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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RNC repudiated delegate terrorist tactics -- in 1920

1 comment

August 13, 6:19 AM

by Karin Malchow, Scam Examiner

Courtesy of: National Museum of Health and Medicine

Politics has always been a caustic business and political conventions are no exception. The same recriminations resurface over the years.

Unfair delegate manipulation? Check.

Voter fraud? Check.

Last minute procedural scams? Check.

Backroom deals? Check.

Mustard gas used against opposing delegation? Hey, wait a minute.

Accusations of delegate chemical warfare during a state convention came before the 1920 Republican National Convention (which ultimately chose compromise candidate Harding in smoke-filled rooms.) From the June 3, 1920 New York Times:

"The Republican National Convention voted unanimously to refuse seats in the National Convention to either of the contesting delegations from the Fifth Missouri Districts, comprising sixteen wards in Kansas City and seven townships.

The action was taken on the ground that there had been fraud in the selection of delegates. . .There were charges of 'hog-tied' conventions. . .use of mustard gas to drive out one faction and fraud in the counting of ballots."

Despite disputes between Ron Paul and McCain delegates at local and state conventions this election season leading to St. Paul's Republican National Convention, nobody has accused the other side of using blister agents.

The use of mustard gas was banned by the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which the U.S. signed but didn't ratify until 1975.

Topics: politics , RNC , mustard gas , Ron Paul

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Pay attention to the scanner

1 comment

November 29, 9:39 PM

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Free champagne (courtesy of The Real Hustle)

5 comments

November 28, 8:12 AM

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Topics: The Real Hustle

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

3 comments

November 25, 8:59 PM

Heading out Black Friday with a debit card or stopping at the ATM? Remember that identity thieves don't have to be standing right behind you anymore. They can be up to fifteen feet away and still get your PIN and account number. How? ... Read More
Topics: Debit card , Theft

Exploding toilet risk for young and old

9 comments

November 22, 5:48 PM

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... Read More
Topics: Con artists , impersonation

Cash gifting the Chocolate Rain Guy way

18 comments

November 19, 12:01 PM

Cash gifting is a pyramid scheme falsely claiming legality. Practitioners cite irrelevant IRS rules allowing $12,000 to be distributed annually reducing a $2+ million taxable estate. (The tax allowance lets people give others, usually their... Read More
Topics: pyramid scheme , cash gifting

Reasons to hate rebate coupons

6 comments

November 16, 7:23 AM

Encourages impulsive product choice.Neglected reading rebate instructions prior to disposing of box with UPC code and yesterday was trash day.Just forgot to send in the form.Once sent, who remembers to track these things, anyway?Never knowing what you... Read More
Topics: sales tactics

Turkeys drown in gravy, not rain

2 comments

November 13, 12:01 PM

Ironically, many of us choose to question a turkey's intelligence while groaning, half-conscious after Thanksgiving dinner.Two enduring turkey stories told around the table: Turkeys are so stupid, they look up into rain and drown, and ingesting... Read More

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3 comments

November 12, 6:27 PM

Now that the surreal election with its plethora of Joe references (Plumber, Sixpack, Biden and Lieberman) is behind us (well, those last two will still come up), let us fondly recall a true Everyman, Joe Schmo. In 2003, television viewers... Read More
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3 comments

November 11, 10:46 AM

Below are five charities Charity Navigator describes as "not living up to their mission." Why? Because they spend over 50% of their budget on for-profit professional fundraising companies and very little providing services.CharityProgram... Read More
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