Help! Fraud? Has anyone done business with Surehatch or surehatch.com

[bramblebrae]

Help everyone! I placed an order with Surehatch Incubators for a Hova Bator 1588, egg turner and candler, calling the phone number on their website (because I don't trust using internet for purchases to unknown companies - silly me). I used my debit/credit card and was told my total with shipping is $190. I did not go through PayPal. Next day I received an email from "PayPal" with a receipt for the correct dollar amount agreed to Surehatch - with my name and street address misspelled. Suspicious, I checked with PayPal and they said it was a phishing email. It looked just like a real email from PayPal except for my name and street being misspelled - and all the info on Surehatch appeared correct on it. Next day, I got another email from "Paypal", which their fraud department determined was also phishing.

So, I want to know if people have done business with this company, and if so what their experience was. They appear to sell Hova Bator and Sportsman incubators, along with others. I have yet to hear back from Surehatch, this is a little scary. I have been talking to my bankcard company and they know. I have excellent virus and spyware protection and I know not to respond to phishing emails.

THANKS so much, EVERYONE!! Andy

 

[hinkjc]

I've never heard of them. I hope everything is ok.

 

[Boyd]

I use paypal for my computer business. They have what is called "Virtual Terminal"

Basically, I can use my smart phone to logon to my paypal account (www.paypal.com/vt/), input the customers information and payment amount and go from there. that way if I am doing work remotely (I can log on someones computer and fix it from anywhere) I get the info up front so there are no lack of payments.

I'd double check with them before you freak out. They may also have Their merchant account or Virtual Terminal account with paypal. Sort of like swiping or manually entering your credit card info for people ordering over the phone.

 

[blondechick]

i ordered the 1588 and egg turner from surehatch also. I ordered it on May 1st. I paid thru paypal. I didn't realize until a day or two later that the page had my old email address. I tried twice to call their toll-free number and left a message. also called another number that was listed on the paypal transaction page. never got a response back. emailed them and they replied within the hour. my package left the company the day i emailed them. (may 8). took a week to process the order. maybe lost my order?? email them. It seemed to work for me. My incubator is supposed to be here tomorrow. good luck

 

[bramblebrae]

Boyd - Thanks for the response. I did forward the suspicious emails from "PayPal" to their fraud protection department. THEY (the real PayPal) told me that they were phishing emails and that the emails were fraudulent. So, I am left believing that this is a scam, though no additional charges have come through on my card. I can only assume this paypal thing was an attempt to access the bank account that is linked to my paypal account, and empty it of funds. I want to hope that there is a feasible explanation, but...? I am going to reconnect with PayPal and see if Surehatch has a legitimate account with them, uses Virtual Terminal, etc.... MAkes me additionally nervous that this company appears to be out of South Africa. Thank you so much for sharing helpful info, Boyd.

blondechick - I sure hope everything works out for you and that you get your 1588 and turner. I would very much like to know if you do indeed receive it tomorrow!! Feel free to post here or message me. Good luck. Hope we have not been taken on a little ride, here to the tune of $190.

Andy

 

[luvmychicknkids]

With your bank knowing there may be a problem they SHOULD verify any unusual purchases before they allow them. SHOULD being the key word. I would be sure to check the bank every single day for a LONG time.

A couple of years ago someone completely wiped out our bank account. We never did find out how they got our information. We found out because my husband tried to buy coffee and a donut one morning and there were insufficient funds!!!

It got straightened out and we got all our money back but it was a very scary situation!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[bramblebrae]

Update -

It would appear that all is okay. Was able to verify with GQF that Surehatch is one of their distributors. Spoke to individual at Surehatch again and got a little more info - they use something like virtual terminal, and they also use Paypal - but he indicated he had not emailed me anything, so still unsure where the emails were generated or by whom. Also heard from a forum user who has had a successful transaction with them, so I think all is okay. I asked my credit card company to keep a general alert on my card so they will be scrutinizing any purchases more, in case my # gets used by someone else. Anyway - thank you for your replies. The invisibility and anonymity of the internet is a blessing and a curse, at times. Unfortunate that we have to be so careful about security.

Again - thank you to those who replied. Andy

 

[bramblebrae]

Transaction completed, all equipment rec'd. Still have not been able to determine where those phony PayPal emails came from, but Surehatch came through. Good prices, good customer service if you leave a message, they will call back. Slow slow shipping, but I am just grateful to have the incubator and no fraud. Thanks all.

 

[Surehatch]

Hi Guys,

If anyone does business with Surehatch and is uncertain of a transaction please call us! We have been doing business since 1973 and we're planning on still doing business for a very, very long time.

Be weary of fly by nights! Fortunately, when buying from Surehatch, you have the benefit of dealing with a real company, made up of real people, who have a real passion for chickens and customer service - and not necessarily in that order!

Have a great day and looking forward to being of service

Will Hanekom
Customer Service

 

[EweSheep]