How to Avoid Being Scammed

Recent Ask Bob Question:

I received a grant check for $4950 in the mail. The letter stated that I did not have to pay it back. I would have to only pay a 10% commission fee which is $495.

There was no phone number listed on the check. The letter stated that I would have to go to their website to find out how to send the 10% commission.

I was instructed to purchase a Green Dot Card for the amount of the commission of $495. This is like a cash card. Once the agent receives the card, the cash will be easily obtainable.

Their website: www.AwardChecks.com
The Agent name is: Al Synder

The letter also stated after I send the 10% commission, I would receive a second check for $4950 the next day via overnight air mail. They did say that I had to have this 10% commission taken care of by 5 business days or the deal is off. That's would be a grand total of $9900 free money.

Usually when something sounds too good to be true it usually is. There may be someone else this has happened to. It is a hurtful thing for someone to get caught up in something like this. Please share with your radio listeners.

This is a scam that many people fall for. It starts with an individual receiving a check that states some grant money has been reserved in their name. The check that is sent by the scammer is a legitimate check from a legitimate bank. Unfortunately, the individual will quickly learn that the check was either a counterfeit check or the account was closed. It is at that point that the $495 is long gone and the individual never received any grant money.

The scammer wants that Green Dot card, which is essentially a cash card, in his possession before that 5 day period so that he can get the money and invalidate the check.

So, how do you know when you are about to be scammed?

There are 4 rules to avoid being scammed:

1) Never give information to anyone who initiates the conversation. If someone calls you, shows up at your house, sends you a letter, and requests updated or new information, don’t give it to them.

2) Only give information when you initiate the conversation. If you call the card company, you know that you are calling your credit card company. You can have confidence if you initiated the call or went to the place of business.

3) If contacted through email with a request to update information, always refuse. Legitimate companies don’t require customers to update information through email.

4) Finally and most importantly, if it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.

Follow those 4 rules, and you will greatly reduce your chances of being scammed.

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