It was early in the summer. The phone rang. The caller I.D. read, “Publishers’ Clearing House.”
Gladys picked up the phone.
The male voice on the other end identified himself, and told her that he represented Publishers’ Clearing House. He then proceeded to inform Gladys that she had won one million dollars plus $1,000 a week for life, and as a bonus, she would also receive a new Cadillac Escalade.
Gladys’ heart jumped to her throat.
“Oh my gosh!”
He went on. He asked how she wanted it publicized. Did she want the winnings to be confidential, or did she wish to let the newspapers and TV stations know about the winning? He added confidently that he understood that many winners do not choose to be public and that Publishers’ Clearing House understood that winners often made this choice.
He was so smooth. He sounded so right. He was so professional in his presentation that Gladys answered, “Well, we will probably have to think about that”
Next he added, “The car will be delivered within the next 48 hours. Here’s what we need to get the car to you. First, we must ask that you send (so many dollars) which will cover the taxes and the delivery charge. Until we receive the money, we cannot bring the car.”
He added, “You can make arrangements with your bank and send the money to Such and Such Federal Bank in Illinois. You need to put attention: Don (fictitious name) on the check. We will need the deposit name of your bank and the address”.
Gladys gave him the name of the bank and then looked up the address. He did not ask for the routing number, but she now was getting suspicious. She had been thinking that this was real but the money issue reminded her of stories she had heard about scammers.
“Ohhhhhhhhhh” thought disappointed Gladys. Her “headlights” were now slowly turning on!
She answered, “O.K. I need to go to the bank. How much did you say you need? (It was not a gigantic sum, she told this writer.) I will call them, talk to the cashier, and call you back.
He agreed and gave her his number to return the call.
The truth began to hit home with Gladys! It was so close to being real. This guy was real good.
Gladys then called the bank and let them in on what was going on.
She then called the guy back. There was a baby crying in the background. Gladys told him, “It’s a go. Here’s the deal. The bank wants to present the car, and invite the T.V. and newspaper people. Here’s what the bank will agree to. They’ll pay you when you get here”.
“No, no, we can’t do that. The Clearing House needs to have your payment in good faith to get the car to you.”
“This is what the bank will agree to do.”
Click.
Next chapter. Two to three weeks ago, Gladys gets another call. This time the caller has a foreign accent. She is ready. She listens to his pitch.
Then she says calmly, “You scammed me once. You can’t scam me again. I will call the local attorney, the State Attorney, and the police if you call again.”
Click.
The phone rings again and she answers. The man on the other end calls her every filthy name in his limited vocabulary. Then he hangs up.
Gladys has the scamming scene figured out. Do you?