We all need to watch for con-artists out there - you never know when these wolves in sheep's clothing will appear and make you their next victim. Here's some advice I found on the web:
SIGNALS THAT SHOULD MAKE YOU SUSPICIOUS
Most people are probably not going to fall for the short con of the carnival barker, at least not more than once. It is the Long Con - the well laid out plan of a shrewd talker and planner that will trap the truly unsuspecting - like the Microsoft executive, like the Eiffel Tower purchaser. These are the people that do the serious damage and who must be guarded against.
You cannot buy a security system to protect yourself from these people. The only security system you have is your good judgment - something that is not always up to par when you are financially desperate or painfully lonely. Therefore, here are some warning signals that should be heeded when you are vulnerable and a stranger or even a friend that you do not really know a lot about starts making plans for your money:
"I'll Never Steal from You"
(1) Beware of the person who says, "I'll never steal from you," when discussing the "plan." That's like saying, "I'll never throw food in your face." If they feel the need to bring this up, it means they are actually imaging the act of throwing food in your face - or stealing from you. Responsible, honest people wouldn't even think the thought.
"Any Day Now..."
(2) Beware of the person who says, "We're almost there," over and over and over and over, or any variation of this concept, such as "Any day now," "We've got to get this show on the road," "Next month, I'm going to....", "My big check will be here any day"...The con artist will stretch this anticipation out as long as you will tolerate it. When the con man suspects you have finally had enough, he will spring his trap and disappear with your money.
Most victims will allow this procrastination to extend long beyond a common sense deadline because THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH. Their denial is no different than denial by a spouse who suspects infidelity in their mate. The financial and emotional losses that will result when the truth is acknowledged are too painful to face. As long as the truth is denied, maybe it really isn't the truth. Inevitably, the con artist will help the victim face the cruel reality of the truth by fleeing with all the money that his allotted time would allow him to collect.
The Contract that Is Supposed to "Protect" You
(3) The richest man in America knew the value of a contract even when he was a kid. Bill Gates actually convinced his sister to sign a contract securing some mutual agreement between them when they were still school kids living at home. He no doubt recognized that the enforcers of legal contracts - the law (in this case, his parents) would have the power to require fulfillment of the terms if necessary. However, this law is only good for law abiders. I have watched a doctor who lost approximately $1400 in a Small Claims Court judgment go from "Oh well, do I pay this at the court clerk's window?" to "Never mind, I'll talk to my attorney and get back to you." when he was advised by the judge that it was the plaintiff's responsibility, not the court's, to collect the money.
Enforcement of laws comes in two forms: conscience or coercion. A signed contract is only enforceable if you have the money to pursue it in court. Therefore, when you sign a contract with an employee, business partner, friend; when you sign over a piece of real estate, a vehicle, etc., you are almost certainly guaranteeing that any fraudulent issues which may arise will go to civil, not criminal, court.
Never, never sign a contract without an attorney or totally objective third party's participation and notarized signature. The con man can change any part of the contract that was made between you and him. The police may only require him to fax a copy of the signed agreement - just to get you off their back and close the case.
However, in Small Claims Court, if you are attempting to collect on a debt, you can be certain that very few minutes will pass before the judge looks at you and says, "Do you have a signed contract?" Therefore, if you try to collect civilly on a debt, you are already at a disadvantage if you do not have a signed contract with the defendant. But if you do have a contract, the chances are the police will not help you....
The Victim as the "Traitor"
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The con artist will attempt to gain control of your thinking so that you won't use your common sense. He may even become belligerent at times in the hopes of intimidating you into compliance. He will never do this at the beginning of the scam before he gains your confidence. He will wait till the end when you are tiring of the excuses or procrastination. He will attempt to make you feel like a traitor to the "cause" or a fool who doesn't have the patience to wait just a little longer to make a lot of money.
Never fall for this. Use your common sense. What are the reasons that he is procrastinating? Check them out for yourself. If he won't tell you or won't give you someone to contact, allow your common sense to take over - and end the scam before you lose more than you already have.
Here's a link to the complete page with more on this.
Bob
http://www.straightshooter.net/Beware_of_the_Con_Artist.htm
