I just received this email, and wanted to post it as a warning to other interpreters, especially those who have recently entered the field:

Hello,
I am Donard Cius. I am an English speaking Spanish. I will be coming over to US on holidays from 20th of September to the 9th of October.2009 for a 21 days vacation with my Spanish wife, daughter and son and they only speak Spanish. We will require the services of a Spanish interpreter for 5 hours daily X 21 days. Please acknowledge if you can offer this service and give me a price quote. We will like to pay in advance of our visit so we can be assured of an escort during our shopping and sightseeing. An early reply will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Mr. Donard Cius

This is an old scam. The writer is laying the bait by saying he’d like to pay in advance. The unwary interpreter provides a quote and “Donard” sends a check for more than that amount. The interpreter writes back and mentions the overpayment, whereupon “Donard” says something about a stupid accountant and asks for the excess money to be wired back to him, inviting the interpreter to keep some of it in payment for the trouble. The interpreter deposits what appears to be a cashier’s check at the bank and wires the extra money to the client. Then the bank calls to say that the check is a fake. By that time, the interpreter’s money has gone and there is no way to reach the swindler.

Tony