They All Want Your Money
Do you ever get the feeling as though everyone is out to get your money? You already know that marketing executives do their best to coerce you to willingly part with your money, but what about the people who are looking to get their hands into your wallet using unscrupulous methods? Are you able to spot an attempt to cheat you out of some cash?
Personal finances can take a big hit when you fall prey to a scheme designed to steal some of your money. Not all crooks carry guns or use aggressive tactics…some steal your money with a smile on their faces while shaking your hand. How do you know what to look out for to make sure that you aren’t swindled out of your hard earned money?
It sounds too good to be true. You’re approached by someone who makes big promises of huge returns on your money. The person who promises you fortune also says something along the lines of, “I know this may sound too good to be true but….” That’s never a good sign.
Something sounds fishy. If the information you receive from the person just doesn’t seem quite right, and the details seem muddled or farfetched, then it’s best to walk away. You’ll know it’s time to exit the conversation when you find yourself thinking, “This just doesn’t seem right.”
The sense of urgency makes you uncomfortable. A common tactic that swindlers will use is making it seem as though there is a very limited time that an offer is available. You don’t get the time you need to think things through, and the person is really aggressive with telling you that a decision must be made immediately.
It doesn’t make any sense. Try as you might, you just can’t figure out how the details of the deal work. It just doesn’t seem to make any sense at all. When the person explains it to you, it just seems as though it can’t possibly work out, or maybe it just seems as though the person is making it up as he goes along. This is a clear sign to walk away.
Any time a financial transaction does not seem quite right - whether it’s at the office of a respected financial advisor or somewhere in a dark alley - you should walk away and give yourself some time to think it over. It doesn’t matter if the transaction involves $20 or $20,000; you shouldn’t give your money to someone who is going to take it and then not do what you expect him to do with it.
If it feels like something isn’t quite right, then it probably isn’t.
