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Would you do this?Oct 01 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Working for a major credit card company has been an education. I help people. I work in the call center. A lot of calls that I get are people that really are beyond help. Did any of you see the report that 60 Minutes ran several months ago? It was a piece about "boiler room operations" that persuaded people to BUY a credit card. People would receive a call from a tele-marketer. They would be offering the people a major credit card with credit limits up to $5,000 . The victims that were targeted would be people with a poor credit history or credit history, and the elderly. 60 Minutes showed what would happen to these people, and how they would be ripped off. The victims would fork out money to these "boiler room" scam artists. They would give out their bank account numbers and allow these people to withdraw the fees to get the credit card. The fees could range close to $200! Then, they would wonder why their money was taken, but they never received a credit card! I take dozens of these types of calls daily! They go somewhat like this: Hello can you help me? I applied for a credit card TWO months ago, and I still haven't gotten it yet. Can you tell me when I will receive my card? I first ask them what bank they applied for the card with. And, they often respond, "Well, I don't remember. I just paid my money and the guy promised I have my card in 7-10 days". I then ask them how much money they paid for this "credit card". They respond with a figure ranging from as little as $39.95 up to $219. These poor unsuspecting people that want to be a credit card holder so badly, that they allow strangers claiming to work for a credit card company to take money right out of their checking account. The scam artists will get the victim's money within three banking days, and they are gone! You might as well figure this your money is gone too! You will never see the card or your money again! The phone number that they victims have been given are usually never answered. And, many of these scam artist firms come and go so fast that law enforcement can't keep track of them, let alone catch anyone! The saddest part about it, is who it happens to. Usually, it's our senior citizens that are conned. Many of the senior citizens get a call from one of these outfits, and they get so confused, pressured, or intimidated that they give out all of their information. They allow these crooks to take the money out of their checking accounts! And, they never ever receive a credit card? Make sure to tell your friends, parents, grandparents and anyone that you can think of about these scams. And, make sure to tell them to HANG UP on these scam artists! If you, or someone you know, needs a credit card and their credit isn't the best, get a secured credit card with a reputable company! This is a credit card where you put money in the bank where the credit card is issued, and you can use this to help build your credit rating that way! By putting $219 into a "savings" account makes more sense then paying money to con-artists and scam-artists. Don't let them scam you out of your hard earned cash! BUYER BEWARE!!  |
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