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

Do Sewing Repairs When You Wash Your Clothes

It's inevitable that you get rips and tears in your clothes—there's just no way to avoid it. One way to lessen the ...

Discover More

Super Quick Breadsticks

If you're in a crunch for what to make for dinner, try making some breadsticks. They are delicious and will satisfy any ...

Discover More

Dealing with Toilet Bowl Lime Scale

When most people here the term "lime scale" they think of problems in their bathtubs, showers, or maybe on the water ...

Discover More
More Money Tips

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

Avoiding Money Scams

It is a sad fact but there are many, many different people out there who's only goal in life is to separate you from your ...

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 1 + 3?

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