Scamming Grandma
Woe to you...for you devour widows’ houses...
—Matthew 23:14a
Recently I started a new business in order to sell my books on-line. When I went to my bank to create a business account, I was missing a bunch of items. The lady at the bank kindly gave me instructions. “This can’t be that hard,” I thought. “I will just accomplish each task one by one.”
However, it was VERY hard. My information wouldn’t go through, and then it suddenly did. My credit card was declined when I knew there was nothing wrong with it. And I was left on hold listening to music for what seemed like forever.
Suddenly, a Navy Federal alert became visible on my phone! Due to other scam issues experienced in the past, I quickly hung up my phone and called the bank. Sure enough! The scammers had already used my credit card. Fortunately, their evil plans were foiled just in time and I didn’t lose any money.
What I learned:
If it doesn’t feel quite right, it probably isn’t.
I should have let my more savvy son help me sooner. Eventually, he basically did it all for me.
The word SPONSOR at the top of my Google search should have been a strong warning.
I need to make sure the website is an official website.
If I feel pressured to make a quick decision, I need to get a trusted second opinion.
If the offer seems too good to be true, it is likely a scam.
If I encounter a possible scam, I need to call my bank immediately (NOT the scammers).
Scamming the Scammers
The video below of scammers being scammed in India will open your eyes. You’ll never see things quite the same. These are professionals trained to trick honest people, prey on our fears, and manipulate our empathy.