Are These Really Scams?

By P. Roe http://doubleii.com/WiseLittleTidbits.htm

There have been many articles that tell you to
be wary of a scam if certain information isn't
readily available - namely a street address and
testimonials you can verify. This is ridiculous,
because people need more privacy in light of
spam and all types of scammers. Another
problem concerns those phone messages and
emails you sent, that go unanswered - but
there might be a good reason for that.

I use a PO Box mailing address myself, because
a few years ago a couple of "whackos" tried to
find out where I live. They were in California
and I am in Colorado, so I felt somewhat safe
in thinking they could not find me from so far
away. From that point on, though, I quit using
my street address for safety's sake and for the
well-being of my daughter who could also be
placed in jeopardy. I know someone can find
out a street address just by knowing a PO
Box address, but most people won't go to all
that trouble.

As for testimonials, I ask people if I can use
theirs, and whether they want any contact
information posted. So far, only 2 have offered
their email address to be posted with their
comments. This is because spammers harvest
everything on a site, and pull off email addresses,
and more. People have the right to say they do
not want to be accessed so easily. I keep a file
with the people's information, so that if someone
wanted to contact them, I can be the initial
contact, and see if the person wants to be
contacted. If so, I'll arrange a meeting that works
for both.

As for financial matters, there are strict rules that
need to be followed - and often I am not allowed
to give out any contact information on a client,
not even to ask if they wish to be interviewed. Do
not expect to see testimonials with any contact
information on most finance sites - it is beyond a
client's rights and privileges to be listed unless
they specifically want to be listed.

If you left a message or sent an email, but have
not received an answer, that is not necessarily
indicative of a problem. I absolutely cannot
reply to all phone messages, and certain email
messages, because the person did not make
himself clear. Often on the phone, someone
will leave a phone number, but no area code. Or
he will say the number so fast that I can not
understand it. Or his cell phone will blip out on
part of the numbers as he speaks.

Sometimes an email will be sent but the reply
will bounce. Or she is using someone else's email,
and gets a typo when telling me an address to
reply to. Or the email never made it (I received
one email only a week prior to one year late -
yes it took one week short of a year to get to me).
Of course, some emails never make it.

Faxes are another story - some disappear into the
ozone, or perhaps were punched in with one wrong
digit and delivered elsewhere. You can never be
sure your fax got to its destination until you
call and verify it was received.

There are other signs of scams out there, but the
above ones are not to be included in this. People
need to have privacy and safety factored into
the equation, and reasons for not following the
self proclaimed "scam rules" may well be more
than reasonable. Plus, mistakes happen.

Don't assume someone is pulling a scam until
you know more about their situation. Is the
business or person listed with I-Cop or some
other reputable policing agency? Is there
enough contact information, including a
phone number, so you can call for more
information if needed? Does the person
answer if you call, or do you get put off to
some answering service or do little kids
answer the phone?

A professional would make sure the business
is run as a business should be run. If you
cannot speak to a person, or you never get an
answer to when you email (more than once),
then begin to get concerned. As long as there
are multiple contact methods, you should be
able to get hold of the business.

~~~~~~~~~~
P. Roe writes "Scam Alerts" - how to spot scams and the
latest scam report. To subscribe for free,
mailto:ezineshere@a...?subject=scamalertsubscribe
http://doubleii.com/scamtips.htm
More articles at http://doubleii.com/articlesreports.htm