it and I do not want to sell it as it is a thing so dear to my late husband. So I decided to give it out to someone who is as passionate as my husband was about it….A lady who first showed interest in the lawnmower didn't show up at the point of delivery when the movers moving my properties tried to deliver the lawnmower to her, so I decided that the lawnmower is going to be with the movers. If you do not mind making arrangements with the movers, I can get in touch with them in order to have them reroute it. I believe this shouldn’t cost you too much fee since the distance can be recovered in a day or two.... Apologies for the inconvenience. Just so you know, I am not giving out a vestige or a waste, It's in a very good condition. Thanks Dr Sandra I asked where the lawnmower was being moved to as I'm willing to pick it up directly. Instead, was told to contact the movers. So, my senses were telling me this doesn't seem right. Went to the site provided and started searching the numbers and actually found another person's posting for a very similar experience but regarding a piano in the Dallas, TX area. This is very clearly a scam and I'm guessing the "moving" company is just a way to give superficial validity.

1) Received email from the head of the Sunday School department at my church about a widow giving away a free baby grand piano. 2) Communicated with the widow, Bianca Howard, via email: [email protected]. She directed us to the mail address of the moving company. Told us to use her name and a code. 3) Communicated with the moving company, Express Movers & Storage, via email at [email protected]. They requested the code provided by Ms. Howard. They also requested our mailing address, our phone number, etc. The name of the contact person there is Erin Leyen. 4) Once all the information was provided they requested payment via Zelle, PayPal, Cash App, Bank Cash Deposit/Wire Transfer.

Received message from a contact in my address book with whom I had not been in contact for a long time - offering to give away a baby grand piano because the individual's husband had passes away, and "she" was moving to France. Web address and e-mail were provided. Follow up e-mail message indicated a need to proceed within a few days because the storage contract was about to expire. When I contacted the purported shipping company (Metro Globalink Logistics and Freight) by e-mail the reply indicated a monthly storage fee of $570 and a range of shipping options from $1,800 to $3,200. The web-site is extensive, but numerous errors in spelling, syntax, and content raised red flags. Both the "home office" number and the local number on the web-site were answered with a simple robot voice message. The greeting did not indicate a business.

They filled out our contact form with the following message: Hello, How are you doing? I am looking to give away my late husband's Yamaha baby grand piano to a passionate instrument lover, so please let me know if you will take it or have someone who will care for it. Regards, Michelle Albert

Message: Hello, How are you doing? I am looking to give away my late husband's Yamaha baby grand piano to a passionate instrument lover, so please let me know if you will take it or have someone who will care for it. Regards, Michelle Albert

Initial email from: [email protected] "The Yamaha Baby Grand Piano GC1 model used to be owned and played by my husband who passed away last year, the dimension is "151cm by 146cm". It was last tuned sometime last year before he passed. She's about 2 years old and in impeccable condition. I'm moving my properties to another place and I don't think my husband will be happy if I sell this piano, at the same time, I am settling for a home with less space, so I'm hoping to give it out to someone who is a passionate lover of the instrument. I wasn't going to leave it alone in an empty house. The Piano is currently in storage with the movers I employed to move my properties from my house. The movers can deliver anywhere. However, the beneficiary has to pay moving costs. In the attachment are the pictures of the Piano, I look forward to your reply if you are interested, if not I can contact someone else. Regards, Susie. Our response: "Thank you. If you provide me with the mover’s contact information, I’ll make the necessary arrangements. " Their response: "You need to contact the movers and make an arrangement as regards the moving process. ([email protected]) just let them know that Mrs. Susie Brown referred you with the Reference Code: SEIL132ZA. Make sure you send an email for a faster response. Most importantly, provide your delivery address for a delivery quote. Once you are in touch with the movers kindly also let me know so that I can sign off the piano. Regards, Susie. Our response: I received an initial response from the moving company and sent them $620 to deliver the piano to our theatre. They acknowledged the receipt of that payment and just this morning they emailed asking for an additional $1,086.40 for 112 days of storage fees. Have you already been paying storage fees to them since your move? Your gift is an amazing kind gesture, but I’m not sure we can afford the additional cost of the storage. Please let me know your thoughts. Their response: "Hopefully all is well with you. Apologies for the delay in my response. The piano has been with the movers' for some time now, and it's been a bit costly currently. The moving company is trustworthy and reliable. They assisted me in moving my belongings after my husband's passing. Regarding the piano, I did mention that whoever takes it would need to cover the costs. I can contribute $300 towards it. Let me know if this arrangement works for you, and I'll transfer the funds to the movers. I typically communicate with the company via email or telegram channel. Thank you immensely for your help in finding a new home for the piano. It means a great deal to me knowing it will continue to bring joy to someone else. Regards, Susie. Our response: "Thanks for your generosity! Since we’re a non-profit organization, the moving/storage company has agreed to discount the storage fee by $600. If you contribute an additional $300, that will leave a balance that we can afford. If you can let them know your intension, that would be great. I’ll let them know as well. We can’t thank you enough for your generosity and we promise to give your late husband’s precious piano a good home. Their response: "After much consideration, the company has decided to contribute $600 towards your cause, recognizing your status as a non-profit organization. As a result, your organization is expected to cover the remaining balance of $486. Please let us know if you have any questions or need further assistance regarding the payment process. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Best regards, Anderson Nobilo Storage Department, EM&S Our response: "Anderson, That is so kind, thank you! I’ve been in touch with Mrs. Brown. She has agreed to contribute $300 towards the storage fees as well. I’ve cc’d her on this email. Here’s a portion of her response to me: “I can contribute $300 towards it. Let me know if this arrangement works for you, and I'll transfer the funds to the movers. I typically communicate with the company via email or telegram channel.” That would leave a balance of $186. If you agree to this, I will make the arrangements to send you the balance of $186. Once all is complete, I’ll send you a receipt for your $600 contribution to our theatre that you can use on your taxes. I’ll be doing the same for Mrs. Brown for her $300 contribution. Their response: "Wishing you a wonderful start to your week. We are following up regarding the delivery of your Yamaha Baby Grand Piano. Kindly respond at your earliest convenience so we may proceed with the necessary arrangements. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and remain committed to ensuring a smooth and comfortable delivery experience. Warm regards, Dr. Paul Blitzer Head Office E.M.&S. Express Movers and Storage Inc." No word from them about the delivery. Their next response: Hello, We have just confirmed that the package is being withheld because it was not insured. Insurance is just a 5% refundable fee of the cost of the item being shipped. Please find below the insurance breakdown for understanding PIANO COST $26,050 USD 5% REFUNDABLE INSURANCE COST $1,302 USD N:B Remember the insurance fee is refundable upon delivery. Regards Sincerely, Erin Leyen (Moving Department E.M.&.S) Our response: "Erin, WHAT?? Every time there seems to be more money you’re asking us to pay for a “donated” piano. We’re a non-profit organization without unlimited funds! Why are we just now hearing about this? If the “5% insurance refundable fee” is so easily refunded upon delivery, why doesn’t your company extend the funds? Their Response: "Thank you for your message and for voicing your concerns I completely understand your position, and I appreciate the opportunity to provide further clarity. The 5% insurance fee referenced is a refundable security deposit required by the logistics provider to ensure the piano is protected throughout the transportation process. This measure exists solely to cover potential risk during delivery and is not a fee retained by our organization. It is returned in full immediately upon confirmation of safe and complete delivery. I understand it may feel unexpected at this stage, and I apologize if this aspect was not communicated earlier in the process. Unfortunately, as the fee is held and administered through the delivery partner, we are not in a position to advance it on behalf of recipients even in the case of donated items. We are grateful for the work your organization does and are committed to supporting that mission however we can. Should you need documentation regarding the refund process or further assurance from the logistics provider, I’d be happy to arrange that. Thank you again for your understanding. Sincerely, Erin Leyen (Moving Department E.M.&.S Our response: "Susie, I’ve sent them the $1,302 that they required for “insurance”. They assured me it is entirely refundable if the piano arrives undamaged. It is scheduled to be shipped from San Diego, CA and should arrive on Monday, April 28th." Her response: "Hello, good day. I apologize for the delayed response. I saw your message about the insurance payment. Yes, The moving company is trustworthy and reliable. They assisted me in moving my belongings after my husband's passing. You can count on them. Takecare, Susie. Our response: "Hi Susie, I wanted to keep you posted on what is happening. The piano did NOT arrive on Monday as they indicated in the email below. After it did not arrive, I sent them an email on Monday, Tuesday and yesterday asking what is happening? I’ve had no response. Do you have a telephone contact number for them? I’m getting a little nervous." Her response: "Mmy sincere apologies for late reply to you. I will write to them to get feedback on the delay from their end. Take care, Susie." Our response: "Hi Susie, I appreciate your help! I know you assured me that the moving company was trustworthy and reliable. But truthfully, with no response from them since I sent the last $1,302, I’m getting a little nervous. We’ve sent them $2,408 including the delivery, storage and now insurance fees, with still no delivery of the piano. You were so kind to donate the piano. I just hope we see it delivered soon." LONG story short! WE DID NOT GET THE PIANO AND WE'RE OUT $2,408.

I was forwarded a email from someone who works at our nonprofit, that a lady named Bianca Howard was trying to "gift" her late husband's Yamaha Baby Grand. She directed me to talk to her moving company called Moving Department E.M.&.S. who provided more details, gave delivery options, and had me pay through Zelle, Cashapp, Paypal, or Wire. I thought that was odd. Messages: From Bianca: "Hi ____, Thank you for your prompt response. I wanted to provide a few more details about the Yamaha Baby Grand Piano (GC1 model) that belonged to my late husband. The piano measures 151cm by 146cm and was last tuned about eight months ago, shortly before his passing. It’s just about a year old and remains in impeccable condition. As I prepare to move into a smaller home, parting with this beautiful instrument is incredibly emotional. Selling it doesn’t feel right; it would be like letting go of a part of him. I’m hoping instead to find someone who shares his deep love for music and will cherish it as he did. The piano is currently in storage with a reputable moving company, and they can deliver it to the new owner at their expense. I’ve attached some photos for your reference. If you’re interested in giving this special instrument a new home, please feel free to reach out so we can discuss further. Thank you again. Warm regards, Bianca" From moving company: "As for the piano fitting through the door: most standard doors are typically wide enough for an upright piano, so in most cases, it’s not a problem. We have a professional piano moving team that will handle the entire process, so there’s no need to worry. Please find the payment details below. Kindly proceed with the PayPal Transfer of ($660.00) into our Broker's Zelle Address as stated below. Zelle info: [email protected] Name: Jeri Crawford Payment Reference: *********. Please ensure payment is made within 12 hours. If this deadline cannot be met, kindly verify with us before making the transaction. We also require you to send us a copy of your payment slip or screenshot as proof of your transaction. Upon confirmation of payment, we will promptly provide all necessary details, including your tracking number. Thanks for your understanding; We serve for your comfort. Sincerely, Erin Leyen (Moving Department E.M.&.S)"

Free grand piano ..just pay cost to move it!

I am also a pianist and music director for a megachurch and did not respond to this email I received as follows: "Hello, How are you doing? I am looking to give away my late husband's Yamaha baby grand piano to a passionate instrument lover, so please let me know if you will take it or have someone who will care for it. Regards, Charlotte Hughes."

Contacted our church with the piano donation offer. Pastor and council members became suspicious when no identifying details were provided by “Michelle” or the moving company. Then the movers demanded untraceable payment methods and upfront payment prior to delivery. We are in the process of backing out and will not be giving them any money or any more information.

Thanks for your response, the Yamaha Baby Grand Piano GC1 model used to be owned and played by my husband who passed away last year, the dimension is "151cm by 146cm". It was last tuned sometime last year before he passed. She's about 2 years old and in impeccable condition. I'm moving my properties to another place and I don't think my husband will be happy if I sell this piano, at the same time, I am settling for a home with less space, so I'm hoping to give it out to someone who is a passionate lover of the instrument. I wasn't going to leave it alone in an empty house. The Piano is currently in storage with the movers I employed to move my properties from my house. The movers can deliver anywhere. However, the beneficiary has to pay moving costs. In the attachment are the pictures of the Piano, I look forward to your reply if you are interested, if not I can contact someone else. Regards, Michelle. Contact the movers and make an arrangement as regards the moving process. I would like you to take some pictures when they arrive at your address. Here is the mover's information: ([email protected]) just let them know that Mrs. Michelle Albert, referred you with the Reference Code: SEIL132AD. Make sure you send an email for a faster response. Most importantly, provide your delivery address for a delivery quote. Once you are in touch with the movers kindly also let me know so that I can sign off the piano.

I received an email telling me that an unauthorized charge of $1348.73 was attempted to my PayPal account and asked you to click a link to sign into PayPal but it was off a little bit. The phone number they list to call is for a Piano Company in New York.

EMAIL ONE: Hello, I hope you're doing well! I wanted to reach out because I recently moved into a new apartment, and unfortunately, I don't have the space for my piano anymore. It's a beautiful instrument, and I’m really hoping to find a good home for it. If you know anyone who might be interested in taking it, I’d really appreciate it if you could refer them to me. I’d love for it to go to someone who will enjoy it as much as My Late Husband did. Thanks a lot! Best, EMAIL TWO: Good morning, Please accept my apologies for the delayed response — I’ve been busy settling into my new apartment and adjusting to the change The piano is still available and is in beautiful, like-new condition. It was only gently played a few times by my late husband before his passing. One of his final wishes was for the piano to find a loving home where it would be appreciated and well cared for. If you’re still interested, I’d be happy to provide more details about pickup. I’ve also attached photos of the Wurlitzer Baby Grand Piano, which measures approximately 5 feet (152 cm) in length, 58 inches (147 cm) in width, and 39 inches (99 cm) in height. Looking forward to hearing from you. Warmest regards, Nelly Jay EMAIL THREE:Hi Sarah, That’s awesome — I’m excited too! Thanks for keeping me updated. Could you also send me your phone number? I’ll make sure the movers have it so they can reach out to you directly as well. Looking forward to hearing more soon!

This scammer sent to El Paso church email about late husband's Yamaha grand piano to give away to church , local school or someone who will care for it. We received phishing scammer email April 28,2025 and another occasion last year. I Do not trust email from Christa Kersken. There is no phone number to contact or any address. We do not know where this person lives.

2 email addresses where used - [email protected] and [email protected] They posted a Baby Grand Piano available for FREE. Dr. Lisa posted it on NextDoor and who I communicated with prior to having to make delivery arrangements with Sandhu Truckline shipping company. She said her husband died and she had no use for the Grand Piano so its available if someone wants it or she'll just throw it away. Dr. Lisa said a lady was going to come to get it the day before but never showed up. She gave me a story that the movers were loading it up today in the moving truck, but she'd contact them to have them take it off the truck so we could come and get it. Mistake #1 - She posted this in the Rockrimmon neighborhood, but I found out the couch is actually in California. Mistake #2 - I told her I wanted to come and see it before I purchase it. She then didn't respond. Mistake #3 - Dr. Lisa provided me with the website for the trucking company and provided me with a Referral ID number and told me to 'Chat' with them about arranging delivery and the shipping cost would be something I had to pay for. Mistake #4 - When I started my 'Chat', with Raul, he told me the couch was in a warehouse in Fresno, CA. This is not what Dr. Lisa told me. Lisa said it was still at her house and that the movers were there today packing up her house but she told them to leave the piano where it is that I was going to buy it. Mistake #5 - I Googled the address Sandhu Truckline has on their website Google Listing, when you look at the street view you can see its a junkyard. Mistake #6 - I build websites for a living and it appears they purchased a 'trucking/shipping' template and swapped out a few things to make it look legit, Mistake #7 - They wanted me to pay with Zelle, which has been used fraudulently before. In the past someone emptied out our Wells Fargo account using Zelle. * Mode of Payment: Zelle (Partnered Payment Gateway readily available in all bank app in the United States.) ~~~ Zelle Email: ********************* ~~~ Cashier's Name: Theodore ~~~ Amount : $1170 - Description of your payment should be "Susanne A." only. Mistake #8 - They wanted the payment made out to 'Theodore' instead of Sandhu Truckline. Mistake #9 - Raul sent me an email with the invoice. The invoice looked legit, but the email section did not. Mistake #10 - When I said told Raul this is a scam, the 'Chat' went listen. Mistake #11 - I went back to the NextDoor listing and the listing for the FREE piano had been removed.

A scammer reached out to our church via email offering a Yamaha baby grand for free from her late husband. It was 2 years old, she was moving wanted to get rid of it to "someone who is passionate about music". Had me contact the movers by email. They only took money via Zelle, Cash App or Bank Transfer. They got back to me too quickly for being such a large company according to their website. They wanted me to pay for the piano delivery, but never said where the piano was and never tried to contact me outside of email even though I asked them to.

A person on marketplace was selling a baby grand piano (a scammer too). Said she had it at the WORLDWIDE FREIGHT FORWARDING AND LOGISTICS SERVICES. I gave them the tracking code and they sent me a photo and location of the packed piano. The fee was to transport, which was comparable to other delivery fees. Paid and then they asked for more money. I refused. They said they would refund. Never heard back from them.

Hey there! I am reaching out on behalf of Mrs. Renee Barnes, she has instructed me to inquire about the transportation of her piano that is in storage with you guys. The Reference Code that she provided is MBW344687A. To get the most accurate quote, my current address is *********** Thank you for reaching out regarding the transportation of Mrs. Renee Barnes' piano (Reference Code: MBW344687A). The delivery quote to ************************************* is depending on the selected delivery timeframe: Standard Delivery (6 Days): $750 Express Delivery (3 Days): $1200 For payment, we accept the following options: PayPal Venmo Zelle Bank Transfer Please confirm your preferred payment method so we can provide the necessary details and schedule the delivery accordingly. Let us know if you have any questions. Best regards, Thank you for reaching out. We do offer short-term storage options, but in order to provide you with an accurate storage fee, could you please confirm how long you anticipate needing the piano to remain in our facility? Once we have that information, we will be able to provide you with the storage cost and discuss the best course of action for your delivery. Looking forward to your response. Thank you for your response. We can certainly accommodate the storage of the piano for up to six months. The cost for six months of storage will be $600. Please let us know if you would like to proceed, and we will provide the necessary payment details. Let us know if you have any further questions. Thank you for reaching out. I’d be happy to provide more details about our storage facility to help you make an informed decision. Our facility is specifically designed for storing delicate and high-value items like pianos. Here’s what sets our storage apart: Climate-Controlled Environment: Our facility maintains a stable temperature and humidity level to protect the wood, strings, and internal components of the piano from warping, cracking, or deterioration. Secure and Monitored Storage: We have 24/7 security surveillance, restricted access, and fire protection systems to ensure the safety of stored items. Specialized Handling and Placement: Our team is experienced in handling and storing pianos, ensuring they are placed correctly to prevent damage or strain on their structure. Regular Maintenance Checks: We periodically inspect stored instruments to ensure they remain in excellent condition. Looking forward to assisting you further. Thank you for your follow-up regarding the delivery of Mrs. Renee Barnes' piano. We can certainly proceed with switching the delivery to your name and scheduling the payment for next Friday, April 4th. Please confirm that you will be making the payment via the listed method so we can provide the necessary payment details. Once the payment is received, we will finalize the delivery schedule accordingly. Let us know if you need any further assistance. We appreciate your prompt confirmation. Thank you for confirming your payment for Friday, April 4th. We currently accept the following payment options: Bank Transfer – We can provide you with the necessary banking details for a secure transfer. PayPal – Payment can be made to our PayPal account. We will provide you with the details upon request. Venmo or Zelle – If this is more convenient, we can also provide the details for these payment methods. At this time, we do not have a direct payment portal for debit or credit card payments. Please let us know which option you prefer, and we will send you the necessary details to proceed. Looking forward to your confirmation. Thank you for confirming your preferred payment method. Below are the PayPal details for completing your transaction: PayPal Information (Goods & Services): ?? Email: [email protected] ?? Name: Tina Clark Once the payment is completed, kindly provide the confirmation so we can proceed with scheduling the delivery. Let us know if you have any questions. Best regards,

Email text…. Hello, How are you doing? I am looking to give away my late husband's Yamaha baby grand piano to a passionate instrument lover, so please let me know if you will take it or have someone who will care for it. Regards, Charlotte Hughes.

Chinese speaker name : Lucas Lee match with me on tinder, start to chat with me and show lot interests in me and want start relationship. Send me his photos and his daughter play piano. A week later showing me his crypto earning and follow up ask me what I think. And casually telling me he can help me makes money is safe and high reward! After I asked him how often he does this and why is he showing me all these! He said he like to share with me and start to be very defensive! After I said I don’t think he is legitimate person, he got upset and I did not engage with his message afterwards:

A woman, Deborah *******, reached out to me via my website, looking to give away a Yamaha baby grand piano. The claim was that her husband had died about a year ago and she felt he wouldn’t want her to sell her piano, but rather give it away to someone passionate about music, a music school, etc. She claimed that, after he died, she had moved to Calgary from Edmonton, and the piano had been left in storage in Edmonton. The piano was free, but “the beneficiary” would pay moving costs. She then said to contact her moving company for a quote - Fast Lane Movers. This is where, for various reasons, I grew very suspicious and suspected a scam ; I pursued it no further. Finding comments online, others had been contacted in the same way, with the same story (though a different name each time), and had I continued to pursue it, it seems the moving company would have given me a quote and then wanted me (of course) to pay it before delivery of the piano. When I asked my piano guys out of curiosity what a move like that would have cost, they estimated around $1,200.

Mrs. Harris announces that she has a Steinway S series piano to donate that belonged to her late husband and that she is moving in with her daughter and has it in storage. Provides information from the store that you leave the information by email and they call. They are Xtreme Movers Logistics and they give two options to send the piano; you have to pay for the shipping. The first option is $675.00 and they want it to be through Paypal through Family or Friends. I searched the internet and found that there was a fraud case with the name of the person from the Hinke company Stacey James and I replied that I had changed my mind. They answered me that they didn't understand if it was because of the money I was losing or because of the money I had. I wrote to them again to change my mind. and they have not written to me again.

Dear Staff, A member of our team at Albemarle County Public Schools, Mrs. Laura Anderson, is generously offering her late father's piano to a caring home at no cost. As she is in the process of moving to a smaller apartment, she seeks to find a recipient who will appreciate and utilize the piano. The instrument is a 2014 Baby Grand Piano, in excellent condition despite being previously used. You can get in touch with her through her personal email: [email protected] My sincere regards, Dr. Matthew S. Haas Superintendent Albemarle County Public Schools 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, VA 22902

[3/16, 7:54?PM] +1 (702) 588-3164: The Steinway baby grand piano used to be owned and played by my wife who is now deceased and it was last tuned early July last year before she passed away [3/16, 7:58?PM] +1 (702) 588-3164: I’m done moving my properties and I don’t think my wife will be happy if I sell her piano which is why I’m giving it away at the same time I’m not happy seeing it around because of less storage so I’m hoping to give it out to someone who is passionate lovers of instrument [3/16, 8:01?PM] +1 (702) 588-3164: My wife had a scholarship to Juliard base on her masters level skills the first lady who I thought was going to get it didn't show up at she promised and I wasn't going to leave it alone in an empty house .. it's currently in storage with the movers I employed to move my properties from my house, If you really don't mind making new arrangements with the movers [3/16, 8:01?PM] +1 (702) 588-3164: Sorry i don't have the piano presently the storage have it if you really don't mind making new arrangements with the movers I can attempt to get in touch with them to reroute it this should not attract too many charges since the distance can be recovered within a day or 2 and not sure if they do pick up only delivery [3/16, 8:02?PM] +1 (702) 588-3164: They reliable been working with them for many years and sorry for the inconvenience but do let me know if you wish that I talk to the movers just so you know I'm not giving out a scrap or a waste It’s in good shape [3/16, 8:05?PM] +1 (702) 588-3164: Let me text the movers company and get back to you soon [3/16, 8:08?PM] +1 (702) 588-3164: Got through to the movers now in order to let them know they will move the piano back all you need to do now is to contact them and make new arrangements as regards to the rerouting process [3/16, 8:09?PM] +1 (702) 588-3164: The rep said you should present this Referral ID SBGP290S5WA to an agent via their live chat on their website at Swiftgridmoves.com to initiate a reroute let them know Jimmy Blackburn referred you and give me feedback

I was forwarded an email from a friend that had the email address - [email protected] - and read: Hello, I hope this message finds you well. I am looking for a new home for my late husband's Yamaha baby grand piano and would love to place it with someone who will truly appreciate and care for this beautiful instrument. If you or someone you know would be interested in giving it a loving home, please feel free to reach out to me via [email protected]. Warm regards, Mary Murgia After an email exchange with 'Mary' at the above email, I received the contact for her 'movers': [email protected]. I reached out and received the following email: Thank you for reaching out. We acknowledge the reference code MET68TIGDT7 from Mrs. Mary Murgia and are pleased to assist with the piano delivery to: XXXX Here are the delivery options: Standard 6-Day Delivery: $950 Express 3-Day Delivery: $1,300 Our service includes disassembly (if required), transportation, and reassembly at the destination. Payment Options: Wire Transfer, Zelle, PayPal, Venmo Please confirm your preferred delivery option and payment method so we can proceed with the necessary arrangements. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. Looking forward to your response. Best regards, John Smith Chief Operating Officer T (718) 618-5501 M (718) 618-5501 E [email protected] The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in message only. It is strictly forbidden to share any part of this message with any third party, without a written consent of the sender. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message and follow with its deletion, so that we can ensure such a mistake does not occur in the future. After sharing a preference for delivery, I got the following email: Thank you for confirming the standard 6-day delivery. I have attached the Venmo details below for your payment: Venmo Tag: @hpremo333433 Once the payment is made, kindly send us a screenshot of the confirmation for our records. Regarding the delivery schedule, please let us know your preferred date and time for arrival so we can coordinate accordingly. I then realized I didn't have any paper work, invoice, terms of transfer, damage in transit, etc. Then I started digging and found a nearly identical exchange here on BBB. The tip offs were: The original email from "Mary" is very unusual and did not match the "Mary" information in the rest of that email; there was no documentation or client agreement from the mover; there was no invoice for the payment; they wanted me to send them 'a screenshot' of the Venmo confirmation; the Venmo handle is registered to "Heather Zemaitis," not the company; the phone number area code is 718, which NYC, not Washington, DC, which is the physical address on the website; the website is one dimensional with stock photos; the physical address is a strip mall, not a moving company. Lots of little bread crumbs... I hope this helps someone not lose $1000!

This scam started on Facebook Marketplace with an ad for a Steinway Piano the following was the emails with Green Light Express Logistics with a Schiller Park, Il address 1/13/25 Welcome to Green Light Express Logistics! Here's the information about the reference number provided: Owner: Melanie Bennett 2006 Steinway Piano Model M Year: 2006 Serial number: 574706 Weight : 603 lbs Length: 67" Width: 57.75" If correct, Kindly provide me with the following information to initiate reroute for you and also check for the estimated delivery cost and time. 1/19/25 We'll get back to you as soon as the payment has been confirmed. Sincerely George Green Light Express Logistics. 1/20/25Good day Bryan, I hope this message finds you well. I am pleased to inform you that your payment has been successfully received. However, due to some technical difficulties, we are currently unable to process the withdrawal. Rest assured, there is a straightforward solution to this issue, and we can resolve it swiftly with your cooperation. Kindly provide your Zelle information so that we can initiate a refund of the payment. Once that is completed, I will supply you with new Zelle details for you to send the payment to. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter so that we can proceed with the delivery of your piano as soon as possible. Best regards, George Green Light Express Logistics. 1/24/25Dear Bryan, We apologize for the delay in updating you about your shipment scheduled for January 24, 2025, to ** ******* *** ** ****** ********* *****. Due to the high value of your item—a Grand Piano valued at $38,890.00—an Interstate fee of $765.00 is required. This fee was calculated based on the piano’s value, as confirmed with the owner, Melanie. The delay in receiving the complete paperwork from her caused this notification. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your understanding. Once the fee is paid, we will promptly process your file and ensure the shipment is delivered as scheduled. Kindly reply to this email to make the payment and avoid further delays Thank you for your understanding and for choosing Green Light Express Logistics Sincerely, George Green Light Express Logistics 1/24/25 George, This is quite a surprise as I assumed that the previous payment covered all costs of transportation for this piano. I would need to see the documentation that supports this charge before I would consider paying it. In addition, the stated value of the piano far exceeds its current value based on the age of the piano. Regards, Bryan Dittmer 1/24/25 The documentation for this process cannot be provided until the payment is made, which is why we are requesting that you complete the payment in advance. Regarding the value of the piano, please note that the amount provided is an estimated cost, not the actual cost, as indicated in the initial forms completed by the sender. 1/24/25 The documentation for this process cannot be provided until the payment is made, which is why we are requesting that you complete the payment in advance. Regarding the value of the piano, please note that the amount provided is an estimated cost, not the actual cost, as indicated in the initial forms completed by the sender. 1/24/25 I apologize for this inconvenience. We assure you that once you make the payment, your item will be delivered to your address the following 24hours of payment confirmation with the proper documentation. 1/24/25 George, When the piano arrives tomorrow, I will pay you the $765 in cash. I paid you the initial payment based on trust. I think at this point you can rest assured that I will pay you the money upon arrival of the piano. Bryan 1/27/25 George, If the piano is not going to be delivered please refund my initial invoice payment. No response following this but another scam was under way with the same company but from the Springfield, IL address with a different owner of the piano 2/22/25 Welcome to Green Light Express Logistics! Here's the information about the reference number provided: Owner: Alice Gregory 2006 Steinway Piano Model M Year: 2006 Serial number: 574706 Weight : 603 lbs Length: 67" Width: 57.75" Kindly provide us with the following information so we can accurately calculate the delivery cost for you. Full name : Full address : Phone Number : Best regards, Green Light Express Logistics 2/23/25 Attached is invoice 69557 for rerouting of the Steinway Piano of Alice Gregory to you. The total cost to deliver it to your address (27 Toscana Way E. Rancho Mirage, CA 92270) is $780.00 with estimated delivery date based on 5 days timeframe, is Friday, February 28, 2025, by 1:30pm. Charges include insurance and item installation in your space. We kindly request payment today to facilitate this. Please reply to this email if you are ready to make payment now for further details. The piano is currently at our storage facility in 104 N Grand Ave W, Springfield, IL 62702, Regrettably, we are unable to accommodate a customer pickup for the piano in question. As outlined in our agreement with the owner, our service includes scheduled delivery and professional installation of the instrument at the designated address. Deviating from this arrangement by allowing third-party pickup would violate the terms of our contractual obligation. We remain committed to fulfilling our responsibilities as agreed upon to ensure the piano is transported and installed safely and efficiently. Thank you for your understanding Best regards, Green Light Express Logistics 2/23/25 You Alice Gregory Thank you for your inquiry regarding potential additional charges. To clarify, there are no additional fees for interstate transfers or any other hidden costs associated with our services. We strive to maintain transparency in all our transactions, and you can be assured that the price provided to you is comprehensive and inclusive of all applicable charges. Should you have any further questions or require additional details, please do not hesitate to reach out. Best regards, Green Light Express Logistics 2/25/25 At this time, we accept payments via Venmo and Zelle. Please let us know which method you would prefer to use. Best regards Green Light Express Logistics 2/25/25 Please find attached the updated invoice, which includes the payment detailst for your reference. We kindly request that you make the payment at your earliest convenience. IMPORTANT NOTICE! Please ensure compliance with the payment instructions and provide a copy of your payment receipt upon completion. Thank you for choosing Green Light Express Logistics. We appreciate your business! Best regards, Green Light Express Logistics 2/25/25 Why is this not being sent to Green Light Express? 2/25/25 This is a temporary accounts linked to the company account for security purposes. This account is valid for a single invoice only. Best regards, Green Light Express LogisticsPlease note I have pdf's of the invoices but was unable to download them here 2/25/25 What is your name, title and phone number? 2/25/25 My name is George, Support Team, (847) 497-0015 Best regards, Green Light Express 2/26/25George, I've attached the previous payment that I made to Green Light Express. Since I never received a refund I assume that it can be applied here. Bryan No response received. I have copies of all emails, invoices and payment documentation. Any questions please contact me. Bryan ******* ************ ** ******* *** * ****** ******* ** *****

Listing for a free piano on Facebook marketplace, the person claimed it was his late wife's. Turns out the piano is with the movers, and you have to give money to them to see the piano.

Scammer claimed to be giving away a piano. First asked for $556 to move it and then said a surprise insurance cost was now required to move it of around $1300

I responded to a Facebook marketplace listing for a free Yamaha U1 piano. The seller responded it belonged to his sister’s late husband and since she just moved, she is looking to find it a new home with someone who will appreciate its value and continue it’s “musical journey”. The seller sent me his sisters email address [email protected] and had me reach out to her directly. I emailed her and asked to come see the piano and test play it first, but she said it’s in the possession of the movers already so I can reach out to them directly at the email address [email protected]. Since she said it was in brand new condition and the images from the listing looked legit, I didn’t question it much considering the value of the piano. Most people who own pianos that nice tend to take very good care them in the first place. She sent me a “referral ID” of GBk889UXR5 and said I can send the movers that ID, as she had already contacted them to let them know I would be setting up a “reroute” for the piano. I emailed the movers, and unfortunately included my address in order to get the most accurate cost estimate, as I know with piano movers specifically the exact location is a pricing factor. They responded first with three tiers of price options: $720 for express premium and delivery in 1-3 days, $640 for express classic and delivery in 3-5 days, and $550 for smart post and delivery in 5-7 days. I responded going for the $550 one and they said they accept payments via Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, or PayPal. I responded I’d like to do Venmo so please send me the account username. The next response gave me the Venmo username @Warriorgurl1990 and last 4 cell digits of 2647 to confirm the Venmo transaction. They asked that the transaction be labeled “Gift items from a Friend” and that I “Kindly send [them] proof of payment immediately after the remittance is made so we can proceed accordingly”. The email was signed at the bottom: “Gordon Campbell, Director Freight Sales, AGS MOVERS”, with a YouTube link and a “contact us” page linked to the website agsmovers.com. Since the Venmo account was obviously not a business account and likely didn’t match that “Wonder Gurl” is a person named Gordon Campbell in sales, I started to look it up. It appears that AGS is an international moving company that doesn’t seem to have any presence in Detroit, at least not enough to justify them somehow having a space to hold on to items such as a piano until further notice. I went to see any possible public transactions on the Venmo account provided and there was nothing moving-related to hint at any kind of legitimate business going on. I then found this link on the BBB by Google searching “Gordon Campbell AGS movers”, and sure enough this exact description came up, starting with the sister’s late husband story and everything else down to a perfect tee. Of course I will not be sending anything, nor will I be further responding to any emails. I am reporting the Facebook listing and seller as well.

My university has institutional mails so one of them, supposedly a teacher sent out this: Greetings Faculty, Staff and Students,Alumni One of our Alumni Ms. Allana is downsizing and looking to give away her late husband’s Steinway to a loving home. This is a 2014 Steinway. Reply her with your alternative email /phone number address to her Private email Contact Details: [email protected] Contact Name : Ms.Kittridge To indicate your interest to arrange the delivery with a moving company, you will be responsible for the delivery of the steinway to your home N:B. You can refer someone who loves Playing Steinway, and also, a first come first serve Basis Regards

Nicole posted on Facebook about a baby grand piano. Upon contact she referred me to her “mover“ and his name is Martinez. She provided me his phone number and I reached out and he said he would deliver for $310. He said if he needed to store it for any longer, he would need an additional $80. I told him I would give him half now and half upon delivery. I forwarded the money through Zelle on my bank app. Upon callback for delivery the number came back as no longer in service. Nicole‘s Facebook profile is also no longer in existence. The names I sent my Zelle money to was Jasper Wiggins and Theresa Lizotte.

I got scammed by the scammer pretending to be one of our co-workers in school district. She said she would like to donate a baby grand piano as she needed to downsize to an apartment. She provided a moving company contact and asked me to contact him for delivery arrangement and delivery service cost. I contacted, provided my address for shipping, and paid via Zelle to registered account : Carson Liebnow, +17319913373 / [email protected] . The scammer used the emails [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected] to approach me. An hour after, I reached out my co-worker and found out that this is scam. The scammer still played the role to send me invoice, the date and time for delivery.

offering free grand piano , tell you its ready to ship to your house, then she puts you in contact wiht "movers" they email you back and chrge you bring the no exisitng paino

Scammer advertised a free Yamaha U1 upright piano through Facebook Marketplace. Messaged them and was told "Hi, it's available and free. My sister recently lost her husband and she's giving away the piano. Her name is Rachel Cullins , contact her by email [email protected]". After emailing "her" about my interest, she mentioned that the piano is already with the moving company, and referred me to an email with AGS Movers to reroute it to my address. I contacted [email protected] and was given three shipping options, "Express premium: $720. Express Classic: $640. Smart Post:$550. Kindly confirm your preferred option, and we will promptly provide the necessary payment details to proceed with the rerouting." The email was written by a "Gordon Campbell" who included a short youtube video of the company with very little interaction. After confirming the delivery option I wanted, the accepted payments for their services were "via Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App". From here I figured that this was a scam and looked online to confirm.

My friend from church forwarded to me Charlotte’s email about wanting to donate her late husband’s piano. I contacted Charlotte of my interest. She sent me a screen shot of a Yamaha baby grand piano. She emailed me that I have to contact the movers and pay for delivery. [email protected], I emailed the movers to quote me the cost for delivery. But I never got a direct email from them. Charlotte forwarded to me their email response of the cost. And the person’s name to wire transfers the money. I got suspicious and went online for more information about movers' company. Then I read about a similar scenario like mine. Express Movers have now my home address and telephone number.

Her email was forwarded to me from a friend from church who then asked her how she got her phone number. She said Charlotte got it from our church website

Charlotte Hughes contacted the church to say her late husband had bought a baby grand piano that she had at the moving/ storage company and she was looking for a music lover to give it to, she wouldn’t except payment, just said to pay the movers for delivery, then provided a reference number and the movers email address: [email protected], once you email the moving company, they say to send a payment of anywhere between $620 and $1950 via Zelle, cash app or Venmo and that they would deliver the piano once payment was received

A guy named Daley posted a free YAMAHA piano on Facebook Marketplace on January 2nd. He said to contact his sister, Sherry Sandals, at [email protected]. He claimed that Sherry had recently lost her husband and was looking for a new home for the piano. She asked me to send her some pictures of the piano once it arrived at its new home. She also provided a referral number, KCJ686UWR5, and told me to mention this number to AGS Movers. I contacted AGS Movers([email protected]), and Gordon Campbell (Director of Freight Sales) responded to my email. He asked me to share my full name, phone number, and address, saying, “Please send your information as soon as possible. Once you provide these details, I will estimate the moving cost.”

Facebook add from this profile on marketplace https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/profile/100050065847772/?ref=permalink&mibextid=6ojiHh had photos of a piano that they were giving away. I messaged and he replied "Hi, its available and free. My sister recently lost her husband and she's giving away the piano. Her name Rachel Cullins, contact her by email [email protected]. I emailed she replied she was moving to a smaller place and decided to part with her late husbands piano - it was already with AGS movers and if I could care for it she would call them to rearrange a rerouting given I wasnt near her house. When I promised to take care of the instrument, she replied she had called the movers and told them they would reroute the piano to my address and told me the ID number for referral to mention her name and email them. When they didnt respond to my email and I looked up the website AGS and couldnt find a number I became suspicious and emailed asking for the number she supposedly called to arrange the rerouting. She said they never answer and best to just email. She then emailed again at the end of the day asking for an update. Then when I got the email from the manager of APG movers asking to payExpress Premium: $720 (Delivery within 1-3 days) Express Classic: $640 (Delivery within 3-5 days) Smart Post: $550 (Delivery within 5-7 days) I knew it was a scam as his name did not appear when I googled and when I checked scams here with pianos - similar stories popped up.

Message I received: "Thank you for reaching out. The Yamaha Baby Grand Piano GC1 model belonged to my late husband, who passed away last year. The dimensions are 161cm by 149cm, and it was last tuned two months ago. The piano is about three years old and in impeccable condition. I’m relocating to France in two weeks, and I’d prefer to give the piano to someone who genuinely loves the instrument, as I don’t feel right about selling it. If you're interested, or know someone who might be, please feel free to share my email. I didn’t want to leave it behind in an empty house. I have attached pictures of the instrument for you. The piano is currently stored in a climate-controlled facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, with the movers handling the relocation of my belongings. If you'd like to arrange for delivery, I can provide you with their contact details. They offer reasonable rates, but please note that I will not be covering the cost of delivery. I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Rachel"

Deborah Gilwood came through my community band's website saying her husband had died and she had a baby grand piano she would like to donate. I found a church who would take it and when I followed up with her she shared that she had recently moved to Georgia but the piano was in Little Rock, Arkansas and that we would have to pay for delivery. She shared 2 photos of the piano and I shared this with the Church. They were the ones that alerted me to the scam so I did not pursue it further. I googled "piano scam" and found the other listing on this site. Sad people are so dishonest.

Malena Almeida contacted my church stating she had a baby grand piano that belonged to her late husband that she would like to give away for free and only asked for the recipient to pay moving costs. Malena contacted our church via email, [email protected].

A person named Malena Almeida contacted our church via email stating they would like to give away their late husbands piano to someone if they covered moving costs. Then she connected the person who was to receive the piano to a moving company that requested a Zelle or bank transfer of the money to move piano.

Scammer offered a free piano and asked recipient to pay for moving costs Our bank stopped the transaction and then we discovered this person has contacted other churches offering a free piano.

Exactly as described from the user about the piano, but with a guitar.

Initially contacted on Facebook Market, they referred me to an email of a Dr. Sophie who had just moved her belongings after the death of her husband ([email protected]) and offered to put me in touch with the moving company to arrange for her Piano to be returned to CT. Below is my chat with the moving company (Sandhu Trucking Line ) via their chat app on their Website. Communication ceased as soon as I requested to go see the Piano in Fresno prior to shipping it back to CT. "Hi, this is Raul. One moment while I check your referral ID Thank you for your patience. * Item ID: KEN10157MOR * Item Package: Baby Grand Piano * Item Provider: Dr. Sophie Is that correct? * COST ESTIMATE: According to weight and miles, it will cost a total of ~ $1170.00 (3 day delivery with insurance) ~ $1080.00 (5 day delivery with insurance) ~ $980.00 (7 day delivery with insurance) to have it delivered to Old Saybrook, CT . Quote includes setup. What delivery option would you like us to generate an invoice to complete the process for you? Payment must be confirmed before shipment. Once payment is completed, our payment department will send you and email acknowledging your payment and also our shipping team will send you updates email together with a tracking number so you can keep track till it gets to you."

I answered a posting for a free ***piano on Facebook, and the poster claimed he has posted for his sister, who was parting with it after her husband died and gave me her email address to reach out to her. This was “the sister’s” message: “Hello. My brother mentioned that you might be interested in the Yamaha U1 Piano that belonged to my late husband. It holds sentimental value for me, but due to limited space in my new home, I've decided to part with it. The piano was last tuned in June last year and has been meticulously cared for. I'm in the process of relocating my belongings, and the piano is currently in the hands of the Piano moving company. If you're genuinely interested, we can make arrangements with the movers at a minimal cost, considering the distance. I want to find a new home for this beautiful instrument and would be delighted if it goes to someone who truly appreciates its artistry. Please let me know if you'd like to proceed, and I'll coordinate with the movers accordingly. Rest assured, it's not just a piano; it's a *** in perfect condition, waiting for the right person to continue its musical journey.” She then supposedly set me up with the moving company she used in order to “re-route” the piano to my address. This is their message: “ Hello, We would like to inform you that your referral ID indicates a rerouting request for the delivery of Mrs. Sherry Sandals piano to a new location. Please note that there will be associated charges for this service to your given address. Below are the rerouting options for your consideration: Express Premium: $720 (Delivery within 1-3 days) Express Classic: $640 (Delivery within 3-5 days) Smart Post: $550 (Delivery within 5-7 days) Kindly confirm your preferred option, and we will promptly provide the necessary payment details to proceed with the rerouting. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response. ..... Kind regards, Gordon Campbell Director Freight Sales AGS MOVERS www.agsmovers.com | Follow us on : *** | Contact Us” The link really takes you to AGS Movers, but it is a UK site, which was my first clue that something was fishy (I live in the US). Next they asked for payment via *** ***, *** because it was “faster.” At this point I googled AGS Movers and saw they had pretty bad reviews. The prices quoted for moving a piano also seemed high. I googled “Gordon Campbell Director Freight Sales” and thankfully found a report of the same scam from someone else!