ProZ.com Translation Forums

Translator scam alert reports | White Briggs + Fernando Javier Gonzalez Lorenzo (he exists)

PaulineGarnier — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:29:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator scam alert reports
Poster: PaulineGarnier
Post title: White Briggs + Fernando Javier Gonzalez Lorenzo (he exists)

He did the same to me. So any things from Fernando Javier Gonzalez Lorenzo or White Briggs is a fraud. Be careful, they are really clever.
Don't accept any internation EXPORT check.

I lost 2000 pounds ...

Translator scam alert reports | May 11, 2012: new impersonation of the "project book" scam A new impersonation of the scam reported

Usha KAIAVA TIROUVANZIAM — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:05:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator scam alert reports
Poster: Usha KAIAVA TIROUVANZIAM
Post title: May 11, 2012: new impersonation of the "project book" scam A new impersonation of the scam reported

I also received it on May 11 from James [email removed]

46 Belgrave Rd
Redbridge,
London
Zip Code: E11 3QW,
Country: UK
[phone removed]

I found something sounded strange in this negociation: the "client" wanted to pay 1/3 in advance by check. The volume of work was quite big (12Kwords) he even sent me a word file when I asked for details about the text to be translated. After exchanging few mails, I was amazed by the low writing skills of the "autor" and made a search. Hopefully I found this page.

Translator scam alert reports | White Briggs scam

Cristina Fuentes — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:51:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator scam alert reports
Poster: Cristina Fuentes
Post title: White Briggs scam

I too was contacted by him. The emails are exactly the same as the ones above, thank God I saw them and didn't fell in. In this case, he requested an interpreter for four days in Barcelona. He offer to pay everything (and more for extra unexpected expenses) in advance.
It all sounded strange from the very beginning. It seems the "African prince" scam has changed its looks a little bit but it is the same thing again.
I also hope nobody falls in.
Thanks a million,

Cristina

Translator scam alert reports

debie — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:09:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator scam alert reports
Poster: debie

[quote]Laura Bertolin wrote:

Hello,

I too have been contacted by the so-called White Briggs ( [email removed] ) using exactly the same responses as the ones quoted above.

These are the e-mails they have sent me:

"You have been sent a message via ProZ.com.
Author: Briggs
[NOTE: The author is not a registered ProZ.com user or was not logged in when sending this message.] Author's IP address: [IP removed] Message type: Job-related
-----------

Hello, I write to inquire for the service of an English to Spanish Interpreter for an upcoming event in Spain.Kindly reply if interested.

Warm Regards,
White Briggs"

Next e-mail:

"Thank you very much for your reply.I am interested in booking you for 3 to 4 days between 11th to 15th of June.

Purpose: To work as a liaison Interpreter between myself and 3 Spanish speaking independent business men.

Venue: Barcelona, Spain

Time : 9am to 4pm daily

Subject: To develop marketing Concept and Strategies on how to introduce a new product in Spain.

Kindly note that the website is under construction and i shall supply you any other information as we unfold issues.

I am a very busy person and i will be happy to get what the fee for your service will be so i can plan along with it because I have many assignments on my neck between now and the next 3 weeks. Will await your response.

Warm Regards,
White Briggs"

And the last one:

"Or are you saying I make a deposit now or make payment after the exercise?"

I did not go any further because I found this thread warning about the scam.

I hope nobody else falls for it.
[/quote]

[Edited at 2012-05-01 17:05 GMT]

[Edited at 2012-05-01 17:06 GMT]

Translator scam alert reports | GONZALO BENJUMEDA FRAUD

evalenzuela — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator scam alert reports
Poster: evalenzuela
Post title: GONZALO BENJUMEDA FRAUD

Hello,

I was contacted by GONZALO BENJUMEDA the 11th of April. He asked me for a translation from Arabic to Spanish. I delivered the translation and he sent me a copy of a false transfer to my account, that of course it never arrived. I lost track of him as soon as I sent him the translation. I hope that more translators read these postings so they are aware.

Best regards,

Estefanía

Translator scam alert reports | White Briggs Scam

Ana Nicolau — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:29:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator scam alert reports
Poster: Ana Nicolau
Post title: White Briggs Scam

I have also been contacted by "White Briggs", I have received exactly the same emails as Laura has.

I haven't given him any information either as I found something in his emails strange.

Thank you for posting these alert reports!!

Translator scam alert reports | White Briggs scam

Laura Bertolin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:30:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator scam alert reports
Poster: Laura Bertolin
Post title: White Briggs scam

Hello,

I too have been contacted by the so-called White Briggs ( [email removed] ) using exactly the same responses as the ones quoted above.

These are the e-mails they have sent me:

"You have been sent a message via ProZ.com.
Author: Briggs
[NOTE: The author is not a registered ProZ.com user or was not logged in when sending this message.] Author's IP address: [IP removed] Message type: Job-related
-----------

Hello, I write to inquire for the service of an English to Spanish Interpreter for an upcoming event in Spain.Kindly reply if interested.

Warm Regards,
White Briggs"

Next e-mail:

"Thank you very much for your reply.I am interested in booking you for 3 to 4 days between 11th to 15th of June.

Purpose: To work as a liaison Interpreter between myself and 3 Spanish speaking independent business men.

Venue: Barcelona, Spain

Time : 9am to 4pm daily

Subject: To develop marketing Concept and Strategies on how to introduce a new product in Spain.

Kindly note that the website is under construction and i shall supply you any other information as we unfold issues.

I am a very busy person and i will be happy to get what the fee for your service will be so i can plan along with it because I have many assignments on my neck between now and the next 3 weeks. Will await your response.

Warm Regards,
White Briggs"

And the last one:

"Or are you saying I make a deposit now or make payment after the exercise?"

I did not go any further because I found this thread warning about the scam.

I hope nobody else falls for it.

Translator scam alert reports | Bid for Project #111771 - 30 January 2012

Claire Mukhwana — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:25:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator scam alert reports
Poster: Claire Mukhwana
Post title: Bid for Project #111771 - 30 January 2012

I am one of those translators who fell for the scam as provided below. The Job came through the usual notification and I submitted my bid, for which the client responded as below:

Hello. I accept the price and I am a private person. right now am in uk for vacation. Perhaps I can send you a cheque in the range of payment? That should cover payment for the translation translate the document in word and dont translate the pictures. I will need your data for the payment.
Full Name:
Address:
Phone numbers:
Thanks.
Flora
flora mcmannaman [email removed]

Main Page | Glad to join the big platform

Frint — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:58:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Main Page
Poster: Frint
Post title: Glad to join the big platform

This is the first time I came here and I found everything interesting and amazing, glad to join the big platform, hope to get progressed soon!
Sincere,
Frint

Publicly accessible translation memories (TMs) | OPUS

FarkasAndras — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:26:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Publicly accessible translation memories (TMs)
Poster: FarkasAndras
Post title: OPUS

You left out the most important one, OPUS.
I tried adding it but some sort of login is required, and frankly, I won't bother with that.

Publicly accessible translation memories (TMs) | Reliability of Linguee

Lisa McCarthy — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Publicly accessible translation memories (TMs)
Poster: Lisa McCarthy
Post title: Reliability of Linguee

I agree with Michael.
Linguee is useful sometimes, but remember that these are just translations done by other people, some good and some bad - you really need to be able to tell the difference. It's worth taking a look at the quality of some of the rest of the text, not just the phrase or word that you're looking for.

Risk management for translators and interpreters | .

Nani Delgado — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:46:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Risk management for translators and interpreters
Poster: Nani Delgado
Post title: .

[quote]Thayenga wrote:

That agency's Blue Board record still shows my (at that time, sincere and honest) WWA 5. This means that I will have to wait another 11 months before I can make another entry to then reflect the true "face" of said agency. IMHO there should be a way to make ammendments to a BB entry when the outsourcer's business conduct changes so drastically.
[/quote]

It´s several months ago since you wrote this but I am sure you can edit your BB entry within the year, no need to wait a year for a new one. I would do it if the behavior changes that much. I´ve done it once indeed.

Risk management for translators and interpreters | :)

Barbara Antonieta — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:55:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Risk management for translators and interpreters
Poster: Barbara Antonieta
Post title: :)

I agree with you John.

Specializing | Spacializing Specialization in specifying the translator species

Mohd shadab — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Specializing
Poster: Mohd shadab
Post title: Spacializing Specialization in specifying the translator species

All credit goes to the author for gifting us such an informative as well as the short and snappy summarization. It will equally prove to be a good guide for excelling in the field of translation as well as getting known about Proz and the other translation industries. It is an well encouraging article that can enthusiast many new comer translators to choose the right track for their career.

Specializing

Md Abu Alam — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:13:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Specializing
Poster: Md Abu Alam

Well written- very relevant and useful.

Main Page | Proz.com wiki

abdou2011 — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:23:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Main Page
Poster: abdou2011
Post title: Proz.com wiki

Actually, I found this idea so useful. Indeed we are in dire need of such creativities and innovations.

Thank you so much.

Best regards,

Abdou

Specializing

EDITH NKWOCHA — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:17:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Specializing
Poster: EDITH NKWOCHA

Well-organized, clear/concise and very relevant.

Tax issues for freelancers | Filling of W-8 BEN form

Ana Castro — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:51:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Tax issues for freelancers
Poster: Ana Castro
Post title: Filling of W-8 BEN form

Thank you very much for the information Samuel.

Tax issues for freelancers | The W8 form

Samuel Murray — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:53:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Tax issues for freelancers
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: The W8 form

[quote]Ana Castro wrote:
I was asked by an American translation agency to fill out a W-8 BEN form in order to work for them. Can anyone tell me what implications will this have? Will I have to pay taxes to the US tax authorities?[/quote]

The W8 form is the form on which you declare that you don't have to pay taxes in the US. The agency's bookkeeper wants it to prove to the US tax people that he doesn't have to calculate taxes on your behalf. I have placed my W8 form on the front page of my web site for people to download.

Tax issues for freelancers | Filling of W-8 BEN form

Ana Castro — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:33:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Tax issues for freelancers
Poster: Ana Castro
Post title: Filling of W-8 BEN form

I'm a Portuguese translator residing in Portugal and I was asked by an American translation agency to fill out a W-8 BEN form in order to work for them. Can anyone tell me what implications will this have? Will I have to pay taxes to the US tax authorities? Thank you in advance.

Creating an effective CV / resume | confidentiality

Tomas Mosler — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Creating an effective CV / resume
Poster: Tomas Mosler
Post title: confidentiality

"you could be in breach of confidentiality, even if you have not signed an NDA"
- Could this be elaborated? If there is no NDA, how is confidentiality defined (especially with "world-wide" effect)? Thanks.

Creating an effective CV / resume | F/Q

jdjagath — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:56:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Creating an effective CV / resume
Poster: jdjagath
Post title: F/Q

very good information

Getting established as an interpreter | training

adm604 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:55:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Getting established as an interpreter
Poster: adm604
Post title: training

it is training in specific field and huge acknowledgment

Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools | CAT tools are useful, but not perfect

Helmaninquiel — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:18:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools
Poster: Helmaninquiel
Post title: CAT tools are useful, but not perfect

I totally agree with all of you.
CAT tools are really helpful, but agencies use them mainly to lower costs.
Some translation agencies don't pay 100% matches, but what about this case:
TRANSLATION
AGENCY
In Spanish:
AGENCIA
DE TRADUCCIÓN
So when we have another segment containing only TRANSLATION we will get AGENCIA, instead of TRADUCCIÓN.
TM is useless.
As Laurent said translations memories are not mantained so translations are consistent yes, but in errors.
I like working with CAT tools: concordance search is fantastic and also having the possibility of viewing the glossary in the same environment.
But still it does requiere work.

[Edited at 2011-10-20 15:35 GMT]

Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools | Statistics can also lie

Philip Lees — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:11:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools
Poster: Philip Lees
Post title: Statistics can also lie

[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:

So the number of jobs that require CAT tools has increased, but the percentage of jobs that require CAT tools [b]remains unchanged at just under 1/3 of jobs[/b] [/quote]

So are you going to edit the wiki, Samuel? I've edited the part I objected to.

Now I just checked that poll and see that it doesn't actually say what the original wiki entry said. In fact, the real data support Lucia's point of view. So I'll go back and edit it again.

[Edited at 2011-10-20 15:14 GMT]

Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools | Statistics can also lie

Samuel Murray — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:02:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: Statistics can also lie

[quote]ProZwiki says:
In 2007 = 10,881 jobs with at least one CAT tool as required or preferred
2008 = 11,393
2009 = 11,315
2010 = 15,188.[/quote]

So the *number of jobs* that require CAT tools rose by 40% over 4 years, but what *percentage of jobs* require a CAT tool?

Thanks to ProZ.com's homepage on the Wayback Machine, we know this:

* Between 30 June 2008 and 15 January 2009, 17 844 jobs were posted (so that's approximately 35 000 jobs in total, in 2008). So the percentage of jobs requiring/preferring CAT is only 31% for 2008.

* Between 15 January 2009 and 5 January 2010, 33862 jobs were posted in total. So the percentage of jobs requiring/preferring CAT is only 33% for 2009 (roughly the same as 2008).

* Between 5 January 2010 and 28 January 2011, 49209 jobs were posted in total. So the percentage of jobs requiring/preferring CAT is only 30% for 2010 (roughly the same as in 2009).

So the number of jobs that require CAT tools has increased, but the percentage of jobs that require CAT tools [b]remains unchanged at just under 1/3 of jobs[/b].

[Edited at 2011-10-20 15:02 GMT]

Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools | Thanks for the great feedback!

Lucia Leszinsky — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:41:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools
Poster: Lucia Leszinsky
Post title: Thanks for the great feedback!

And thanks Samuel for emphasizing the possibility to contribute to this article.

I have taken some of the ideas posted here and introduced some changes to the article.

Please, feel free to add a "Cons" section to it. I would be very interested in reading more about the drawbacks you found in the use of CAT tools.

Lucia

Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools | The danger of a wiki

Samuel Murray — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:27:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: The danger of a wiki

[quote]Philip Lees wrote:
I agree with the other posters that this article is disgracefully one-sided.[/quote]

The danger of having a wiki is that users who do not realise that each article is a work in progress will criticise it as if it is a completed, final version. Another danger is that people will complain about how one-sided the article is but will make no attempt to show the other side which they believe to be missing.

Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools | Totally one-sided

Philip Lees — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: Translator use of Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools
Poster: Philip Lees
Post title: Totally one-sided

I agree with the other posters that this article is disgracefully one-sided. What's more, the "arguments" do not stand up to examination. For example, consider these statements:

"We already have sufficient evidence to state that every professional translator must know how to use at least one CAT tool."

"Another recent poll shows that 32.0% of translators have mastered at least one CAT tool."

So what about the other 68% of translators? If more than two thirds of translators do not use CAT tools, how can we conclude that "every professional translator must know how to use at least one".

Or perhaps the implication is that those 68% are not real professionals.

ProZ.com membership benefits | ProZ.com helped me to become an excellent professional translator

Ana Escaleira — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com translation industry wiki
Topic: ProZ.com membership benefits
Poster: Ana Escaleira
Post title: ProZ.com helped me to become an excellent professional translator

How?

training, PRO Certfied Network, lots of job, networking, etc.

If you wish to become a translator, ProZ will make a huge difference for you.

Cheers

Ana Escaleira
[url removed]