Buck Bouker called me this week to tell me that he had just been informed that he was a $500,000 winner in the National Courier Express sweepstakes. They told him that he could not tell anyone the news for 48 hours. All he had to do in order to get the big check processed was to wire $6,500 to Land Bank International. Buck”s a sharp guy. He didn”t fall for this obvious scam. A couple of weeks ago a nice grandmother called me to tell she had just been called by someone posing as her grandson in Houston, Texas. The phony grandson said he had an emergency and needed to have her wire him several thousand dollars. Thankfully, this local grandmother saw right through the flim-flam and told the caller to call his parents for money.
Dealing with people who try to scam us out of our hard-earned dollars is nothing new. It has existed throughout history. The methods have changed with technology changes and now, while we are languishing deep in a recession, it stands to reason that more people have turned to these illegal methods of making a living.
Fortunately, the two local people who were recently approached didn”t fall for the false promise of wealth or the fictitious appeal for help. On the other hand, many people do get bilked. P.T. Barnum was credited with having said, “There is a sucker born every minute.” Even though there is a great debate as to whether he actually mouthed the words, they tend to be true. If not, why would scammers from all over the world continue to ply their deceptive trade?
Most scammers prey upon the elderly. Elderly people sometimes get confused and believe that the promises are real or that the caller really is a friend or relative. It is sad that the senior population is the group hit most frequently and with the greatest amount of success. But, they are not alone. Young people from 18 to 25 are susceptible to scams, too. My youngest daughter had a college friend who lost several thousand dollars of savings to one of those scheming Nigerians needing help to get his money out of Nigeria.
Another one of her friends got duped out of more than $2,000 because he thought he had won a sweepstakes prize.
There are a number of frequently used types of scams. Among them, one of the most common is the lottery or sweepstakes swindles. Just like what was attempted on Mr. Bouker, they make you think you have won a large amount of money. The catch is you have to pay a fee, tax or customs duties in order to collect. If the payoff is ever made, it is with a counterfeit check.
Another often used trick is for the scammer to pose as a telemarketing representative for a real charity, such as national cancer or other disease fundraising organization. They also frequently purport to be raising funds for the local police and firefighter associations.
There are some scams that just add insult to injury. Again, seniors are especially targeted for this one. When a flim-flam agent has succeeded at bilking money out of a person, they will return later and pose as a legal or government official who is trying to help the person receive a court settlement for their loss. The victim, once again, is told that they must pay a fee or taxes in order to be paid. Feeling like it is the only way to get their money back, they pay the phony fee.
It is despicable that there are people in our world who choose to live off of what other, law abiding citizens have earned, but it isn”t going to stop. Everyone needs to be extremely cautious. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always ask pointed questions. Most scammers hate the inquisitive types who put pressure on them. Above all, protect your assets.
Gary Dickson is the editor and publisher of the Record-Bee. Contact him at gdickson@record
