Red Flag Phrases
or
Five Signs of a Possible Scam

Five phrases to be aware of. . . .

Every day, consumers are bombarded with offers, coupons, contests and other marketing devices over the phone, through the mail, on television and radio and through the Internet.  Most are legitimate.  Some are not.  Perpetrators of scams try to mimic well-known products and promotions with minor changes that can help you to identify which offers or prizes won't live up to your expectations.

If you receive an offer of any kind that contains a phase similar to any of these, beware!  Chances are that you have run across a scam.

• "You are a guaranteed winner of one of five valuable prizes!"   This scheme entices you to fork over big bucks to buy chemically inert vitamins, cheap home-security alarm systems or water purifiers, or to contribute to a bogus charity before you get the booby prize, which is of little or no value.
   
• "This chain letter is perfectly legal."   Most everyone receives this pitch sooner or later, but does anyone really get rich by participating?  No.  Once you've paid for copying, postage and a mailing list, this is one of life's biggest losers.  Besides, chain letters that ask for money are usually illegal lotteries or pyramid schemes.
   
• "Stuff envelopes at home and earn BIG $$$!"   If it were this easy, we would all be home stuffing envelopes!  Typically, the swindler making this offer is going to sell you a ''plan'' to do exactly what he's doing--advertising for suckers to send money for useless information.  Save your money.
   
• "Your humble assistance is highly solicited in transferring millions of dollars, available from the Nigerian National Petroleum Co., to share with your good self.  All we need is your bank account number."   This fraud, once aimed at business owners, now targets consumers.  Send your account numbers and money will be stolen from your account by bank drafts.
   
• "You've been selected to receive a fabulous vacation!"   Notice nothing is said about winning a vacation.  You have to pay for it, and you will encounter a nightmare of scheduling problems, shabby hotels, nonexistent cruises and fly-by-night airlines.  Worried about losing your luggage?  How about losing your shirt?