Re : How to Avoid Con Artists
yalanand
4/30/2011 10:10:01 AM
Noreen,
Thanks for the article. I agree with you that we have to avoid Ponzy/Pyramid schemes as much as possible , but if person is tempted to invest then atleast he should consult an unbiased third party—like an unconnected broker or licensed financial advisor—before investing.
Re: Seeing what we believe
PAW
4/29/2011 4:53:15 PM
I sometimes receive email or mailings promising the prospect of historic gains for a new stock or product but only if I act now! In these uncertain times when money is tight and real opportunities few, it is much easier to rationalize that these “opportunities” are real when in reality, they are a well-packaged swindle.
Greed is the thing...
SD_Wilson
4/29/2011 1:39:41 PM
Everyone is vulnerable but greed seems to be the one common factor. Scams always seem to prey on the theme get lots on $$$ if you invest NOW!!!
In any venture it pays to be in early before the rest but as everyone has said here it pays to investigate and investigate and investigate before jumping in with a significant investment.
My experience with scams is that they rare stand up und even a moderate level of scrutiny. If it feels too good to be true then chances are 99 to 1 that it is a scam!
Cheers,
SD
8)
Re: Seeing what we believe
Phoenix
4/29/2011 12:32:09 PM
Yes I agree. Greed and other factors that drive us at that particular moment might cloud our judgment. Specially if the con artist does his own analysis of our nature before hand and targets his campaign to win us over by playing on our weaknesses.
It would also be helpful to know more about non-verbal cues that would tell us about identifying a person who is providing false information.
I sincerely hope that the next time we have an intuitive feeling that something is wrong we remember what was said here and take time to do a good background check before doing anything that we might later regret.
Re: Seeing what we believe
Tenacious
4/29/2011 11:59:53 AM
The first time you hear about someone falling for a scam you snicker, because it involves a friend or co-worker.
The next time, you don't laugh, because it happens to you.
I think it's human nature to see or hear exactly what we want to see or hear. How many times have you failed to see the obvious in a friend or family member? How many times do you say 'I should've seen that coming?'
We just overlook the obvious in our haste to make friends, money, deals and a myriad of other things.
Re: don't jump in
Phoenix
4/29/2011 11:36:25 AM
What an interesting article. I agree this could happen to any of us. And it is a scary thought! Doing research is one way out of it.
What about non-verbal cues? Do you think it possible that we purposefully ignore what is obvious in our greed to get that extra something that's all hush hush which we can have and others don't even know about?
Good Review
tokyogai
4/29/2011 9:53:43 AM
This is a good review of the tactics that the con artists use. I have known a number of people who have been taken in by the schemes and in almost every case you can look back and say "you should have asked.." But in reality , if someone seems legitament and has the right pedegree, it is easy to get taken in. Just remember that if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.
It is true that any of us could be the victim of a con, all we can really do is try to keep a cool head and do some research before we put down the cash.
I like how you pointed out some of the ways they try to pull us in to such scams. Seeing this behavior will hopfully through up some red flags if any of us see it in the future.
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