Gullible suburban mother of four regularly duped in her half-century life. Exploring hoaxes and schemes as the ExSCAMiner, she attempts answering the nagging question: Should I have fallen for that? Got scam tips, email Karin at ScamExaminer@gmail.com.

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Shoulder surfers can be more than an arm's length away

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Showing entries for Category: Con-artists

Exploding toilet risk for young and old

9 comments

November 22, 5:48 PM

by Karin Malchow, Scam Examiner

For the last few months, a number of scam artists posing as water company workers have victimized senior citizens in New Jersey. Some demand money for nonexistent services or threaten to turn the water off, while others keep the occupant busy as a confederate steals cash.

In 2007, United Water warned of a similar scam when con artists purported to check water for arsenic, taking advantage of tainted well news reports.

During a recent incident in Jersey City, the thief worked alone, but kept the 91-year-old victim out of the way by instructing her to hold the toilet handle down or the house would explode.

Only days earlier, an exploding toilet incident reportedly did occur, but it involved a German teenager spraying an aerosol and lighting a lighter while sitting in the bathroom. The resulting blast sent him out the window, suffering severe burns. His dad remarked, "He knows he was a bit dim."

Please remind seniors living alone to check for a company truck, uniform and identification. If there is any question, a real employee will gladly wait outside while a resident makes a confirmation call to the utility company (and not from the number the con artist may give).

Also, remind teenagers you know not to light flammable gasses on the toilet or anywhere else.

Topics: Con artists , impersonation

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Ghoulish phone scams (and they're not robocalls)

8 comments

October 23, 10:48 PM

The Better Business Bureau reports a resurgence of phone scams with a macabre twist. The caller relates a family member had a terrible accident requiring your assistance.Sometimes the person claims to be law enforcement dispatch, telling you to... Read More
Topics: Con artists , Better Business Bureau

Con men check in but they don't check out

1 comment

September 4, 4:56 PM

A version of dine-and-dash in the hotel industry is the stay-don't-pay. While most of us have to present credit cards, reserving future charges, sophisticated con artists fool fine hotels by brashly adopting VIP mannerisms: booking expensive... Read More
Topics: Con artists

Promoting Denver's image through the DNC

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July 30, 9:27 AM

As Denver busies itself preparing for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, including giving homeless residents free zoo, museum and movie passes so delegates, protesters and media won't bother them (and the reverse), the city nostalgically looks... Read More
Topics: Con artists , DNC , Denver , Lou Blonger

What people do for a free lunch

1 comment

July 5, 5:48 PM

In Milwaukee, Robert P. Farnam was arrested for faking a heart attack to avoid paying a $22.66 Applebee's check. He didn't pay his cab fare going there, either, using the same technique. A doctor recognized him at the hospital,... Read More
Topics: Con artists , fraud , restaurants , dine and dash

Even Founding Fathers got scammed

2 comments

July 4, 11:14 AM

Alexander Hamilton: Founding Father, Washington's aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War, first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, co-author of Federalist Papers, con artist victim.In 1792, James Reynolds was arrested for fraudulently submitting... Read More
Topics: Con artists , sex scandal , politics , blackmail

American Greed

1 comment

June 2, 7:20 PM

American Greed is an excellent series airing on CNBC Wednesdays (9 and 11 pm ET) and Sundays (11 pm ET). Here is a clip from last year profiling a bass fisherman perpetrating a Ponzi scheme. "Reeling 'em in" analogy included. A... Read More
Topics: Con artists , fraud , Ponzi scheme , American Greed

High yield = high risk (especially in Ponzi schemes)

2 comments

May 27, 2:03 PM

Definition of Ponzi Scheme: Where dividends/profits paid to investors is money from new investors. Many are left holding the empty bag. (Note: While still a scam, pyramid schemes typically inform investors upfront that... Read More
Topics: Con artists , Ponzi scheme

The man who conned Al Capone

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May 26, 8:53 AM

One of my favorite con artist anecdotes involves Viktor ("The Count") Lustig (1890-1947), a sophisticated schemer who spoke five languages. In Chicago during the 1920s, he boldly approached gangster Al Capone, promising to double a $50,000... Read More
Topics: Con artists

Movie prophets for profit

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May 17, 7:43 PM

A sampling of films where scammers manipulate victims' religious faith: Marjoe (1972): Oscar-winning documentary following former child evangelist star Marjoe Gortner during the waning days of the tent revival circuit.The Manchurian Candidate... Read More
Topics: Con artists , movies , religion