Beware the
Scams! - by Carla Base
I got a strange piece of mail yesterday. I have a
friend with an unusual first name. Only on one single occasion did I have this
friend assist me in calling our local phone company. I was having computer
issues and he speaks the language. He explained he was (his first name) and my
last name. Only at this single occasion was this ever used together, both being
unusual names.
I got the
letter stating that (combo-name) in Spain had died and he was the lawyer to
fork over millions of dollars. Beware of
these scams. They seem to be legitimate and lure people with greed first. Then
they hook them into an agreement which sounds possible. Pretty soon you are
paying just a little bit of money to get a LOT of money so they claim. Then it
will be a very intricate hoax. Sometimes it is a very elaborate way to even
kidnap victims from our country from another. Never believe such trash. Send it
to the authorities to stop it in its tracks. For every one that is thrown out,
another is opened with great hopes and naiveté .
Older people or
younger inexperienced people who may be desperate for something good to happen
most often are the victims, sadly, the most vulnerable groups who need help the
most. Try to be an ambassador to tell others if you ever experience such a scam
and spread the word never to give into them. Explain that they suck you in
first with greed and move into a tiny bit of risk that looks reasonable, then
sometimes even uses guilt or shame to keep the scam quiet when the victim realizes
he or she has been duped big time! Always come forward if you are victimized,
but don't fall for anything in the mail or on the telephone or internet. If you
think there really is some legitimacy, have others involved who can appraise
the situation more clearly; your lawyer, a professional relative who can check
out facts for you or through the police or FBI fraud units. Remember that there
are phone numbers people will have you call that can cost you a lot of money
per minute. Do not call them. It can be a disaster financially for you!
Never give out
bank information or social security information too easily. Know your banker
and go into the bank or call him at the public number. Many ask your social
security number, but most should not have it. Tell them it is against your
security policy. Look into some of the ways to protect your Identity. Even
children's Social Security Numbers and those of dead family members can be used
by criminals. Safe guard this information and shred all documents and paperwork
to do with your own business or work. It is amazing how they can piece together
information from a scrap or two of paper and place a couple names together. Be looking for the next scam!