Today one of the girls was off work which meant I got to help answer public phone lines. I get to talk to consumers, companies and just people in general who have gotten caught up in something, or have thought about getting caught up in something.
Example...
Within 10 minutes today I had two calls given to me. Both men. Both had received letters in the mail stating they had won a lottery! (Wow! Amazing when they both stated they hadn't even entered one!) Both of these lotteries originated in Canada. (Ooops! Not Spain?) Both men got checks from the lottery agents! OHMY! Both checks were for $3,980!!! (Hmmmm...wonder who this person is that owns this account? And why is the bank in New Hampshire? oh, and the other is from a bank in California!)
Both men were told in the letters not to tell anyone about their prize winnings until they receive their final checks. (shhhh...it's a secret you know) And, both were told to cash the $3,980 check and send it BACK to the lottery agent to cover fee's that are established by INTERNATIONAL and FEDERAL law! (I was not aware that the United Nations established laws concerning lotteries!) They were to send the money via Western Union or MoneyGram to men in Canada (not a company mind you, just a person).
The first caller sat quietly while I explained the fraud to him. He understood and thanked me for my information. He faxed me copies of the paperwork and the check he had received. He also tore up the check while we were on the phone. (Good boy!)
The second caller asked a lot of questions. Said he even worked for the FBI at one time (coughcough). Said the check had no typo's on it ( :x ). I was on the phone with this gentleman for approximately 20-25 minutes explaining how Foreign Lotteries are illegal in the United States. How, if he has truly won something it costs him nothing (until Uncle Sam gets his share - next year at tax time). No fee's, no insurance, no processing costs. Nothing, nada, zilch...zip. Told him how if he sends the money via Western Union, etc. that it can be picked up by anyone - anywhere. Not necessarily in Canada. We talked, and talked, and talked (and I begged and pleaded for him not to cash that check). I explained that the check WOULD be returned and HE would be responsbile to pay back the bank (if they didn't press charges!).
He finally agreed with me.
He finally faxed me copies of everything. (Yes, there were typo's on the check.)
I sat there staring at the fax cover sheet for a long time - and finally burst out laughing.
You see, this man - the second caller, is a lawyer. His name was on the letterhead as one of the partners of the firm.
No, I have no idea what type of law he practices. So I will cut him a little slack.
Maybe.
Common sense?
That's a whole other story :)
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