Con people make money through deception. They lie, cheat and fool people into thinking they've happened onto a great deal or some easy money when they're the ones who'll be making money. If that doesn't work, they'll take advantage of your weaknesses -- loneliness, insecurity, poor health or simple ignorance. The only thing more important to a con person than perfecting a con is perfecting a total lack of conscience.
What does the average con person look like? Despite what you
may think, he or she isn't always a shady-looking character. A con person is an
expert at looking however he needs to look. If the con involves banking or
investments, the con artist will wear a snappy suit. If it involves home
improvement scams, he'll show up wearing well-worn work clothes. Even the basic
assumption that the con is a "he" is incorrect: there are plenty of
con women too.
You might think you can spot a con artist because he's
someone you instinctively "don't trust." But the term con artist is
short for confidence artist -- they gain your confidence just long enough to
get their hands on your money. They can be very charming and persuasive. A good
con artist can even make you believe he is really an old friend you haven't
seen in years.
Con people do share certain characteristics, however. Even
the best con can only go on for so long before people start getting suspicious.
For that reason, con people tend to move frequently. They may have a job that
allows this, or they might claim to have such a job. A store manager, marketing
manager or whatsoever worker and traveling salesman are all parts con people
play to cover up their constant relocations.
It would be impossible to catalog every con because con people
are inventive. While many cons are simply variations on ones that are hundreds
of years old, new technologies and laws give con artists the opportunity to
create original scams. Many cons tend to fall into a few general categories,
however: street cons, marriage cons, business cons, Internet cons, loan cons, and home improvement cons.
How to Avoid a Con
Sometimes it seems like the world is full of people
constantly trying to get their hands on your money. But there are a few things
to remember that will help make you resistant to most cons:
- You never get something for nothing. There's an old saying: "You can't cheat an honest man." Most cons rely on the victim's own greed. Con people know that people often throw caution to the wind when they start seeing dollar signs. Deals that sound too good to be true usually are.
- Guard your personal information. Especially guard your Social Security number, credit card numbers and bank account numbers. We have to use these numbers in many of our daily transactions, but if you are asked for any of this information, be absolutely sure that the person doing the asking is someone you can trust or works for a reputable company.
- Don't accept solicitations. Whether you get a cold call for an investment opportunity or someone comes to your door offering to do home repairs, hang up the phone and close the door. While there may be legitimate businesses that go door-to-door or make cold calls to find customers, they are few and far between.
- Watch for signs. Con people often give themselves away if you ask enough questions. Ask for some kind of written documentation of their offer. Check for a real address, not a P.O. Box. Ask to see a driver's license, and write down the information on it. Write down license plate numbers, and make sure the con person sees you doing it. If it's a legitimate offer, he won't mind. Tell him you need to think the deal over for at least a few days before making a decision. A con artist will often pressure you to make a decision on the spot -- often using hard-sell tactics, such as saying that the deal won't last. They may get nervous when you ask for something in writing, and will usually refuse to provide it. When someone wants your money, if the offer is legitimate, it will still be around next week.
If You've Been Conned
The most street-wise person can get taken in by a con. If
you've been victimized, what should you do?
- Con people count on their victims feeling foolish and afraid to report the scam. But if you remain silent about being conned, you're letting the con person move on to steal from others. Write down every detail you can remember as soon as possible, while it's fresh in your memory. Collect any documented evidence you might have as well. This includes receipts, contracts or even your own phone records.
- Now it's time to contact the authorities. You may have to do some legwork to find the right agency or someone who is willing to help you. Your local police department may have a special division assigned to fraud cases. Also, contact your local police. Get in touch with the Better Business Bureau and see if there are any other reports of the same con person -- this could help you and the police track him down. Many scams also fall under the jurisdiction of certain federal agencies. If you really reach a dead end, try your local TV news stations. Many have segments where a reporter tracks down a con person and demands answers, and a con person hates the spotlight.
Rab Rakha!!!!!
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