Scammers walk amongst us, ready to pounce at a moment's notice! You don't have the be dumbest person in the room to be hoodwinked by a pro, in fact most of the time it's the smartest people who end up fleeced. So don't feel bad. Scams can be brought on anybody, then you'll just be better prepared for the next fool.
Redditor u/GransShortbread wanted everyone to know they could be honest about when they were bamboozled by asking.... What scams have you fallen victim of?
Chow Time.
Giphy"Get this free magazine subscription! Just cancel it by calling the support line and dealing with some fool for two hours."
It's been almost a year and I'm still getting food network magazines. I can cook like a beast now though. UlfarrOT
Call from the Bishop.
I used to have a little computer shop here in Utah. I had a missionary (missionary suit, missionary name badge) come in asking for a charity PC build for a shut-in he was trying to help get on his feet. He said the bishop (for mormons, the head of the local branch of the church and has authority to give out money for charitable causes) would pay for it the cost of the parts if I paid for the labor. Not unheard of, sometimes the bishop will pay someone's rent for a month or two, pay to get a car fixed, so this request seemed perfectly within the realm of possibility.
So I threw together a decent little machine that cost me about $500 in parts. The 'bishop' called me to say once the guy picked up the computer, to head over to the 14th (or whatever) ward in Provo to pick up the check. Guy picked up the PC and I hopped in the car and headed toward provo and tried finding the address for this ward via phone information (this was pre smart phones and GPS maps....) and couldn't find it. I knew at that moment I got took.
I did manage to look the 'bishop's' phone number on some internet white pages site and found his address. I headed over there and big surprise: the 'missionary's' car was in the driveway. I called him and left a voicemail explaining Id be calling the cops if someone didn't return that computer.
I got back to the shop and the 'missionary' called and said he'd bring it back shortly. I called the cops anyway. Shop was literally across the street from our local cop shop so a detective came over and arrested the guy the second he stepped through my door. The PC was in his car so the cop took pics of it and let me take it back. Guy was convicted of theft by communication. had he been any smarter with his 'call from the bishop' he would have gotten away with it. TheGarp
$25!
GiphyThis is minor, but the first time I went to San Francisco at night, I paid a "lot attendant" $25.00 to park. Turns out he was a homeless guy with a high visibility vest who picks up receipts off the ground and acts like he's in charge and gives you one when you pay him 25 bucks. The parking was actually free. RonSwansonsOldMan
Time Away....
Friend "Won a honeymoon vacation" at a Mexican resort. I tried to suggest that she might want to do some checking, but she was convinced. She and her new hubby get down there and get charged $2,000 for a week's stay. Bellamy1715
Heal the Virus.
Free Minecraft. Well it just gave me a virus. But on the plus side, I got rid of the virus and still got to play Minecraft for free! Moogoesthecow71
That is genuinely amazing. But there are actual free games websites that give you the game without the virus.EbicGamer303
Sundays....
GiphyAbout 10 years ago I was meeting some friends after work one Sunday afternoon. I was meeting them downtown (Montreal) and I have no patience for parking so I parked in a parking lot. I walked up to the little hut to pay, got in line behind 2 other people the guy was serving, waited my turn and gave him my money.
He told me to park "there" and pointed. As I turned back around he jumped on a bike and took off. I, like the others ahead of me in line, didn't realize the lot was closed on Sundays... I give him credit though, not only was I scammed, I waited in line to BE SCAMMED! isit9yet
Where's my money MOM?!
"Oh I'll put the money in a special account for you" when you get money from the Relatives. Where's my money, mom? PM-ME-YOUR-FoUrSKIN
My grandpa and his wife would give a $1000 for high school graduation to each of the grand kids.
When I graduated they asked me if I either wanted the money now or put it in a savings account. I thought I was being responsible but seriously I have no idea where that money is especially when I really needed it for an emergency.
I told my brother to take the money when he graduated. naval_superman
Backflips....
When I (22M) was in third grade, this 4th grade girl that I had a huge crush came up to me when I was on the swing set.
She said "I bet you can't do a backflip out of that swing."
So of course I had to prove it to her that I could. So I do a backflip out of the swing and this witch steals it out from under me.
Didn't talk to her until this last year. We had drinks and laughed about it. AStraySnotRocket
I Love Bob's!
GiphyYou know that Bob's Burgers episode with the kid selling magazine subscriptions to make money for a trip to Florida where they'll work on their communication skills?
Yeah, college me bought one, and I never got my damn Gamestop magazines. Fool wasn't nearly a dopey as the girl from Bob's Burgers though, he was pretty good at the scam. Or I was a complete dumbass. Either way. Locke57
Star Quality.....
Talent agency. They had a full on office and rented space and debit machines and everything. Told me they'd be looking at casting me in commercials and small bits and work my way up.... then they asked for 150 up front for membership fees... never heard from them again. Saw a news program about 2 years later about a fraud agency bearing the same name where the owners went to jail for 7+ years so I guess silver linings. Improv92
@kileywrestling/Bluesky