Recently I wrote about my close friends experience and the scam she fell victim to.
Since this happening it has been a very stress filled time for both her and her husband, as they can ill afford to loose the large amount of money they did.
The statistics in both the U.
S.
A.
and Canada are unbelievable when it comes to victims falling prey to con artists, and they seem to be everywhere, and into every conceivable scam you can think of, from houses for rent, health insurance, death insurance, resort property, travel accommodations, and trips, and of course Work At Home On Line Opportunities, Internet Make Money Quick schemes.
This list is really just a small drop in the bucket to what is really out there.
Since my last writing, I have been researching the internet both in Canada and the United States, to find out more as to how, what, where, and why, and who, can fall victim to, frauds, and the power the con artist or con man has with people.
One observation I was able to make quickly as I was reading information, was the Con Artist carefully chooses his victims.
Most of them fall in the over 50 age group, are coming into retirement, seniors, and then over 70 and plus.
This represents to me the most vulnerable, as mixed in, are those with real health issues, diabetics, heart, wheel chair, cancer, and numerous other serious diseases, all having very personal special needs, and looking for ways to have those needs met, by trying to supplement their income, have better insurance coverage, better death benefits, or maybe that once in a lifetime dream vacation.
The personal reasons are as varied as the number of people.
The Con Artist has the gift of verbosity, a silver tongue, a pleasant friendly voice, and a selling pitch that literally tickles your ears, takes your breath away with the psychology he uses, which preys on your emotional needs, and yes greed, which of course all has to do with how much money you need or desire.
His delivery is fast, repeats your personal needs, assures you he can change things around for you, and if you will sign on the dotted line, or commit to a specific amount of money all will be well.
It isn't long before tell tale signs begin to show that something is very wrong.
The signs all vary with the specific situations.
It could be ignored phone calls, forms are not properly processed, web sites left unfinished, personal coaching never materializes, health claims rejected, or medications are not approved or covered, no plane or accommodations have been made, the people you have rented from want you to send your damage deposit, and rent to a post box out of the country.
In the end all you know is something is very wrong.
A very real sickening feeling grips your very being, when you realize that you have become a victim to one of these con artists.
In some cases, especially if one is diabetic, something like this can take a severe toll on them, health wise.
Stress is something diabetics try to avoid as it can complicate their condition.
Not only can it set off a vicious round of blood pressure, heart, and emotional complications, but daily readings are affected, and can be a worry.
If an individual has any kind of health problem it is further complicated by the events that have taken place.
Some experience deep depression, can't sleep, stop eating properly, and just give up period, and say they will never ever trust another person again.
The dictionary describes these individuals that prey on society as: con: adj.
verb, confidence, as in con game, con man, verb, to swindle.
I can certainly think of a lot more colorful descriptive adjectives to describe these people believe me, and I am sure you can too.
As for artist, my definition would be: one who paints such an incredible beautiful picture that holds the answer to ones personal need that it can not be refused.
Thus, the trap is carefully laid, and the victim snared.
Victims are contacted by the salesman using a wireless telephone.
Real names are not used, any phone numbers given out for contact purposes are recorded, and tell you to press a number if you want to speak to your party who is not available, but if you leave your message they will get back to you, which they never do.
Even for the billing department you get the same dialogue, or you are told your call is being redirected, please hold, which you do for a long time, then a voice tells you there is trouble on the line please call again.
Sent emails are never acknowledged.
With the advanced technology there is today, these vultures have developed exceptional skills, and abilities which they use to further their own plans.
Do they ever get caught?.
If so who catches them?.
Are there places to report these scams? This is my next project, trying to find some answers to those questions, as the worst situation that can happen as result of something like this, is that some have experienced losing their identity, which was described to me as them " experiencing a type of death".
Is there any real solution to this problem?.
Trying to find some answers to these questions should be interesting.