Beware scams ... nothing is 'free'
May 1, 2013
By Dave McClelland
Boundary County Sheriff’s Detective

Fraud -- it’s a word that doesn’t even sound good. In the computer-driven world we live in, there are a huge amount of scammers that I generally identify as “parasites.”

Now everyone who knows me knows without a doubt that computers hate me and will stop working when I get within three feet of them. Believe me, the feelings of contempt are mutual.

When I’m able to get a computer to work with me, I see many examples of fraud in both my work and my personal email. Luckily, most end up as spam and the ones that do slip through I immediately block as spam.

Lack of privacy of personal information is the constant norm and every effort must be made to protect yours. The parasites are out there trying to get your personal information, trying their best to relieve you of your money, and don’t really care what the consequences are to your well-being.

The best thing I can tell you is that there’s absolutely no one out there wanting to give you “free” money or valuables. If your common sense tells you “it’s too good to be true," it is!

The examples are varied, but if someone sends you an email, snail mail, or gives you a phone call telling you that you’ve won a car or money -- especially if you never entered any kind of contest -- it’s a scam.

The car scam works like this.

Someone will call to tell you that you’ve won a new car and all you have to do is to send them the documentation fees, taxes or whatever they request. It may not seem like a lot of money, but the clincher is, once you send them your money, it’s gone.

Most of the scams will actually have an individual call you and set up a delivery time for your “new car," or get a bank routing number and possibly your bank account number or a credit card number so they can verify that you’re a real person -- ya right.

They actually have the nerve to tell you that fraud is so prevalent that they’re just trying to make sure they don’t get scammed!

They will want your personal information, such as full name, date of birth, social security number and address.

Even just a few of these items of information will allow them to put the pieces together and come up with all of your information they have acquired from different sources.

They will sound very convincing, and as they are professional liars and cheats, and they know just the right words and phrases to win your confidence.

Believe it or not, many of your friends and neighbors have fallen for the money/car scam.

Another scam that keeps rearing its ugly head is the, “I’m Sergeant Donuthole with the Podunk Sheriff’s Office and your grandson has been arrested. Unless we’re sent his bail and fine money, you won’t see your grandson for at least a year, as he’s being sent to a work farm because he can’t post his bail or fines.”

Generally, you, the potential victim, will only be talking to an individual who identifies him/herself as someone in authority, who will attempt to bully you into sending a money via Money Gram, or something similar. They even take credit cards over the phone!

Another oldie but goody is the eBay scam, where someone will put something on eBay and make it look real, such as a car in a showroom to make it look like a legitimate dealership.

The first clue that the offer is fraudulent is that the price is absurdly low, e.g., $5000 for a $10,000 truck, delivered for free from Texas.

They will require that you either pay for the truck or item in full, or pay a sizable down payment thru Money Gram, Western Union, or a credit card before they will deliver.

You will never see that vehicle or your money.

Check out Craigslist for their hints on avoiding scams. Remember, the parasite you’re talking to probably isn’t even in the country, so tracking down and prosecuting them is next to impossible.

These parasites prey upon the elderly and those on fixed incomes, knowing they can appeal to people who may be having a hard time with life and the economy, and are desperately trying to find a way out of their situation.

The way these punks get their information is through the many pay internet sites that will give you people’s personal information. Not only does your personal information show up on these sites, but your relatives,' friends’ and neighbors,’ along with their phone numbers, etc.

It’s a very cheap investment for potentially huge profits.

Fall prey and the worst part is, not only did you just lose some or all of your hard earned cash, but you most likely helped fund terrorism, both international and narcotics.

As soon as you send off that Money Gram or some other means of payment, it’s gone. Even if it’s sent to a legitimate sounding address, it will never get there due to mail forwarding or a private mailbox service.

Credit card payments are even worse.

As soon as you hit the send key, your money is out of the country, potentially funding terrorism, and they now have more of your personal information.

The only way these scams are investigated is through Federal law enforcement.

The FBI has a website geared solely for the above type of scams. It’s a site that is for self-reporting the attempt at victimization, or if you have already been scammed.

The website is self-explanatory and very effective: www.ic3.gov.

Be safe out there and remember, parasitical scammers are just as bad as burglars and thieves, nothing more than blood sucking bottom feeders, who care nothing about ruining your future.