When they answered a “home for sale by owner” ad in the Daily Journal, The couple, who we’ll call Joe and Sara Wilson, thought they were dealing with a legitimate seller. The man, from St. Louis, said he wanted to sell a home and six acres in Park Hills for $89,900. He wanted $1,600 down and would finance payments.

The message was brief and brought good news.

The tightened economy has increased the popularity of clipping coupons, and that has given scammers yet another online opportunity to take advantage of others.

Perhaps the scammer was a gentleman who did not want to disrespect Clarence King by talking to King’s wife without permission.

The BBB Charity Information Service applauds the nationwide “Operation False Charity” crackdown by the Federal Trade Commission and 61 state government agencies that targets high-cost solicitations by police, firefighter and veterans’ organizations.

The scam artists are always looking for an angle and the upcoming Census gives them one more clever way in. The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be cautious as US Census workers begin canvassing neighborhoods to verify addresses.

ST. LOUIS – The Internal Revenue Service is among a growing group of government agencies and corporations whose names, logos and Web sites are being copied by con artists. 

The parcel is on its way. The real address is confirmed. And good news — the insurance fee and delivery charges are paid already!

“This is your captain speaking. You have a trip for two to Nassau.”

Need a job? It’s easy to get a good paying federal job at the U.S. Postal. Just ask any of the scammers who say they can train you and get you on the payroll.

Sometimes, what starts out to be a valid transaction ends up being as harmful as an intentional scam.

The scammer had a second suggestion for Paul Mayberry when the Bismarck man recognized the bogus sweepstakes offer.

The FBI is warning consumers about a new twist on identity theft they call “spear phishing.”

They are at it again in the Parkland. Buyers are answering classified sales ads in newspapers or online and are trying to scam readers.

Someone put acid in the soap dispensers at rest stops in Alabama and Florida, just in time for spring break’s typical influx of college students.

A Daily Journal staff member recently received an e-mail telling her that she is an accomplished woman. While we know that, it was surprising to hear that John Tyson did, too. In fact, Tyson wants to include her in the 2009/2010 Princeton Global Networks "Honors Edition" of the Princeton Global Network Registry.

One might wonder why there is all this hoopla about the stimulus package and worries about paying back trillions of dollars. After all, so much money is just waiting to be collected from overseas accounts. If we all accepted the money we are offered on a daily basis in the Parkland, we could probably donate it to Congress and resolve our nation’s debt in a week or so.

Lizette Bagshaw had a delivery, but no one was home to receive it, the caller said.

Stephanie Missey kept one scammer tied up in hopes she will keep him from snagging a victim with his scheme.

Your phone rings and someone is on the line, asking you to buy a ticket or send money for a fundraiser.

The news continues to be depressing. People are losing jobs, having trouble paying bills and  worrying they will lose their jobs.

Donna Rawson usually faces scams with a sense of humor, but this one has her fuming.

Romance abounds on the Internet. There are chat rooms, dating services and Web sites dedicated to singles with various interests.

The letter came from a retired attorney who related a story about how he earned $968,493 in just three months — “legally” of course.

Across the nation, the news is negative — people are losing their jobs because of the recession.

Edward Chapman Jr. thought he had a sucker on the hook.