Community Forums

Aussies · 01-23-2014, 08:31 PM

As an attorney, I NEVER reply to those emails as it's just asking for potential trouble. I would simply call Spartan and Entegra directly and they'll be able to verify if it was sent from them or not.
If so, I would tell them to send me the details by US Mail, not by email.
If not, then I've avoided another thief trying to separate me from my money or steal my identity.

MRUSA14 · 01-23-2014, 08:33 PM

Relax I got it too and it's nothing. If you ever purchased something or got service from Spartan, you probably got it too. They have apparently sent that letter to everybody who has an account with them. If you have not purchased parts or service from them yoy will likely not get the massage. If you do, ignore it, as it is meant for resale customers, not us.

johnnyreno · 01-23-2014, 10:48 PM

reply to them you get NOTHING! then hit the spam button problem solved

DSL417 · 01-24-2014, 07:14 AM

Look folks, I put it out there to advise our group, and indicated that I sent it to Entegra to check it out. Beyond that I understand phishing. Since it obviously went to others, and if not authentic, at the very least, the email suggests someone got into the Spartan database and has a certain amount of all of our personal information. If authentic, I'm not even suggesting we as end buyers respond to some weenie at Spartan who is trying to wringle out of some type of corporate taxes. That's why I sent it to Entegra to act on.

Just a notification to let folks know.

DSL417 · 01-24-2014, 07:42 AM

Yes, it is phishing...from Joyce (she had notes from several others), someone got into the database at Spartan...nice of them to let us know

I sent them a nastygram!

brobox · 01-24-2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSL417

Yes, it is phishing...from Joyce (she had notes from several others), someone got into the database at Spartan...nice of them to let us know

I sent them a nastygram!

Goes to show no company's data base is secure. We think of hacks only being against large companies, but smaller ones may be easier to hack and just as profitable. Thanks for the heads up Dave.

wnytaxman · 01-24-2014, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSL417

Yes, it is phishing...from Joyce (she had notes from several others), someone got into the database at Spartan...nice of them to let us know

I sent them a nastygram!

Thanks for the update Dave. Sadly no one's database is safe from the cyber scum that's out there. One of my clients works for an e-security firm. A European bank hired them to check their security. They were very proud of their layers of security. It took him 15 minutes to crack it and get in. That's scary stuff that goes on out there.

MRUSA14 · 01-24-2014, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

A vendor may ask a question of the consumer, but a vendor that is upstream from the final sale would be very, very odd to be making any inquiries of the customer. There can be NO sales tax issue between a supplier of a component and the customer of the end product. Sales tax issues are only between the seller and the customer. The more I think about this Dave, I'm pretty sure that the e-mail is from that same long lost relative from Nigeria that constantly is sending you e-mails.

Ed

Ed, you are overlooking the fact that a number of us have been to Spartan and/or purchased parts or services from them, thereby creating a direct sales relationship. Are there any people who got the email that do not fit this category?

wnytaxman · 01-24-2014, 03:43 PM

Marc,

I understand what you are saying, but those of you who made the trek up to Michigan would have been charged sales tax when you purchased the service or the part. If the part had been sent to you, then perhaps one would have the question as more states are collecting taxes even though they do not have nexus. For example, let's say I order a part from Spartan in Michigan and it is delivered to me in NY without any sales tax. That type of transaction could generate the question, but even then the amount of personal questions would be very limited. It's either you owe the tax or you don't. If you don't then sign an exemption certificate.

Your question is a very valid one though. Did this come only from those who went to Michigan or did all the Spartan customers get the e-mail?

Apparently though, it has been narrowed down that the questionnaire was a phishing scam.

Ed

DSL417 · 01-24-2014, 04:22 PM

As mentioned earlier, it appears to be phishing. I did also interact with Scott Wixson at Spartan who said he was on it with his company. The really strange thing about this whole episode, Spartan is such a small company with a relatively small customer base compared to other companies. However, they did make military vehicles up to two years ago.

Anyway, I sent a note back to the originator (they already have our emails anyway) suggesting that I forwarded their email to the FBI (Fraud and Counterterrorism Center), for their future fun and games