Scam Alerts
Don't fall for offers to relieve your financial stress
The bills are piling up, the car is making strange noises and Christmas is just two months away.
Bill Gates Sweepstakes offer not quite what it seemed
“Bill Gates” recently called a Desloge couple to announce the news that they had just won at least a million from Microsoft.
How to make money at home
The e-mail from Duncan Wagner Publishing was colorful and shouted its message: “ATTENTION: Beware of "Work at home" Scams!”
Woman sets megabucks scammer megastraight
When the phone rang, Sheila Rundel was prepared with an answer to the scammer at the other end of the line.
When in doubt, check it out
St. Francois County resident Roseann Smith had used her credit cards a bit more than she should have, resulting in a total balance due of approximately $10,000.
Park Hills man tells of disturbing scam
A Park Hills man arrived at the Daily Journal last week with a tale of a disturbing scam.
Total Security isn't secure at all
Mary Rodenberg of Irondale was puzzled recently when an additional blue screen showed up after she started her computer.
Just hit the delete button
After her husband died, Helen George decided it was time to change her life. She used to live for money; now all she wants to do is help people.
Company using bad debt to try to scam people
Portfolio Recovery Associates and Professional Debt Management are determined to collect the debts you owe.
Scammers try to plant spyware in your computer
Josh Nelson claims he made $2,300 in the past 20 days and only works one hour a day. He gets “free bonuses and the one-on-one support is really great.”
All they want is to save your space for you
WARNING! If you do not update your account by giving us your username and password within seven days, your account will be closed. Permanently. Forever.
'Trusting' may lead to disaster
Among the many scams that hit the Parkland recently are an offer from a man who trusts you if you trust him, a disabled man with a deal, and an English lottery sent in Chinese writing that wants to give you money because you were the winner in a drawing in Thailand.
Pastor Mulla still at it
Pastor Mulla is at it again, but this time he is targeting a 21-year-old college student in the Philippines.
Scammers try to impersonate Reader's Digest Sweepstakes
A French Village man has won third prize in the annual Readers Digest Sweepstakes and he wins $65,000! And it is so wonderful — Readers Digest is paying the clearing/processing fees for the top three winners!
Be careful of promises to help you out
For a brief moment the messages are reassuring. Someone is watching out for your welfare and can prevent a scammer from accessing your accounts.
Scammer tries to use hearing impaired line
An area business reported a new twist on the “hearing impaired” scam that often is used by criminals who answer classified ads.
Blank contract was a red flag
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.
Good news wasn't so great after all
The message was brief and brought good news. “The IMF is compensating all the scam victims and your email address was found as one of the Victims,” according to the e-mail from “Mr. Mark James” of Western Union. “We have concluded to affect your own payment through Western Union® Money Transfer, $5,000 twice daily until the total sum of $1M is completely transferred.”
Fraudulent coupons surface in the Parkland
The tightened economy has increased the popularity of clipping coupons, and that has given scammers yet another online opportunity to take advantage of others.
The gentleman scammer wanted to bring roses
Perhaps the scammer was a gentleman who did not want to disrespect Clarence King by talking to King’s wife without permission.
Solicitations from police, firefighter and veterans' organizations draw government scrutiny
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.
Scam artists try new tack with Census under way
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.
IRS warns of scams and identity theft
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.
There's just one catch
The parcel is on its way. The real address is confirmed. And good news — the insurance fee and delivery charges are paid already!
Job scams on rise during recession
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.
She's been left holding the loan
Sometimes, what starts out to be a valid transaction ends up being as harmful as an intentional scam.
There's no Sweepstakes sucker here, pal
The scammer had a second suggestion for Paul Mayberry when the Bismarck man recognized the bogus sweepstakes offer.
Don't get caught in a spear phishing scheme
The FBI is warning consumers about a new twist on identity theft they call “spear phishing.”
Scammers want to buy your product
They are at it again in the Parkland. Buyers are answering classified sales ads in newspapers or online and are trying to scam readers.
Check out e-mails before you pass them on
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.
Criminal intent is apparent in scam
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.
Good for a million laughs, but not a million bucks
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.
Victoria's Secret package was definitely a secret
Lizette Bagshaw had a delivery, but no one was home to receive it, the caller said.
Missey turns the table on scammer
Stephanie Missey kept one scammer tied up in hopes she will keep him from snagging a victim with his scheme.
Picking out the good calls from the bad
Your phone rings and someone is on the line, asking you to buy a ticket or send money for a fundraiser.
Hard times for scammers
The news continues to be depressing. People are losing jobs, having trouble paying bills and worrying they will lose their jobs.
Scheme has woman steaming
Donna Rawson usually faces scams with a sense of humor, but this one has her fuming.
What makes you think I'm the one?
Romance abounds on the Internet. There are chat rooms, dating services and Web sites dedicated to singles with various interests.
Pyramid schemes promise great returns
The letter came from a retired attorney who related a story about how he earned $968,493 in just three months — “legally” of course.
The jobs are just too good to be true
Across the nation, the news is negative — people are losing their jobs because of the recession.
Scammers just won't quit
Albert Einstein is credited with this definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Identity thief nabbed
Although tracking down scammers is difficult, authorities are able to identify and arrest some of them. One of the latest arrests took place in nearby Franklin County and involves a Florida man who was later found guilty of identify theft and social security fraud.
Not so merry Christmas for scammers
Rev. William Fisher found the call amusing. “This is Diane from the Card Members Club,” the caller began. “I’m calling to tell you that your credit is fine, there is nothing wrong with your credit card. I am calling to offer you this one time lower interest rate.”
Quick thinking saves woman from credit card scam
The Farmington woman was in a hurry, trying to leave the house, when the phone rang.
Secret shopper scam no deal
Michael King has been in the retail business for 25 years and knows that mystery shoppers check stores out now and then. So, when he saw an ad for a Mystery Shopper in the Daily Journal, he was curious.
Foiling scammers - hanging up works every time
The phone lines are heating up with calls from scammers. In the Parkland, however, they hang up frustrated.
Desloge businessman has bank account compromised
DESLOGE — Avery Stricklin has never been to the Middle East and doesn’t plan to go.
If you can't trust the sheriff, who can you trust?
James Peterson had a gripe for the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department and he shared it with two deputies, the receptionist and Sheriff Dan Bullock.
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