Con Games Work
Sometimes, we have to be reminded that con artists – especially those using advanced technology – thrive because they win people’s trust. It’s right in the name. CON stands for confidence. Americans generally try to be helpful and friendly – just the sort of people con men (and women) are looking for. It’s possibly time to increase our wariness level around people we don’t know.
Anyone can fall victim to a scam. In February 2024 Charlotte Cowles, a personal finance columnist for the New York Magazine, bravely admitted that she had been scammed out of $50,000 by a fraudster who took advantage of her fear factor. If she can be tricked, every one of us is vulnerable. It is essential to stay constantly informed and vigilant.
The following list will help you evaluate possibly fraudulent interactions. If you can answer YES to any of these questions, that’s a bright red flag indicating that you are a possible target.
- Did you receive a check for an item you sold on the Internet, such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc?
- Is the amount of the check more than the item’s selling price?
- Did you receive the check from an overnight delivery service?
- Is the check drawn on an account that is different from the person buying your item?
- Did you respond to an email or text asking you to confirm, update or provide your account information?
- Have you been told that you were the winner of a lottery that you don’t remember entering?
- Have you been instructed to wire, send, or ship money as soon as possible to a large city in the United States or to another country?
- Have you been asked to pay money in order to receive a large cash deposit from another country?
If these questions raise concerns, please contact our Fraud Department immediately. They can be reached at either of our main numbers, 325-677-2274 or 800-677-6770.
The first paragraph of this article is attributed to Washington Post reporter Michelle Singletary in her February 21, 2024 column.
