Yes — Professional Organizers Do Get Scammed - Thoughts from a Professional Organizer

 

Here’s how I avoided losing thousands of dollars, and the red flags that saved me

In mid-December 2025, I received an email inquiry for a home setup and unpacking project. 

The client was relocating to London for work in February 2026 and needed a full-home setup after delivery of furniture, décor, and household items.

They outlined the scope clearly:

  • An empty home being fully set up
  • Items delivered over two dates
  • Coordination with third-party vendors (movers, delivery teams, an electrician)
  • A requested pre-visit date and a firm setup deadline

On paper, it sounded like a dream project: a blank slate, almost all new items, and full-home setup. Honestly? It felt almost too good to be true.

The Early Process

I replied confirming availability and walked them through my standard process:

  • Consultation (virtual or in-person)
  • Signed contract
  • Deposit based on an estimated quote

He was eager to move forward quickly and wanted the contract drawn up right away. While he repeatedly avoided my requests for a consult, he provided enough written information for me to proceed for the time being. I added a clause to the contract stating that once his vendors were finalized, we would have a face-to-face call in the new year and that all vendor details would be shared.

He wanted to pay in full. I declined - my services are billed hourly, and I only require a deposit. He agreed.

I drafted a very firm contract (firmer than usual, admittedly), sent it over, and he signed within 24 hours. I then issued the deposit invoice for $615.00.

The Cheque That Raised the Alarm

He told me the payment would be sent by his “financier” and asked where to send it. As a home-based business owner, I don’t share my home address, so I had the cheque sent to a FedEx pickup location.

Because this all happened over the holidays, there were delays in communication and in picking up the cheque. He wasn’t pushy - another reason this felt believable.

Once he saw the cheque had arrived, he emailed me with new instructions.

That’s when things changed.

He informed me that the cheque was for over $10,000:

  • $4,100 for my fees
  • $500 for contingencies
  • $5,000 to pay the movers on his behalf

🚩 Immediate red flag.

This was well outside the scope of our agreement. I responded firmly, stating:

  • I do not hold excess client funds
  • I do not pay vendors I didn’t personally book
  • I had no contract, communication, or liability coverage related to this moving company
  • The amount exceeded what I could reasonably pay out at once

I asked why this arrangement was being introduced now and how it differed from our original agreement.

He replied calmly, saying he wanted to “address my concerns and propose a resolution.”

Verifying My Gut Feeling

Before responding again, I picked up the cheque and took it directly to the financial institution listed on it. I explained that I believed I might be the target of a scam and asked them to verify the cheque

As suspected: the cheque was fraudulent and had been tampered with.

Ending the Contract

I immediately ended the relationship, responding:

Due to the nature of the requests - specifically advance payment and payment to third-party vendors, which fall outside my company’s standard practices - I am unable to proceed.

Additionally, the cheque retrieved from FedEx has been identified as fraudulent. As a result, I can no longer continue with this work.

If this issue did not originate from you, I recommend reviewing the companies you’re engaging for your move.

His response was polite, professional, and non-confrontational.

And that was the end of our correspondence.

What They Were Trying to Do

This is a classic overpayment scam.

The goal was for me to:

  1. Deposit the cheque
  2. Feel pressure to “keep the project moving”
  3. Send $5,000 to the movers before the cheque cleared
  4. Be left personally responsible once the cheque bounced

Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

The Red Flags That Saved Me

Here’s what kept me from losing thousands of dollars:

  • 🚩 A job that felt too good to be true
  • 🚩 Avoidance of phone or video calls
  • 🚩 Slightly off language (hard to judge in the age of AI, but still notable)
  • 🚩 Pressure to handle third-party payments
  • 🚩 Overpayment far exceeding the invoice
  • 🚩 Requests that contradicted my standard process

What I Did Right

  • I held firm to my processes, even when it felt uncomfortable
  • I researched everything I could: name, email, addresses, company on the cheque
  • I added protective clauses to my contract
  • I pushed back on inconsistencies (even small ones, like mixed-up dates)
  • I didn’t share personal information that isn’t publicly available
  • I didn’t let a large cheque override my better judgment
  • I trusted my gut - and verified it with professionals

Yes, this was a huge time waster. And yes, it was incredibly disappointing to realize that a “dream client” wasn’t real.

But I’m also proud of myself.

Final Thoughts for Fellow Organizers

If you’re in a service-based business like mine, especially professional organizing:

  • Verify everything
  • Be firmer than you think you need to be
  • Don’t handle money for vendors you didn’t book
  • Don’t bend your process for “big” opportunities
  • Trust your instincts - and then confirm them

I’ll be filing a police report. I don’t expect direct resolution, and that’s okay. The information helps identify patterns and protects others.

I’m grateful this didn’t start my year with a major financial loss - and my heart goes out to those who haven’t been so lucky.

If this has happened to you, I’d love for you to share your experience, red flags, or advice.

Stay vigilant.

Thank you for reading! 

Kristen 

Professional Organizer

KAS KONCEPTS - Helping you get and stay organized! 

W: https://kaskoncepts.godaddysites.com

Location: London, ON, Canada

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