Scams on the rise!

Thursday March 26, 2009

The financial crisis going on in this country right now is putting a lot of people in bad positions. Of course we know that many homes have been foreclosed across the country and now with that is coming people who are using scams, making out to be coming to the rescue but are putting these poor people in a bigger hole.

I found an article from the Contra Costa Times about these people using scams. The article mentions that the number of complaints about scams from homeowners in less than has gone from 10 to 500. So people are out there trying to scam people that are in no position to turn someone down for supposed help. It just ingrains the point that people need to be very careful about who they trust with their money, as I have mentioned in a past blog. The article mentions that these people using the scams will take money up front for promised help but things are never done and then the homeowner is out of luck, so do not pay upfront, wait until what is said to be done is done. I do not blame some of these homeowners for trying to do everything they can to make their bleak situation better but people need to know that these criminals are out there with no soul trying to take advantage of people in the deepest despair. The article goes on to mention "red flags" to look out for to prevent people from getting scammed by these people. This article was very informative in letting people know that are in trouble that there are people out there trying to hurt them and just pay attention to what might be too goo to be true. The article gives contact information in cases of scams and the proper people to contact in regards to scams and tough money situations. So the main thing I got from this article is to just be aware of these people using scams out in this dropping house market today and if the person sounds too good to be true it is probably not the case.

I hate to see people trying to scam people already having trouble, is there no compassion in the world today. It just shows you that white collar crime is a major problem even if it is not televised or in the paper as much as violent crime. This is affecting people tremendously and could even land them homeless out on the streets, these people need to be punished harshly.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_11986205?nclick_check=1

Source: Contra Costa Times

When will the fraud stop?

Tuesday March 17th, 2009

It seems that issues of white collar crime are becoming more apparent each day you look in the newspaper. I cam across another issue of fraud by a 30 year veteran of the Pennsylvania Senate. This is hard to fathom if you already feel that the politicians are worthless and scamming people out of money. It just leaves a sour taste in peoples mouths that people continue to steal and defraud other innocent people. This individual, Vincent J. Fumo, was convicted on Monday for committing $3.5 million in fraud, taking money from two nonprofits and using state employees to do political and personal tasks. This might not be a tremendous amount of money like Bernie Madoff scammed from people. It is just the principle of the whole thing, doing the right thing just does not seem to be enough in today's world.

The prosecution was looking for at least 10 years in prison for this federal crime. I feel that is sufficient on one hand because people need to learn that they cannot get away with these fraudulent acts. On the other hand he is old and has already suffered a heart attack so maybe if he was sent to a place other than a prison it might suffice. They just can't let someone completely off for taking advantage of his power. It seems that technology and the internet are becoming issues and could have let this criminal off because of something a member of the jury did. Allegedly a member of the jury posted a comment on his facebook that said to expect a "big announcement" on Monday. Of course defense attorneys tried to take advantage of this and argue that it tainted the jury and showed that he had outside communication about this case. If this guy had cost the case by this comment he should have been put in jail for a few days. I know he was anxious because he felt that the man was guilty but he needs to keep his cool and make comments when the case is over. He was just looking for a little recognition where it should not have been. I hope people will learn to stop stealing money from people and organizations and try to live a law abiding life, it will make this world a much better life. I can see people being tempted to steal and defraud people of money, the media makes such a big deal about money and wealth, but people need to learn that it is still crime even though in many cases no one is being physically hurt.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/us/17fumo.html

Source: NY Times