A good Samaritan has an empty wallet after trying to help a man who turned out to be a hard luck scammer.
On April 24, 2012, at 6:15 p.m., a 43-year-old Kelowna man was approached by an unidentified Caucasian man asking for money to pay a large cab fare.
The man claimed that a friend or family member was coming and promised to pay back the cash once they arrived.
The Kelowna man, being a good Samaritan and trying to help out someone in apparent need, gave up his cash to pay the fare.
When the scammer left to pay the taxi driver, he never returned.
If someone approaches you asking for money, consider the following:
• S - Safe. If you give in, would you be worse off for having done it?
• C - Credible. Is the person trying to convince you that they are credible without being verified?
• A - Aggressive. Is the scammer using an aggressive tactic, or language, that requires an immediate or imperative response?
• M - Motive. Is their motive to deprive you of money or assets (banking information), typically with a promise of greater reward?
If the answer is “YES” to any of the above questions, then don’t fall for it.
If it’s a phone call, simply hang up.
If a letter, throw it away.
If in person, kindly tell them you’re not interested.
It’s that simple.