Episode 16

full
Published on:

9th Nov 2024

Be Aware of Scammers

 Be Aware of Scammers!

Ravae Sinclair, a co-host of the Doula That podcast, shares her experience of being scammed by Augustine Colebrook, who promised a retreat for birth workers. Ravae paid $1,400 for a retreat scheduled for November 2024, but it was changed to February 2025, which was unacceptable. Despite multiple requests for a refund, Colebrook delayed and eventually took an additional $600 without authorization. Ravae emphasizes the importance of being informed consumers, using business credit cards for transactions, and the need for clear communication from service providers. She urges others to be cautious and to support her in recovering her money.

Ravae Sinclair @birthconnections @natlbirthpostpartumpros

Augustine Colebrook @artofbirthing @midwiferywisdom


Outline

Scammers in the Birth Space

  • Ravae Sinclair introduces herself and the topic of scammers in the birth space.
  • She mentions that she and her co-host Denise have been impacted by scammers, with her matter still unresolved.
  • Ravae emphasizes that it's important to speak out if one has been scammed to prevent others from falling victim.
  • She encourages birth workers not to feel shame if they have been scammed, as it's not their fault.

The Scam Story Begins

  • Ravae shares a story about planning to attend a retreat with her co-host Denise, inspired by a promotional ad.
  • They made payments from January to June, expecting a retreat in November, but received no updates or communication.
  • In July, they learned the conference in New Orleans had changed to virtual, raising suspicions about the retreat.
  • The retreat dates were later changed to February 2025, which was unacceptable for Ravae due to her schedule and client commitments.

Attempts to Get a Refund

  • Ravae and Denise reached out to Augustine Colebrook, the organizer, requesting a refund due to the significant date change.
  • Augustine agreed to the refund but delayed it, initially saying it would be at the end of November.
  • Denise's company was able to get provisional credit back on her credit card, but Ravae's payments were made through a business debit card, making it harder to challenge.
  • Despite multiple emails and requests, Augustine did not provide the refund or communicate effectively.

The Scam Escalates

  • In October, Ravae discovered an unauthorized $600 charge from Augustine, under a different business name.
  • She had to cancel her debit card to prevent further unauthorized charges.
  • Ravae expressed deep disappointment and frustration, especially seeing Augustine's social media posts about her activities in Bali while not returning the money.
  • She emphasized the importance of being an informed consumer and the need for better communication and transparency from service providers.

Final Plea and Lessons Learned

  • Ravae urged listeners to be cautious and informed when making purchases, especially in the birth space.
  • She shared her frustration and the emotional toll of being scammed, especially by someone who claimed to be an ally.
  • Ravae highlighted the importance of having a business credit card for transactions to have advocacy and protection.
  • She called on listeners to support her in getting her money back and to be vigilant about who they do business with.


Transcript
Length:

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

scammers awareness, birth space, financial loss, unauthorized charges, refund request, communication breakdown, business credit, chargeback process, informed consumer, midwifery wisdom, Augustine Colebrook, black birth workers, small business issues, social media highlights, consumer protection

SPEAKERS

Ravae Sinclair

Ravae Sinclair

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About the Podcast

Doula That!
We are experienced birth workers with diverse careers, bringing decades of expertise to the world of birth, babies, and families. Join us on this journey as we delve deep into the realms of birth, postpartum care, and the business aspects of this incredible field. Our aim is to shed light on the unfiltered realities of birth work and guide you through building a successful birthing career.

About your hosts

Ravae Sinclair

Profile picture for Ravae Sinclair
Ravae Sinclair is a highly experienced birth worker with a rich history spanning two decades, during which she has passionately served over 800 families. Holding numerous certifications including those of a birth doula, postpartum doula, certified childbirth educator, and breastfeeding professional, Ravae's multifaceted expertise has made her a prominent figure in the field. Beyond her roles in maternal and perinatal care, she also boasts a legal background as a licensed attorney.
Ravae's impact extends across the United States, where she leads three influential doula groups situated in Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. Her unwavering commitment to maternal health and support has been pivotal in these regions. You can learn more about her work at www.birth-connections.com.
As a trailblazer in the birth world, Ravae is the visionary founder of Birth Connections Global, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving maternal health care. She is also the driving force behind the National Birth & Postpartum Professionals group, an association uniting perinatal health professionals from various disciplines. Her dedication to creating positive change is further evident through her roles as a board member in organizations such as the National Association to Advance Black Birth (NAABB), Iowa Black Doula Collective (IBDC), and Health in the Hood.
Ravae's commitment to mentorship and support extends to fellow birth workers, acting as a mentor and coach. She facilitates essential discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations, and offers valuable family-centered legal guidance to those intentionally expanding their families. Her dedication to simplifying the work of birth workers is evident in the birth worker contract templates available on her website at www.ravaesinclair.com. Ravae Sinclair is truly a dedicated and versatile professional, making significant contributions to the field of maternal health and support.

Denise Bolds

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Biography Denise Bolds MSW, Adv.CD (DONA), CLC, CBE. www.BoldDoula.com
Black Women Do VBAC
Denise Bolds is Bold Doula, she holds a MSW degree and is a doctoral student at Saint John Fischer University. She is experienced in case managing high- risk pregnancies for managed care organizations. Ms. Bolds was one of the first MSW Social Workers hired in NYS for Medical Management in Health Management Organizations. She is a DONA International Advanced Certified Birth Doula with 281 births of experience since 2014. She is certified as an Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Instructor. Ms. Bolds is also a Certified Lactation Counselor providing breastfeeding support and breastfeeding classes. Ms. Bolds is the owner and developer of ‘Black Women Do VBAC’ She offers mentoring and training to birth doulas; and is known for her advocacy and empowerment in Black birth-work. Ms. Bolds is a noted public speaker, workshop presenter and podcast producer (Independently and formerly with Lamaze); she is MWBE certified in NYS/NYC. She is a native New Yorker born in Harlem NYC and is a successful single mom of a 33-year-old son. She loves skydiving, collecting stones, tarot decks and beaches.