Editorial

If it sounds too good to be true, check it out

When people with no money really need anything that requires a lot of cash they don't have, they're willing to do a lot to get it. In some cases, the feeling of desperation clouds their better judgment. That's when greedy opportunists make their move. And that's why we've heard about scams time and time again over the years right here in Southeast Missouri.

There's one where con artists tell their marks they've found some lost cash, and if the marks will put in a certain amount "earnest money," they will get a piece of the discovered dough later. Instead, the cons make off with their victims' money.

There's an e-mail and fax scam where a person claiming to be from Nigeria wants your bank account number so he can put some unclaimed government funds in your account for safekeeping, just because you are such a kind and trustworthy person. Instead, he cleans out the cash already in there.

There's one that targets elderly black people, asking for their Social Security numbers so they can receive government reparations for slavery. Instead, the con artists create false identities to get credit cards.

Another asks marks to call a number to get a prize. Instead, the number turns out to be in another country, and the victim is charged hundreds of dollars for placing the call.

The latest is just as disgusting as the others. This one targets people with bad credit, who are the most desperate for money of all.

First Choice Credit Service places advertisements in newspapers -- sadly, including this one until the scam was uncovered -- offering loans to people with bad credit. In the process, it asks for "insurance money" in case the loan payments can't be made. A Jackson man handed over $950 and then didn't receive the $6,900 loan he was promised.

Unlike the other scams, this one has a air of legitimacy. There are credit-card companies that allow people with bad credit to deposit their own money, which establishes a credit limit equal to the amount on deposit. Appropriate use of the credit card -- timely payments, no charges in excess of the limit -- helps repair credit reports.

But if any company ever wants something of yours to get money in return -- your Social Security number, your bank account number or a large payment -- it should be investigated thoroughly.

In the case of First Choice Credit Service, there is a negative report on file with the Better Business Bureau. Such information is available at www.bbb.org or by calling (703) 276-0100. The company also has a report on file with the fraud division of the Missouri attorney general's office, which can be reached at www.ago.state.mo.us/fraud.htm or by calling (800) 392-8222.

If you've been taken advantage of in a scam, don't be too embarrassed to talk about it. It has happened to countless individuals for countless years. Only by talking about it can other potential victims be protected.

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