I grew up in a wonderful home. I had all I needed and more. I was taught to work and save and work some more. Unfortunately not everyone learned that. With the downturn in the economy and stock market many baby boomers are getting scared and wondering where the money is going to come from so more and more are falling prey to internet, mail and phone scams.
Now, this is not going to be a financial column, if you need wise advice go to Dave Ramsey or Crown Financial Ministries. It is my desire today is to keep you from ending up like the family in the article below. They lost all savings, have 2 mortgages on the house and $200,000 in credit card debt all thanks to one person believing in the ability to make lots of money quickly.
The story is here http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=499&tag=nl.e019
What happened to this lady and family “could never happen to me” you think. Yes, this really could happen to you. We always feel that we are invulnerable. The wife lost everything in desperation for money that would solve all her families problems. Folks, that is just not how money works.
My primary desire here is for you to remember, there is no such thing as easy money, don’t get desperate in these times, if you deleted or blocked the Nigerian type scam in the past, continue to do so now. Talk with your parents and in-laws about these scams, bring it up somehow so they know they are out there and can and will hopefully avoid them.
If someone you know has been “hit” help them break the cycle, just as in the story above, the scammers will continue to prey on the victims, they don’t just make a onetime attempt and walk away.
Snopes has a good article from 2003 here http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/nigeria.asp
You can report these emails or betterr yet help someone by getting them get in contact with United States Secret Service, Financial Crimes Division, 419 Task Force, 950 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001-4518 or telephone (202) 406-5850 fax: (202) 406-8203, (202) 406-6390
Until we meet again, have a virus free week.