How many money scams have we already heard about, asks theBuzzTube. Scammers are trying to cheat us on the phone, asking for the PIN code from the card, and posing as bank employees, they call us in the middle of the night, demanding compensation for a relative or things they throw up.
Do you think you know about all the most popular schemes of scammers? Here’s another one, not less cunning.
Imagine you made all the necessary purchases, left the supermarket, went to your car, opened it, put all the purchases in the back seat, got in the car, turned the ignition on, looked ahead and suddenly found a bill in the amount of USD100, or even more, attached to the windshield.
How did the money get there? Is this your guardian angel? I don’t think so!
You get out of the car enchanted, unlocking the doors, and then the most important begins — robbers come into play.
They catch the moment and rush into the car. All valuable things, of course, remained inside, the key too. Robbers calmly steal the car from under your nose, leaving you perplexed in the middle of the parking lot.
Kiri Vihman, a resident of Missouri, the mother of a beautiful baby, survived the attack of scammers according to the scheme, described above.
She shared her experience on Facebook. When she got out of the car and saw the money wasn’t real, she already guessed what would happen next.
After all, the car door is open and the key is still in the ignition.
Even worse, there was a child in the car, strapped to his seat. The woman experienced a real horror.
Fortunately, when the woman noticed the money on the windshield, she had already managed to drive away from the parking lot and was at a safe distance from the scammers.
She never thought that she would become a victim of a scam, and now warns others: you need to be very careful, especially during the season of sales and Christmas holidays, when many people go shopping.
She recommends not to leave the car unlocked, and even more with a little child inside. Never get out of it without a serious reason.
According to Kiri, holidays are the best time for scammers, because people take a lot of cash with them.
All this, including purchases, remain in the car when its owner goes out to check the windshield.
Kiri suggests asking the store’s security guard to escort you to the car, if you feel uncomfortable in the parking lot, this will scare away ill-wishers.
If there are any distractions, you should leave the place immediately, without harming anyone, of course.
You will sort it out later, once you are safe.
Such cases are common in Europe and the United States. Be careful — do not be fooled by gravy. It can turn into a major loss.
The police also report cases when fraudsters deliberately created a small accident on the road.
After all the participants had left, they stole the empty cars.
Law enforcement agencies recommend not to leave the keys in the car and not to react to people who provoke you to leave the car.
The scam that happened to Kiri is becoming popular also in the European countries.
The scam is very cunning — after all, almost all the victims fell for the money. No one suspected anything.
It’s so easy to believe that the Lord himself sent you money in response to your prayers. The thirst for gravy is a very predictable thing for robbers.
There are some obvious warning signs that you can spot while in the parking lot.
It’s worth worrying if in the parking lot besides your car there is another car parked next to yours, and there is someone inside it.
Try to park in a place where there are a lot of cars.
If you parked your car too far from the store or there are larger vehicles that block your car from the eyes of other motorists, you may be a victim of robbers.
Also watch out for people who behave suspiciously in the parking lot.
There is one thing that can make your car a target for scammers and robbers.
If you left a bunch of bags in the car and went to the store to buy something, thieves will notice it. As soon as you are out of sight, they will break the window, take your things, and maybe even steal your car.
Be especially careful, because the holidays are approaching — the most fruitful time for scammers and robbers.
