[Update: Please view the bottom of the post for the most up to date list of fraudulent listings, Additionally, I will pin this post to the top of my site until Sunday]
Thanks to an email from the gang over at Rathbun’s (website), 911 Reservations, a website looking to pull a fast one over restaurants across the country, is having a hard time pulling off their scam. The details are as follows:
Within the past few weeks, 911 Reservations started making a series of Valentine’s Day reservations at some of the most popular restaurants in several major cities across the country. They used a handful of numbers and a group of fake names. Primarily focused on the Atlanta restaurant scene, the “company” hoped to sell these highly desirable eating appointments for as much as $100. Luckily, word is starting to spread and some of the bogus accounts are being taken off the books. More details after the jump!
The list of restaurants targeted was extensive. To date, I’ve counted 100 restaurants on the site and there are a lot more than that.
Look, I’m a cynical dude … we know this. Valentine’s day is one of the holidays I can’t stand (but I loved it when I was dating someone!). Regardless, this is simply a case of downright [Insert Expletive of Choice]. Here is a list of bogus names and number discovered to this point. If you’re a restaurateur, feel free to email me and I’ll update the list of fakes which follows. Alternatively, you are welcome to use the comments section to get the names and numbers out there! Meanwhile, if you have been duped into buying one of those certificates, put in a credit card dispute immediately!
Kevin Brown, the GM of Chops/The Lobster Bar was the first to take note of this. He then alerted Andres Loaiza of Aria, who told Cliff Bramble.
As an important note, these numbers have been used on reservations around the country, not just in the Atlanta area.
Fake Numbers:
- 770.680.6018
- 770.380.6018
- 678.401.5603
- 678.401.5610
- 678.401.5581
- 678.779.4150
- 678.957.8855
List of fake names (alphabetical by last name):
- Bruce Banner
- Gary Binson
- Patrick Emerson
- Ian Harvey
- Renee Fantom
- Daniel Gates
- Dan Houle
- Bart Kavent
- Jeff Kline / Mr. Kline
- Ralph Magore
- ____ Mason
- John Miston
- Alex Peters
- Diana Prince
- Tom Reddick
- Kenny Reese
- Chris Smith
- Paul Trakk
- Mike Waters
- Rachael White
- Khaleda Williams
- Evan Winestead
- Ellie Worthmore
Cities Affected
- Atlanta, GA
- Napa Valley, CA
- New York City, NY
- Santa Rosa, CA
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