Scams can catch us all in their traps, no matter how careful we are

I'm tackling the topic of scams because of recent attempts to hoodwink folks in our community via service club ties and just plain fraud.

A resident who I absolutely positively never ever would have expected to fall for a scam mentioned being duped by an "official looking" collection letter in the mail.

Time, accompanied by anxiety, was wasted contacting accountants about the "balance due." Thankfully parting with money for payment was avoided when the scam was identified.

But mass mailings with intimidating requests for small amounts to unsuspecting individuals add up if folks reply with payment to the con artists.

I got to thinking, if well-educated folks can be tricked, so can any of us. Beware!

In fact, rarely a day goes by that I don't receive at least one phone call from an unknown unsolicited telemarketer, pulling at my heart strings for the benefit of some unfamiliar children's charity. Years ago I began asking telemarketers to send the request via U.S. mail before I'd make any commitment to give.

That's when I usually hear "click" and a dial tone.

If you're not familiar with the caller or the charity, simply say "Thanks, but no thanks," and hang up immediately.

Always be mindful that legitimate charitable requests will not ask for credit card information, passwords, your mother's name or other personal information over the phone.

Representatives from legitimate charities will not pressure you to "act now." They willingly will send you a follow-up letter of request with their business name, address, phone number and all the rest.

And get this: Representatives from legitimate charities will not offer to stop by your home or place of business "to pick up a check in 30 minutes." You might think everyone in Naperville is too smart to fall for that tactic. But it happened here!

Gone phishing

Many times I forget to check my Internet spam folder for several days. Friday double digits alerted me it was overflowing.

As always, my spam filter confiscated a few personal e-mails that I would have liked sooner. Mostly, however, the e-mails saved were either annoying ads for uplifting body enhancement or down right scam.

All were the result of "phishing," an Internet security challenge when unknown senders transmit "official looking" e-mails in an attempt to acquire personal information. Scary stuff!

I know folks who chuckle at the ridiculous "to-good-to-be-true" bogus offers. I know others who have been taken.

For years, Marita Manning, senior services coordinator for the Naperville Police Department, has presented programs regarding prudent awareness, urging residents never to give personal information over the telephone. These days, e-mail is another culprit.

You might want to search online for stories about "phishing and Internet fraud."

For instance, here are a few of the "subjects" from my spam folder:

YOUR PAYMENT IS READY

Cash in Now! New Federal $8,000 Tax Credit!!!

Wells Fargo online Statement Notification

DAVID ADAMS

Submit your economic stimulus payment form online

Your account on hold; please confirm eBay information

My response? Delete. Delete. Delete.

If you cannot resist opening bogus e-mails, the best advice is to enjoy the absurdity of the offer or sad story, but never, ever click on anything inside and do not reply.

Don't fall victim to tempting fraudulent promotions. Not only might you lose money, but providing personal information could result in identity theft.

That said, I did open one from "David Adams" because I know a Dave Adams. Upon opening, I found a phony plea for my "candid collaboration in handling a business venture" from a man who supposedly lives in the United Kingdom.

This joker even went so far as to say "I prefer not to divulge my full identity so as not to risk being publicized, which consequence is detrimental."

Relay service

Sunday I mentioned this scam story to a downtown business owner. She noted the increase of recent scams, including one related to AT&T's "Relay Service."

Unknown to me, a helpful "relay service" is offered by phone companies to provide communications links for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-disabled individuals.

In this instance, however, a caller identified himself as AT&T Relay Service, trying to connect a potential customer in New Jersey to the Naperville business. The service was used in deception to acquire the business owners' trust and e-mail address. Subsequent online correspondence over a period of several days started to appear out of order and a scam was identified when his two credit card numbers turned out to be stolen.

I've always wondered what would happen if all the clever con artists put their minds to legitimate work.

Stephanie Penick writes about Naperville. Contact her at spennydh@aol.com.