tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post4533113618039212442..comments2023-11-03T04:53:09.679-07:00Comments on Con Man's Blog: Scam Artists' Internet and Telemarketing Fraud on Sharp Upswing--How to Avoid getting SuckeredJack Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838385417692720281noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-85992767184932495572008-06-05T20:22:00.000-07:002008-06-05T20:22:00.000-07:00Another great line this time is, an unchallenged l...Another great line this time is, an unchallenged lie quickly becomes the truth. Ain't that the truth?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-84335854601843059232008-06-05T19:51:00.000-07:002008-06-05T19:51:00.000-07:00I love seeing/hearing the response of a salesperso...I love seeing/hearing the response of a salesperson or other rep when I ask them their name. Once there is a pause I am out of there or I ask to speak to the supervisor or manager.<BR/><BR/>Be demanding, assertive, suspicious. It is your identity after all.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17083331411694803694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-32756533062159593192008-06-05T12:49:00.000-07:002008-06-05T12:49:00.000-07:00I should have said Tyler Hicks popularized the con...I should have said Tyler Hicks popularized the concept of Other People's Money (OPM) in the 1970s through his 20-some best-selling books.Jack Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02838385417692720281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-43372160613356375732008-06-05T12:43:00.000-07:002008-06-05T12:43:00.000-07:00Funny thing how this up-front-fee syndrome started...Funny thing how this up-front-fee syndrome started, Warren. Tyler Hicks popularized the term OPM (other People's Money) back in the 1970s. This involved businesses raising money to develop their projects without dipping into their own funds, but by tapping the funds of others. All perfectly legitimate. But, for good reason this process fascinated con artists of all stripes--and they took the concept to a new level, to further their con games.Jack Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02838385417692720281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-31130229970402286702008-06-05T12:27:00.000-07:002008-06-05T12:27:00.000-07:00I can't believe how many people still get suckered...I can't believe how many people still get suckered into putting out their hard earned money in advance of receiving any services. Yet, this must be common, because all the watchdog agencies are warning about it all the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-24846271126319746372008-06-05T11:37:00.000-07:002008-06-05T11:37:00.000-07:00Great to see you back, Jamie. And, yes, it is sad...Great to see you back, Jamie. And, yes, it is sad indeed, isn't it? --that we have to live in such a paranoid world.<BR/><BR/>I hadn't really thought of it, Praning, but there are so many businesses now, entirely dependant on ecommerce. You are right. It's an atmosphere such as this that enables many new con game operations to spring up.Jack Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02838385417692720281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-84355675579671196442008-06-05T09:57:00.000-07:002008-06-05T09:57:00.000-07:00This is very timely considering that online busine...This is very timely considering that online businesses are fastly growing. Many transactions happen just online so these tips might come in handy to avoid these types of frauds.praning5254https://www.blogger.com/profile/09429138611764694477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-76196282269893872008-06-05T03:00:00.000-07:002008-06-05T03:00:00.000-07:00If I don't know the number on the caller ID, I don...If I don't know the number on the caller ID, I don't answer the phone. If I don't know the person ringing my doorbell, I don't answer the door. Sad, but this day and age...you pretty much have to watch your back constantly. Sad.<BR/><BR/>Hope all has been well with you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-20598163825066792212008-06-04T20:13:00.000-07:002008-06-04T20:13:00.000-07:00Interesting story about the maximum security priso...Interesting story about the maximum security prison, Mae. All I can do is shake my head.<BR/><BR/>Getting slapped with all the add-ons, as spelled out in the fine print, can have real rip-off potential, Bern and Carl. Common.Jack Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02838385417692720281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-63390369866111125552008-06-04T20:03:00.000-07:002008-06-04T20:03:00.000-07:00The rear-end fees can be staggering too. Read the...The rear-end fees can be staggering too. Read the fine print in any annuities contract and it will make your hair stand on end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-60993235430383258832008-06-04T19:09:00.000-07:002008-06-04T19:09:00.000-07:00Oh, this is so scary. I DESPISE what we must do, i...Oh, this is so scary. I DESPISE what we must do, i.e. giving away our identities to EVERYBODY. Even our dentists want our SS #??? Hey, I worked in a maximum security prison and we didn't use the SS numbers of those inmates. No way. They had personal numbers given to them, but not their SS. After all, we couldn't allow them to fall "victims" to crime, now could we?<BR/><BR/>These are some great posts, Jack. Though they scare me, I'll be back to read more.<BR/><BR/>MMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-88876830211805378992008-06-04T19:01:00.000-07:002008-06-04T19:01:00.000-07:00How about sales commissions? A good example could...How about sales commissions? A good example could be reverse mortgages. A friend was pitched to take one of these not long ago, and found that the up-front fees on his $290,000 house would have come to $30,000. That's beyond ridiculous...how can anyone have any confidence in a sales presentation like that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-71592355087112340962008-06-04T14:00:00.000-07:002008-06-04T14:00:00.000-07:00I did a study on this a few years ago, too, Earl. ...I did a study on this a few years ago, too, Earl. I found that those supposed "Charities" which listed more than 90% for operational costs were common. Disgusting. I think I know which animal rights operation you were talking about, located in the Wasington, D.C. area. Right? Yes, this deplorable rip-off operation was included in my study, too. I think they were finally put out of business.Jack Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02838385417692720281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-61395352826942972642008-06-04T13:46:00.000-07:002008-06-04T13:46:00.000-07:00I don't think many people realize that very little...I don't think many people realize that very little of so many of their charitable contributions actually goes to the folks the money is intended for. Organizational, operational, and maintnance costs often consume huge chunks of every donated dollar. I did a research study on an animal rights charity a while ago and found that 95% of every donated dollar went to operating costs, in other words, into the pockets of the con artists. Operating costs should range from 10% to 30%, a long long ways from 95%.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-21101576553068770382008-06-04T11:44:00.000-07:002008-06-04T11:44:00.000-07:00I like the learned insight of an alcoholic stumbli...I like the learned insight of an alcoholic stumbling down a blind alley, Jack...that's a great line...it says so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-43524371773254394212008-06-04T11:08:00.000-07:002008-06-04T11:08:00.000-07:00I would think normal reaction to a request for a b...I would think normal reaction to a request for a business license number would be a fake number, then a quick abandonment of the call. The scam artist would instantly know that the jig was up on your call as soon as you evidenced enough suspicion to ask for it.Jack Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02838385417692720281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267286454117551349.post-42530233201467153752008-06-04T10:58:00.000-07:002008-06-04T10:58:00.000-07:00I think you're right about getting the business li...I think you're right about getting the business license number. That's something I never thought of, and I'll bet a lot of other people haven't either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com