Scam

     I have long heard it said that there are two things you can never avoid --- death and taxes!  However, today there seems to be a third --- the scam artists.  I have certainly run into my share over the years of my life.  And unfortunately I have fallen victim to some of their deceptions.  And it just doesn’t matter whether you are dealing with business, politics or religion --- there’s always someone out there trying to rip you off.

   The scam artist preys on the hopes that people have and the fact that they (we) are gullible, selfish, and wanting to get something for nothing.  And for the most part they are right.  The majority of people fall into one or more of those categories.  But we don’t have to.

     If a deal sounds “too good to be true” just remember --- IT PROBABLY IS!  If  it “can’t wait” for you to think it over, you’d better pass it up.  If you “have to act right NOW” because it won’t be available tomorrow --- watch out!  And who hasn’t been continually surprised by the antics of TV evangelists or shaken their heads in disgust at the broken promises of politicians?

     But, I’m mainly reflecting my thoughts on the business scams.  Most of us have ordered items, information, etc. through the mail (or over the internet) and were very disappointed when it arrived --- IF it did arrive.  I recall a television program that reported on a mail order scam about a “portable solar powered clothes dryer” for only $50  When their order would come in, the person received a piece of rope and some clothes pins with instructions on how to “set-up” this clothes dryer --- outside in the sun.  This and many others like it go on every day.  But, WHY?  Well, there is an additional reason besides the ones I’ve already mentioned --- SHAME!  Scams play on the fact that most people will be ashamed to let others know that they have been “stupid” enough to have been taken.  That’s how we can help stop the scams in the mail order (and internet) business.  If you’ve been “ripped off” let someone know.  There are now locations (websites) that make a point of alerting others to the antics of scam artists.  Two very good sites are: https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-protection/scam-alert-dont-be-duped-by-fraudsters/ and https://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/scam_alerts.htm.  Soon the scam artists will have no more “pigeons” to pluck and hopefully the scams will stop!

     However, don’t let the fact that you have fallen prey to some scam artist.  It has been reported that P.T. Barnum once said:  "There's a sucker born every minute" (although it has never been documented when and where he supposedly said it.)  Add to this is the fact that WE’RE ONLY HUMAN!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Just remember:

You can't coast uphill!"