Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints!  My team didn't make it to the playoffs this year but since my team is the Pittsburgh Steelers (six Super Bowl championships), I can't be greedy.  I remember growing up and seeing Saints games (on the few occasions when the NFL actually broadcast one of their games) and watching their poor fans sporting paper bags over their heads and referring to their beloved team as the "Aints."  It is nice to see that the "S" has been restored to a proud and patient franchise.  It's a great thing for the "Who Dat" Nation.

Of course, unlike Drew Brees and his crew, not everyone in the world is a "Saint", particularly in these tough economic times.  Remember the old adage ‘if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is?’  This wise, old adage is a good piece of advice to remember in these times.  Scammers and con men have always been around but the poor economy of the past few years has brought such rip-off artists out of the woodwork in record numbers and they are working overtime to try to steal your money. 

Unfortunately, the imagination of con artists knows no bounds these days. One of the common scams that Soldiers and non-Soldiers alike have been targeted with goes something like this. You receive a letter in the mail, perhaps claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearinghouse or some other legitimate sounding name, informing you that you have either won a large cash prize or have been awarded a grant for a substantial sum of money. The letter is accompanied by a check and the letter explains that the check is included to cover the costs of some processing fees or some other similar explanation. The letter may even include a telephone number which you can call and some very nice and legitimate sounding person will answer and explain that everything is on the up and up. You will be asked to go to your bank and deposit the check into your bank account. You will also be asked to wire the same or a similar amount of money to the company to cover the “processing fees.” Essentially, the company is providing the check to cover your costs. 

Now, you anxiously await the receipt of the large check you have been promised.  And you wait.  And you wait.  Suddenly, you get a telephone call from your bank. Perhaps you are excited because you are sure the bank representative on the other end of the line is going to tell you that a large sum of money has just been deposited into your account and they need you to come to the bank and sign the paperwork that will make you much richer than you were at the start of the day!  Sadly, your hopes come crashing down when the person from the bank informs you that the check you deposited into your account a few days earlier has bounced. Oh, and the money you wired to the company is already gone and can’t be recovered.  Oh, and your account is now overdrawn to boot.

This is one of the most popular scams sweeping across the country. Many people are fooled by it because they get a check that looks real and which they can take to their bank to deposit. The “company” may also have a website that looks legitimate so you figure everything must be kosher. Many people are also fooled because after depositing the check, the money may temporarily show up in their account because the check has cleared the bank’s hold period and the funds are available for you to spend. This, unfortunately, has nothing to do with whether the check is good or bad. In a few days, perhaps a week, the check will eventually bounce and you will be responsible for any funds you have withdrawn, not the bank. Thus, you may be out the money you have diligently wired to the “company” as well as any funds you have spent in your reliance on the bogus check. 

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you receive such a letter, be sure to check with your local Legal Assistance Office where attorneys can help you determine if something is legitimate or a scam. There are many other types of scams besides this one. You can find information about some of the popular scams by calling the Federal Citizen Information Center at (888) 878-3256 or by going to their website at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/scamsdesc.htm.
 

Oh, and if someone from the bank emails you asking you to confirm your personal information, don't fall for it!  Banks don't operate that way.  If you are not sure, call the bank or visit the bank personally!