A front-page article on scams in this week’s Gazette illustrates the sense behind the saying: “don’t ever forget that some people wake up in the morning and say, ‘How am I going to screw somebody today?’”
What’s particularly disgraceful is the fact that these scams are preying on vulnerable people at a time when many, if not most, people are suffering in some way. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has touched us all negatively, whether from a healthcare or economic standpoint.
Unfortunately, some people see the opportunity for criminal activity in others’ times of misfortune.
Protect yourself from scammers by reading the article on the front page and taking the advice in it seriously. You will save money, time and aggravation. The stories illustrate the lengths criminals will go to try and deceive people and take their money. These days, no one can afford to be the victim of a scam. Money’s too hard to come by to lose it that easily.
There are other resources to help prevent scam artists from taking your hard-earned money. Contact the Hammonton Police Department for information on scams that are currently running in our area. Their number is (609) 561-4000. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel and the members of his department are here to help protect the community from these scams.
Another way to keep the scammers from your money: Be cautious before you give out financial or personal identity information. Criminals will try and contact you in nearly every way possible to try and obtain your personal and financial information. Once they have it, they can use it to line their own pockets.
Don’t be a mark for scam artists. Use your head, be skeptical and question the motives of the person calling, emailing or texting you. If it feels wrong, it probably is wrong.