Protect Yourself from Con Artists

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated February 21, 2009)

To protect yourself from being taken for a ride by con artists, remember a simple rule: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are some common swindles:

  • Lucky winner: a telephone caller informs you that you've won an expensive prize, but he needs your credit card number to 'verify' your identity. On your next bill you discover that you've been charged several hundred pounds for the 'free' prize.
  • Not-so-free holiday: a letter offers you a free trip, but when you call for reservations, you learn that all the 'free' days are booked. For a small fee, however, your trip can still be arranged. By the time the charges have added up, you've taken an expensive holiday.
  • Make a million: a 'financial adviser' touts a surefire investment. But once you put up your money, the cash vanishes, along with the broker.
  • Something for nothing: but you have to visit a new holiday resort to pick up your prize. When you arrive, you get a high-pressure sales pitch to buy a holiday home.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Animal Allergies are Not Fur Related

Whenever you think of animal allergies, you may think that you're just allergic to the fur. Believe it or not, however, ...

Discover More

Keep Kids Busy in the Kitchen

If your kids want to help in the kitchen, give them an extra-special job that's simple and useful. Show them how to make ...

Discover More

Treeing Walker

The Treeing Walker is specialized in coon hunting. He is proficient in treeing and trailing.

Discover More
More Money Tips

Avoiding Mortgage Fraud

Mortgage fraud is one of those types of swindles that you don't always think about or catch, but one you most definitely ...

Discover More

Recognizing Financial Scams

Financial scams can be found everywhere and if you're not careful you could find yourself in a tight financial bind ...

Discover More

Planning For Financial Emergencies

Financial emergencies can come in many forms, loss of a job, a chronic health condition, a natural disaster or death of a ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is one minus 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)