Rachel, the Credit Scammer

Hello!  My name is Rachel.   There is nothing wrong with your credit card, but……

Who is Rachel and why does she keep calling?  Yes she will lower my credit rate as soon as I hand over all my personal information.  This woman gets around too.  She has called from numerous locations and phone numbers.  She is also persistent in her attempts to reach me.   In a short over the phone interview, she can aid in my financial situation.  Oh Rachel, please stop calling.  I know your game and I’m not falling for it.

How can it be that these credit scammers are able to exist for such a long period of time?  Are they really that techno savvy that they can eliminate all possible means of being detected?  I usually don’t answer these calls when I don’t recognize the name or number on the caller ID, but there have been times in which I have been fooled.  Once, the incoming call was identified as coming from Florida.  I was hesitant to pick up, but my mother-in-law lives in Florida and I didn’t want to take the chance that something had happened to her.  Of course, it was Rachel once again reassuring me about my credit.

These people prey on those who are having financial difficulties, or are just plain lonely.  They offer a kind, helpful voice that sounds sincere.   No matter how many warnings are reported, there are individuals who fall for the offer.  The ones that hurt people the most are the ones that ask for money upfront with the promise of a greater fortune in return.  As the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.   Many of these scams target the elderly making it all the more of a disgrace.  There have been reports of individuals masquerading as grandchildren or friends in immediate need of funds.  The money is wired, never to be seen again.

I had an aunt who was convinced that the woman who answered the phone for the Home Shopping Network knew her.  This isn’t a scam, but it operates on the idea of making someone feel good about the great bargain they are getting for their money.   My aunt would show me necklaces that had “real diamonds”.   Maybe they were, but you had to have a microscope to see them.  Most likely they were chips left over from cut diamonds, or pieces not used for the end of drill bits.   Aunt Mary didn’t spend a lot of money on these items, but she did believe that she had scored a big one.

In a time when much of the nation is suffering through an economic downturn, scams such as Rachel and friends are benefiting.   I am surprised that there aren’t more reports exposing their tactics.  The phrase “Buyer Beware” should be promoted on a greater level, and more should be done to track these vultures that bring harm and loss to people already surviving on a limited income.  This isn’t the kind of “help” they need.

A Wallet Bursting With Rewards Cards

It used to be that when you went out shopping, you needed only a few things.  A driver’s license, keys, some money and one or two credit cards were all that was required.  Now it seems you need to load yourself with an arsenal of cards and coupons before you head out the door.   Rewards are being offered by most major retailers.   Leave the house without these necessary cards, and you will pay more than you have to.  I have had more than one minor panic attic thinking I left that coupon, card, or email notice home.  Usually I find it in my wallet, purse, or pocket before I get to the checkout.  It is getting to the point of being stressful and tiring.  Do we really all need to walk around with this little item we get for free? 

It started with the supermarkets.   You only get the sale price if you have the card.  Of course we all have to eat, so saving money here is a big lure.   For the longest time I got by with just these cards and 2 major credit cards.   I avoided credit cards from stores since I didn’t see the advantage over a major card.  I also paid with cash most of the time.  That was years ago when coupons and extra discounts weren’t given.  I now have 4 cards from various retailers that I frequent.  All give me an extra 5 to 10 percent off my purchases.  If I wanted, I could probably have a dozen more from stores I shop in maybe once or twice a year. 

I have approximately 12 rewards cards.  Ones for supermarkets, craft stores, drug stores, and retailers who I do not have credit cards with.   There is only one reason for this and the stores don’t know what it is.  I save money.  In fact I am making money off of them because I pay everything off when it comes due.  I have not fallen into their little trap of buying something on credit, and then carrying a balance which is accruing interest by the second.  I have also not fallen for the gimmick of shopping in their stores every time they have a sale.  I especially like the ones that offer you “bucks” towards your next purchase.  They give you a time period to use it, and that is usually when there is no sale going on.   If I don’t have the money, or I don’t need the item, I don’t buy it.

My wallet has become so stuffed that I have to carry another little pouch to hold all these cards.   I have to look through too many to find the correct one, and gets even more confusing if I have gift card.  It looks comedic at times.  Retailers have created a game of making people feel like they are losing out if they don’t shop in their stores.  The only stores that don’t seem to have this option are the local independent small businesses.  They have their sales, they welcome you in without a rewards card, and they give you a nice shopping experience.  Maybe the time has come to start shopping in these stores more, and start supporting small business as we are all being encouraged to do.  It just might be the better deal.