SCAM ALERT
by Charles C. Hall, Ed.D

The letter was to a "Charles M. Hall." When mail is in my box, it belongs to me. Rarely do I check it `til my little letter opener zips it open. Had my box number on it so, ... anyway, I read it. It was from the "Merchant's Credit Guide Co." for a long ago bill to ATT for $41.96. For the sum of $20.98, C.M. Hall's good name would be protected from intimidating callers demanding money.

I gave the letter to Atty. Mark Hall to check it out. He called the listed number and the person, Tiffany Davis, told him I needed to call her. So, I did. Right off she began asking personal questions. For one, what is my bank's name and number? That's a red flag right there. I said, "Hey, how about if I just send you a check?" "Oh, no," said she, "we just deal in electronic transfers."

I told her the bill was not mine, but C.M. Hall's -- didn't faze her, she kept trying to have me reveal my bank name. "Nope," I said, "I don't do that." Finally, I told her I'd call my attorney and hung up the phone -- (she was still talking.)

Mark's wife, Ann, pulled up on her computer the name of the "company" and found that several pages of messages from persons who had received letters similar to mine. ATT, Sprint, 360 Degrees, etc. were the compa- nies mentioned.

Many, if not all, of these old bills are pure bogus. Should they be genuine, the statute of limitations expired long ago. Anyone savvy with a computer can create huge headaches for anyone who has his or her identity unveiled somewhere up there in the ether (air). The laxity with which some companies fail to guard our identities is shameful. I hate the Internet!

Here are a few recommendations for you to consider when protecting yourself from scammers. Those guys are everywhere, so be careful.

1) Do not reveal personal information to strangers who call or write to you unsolicited.

2) Do not send money to anyone who calls and tells you that you are the "heir to a large sum of money," and they are working on your behalf.

3) Caution in public is also necessary. Someone may approach you with the notion about collecting some money and all you need do is help them out. In a nutshell, they ask you to write a check and withdraw a particular amount of money. These people are "good" con artists, so be careful.

4) Never reveal your PIN numbers to anyone whom you do not know -- and 99% of those you do know.

5) Children who are responsible should check on elderly, infirm parents daily, or weekly, depending on their parents' condition.

So it goes ...