Scammers Are More Than Scamps
Non-fiction Rant about Various Scammers15 total reviews
Comment from karenina
Grrrr. I am angry right along with you. On dating sites it's like "emotional blackmail" the way people get played...and often seriously impoverished!
On line it's only too simple to catch people being "trustful" -- I know this because I was hacked last year to the tune of thousands of dollars by someone representing a computer security service (lucky them, it was the one I subscribed to, so I fell...HARD)--
Door to door I've seen scammers giving the pitch that they are "doing a roof" down the street and can "give a huge discount" because they over-purchased materials.
It goes on and on. Some people think those of us who have been scammed or hacked recover our losses. That is not true. The "fine print" often limits the amount (if any) we can recover.
The number of times I've heard my bank manager say they could not track down the scammers makes my head explode.
There! Now I've ranted along with you!
What ever happened to integrity?
Hmmm.
Karenina
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2023
Grrrr. I am angry right along with you. On dating sites it's like "emotional blackmail" the way people get played...and often seriously impoverished!
On line it's only too simple to catch people being "trustful" -- I know this because I was hacked last year to the tune of thousands of dollars by someone representing a computer security service (lucky them, it was the one I subscribed to, so I fell...HARD)--
Door to door I've seen scammers giving the pitch that they are "doing a roof" down the street and can "give a huge discount" because they over-purchased materials.
It goes on and on. Some people think those of us who have been scammed or hacked recover our losses. That is not true. The "fine print" often limits the amount (if any) we can recover.
The number of times I've heard my bank manager say they could not track down the scammers makes my head explode.
There! Now I've ranted along with you!
What ever happened to integrity?
Hmmm.
Karenina
Comment Written 01-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2023
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Thank you so much for your kind review. Some days it seems like it would be better to go back to requiring in-person requests with two or three forms of I.D., fingerprinting, and no computers at all, just to avoid certain scams.
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I agree! I had a pushy call today from my insurance company (NOT)--INSISTING I needed to book a home visit right away!
Why I Oughta.....
Comment from dragonpoet
Hi, Crystie,
This is a well worded rant about all the dishonest people in this world. It is sad how many people and animals are effected by these scams. It ruins so many lives.
Congrats on placing third in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Happy St Patrick's Day.
Joan
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2023
Hi, Crystie,
This is a well worded rant about all the dishonest people in this world. It is sad how many people and animals are effected by these scams. It ruins so many lives.
Congrats on placing third in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Happy St Patrick's Day.
Joan
Comment Written 17-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2023
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, especially now it isn't promoted.
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You are most kindly welcome, Crystie.
Joan
Comment from PoemsOfDD
Yes, this is one of MANY things that gets me riled up. Betraying someones trust when all they were after was love and companionship - whilst the wolf in a red cape wants more and will feed on as much money they can get.This is an interesting account of the first-hand knowledge you have gained from scammer scums. May they get what they deserve with their fill of bad karma. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
Yes, this is one of MANY things that gets me riled up. Betraying someones trust when all they were after was love and companionship - whilst the wolf in a red cape wants more and will feed on as much money they can get.This is an interesting account of the first-hand knowledge you have gained from scammer scums. May they get what they deserve with their fill of bad karma. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Thank you for your personalized review. Much appreciated, and the five stars.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Chrystie, I can see see you're not unfamiliar with scammers through the work you've been doing. The world are full of them and the Internet has become a playing field for them.
Good luck with this well written piece. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
Hi Chrystie, I can see see you're not unfamiliar with scammers through the work you've been doing. The world are full of them and the Internet has become a playing field for them.
Good luck with this well written piece. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Thank you so much for your kind comments and review.
Comment from Mary Shifman
This is a excellent post. I always thought I was savvy enough not to get caught by a scammer. I'm embarrassed to admit that I wasn't. This person got to me through IM claiming to be my niece. Needless to say, it wasn't. My "niece" referred me to a website. The website had a very official looking Washington, DC heading, etc. The hook for me was a grant--I wanted money to move into an apartment. My mistake ended up costing me several thousand dollars borrowed from my credit cards. Since I'm retired and have a small pension, I'm still paying it back. I feel like a complete fool. So, the moral is, if anyone is offering something that seems amazing, and they claim to be a relative, be certain to verify it before even talking to them.
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
This is a excellent post. I always thought I was savvy enough not to get caught by a scammer. I'm embarrassed to admit that I wasn't. This person got to me through IM claiming to be my niece. Needless to say, it wasn't. My "niece" referred me to a website. The website had a very official looking Washington, DC heading, etc. The hook for me was a grant--I wanted money to move into an apartment. My mistake ended up costing me several thousand dollars borrowed from my credit cards. Since I'm retired and have a small pension, I'm still paying it back. I feel like a complete fool. So, the moral is, if anyone is offering something that seems amazing, and they claim to be a relative, be certain to verify it before even talking to them.
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Thank you so much for your personal review. Those scammers are just so practiced at what they do, that I have even heard of law enforcement falling for them in their off hours.
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You're right. I think it's one of the worst crimes because it always plays to the innocent, needy or naive.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
Excellent rant. Scammers, particularly take advantage of the elderly. My 82-year-old neighbor was haunted by one scammer who kept calling her. Would you believe when she told him to stop calling her, he said he would call her again at 3AM and he did!
Good luck in the contest.
Mary
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
Excellent rant. Scammers, particularly take advantage of the elderly. My 82-year-old neighbor was haunted by one scammer who kept calling her. Would you believe when she told him to stop calling her, he said he would call her again at 3AM and he did!
Good luck in the contest.
Mary
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Thank you for your kind review. Sounds like your neighbor had a particularly persistent scammer after her. They are so hard to trace if they are calling from another country.
Comment from Rosemary Everson1
Scammers change their methods frequently. Current coronavirus scams include: Identity theft when people post a photo of their vaccination card on social media - Don't post a photo of yourself. Important information in your story.
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
Scammers change their methods frequently. Current coronavirus scams include: Identity theft when people post a photo of their vaccination card on social media - Don't post a photo of yourself. Important information in your story.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Thank you so much for stopping by and reviewing.
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for this well written rant, Crystie! I appreciate your caring for all the victims of scammers who take advantage of the vulnerable like our seniors who have great sympathy for animal welfare and our single friends or relatives who are seeking a lifelong partner. It's just like you say, they have a "black mark on their souls" and have no concern for other humans. Best wishes in the contest!
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
Thank you for this well written rant, Crystie! I appreciate your caring for all the victims of scammers who take advantage of the vulnerable like our seniors who have great sympathy for animal welfare and our single friends or relatives who are seeking a lifelong partner. It's just like you say, they have a "black mark on their souls" and have no concern for other humans. Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Thank you so much for your thorough review, as always. Your comments are always right on the mark.
Comment from w.j.debi
This is an excellent rant. Unfortunately, it does make it hard to trust people who legitimately need assistance.
I once had a caller claim he had a warrant out for me. I answered, "Well, hang on while I get my dad the sheriff. I'm sure he would know about it." Click. Yeah, my dad is not the sheriff, but at least it got the scammer off the line in a hurry.
Good luck in the contest. I think this is one most of us can relate to.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
This is an excellent rant. Unfortunately, it does make it hard to trust people who legitimately need assistance.
I once had a caller claim he had a warrant out for me. I answered, "Well, hang on while I get my dad the sheriff. I'm sure he would know about it." Click. Yeah, my dad is not the sheriff, but at least it got the scammer off the line in a hurry.
Good luck in the contest. I think this is one most of us can relate to.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. Those people who pretend to be official anything ought to be forced to read the IRS tax code in prison, if they get caught.
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I like that. Not even professional tax people
know the entire tax code because it is so long and complicated.
Comment from forestport12
I have to admit my wife and I got hung up on the 90 day fiancé thing. I think love scams or anything related to love has way of getting us to watch a show or potentially scammed. I could identify with this piece. I esp. liked how you took advantage of an alliteration style, which is something I often try to do. Blessings ahead.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
I have to admit my wife and I got hung up on the 90 day fiancé thing. I think love scams or anything related to love has way of getting us to watch a show or potentially scammed. I could identify with this piece. I esp. liked how you took advantage of an alliteration style, which is something I often try to do. Blessings ahead.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing today.