Comments on: Clients Who Lie

By: L. Shepherd

L. Shepherd — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:48:00 +0000

Wow, that's just horrific. I've had clients that I wish someone would arrest, but nothing like this. There is nothing more than you could have done- you handled it perfectly well.

In most cases, it's just not possible to do a thorough background check, particularly when you have a lot of clients. Short of keeping a private eye on retainer, there's only so much you can do.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:41:00 +0000

I don’t know… I think that we do what we can with what we have. I sure don’t want to have start writing off background checks on every potential client I get an inquiry from – I wouldn’t have a profit if I did that. But then again it would have saved me the agony and stress of dealing with people who want my work for free (my long time struggle with client #1 and a new client).

By: Laura Spencer

Laura Spencer — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:19:00 +0000

Thanks for this compelling tale. I had actually heard of this fellow (I think that a number of news media exposed him), but had no idea that someone who I "know" had dealt with him.

I have a feeling that a background check wouldn't have shown that anything was amiss until after they caught him.

Hang in there.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:22:00 +0000

Well, it’s good to know this guy has officially been outed. But I wouldn’t feel bad about working with him. I don’t think it’s part of our job description to research our clients. If they’re doing something illegal (unless of course we’re knowingly promoting such activity), I think that’s the cops’ job.

By: Shannan Powell

Shannan Powell — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:15:00 +0000

WOW! I've heard some crappy things in this world, but this takes the cake. I'm so sorry that you ended up on the receiving end of some of the fallout from this sorry excuse for a human's actions.

I have yet to do any work for non-profits, however after reading your tale, I'd be very cautious about taking the chance, unless it is a nationally recognized company.

By: devonellington

devonellington — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:56:00 +0000

I'm so sorry you're going through this!

If a client wants me to write something asking for money, I generally do a bit more research, but you saw his 501c(3), so I don't know what more you could have done.

It's not like you just accepted him at face value -- this is a professional grifter, who knows how to set up the scam.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:42:00 +0000

We really don’t know how far our responsibility in these cases should go, Susan. Do we? Short of a costly and time-consuming background check, what steps can we take beyond a cursory search and asking for some documentation?

By: Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:45:00 +0000

Yikes, Lori! I’m glad you’re not working with him anymore, but it sounds like you did due diligence. As writers, we don’t have time to launch comprehensive background checks on everyone. Nor is that even part of our jobs.