ATTENTION: Beware of Fashion Pullout Scam

Attention to all Sellers out there, please take time to read this post.

Reposted from Bianca Donato of THE SCHOOL OF SATCHEL:

Unfortunately I had to learn this the hard way.
One day I was contacted by a certain “Danielle Bautista” (danee.bautista@gmail.com) who asked if I allowed pullouts for satchels for a spread in a popular magazine by one of the top publications.  “We promise to return them in tip-Top shape! :)” she added.
Since The School of Satchel is a new brand, I agreed almost instantly, I needed all the free media mileage I can get.  “Danielle” said that one of their interns named “Frances” will meet me to pick up the satchels. She wrote,
"Thanks so much! Here's her number, 0916 849 0809, her name is Frances. You can arrange your preferred time and the exact place where you'll meet with here nalang. Btw, we only need lang naman the purple and black batchel in medium and the blue and tan satchel in small. We need those specifically because of the creative that we have for the shoot. As for the new items, we'd love to use those too! If you have inquiries whatsoever, don't hesitate to e-mail me. Thank you so much for allowing us to use your bags. "
To cut the story short, I met with “Frances” (she also used mobile number 09279240476) at a mall and handed to her 7 satchels (yes, ouch!) and you know how this story ends, I never got the satchels back.  A couple of days after the supposed shoot, I tried to contact “Danielle” and “Frances” and didn’t get a response. I contacted someone I knew from the magazine they supposedly worked for and got a confirmation that there was no one named “Danielle” in the editorial team and no “Frances” who worked as an intern. Sigh.
I blame myself for being very lax and careless and allowing a complete stranger to just take 7 satchels from me without any identification.  In the past, I would usually use Google and Facebook to verify media contacts’ identities and also to find out what they look like when I meet them. “Danielle” caught me at a bad time (perfect for her) when I was very busy with a bazaar and didn’t really think twice about checking her credentials.
I was told by someone that these scams are becoming more common nowadays since the ‘ber months are here and people needed cash.
I’m sharing this story so that all sellers will be more vigilant when lending their items for pullouts, I think we sellers and new business owners tend to be overly generous when it comes to getting free media mileage. From now on for pullouts, I implement the following strict requirements:

1. Presentation of valid ID and also a photocopy (for my file)
2. Presentation of valid company ID
3. For contributors, I request for a copy of the proposal letter on letterhead too.

To all SOS satchel fans if you see anyone selling SOS satchels with likely lower prices, please alert me via theschoolofsatchel@gmail.com or text 09178411698.  I do have agreements with wholesalers and retailers so just ask me and I'll confirm whether they are accredited or not.  I will offer a reward for helpful leads. These are the satchels that were stolen: 

1 pc Black 13in with handles
1 pc Purple 13in with handles
1 pc Navy 11in
1 pc Tan 11in
1 pc Avocado + Brown 11in
1 pc Gray + Brown 13in with handles
1 pc Pink + Brown 11in
                                                                                                Also, feel free to repost and spread the word to your seller and shopper friends. There is strength in numbers.  Thank you for taking the time out to read this story!

Hope this will serve as a warning to all, don't be fooled by some strangers. 

KTNXBYE,
♥ Monikels