Monday, June 11, 2007

Scams, Rip-Offs Plague Seniors

By Lloyd Tamarin

It seems that scams & rip-offs, aimed particularly at seniors are becoming more & more frequent.

The Asbury Park Press just had an article about the overpaid lottery, or ‘E-bay’ sale where a purported teller’s check in excess of the prize or price is sent to the "mark" with a request that the overage be wired back. Of course the initial check turned out to be bogus. The banks are sort of "un-indicted co-coconspirators" as they don't inform people of the difference between "available" & "collected" funds. Note that the bank will let you draw on available funds but the check my still be returned unpaid leaving you stuck.

I called the reporter about the "Free Coin" scam which consists of full page ads in the non-collector papers, such as the Press, offering 4 presidential $1.00 coins for "FREE" upon payment of a "processing fee" of ONLY $28.00, plus shipping & handling. One can go to Sovereign Bank and get the coins for $1.00 each. For the second time, I did not receive the promised response from the Press

I am looking at a letter from that I received from the National Deed Service inc. which has an impressive Pennsylvania Avenue address in DC. For only $79.50, all inclusive, you can get a certified copy of your deed which something called the ‘US Government Federal Citizen Information Center’ recommends that you have.

This is, indeed, a great idea. I called the deed office of the Ocean County Clerk, and for 25 cents per page for a copying fee, and a $2.00 fee in person, or a flat fee of $10.00 for this service by mail, you can get your copy.

I am a RETIRED lawyer and can offer NO legal advice, but I would be willing to offer my web address; stakerabstract2@aol.com for our community members who see something too good or too bad to be true, for a free opinion as to whether or not something is legit

Lloyd B. Tamarin

Concerned Resident