When I was around 15 I recieved an letter in the mail. The letter started as follows:
It even included what looked like a cheque with my name on it and $60,000. It did clearly state that it was not a real cheque but was just an example.
Around the same time, I had entered in several sweepstakes, and I was very excited presuming that I had won. I ran up to my parents and showed them the paperwork, they both told me it was a scam, but I wasn't really listening, I knew I was right, and I knew I had one lots of money (again I remind you I was 15)
All I had to do was call a phone number (1-900) to confirm my prize and they promised they would send my cheque out RIGHT AWAY. I then entered into a bit of a conversation with my mother over calling the number. She tried her best to convince me, but finally she gave in, so long as I agreed to pay whatever charges incurred for calling the 1-900 number. I quickly agreed.."no biggie", I thought easy to pay it with $60,000 as I quickly dialed the number.
I was greated by a friendly sounding recording of a woman's voice. It was a warning that this call would cost a minimum of $3.99/minute for a minimum 15 minutes. I could press 1 to continue or hang-up and I would not be charged anyting. I did the math quickly in my head. I knew I would be out about $60.00. But I also knew I could pay it back quickly when I got my $60,000 cheque.
The phone prompted through several options, entering my birthday, completing a skill testing question, then it said "one moment please...", and the line was slient for about 2 minutes. After waiting for what seemed like an enternity, I heard a loud bells and whilstles sound and then a computerized voice stated:
Thinking back on it now, I'm sorry my mom didn't take a picture of my jaw dropped open with the phone in my hand trying to figure out what just happened.
True to thier word, about 6 weeks later I recieved a cheque for $1.59. It was two weeks prior to that my mom showed me the phone bill and asked me to cough up the ~ $60 charge that appeared on it. I never did cash cheque for $1.59.
Some lessons, you can't learn until you fall for them yourself. I'm reminded of this moment, everytime I see a Pyramid scheme or email, fax that promises me lots of money with little or no effort. Hope this story helps drive home the adage, If it looks to good to be true...it IS !..trust me it IS !
CONGRATULATIONS
YOU HAVE WON
A CASH PRIZE up to
$60,000
YOU HAVE WON
A CASH PRIZE up to
$60,000
Around the same time, I had entered in several sweepstakes, and I was very excited presuming that I had won. I ran up to my parents and showed them the paperwork, they both told me it was a scam, but I wasn't really listening, I knew I was right, and I knew I had one lots of money (again I remind you I was 15)
All I had to do was call a phone number (1-900) to confirm my prize and they promised they would send my cheque out RIGHT AWAY. I then entered into a bit of a conversation with my mother over calling the number. She tried her best to convince me, but finally she gave in, so long as I agreed to pay whatever charges incurred for calling the 1-900 number. I quickly agreed.."no biggie", I thought easy to pay it with $60,000 as I quickly dialed the number.
I was greated by a friendly sounding recording of a woman's voice. It was a warning that this call would cost a minimum of $3.99/minute for a minimum 15 minutes. I could press 1 to continue or hang-up and I would not be charged anyting. I did the math quickly in my head. I knew I would be out about $60.00. But I also knew I could pay it back quickly when I got my $60,000 cheque.
The phone prompted through several options, entering my birthday, completing a skill testing question, then it said "one moment please...", and the line was slient for about 2 minutes. After waiting for what seemed like an enternity, I heard a loud bells and whilstles sound and then a computerized voice stated:
"Congratulations, you have won a price..you prize is [imagine compute voice here] "one dollar, and fifty-nine cents. You prize will be issued to you by cheque and should arrive within 4-6 weeks. Thank-you for calling..."I was then presented with a dial tone. I didn't really hear it though.
Thinking back on it now, I'm sorry my mom didn't take a picture of my jaw dropped open with the phone in my hand trying to figure out what just happened.
True to thier word, about 6 weeks later I recieved a cheque for $1.59. It was two weeks prior to that my mom showed me the phone bill and asked me to cough up the ~ $60 charge that appeared on it. I never did cash cheque for $1.59.
Some lessons, you can't learn until you fall for them yourself. I'm reminded of this moment, everytime I see a Pyramid scheme or email, fax that promises me lots of money with little or no effort. Hope this story helps drive home the adage, If it looks to good to be true...it IS !..trust me it IS !
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