Scammer alert, penned in poetic meter
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Crooks employ a variety of scams to separate people from their money, especially during the holidays.
And they often rely on money-transfer companies to help them fleece their victims.
MoneyGram, a major global payment-services company, has reworded a favorite Christmas poem to warn the public about email scams that arrive in their inbox.
So, to the meter of "Twas The Night Before Christmas," here's ...
"'Twas The Night Before New Year's -- and I Almost Got Scammed"
'Twas the night before New Year's, when I soon realized,
An email appeared saying I'd won a prize.
The address seemed valid so I continued to read,
The instructions were clear and so I agreed.
In order to get my new glamorous gift,
I had to wire the money it would cost them to ship.
So I entered in all of the info required,
Knowing I'd soon get the prize I desired.
When suddenly, in my head, I knew something was wrong,
I sprang from the table and found out before long.
Away to the telephone I flew like a flash,
Calling for help, I was being scammed out of cash.
"Now, hear me! Now, hear me! I need help right away!
"This fraudster just scammed me and the money is halfway.
"Run to the system, go stop my transaction,
"I can't believe I fell for this ridiculous action!"
He spoke not a word, as he went straight to work,
And halted the transfer to that tricky jerk.
Before I hung up the phone I thanked him with grace,
For going in after my money fast-paced!
He sprang to my rescue and said through his lips,
Advice to be cautious with my fingertips.
And I heard him exclaim, as his voice faded fast,
Happy New Year's to all, don't let fraudsters get past."
Consumers should be wary when faced with possible scams that require money transfers, said MoneyGram spokeswoman Patty Sullivan. In the past two years, she said the company has stopped $67 million in money transfers to crooks and recovered more than $10 million for customers.
Ms. Sullivan said MoneyGram, in its "continuing efforts" to help protect consumers from wire fraud, urges the public to keep three key tips in mind before initiating a money transfer -- "know, show and throw."
"Always know the person to whom you are sending money. Never send money to strangers.
"Never show or share information about your [legitimate] money transfer to anyone but the recipient.
"Throw away any offers that promise easy ways to earn money, especially if the offers require you to send money before earning money."
Ms. Sullivan said consumers who suspect fraud may be involved in a money transfer should contact their local law enforcement agency. They also should call MoneyGram toll-free at 1-800-666-3947 if they believe the company was used to wire money as a result of a scam.
MoneyGram said money transfer fraud can take many forms, but each form shares one trait -- the scam begins with contact from someone you don't know. To repeat, if you don't know the person you're sending money to, don't send the money.
If you think too much is being made about scams that arrive via email or "snail" mail, postal inspectors tell me American consumers have been conned out of billions of dollars since they began more than 10 years ago. That's right, billions.
They advised the public to be especially alert for charity scams, foreign lotteries, domestic lotteries and sweepstakes, vehicle purchases, Internet purchases, loans, a "relative" in need, checks/money orders, romance schemes and, gasp, phony newspaper ads.
MoneyGram is particularly perturbed about a "mystery shopper" scam that goes like this:
Victims are contacted to work as a mystery shopper to "evaluate" the customer service of a money transfer company. Victims receive a check to deposit and then are directed to use those funds to send a money transfer.
If they do, the crook collects the money and the victims later find out the check was fraudulent. In addition to losing their money, victims also may be penalized by their bank for depositing a bad check.
For more information, go to www.moneygram-preventfraud.com .
First Published December 29, 2011 12:00 am
