Scam! The Full Story
For Those Who Think They Are Invulnerable56 total reviews
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
You were brave to write it. My spam folder is filled with nothing but scams of all sorts. People have tried scamming me, and it never worked because I do not trust people I don't know. They tried that computer thing with me. I went into my settings and checked it was not down, I just had a bad and sneaky pop up thingie trying to get my permission to move further into my system. I cleaned my computer and went back to work.Karen
reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
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You were brave to write it. My spam folder is filled with nothing but scams of all sorts. People have tried scamming me, and it never worked because I do not trust people I don't know. They tried that computer thing with me. I went into my settings and checked it was not down, I just had a bad and sneaky pop up thingie trying to get my permission to move further into my system. I cleaned my computer and went back to work.Karen
Comment Written 16-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
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Karen, that doesn't surprise me at all. You strike me as being very level-headed -- not unlike my wife. As far as being brave ... I don't see that at all. I needed to purge myself by writing it all out. And when I finished it, I saw that it might be helpful to others. I wish I had read an article like mine the day before my computer went haywire! Anyway, thanks again for reading.
Jay
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We all fall for things we shouldn't. I married the same guy twice! Age doesn't always give us all the wisdom we actually need. I lost my house because of him. We only had two years left to pay on it! So, I have been as gullible as anybody else. Karen
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OMG, Karen. There are so many of us broken souls in this world that are trying to keep everything together while keeping stuff stored inside. Remember the words of Maya Angelou, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." I got mine out. I suggest you do the same. It'll help chase away the demons.
Love ya, Karen,
Jay
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Blessings have a good week Karen
Comment from Jamison Brown
Jay,
I'm very sorry this has happened to you. I have learned through your writing that you will not likely let it defeat or define you.
You have many friends here that will lift you up and pray for you; I am proud and blessed to be one of those.
Jamison
reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
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Jay,
I'm very sorry this has happened to you. I have learned through your writing that you will not likely let it defeat or define you.
You have many friends here that will lift you up and pray for you; I am proud and blessed to be one of those.
Jamison
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
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Jamison, I remember from our previous review encounters that you are a man of deep beliefs (I thought you were a pastor) and I knew that if you read my story that you would raise it up in prayer... Thank you, Jamison, for being you.
Jay
Comment from Spitfire
You missed the biggest red flag--don't talk to anyone until we're done. These con artists are good. I fell for one years ago that claimed my computer had been hacked too. My son now tells me to consult him first if in doubt. (He's an expert programmer.)
Forget about the money because you have more than that-- the love of your family.
Affectionately,
Shari
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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You missed the biggest red flag--don't talk to anyone until we're done. These con artists are good. I fell for one years ago that claimed my computer had been hacked too. My son now tells me to consult him first if in doubt. (He's an expert programmer.)
Forget about the money because you have more than that-- the love of your family.
Affectionately,
Shari
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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You are absolutely right. About the red flag... and about the love of my family. I am so blessed! I am doubly blessed to have a Fanstory family that cares for my welfare. Thank you for being among those, Shari.
Jay
Comment from Sally Law
You are a very loved and blessed man! Hopefully that truth supercedes this financial losses and embarrassment you've incurred. I don't know anyone that's lost more money than me, several times over in fact, and one was a Ponzi scheme. I lost my promised inheritance. A relative stole a great deal of money from me. Trust me, that hurts the most. I would rather it had been a boggerman with an unknown identify.
The love of my life and my children/grandchildren are my greatest wealth. They always have been, even when Hamburger Helper was the only thing I could cook with success. I remember vividly Jack giving me an envelope filled with cash for the week. He would say, "This is it, babe. Make it stretch." I did.
I loved this. I gasped, sighed, laughed, cried, and cried some more. Still crying as I type this. Magnificent writing, tender, raw and real. I will be praying before I go to bed and throughout the week for you and your family.
Love, Sal XOs
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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You are a very loved and blessed man! Hopefully that truth supercedes this financial losses and embarrassment you've incurred. I don't know anyone that's lost more money than me, several times over in fact, and one was a Ponzi scheme. I lost my promised inheritance. A relative stole a great deal of money from me. Trust me, that hurts the most. I would rather it had been a boggerman with an unknown identify.
The love of my life and my children/grandchildren are my greatest wealth. They always have been, even when Hamburger Helper was the only thing I could cook with success. I remember vividly Jack giving me an envelope filled with cash for the week. He would say, "This is it, babe. Make it stretch." I did.
I loved this. I gasped, sighed, laughed, cried, and cried some more. Still crying as I type this. Magnificent writing, tender, raw and real. I will be praying before I go to bed and throughout the week for you and your family.
Love, Sal XOs
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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Sally, you have a way of moving me to tears. Thank you for your story. You lost so much more money than I and came back with such grace! God richly bless you, Sally. Thank you for your prayers. They do help! Love you,
Jay
Comment from John Ciarmello
Jay! This is unbelievable. The officer was correct, Jay. It happens to the best of us. It will all smooth out.
I felt as though I was reading about myself as a similar situation happened to me: computer taken over / call from the fraud department / don't call out / she stayed on the open line with me. At the same time, I went to my bank to withdraw all my money and send it to an address given to me by the "fraud" department to secure my money in what they called a "Safe Box." Jay, it was so elaborate I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The only thing that saved me was that the phone went dead as I walked into the bank. I went straight to the bank manager and asked him to pull up my account as I explained to him what was happening. My money was secure, but he admitted to me that this was the most elaborate scam he'd ever heard about. I was lucky but willing to follow directions to secure my life's savings. Don't feel embraced at all, Jay! They have it down to a science.
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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Jay! This is unbelievable. The officer was correct, Jay. It happens to the best of us. It will all smooth out.
I felt as though I was reading about myself as a similar situation happened to me: computer taken over / call from the fraud department / don't call out / she stayed on the open line with me. At the same time, I went to my bank to withdraw all my money and send it to an address given to me by the "fraud" department to secure my money in what they called a "Safe Box." Jay, it was so elaborate I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The only thing that saved me was that the phone went dead as I walked into the bank. I went straight to the bank manager and asked him to pull up my account as I explained to him what was happening. My money was secure, but he admitted to me that this was the most elaborate scam he'd ever heard about. I was lucky but willing to follow directions to secure my life's savings. Don't feel embraced at all, Jay! They have it down to a science.
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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John, thank you for telling me your story. That's the key for the scammers. Force you to stay on the phone. Don't accept incoming calls and above all, don't make a call or text to anyone. And all the while they get you feeling like you're working for the good guys! OMG. What a fool I was! But I'm seeing more and more, thanks to the courage of people like you, that this fool was with good company. John, you are a rock. Thanks!
Jay
Comment from Jesse James Doty
I'm sorry you were scammed. It happens to the best of us. I was almost scammed once, they asked me to go to the store and get a gift card for $500 and not to tell anybody why I was getting it. Well, that sounded suspicious to me so I called a friend and told them what had just happened and they told me I was being scammed. So, whenever someone asks for money over the phone I hang up immediately. Enough said.
Jesse
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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I'm sorry you were scammed. It happens to the best of us. I was almost scammed once, they asked me to go to the store and get a gift card for $500 and not to tell anybody why I was getting it. Well, that sounded suspicious to me so I called a friend and told them what had just happened and they told me I was being scammed. So, whenever someone asks for money over the phone I hang up immediately. Enough said.
Jesse
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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Jesse, you're right. It's hard for me to explain, but the experience is entirely different when you're on the inside looking out, than someone telling me after the fact that I should have done this or that. I really felt like Mr. Wilson (as the head of the bank fraud department) and I were working together to outwit the scammers. And if it had happened to you, I'd think, "Jesse James Doty, you were an unadulterated fool! What were you thinking?"
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No matter who it is, I don't give money over the phone. That is my no-scam policy.
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And it's a wise policy, too!
JS
Comment from Jim Wile
As painful as this experience was for you, Jay, I for one appreciate your sharing your story with us for the good it is bound to do us. I have sent this story on to my family as a warning to be careful. Rather than beat yourself up over it, know that by sharing your story, you are doing us all a service by letting us know what can happen.
Scammers have certainly gotten very convincing and realistic in their approaches. Although you were unfortunate to have gotten caught up in this, I'm sure a lot of us are thinking: there but for the grace of God go I.
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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As painful as this experience was for you, Jay, I for one appreciate your sharing your story with us for the good it is bound to do us. I have sent this story on to my family as a warning to be careful. Rather than beat yourself up over it, know that by sharing your story, you are doing us all a service by letting us know what can happen.
Scammers have certainly gotten very convincing and realistic in their approaches. Although you were unfortunate to have gotten caught up in this, I'm sure a lot of us are thinking: there but for the grace of God go I.
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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Well, I'm glad your relatives can be forewarned. I hope I wouldn't fall for the same scam again. Thank you, Jim!
Comment from Lea Tonin1
I'm terribly sorry this happened to you something like this has happened to me and others as well. It is a terrible feeling, an outrage and anger and helplessness to do anything about it. The birds i'd like to line them up like ducks and take them just a thought though.
I hope you were able to resolve this to your satisfaction. I also hope and pray for only good things for you.
A good and informative submission. I wish you best unlock and a fine evening!
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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I'm terribly sorry this happened to you something like this has happened to me and others as well. It is a terrible feeling, an outrage and anger and helplessness to do anything about it. The birds i'd like to line them up like ducks and take them just a thought though.
I hope you were able to resolve this to your satisfaction. I also hope and pray for only good things for you.
A good and informative submission. I wish you best unlock and a fine evening!
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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Lea, thank you so much! Your kindness is appreciated.
Jay
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Seriously, Jay, we love you on here, too. I've been scammed before, not to the extent you were, but several thousand. Don't give up on us here. That's what family does, we take care of each other. And you've done us a great service. You let us know an avenue the scammers take. My mother in law was scammed with someone faking her grandson's voice and knowledge about parts of his life. It's easy to trust.
First step, you let us know. Second step, keep writing!! Third step, well, stay on this site!!
Hugs and prayers,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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Seriously, Jay, we love you on here, too. I've been scammed before, not to the extent you were, but several thousand. Don't give up on us here. That's what family does, we take care of each other. And you've done us a great service. You let us know an avenue the scammers take. My mother in law was scammed with someone faking her grandson's voice and knowledge about parts of his life. It's easy to trust.
First step, you let us know. Second step, keep writing!! Third step, well, stay on this site!!
Hugs and prayers,
Rhonda
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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Rhonda, God Bless you for being so supportive. I still have several weeks to ponder whether I will stay on with FanStory. If I leave it won't be for more than 6 months, I'm sure. And believe me, I won't forget any of you in my absence.
Jay
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All I can say is, look how many sixes you got on that post! That?s love, my friend!
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Don't think it past my attention. I was amazed by that. Rhonda, thank you for your part in rebuilding my self-esteem. You rock!
Jay
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You?re a leader on this site we all look up to and your absence would be greatly missed. Don?t let what happened jade you towards everyone. It can happen to anyone and your story, though personally devastating may serve to save someone else. Money isn?t the only thing people have to be afraid of losing. There are a lot of young folk on here and they need to learn to be careful who they trust. You could have just been bitter, but instead, you thought about other people and bared your soul.
We feel you!
Rhonda
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Rhonda, first you make me blush, then bring me near to tears. I do hope that someone benefits from my story. Thank you for supporting and encouraging me.
Jay
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Always, Jay!
Comment from LJbutterfly
OMG, Jay. I'm so sorry this happened, but glad you openly and honestly shared your story. It may help someone else.
I know how you felt. I received an Amazon scam call in January 2022. When the issue was finally resolved (they put a lock on my computer so I couldn't use it and I had to put it in the shop to remove the lock), I couldn't wait to post my story to make others aware of how convincing scammers can be. I'm sure reviewers will tell you about their scam experiences.
Of course my prayers are with you. I was glad to read how your family rallied around you and assured you of their love at a time you needed to hear it.
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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OMG, Jay. I'm so sorry this happened, but glad you openly and honestly shared your story. It may help someone else.
I know how you felt. I received an Amazon scam call in January 2022. When the issue was finally resolved (they put a lock on my computer so I couldn't use it and I had to put it in the shop to remove the lock), I couldn't wait to post my story to make others aware of how convincing scammers can be. I'm sure reviewers will tell you about their scam experiences.
Of course my prayers are with you. I was glad to read how your family rallied around you and assured you of their love at a time you needed to hear it.
Comment Written 15-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2023
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Oh yes, you don't know how much I needed to hear about their love for me. I was pretty heavily down on myself once I actually came to believe that we WEREN'T on the same team fighting the scammers.
Thank you for keeping me in your prayers, Lorraine.
Love you,
Jay