Beware of scams

Lately I have been receiving many letters regarding scams. I referred to this issue on December 11. Although many consumers get caught, our features on this issue are improving the average consumer's awareness so that they do not fall for it. Indeed, on having featured an article on this issue, I received the following message on trips to the USA:

I read your article on December 11 regarding scams on trips to the USA. I'm afraid it seems that I have really fallen for one such scam. Exactly the same thing as you explained in your article happened to me, with the difference that after about nine days I received a very attractive package (A4) with "Congratulations your Vacation Package is here" printed on the envelope. Inside, the brochures are of very high quality and I have an invoice with reservation number, date of order, package description etc all on letterhead with full details of the company Special Travel, Inc.

I still don't know what to make out of this. I was very cautious when I placed the call and I did repeat many times that I thought that this was a scam, yet they reassured me and told me I could use the holiday for up to two years, sell it or give it away to someone else. The company is taking monthly payments of Lm35 as at the time I did not have much more than that amount available in my visa. Luckily I knew that, so they made arrangements for them to withdraw that amount until my share of the cost (i.e. $898) is paid up!

What do you suggest I do? If this is a scam, can they be stopped?

Your help would be most appreciated. (Pam Muscat)

The only effective way to stop them is to ignore them. Take them with a pinch of salt. Let's face it, ask yourself the following question:

Can you believe a message received from a complete stranger informing you that you have won two million dollars?

If you really did win two million dollars, does it make sense to be asked to pay hundreds and/or thousands of dollars to process the money you supposedly won?

When they start asking for money is when you must stop communicating with them. I too, received an e-mail informing me about the millions of dollars I supposedly won. When they asked me for the money to process my winnings I told them to take the money out of my winnings, following which I received no further communication from them. They dropped me like a ton of bricks. In any case, my motto in this context is that if it seems too good to be true it most probably is too good to be true!

I appeal to consumers who have been bitten to write to me explaining how much money you lost. Obviously, in such cases, I will not divulge any names. I would only inform readers about the kinds of frauds to keep consumers informed about the numerous and different types of scams.