Have any of you been conned?

[Shaka_Khan]

Someone called on the phone yesterday. One of my co-workers picked it up. After she hung up, she asked me to wait because someone would come over. She said that I would have to sign something. From the way she said it, I assumed that she knew what was going on. The guy came into the office and sat in the meeting room. My co-workers told me to get in there. So I did. I asked him what this was for. He told me that it was for insurance and that the company applied for it. I noticed that my name was already on his paper. I assumed that someone in the office told him my name. So I stupidly signed it. After the guy left, I asked my co-worker what this was about. She said that she had no idea.

This is the last time I listen to my co-workers without thinking.

I can't believe that I didn't even ask which insurance company it was. And my co-worker doesn't know either.



-edit: The first thing I'll do tomorrow is change my bank account number.

[macsen rufus]

The first thing I'll do tomorrow is change my bank account number.

And if you can do it BEFORE tomorrow, all the better. If you have been scammed they will move FAST.

You obviously realise now, but never sign anything if you're not given time to think or read what the paper says. You never know, they might be back tomorrow for the kidney you donated .....

[KukriKhan]

Two guys, late teens, knocked on my door last month. They had what looked like valid credentials hung 'round their necks. They were selling weekend subscriptions to my town's newspaper. "Try for a month free; then cancel if you don't like it".

Sounded reasonable. I signed the subscription form. Then came: "We're not allowed to take cash or credit cards. Personal check only, unsigned, with the word "VOID" written across it." I complied.

Moments after they left, I realize 'Those guys have my checking account number and bank routing number, tho' on a 'dead' check.'

A bit of panic ensued, along with some shame at having been so thoughtless.

That was a Friday. No newspaper on Sunday, or the next Sunday. I check my account daily... no untoward action.

I finally wave down (at 0400 a.m.) the newspaper delivery guys (they deliver by car, tossing the papers in driveways). It's the same fellas who were on my doorstep earlier.

"We lost all that day's paperwork, by accident", was the explanation given.

I'm 50% relieved to find that the guys were valid sales/delivery guys, but a bit worried about my check. Declined to re-authorize delivery, and I still check my account daily for any weird charges. So far, so good.

Whew. I hope.

[Samurai Waki]

About a month ago, a young man came to my door, prison tattoos abound on his arms, and asked if I wanted to buy a magazine subscription because if he sells enough some such and such company will give him 4000$ towards opening his own business. He asked if he could come in, which I immediately said wasn't a good idea, my head still poking through the crack in the door, thinking if this guy really wanted in, he could get in. Anyway, he needed for me to write a check out to this "company" for 20.00$ I asked him if he had a brochure about this program, and no of course he didn't, so I declined. About a day later, another guy knocked on the door, asking about the same thing, only this time he was selling Some energy drink or something, through the same company, I asked if he had information on the company, he didn't. I asked for the guys name this time, and called down to the Department of Corrections to see if this was legit. Apparently, it is, but its 3rd party, however I also mentioned that I had two young daughters and I didn't appreciate ex cons beating on my door, and gave the guys name. I haven't had another person knock on my door since.

[HoreTore]

I once had a Peugeot. 'Nuff said.

[ICantSpellDawg]

I'm the salesman. I do the conning. If anybody is ever sellign me anything I get them excited and then threaten to back out when the time to pay has come if they don't give in to my demands. Numerous times a purchase.

Never buy anything at your door. I can promise that it is never a good deal unless you are an expert on the topic and paying cash.

[Lemur]

I spent waaaaay too much on University. If I could do it all over, I'd go with a good state school. So yeah, I got conned.

[drone]

I payed full price for RTW.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Other than that, can't say I've been conned. I've got one simple rule, never buy anything from someone who contacts you first. Spending your money (aside from taxes ) should be your idea, not theirs.

[ICantSpellDawg]

I spent waaaaay too much on University. If I could do it all over, I'd go with a good state school. So yeah, I got conned.

Yea - that seems to be the biggest con of all. The American economy tanks and students are amassing tens of thousands of dollars in inescapable debt.

I went to a community college, got my associates, transferred to Stonybrook, got my bachelors with a 3.65 cum laude gpa and have absolutely NO debt. Not a penny. I even had so much left over that I went out and bought an Altima. Wham, bam, thank you mam.

Everybody else has a really expensive paperweight and numerous unhealthy addictions to show for all of their money - but few have better jobs than their high school educated parents did at their age. This generation won't soon forget the lesson that education is important, but dorming at a private university is a waste of money - the only sensible options are commuting to a state school or full scholarship.

I feel sorry for everybody, but hey, you all probably had more sex and got more wasted, so its even. Don't feel too bad - i got on this path because of a mistake - I didn't listen to any adult in high school; the best mistake i've ever made.

[ICantSpellDawg]

I payed full price for RTW.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Other than that, can't say I've been conned. I've got one simple rule, never buy anything from someone who contacts you first. Spending your money (aside from taxes ) should be your idea, not theirs.

Excellent advice, btw

[LeftEyeNine]

Apparently I never had a royal relative in Burkina Faso.

[Beirut]

Oh yeah.

About two summer ago I bought a surround sound speaker set off some guy in the depanneur (Quebec corner store) parking lot. He had an SUV with a bunch of boxed sets in them. He said he was supposed to pick up five sets for his boss's store but the guy at the warehouse gave him ten sets, so he was offing the extra sets for cash before he got back to the store with the five he was supposed to have. The guy wanted to make some cash on the side.

Insert stupid person... here!

So I bought a set. He wanted $600, saying they worth a grand each. He even showed me an audio magazine with an add for the same speakers at about a grand per set. I ended up giving him $300. When I got home, I went online to check out what kind of a deal I got and I saw forum threads saying, "This guy in an SUV sold me a set of surround sound speakers and..."

Shmoo is me. Mind you, I had the small speakers hooked up to my computer and they were pretty good, and I've had the woofer on my TV ever since and it's fine. In the end, the speakers were/are worth about $300. So I don't feel too stupid, cough, but I did fall for it hook, line, and sinker.

Serves me right. No one to blame but me. But if I ever see one of those guys pulling that stunt on someone else, I'm gonna have me some fun.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Oh yeah.

About two summer ago I bought a surround sound speaker set off some guy in the depanneur (Quebec corner store) parking lot. He had an SUV with a bunch of boxed sets in them. He said he was supposed to pick up five sets for his boss's store but the guy at the warehouse gave him ten sets, so he was offing the extra sets for cash before he got back to the store with the five he was supposed to have. The guy wanted to make some cash on the side.

Insert stupid person... here!

You thought that they fell off the back of a truck, didn't you? Serves you right!

[Beirut]

You thought that they fell off the back of a truck, didn't you? Serves you right!

Agreed.

[ICantSpellDawg]

We should make a list of rules on how to avoid being conned.

1)When people approach you to sell you something, avoid a yes at all cost. You should instigate all purchases, particularly with strangers.

2)If you suspect that merchandise was stolen by people selling an item, why would you trust them to give you a deal? They've already worked someone else over.

3)...

[HoreTore]

3. No matter how cheap something is, it doesn't matter if it's 10% of the original price; it's still a waste of money if the item is something you don't need.

This goes for both conners and regular stores btw...

[LittleGrizzly]

It happened to me once... in a foriegn country trying to buy something a bit stronger than alcohol, i ended up with 40 euros of leaves, not the good kind either, in my defense i slightly wiped out because it was late, 2am, his friend come out of nowhere and appeared with him as he returned, i was too busy making sure i was safe too worry about being ripped off....

[macsen rufus]

About a month ago, a young man came to my door, prison tattoos abound on his arms, and asked if I wanted to buy...

I had a similar caller about a year ago now, even down to the tattoos. My normal response to anyone selling door to door is "Not interested, now get off my land" but this guy had a little ID card, and straight off the bat said "I've recently been released from prison, and I'm on a probation scheme..." and went on the explain how he was selling stuff door to door, for a minimum of six weeks and then he would get a place on a training scheme to get some qualifications.

At first I was typically apprehensive, but looked at what he had anyway, and thought what the hey, there's nothing to lose and bought some scissors (which I really needed) for a couple of quid. Saved going to the hardware store, anyway. It made his day, he beamed and said I'd been his first sale all day, how he always got knocked back and most people didn't want to know. I happened to bump into him in the street later in the day as he was winding up and heading for the bus, once again he was all smiles, and explained how he'd had a good day as he'd made one more sale after me.

Despite my usual attitude to door-sales, what was it that made me give this guy the time and the sale? First off, he laid down his past on the line (I didn't ask what he'd done), he was obviously working on turning his life around, and it must take tremendous guts to approach so many strangers and say "I am an ex-offender". The scissors were fine, and get daily use.

So I guess rule 4 would be "Always use your judgment, but be specially wary when they won't give you time to think."

And for no. 5 maybe, an oldie-but-goodie "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is"