Winter Scams
While they are a problem throughout the year, the darker, lonelier days of winter are a favourite time for Scam Artists to ply their trade. They take advantage of the fact that in winter many Seniors (their usual targets) are more likely to be cooped up at home without much family or otherwise friendly contact. With their very polished pitches they befriend people, usually by telephone, and convince them to send money for all manner of items or services which will never appear.
The best way to protect yourself against these people is to have a very healthy scepticism for any deal or product that sounds too good to be true. The simple fact is, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! Do not be afraid to phone a friend or family member if you receive a letter or call from someone with the deal of a lifetime. Ask them what they think of it. In addition ask for as much information as you can from the caller and check up on them. If the deal is legitimate, they won’t mind you protecting yourself. If they don’t like giving you information on themselves, then it’s a very good sign that they are not who or what they say they are.
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