| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 1:07:01 PM
Some of ya'll know a little about my 92 year old lady that I help take care of. She entered a sweepstakes back in Feb. Well, she has been sending in so much money every time they send her something and it's over $700.00 now. For the last 6 weeks I have gotten her mail before she does and go through and take out all the crap before she gets it. There have been a few days I wasn't able to. Plus she has saved nearly every thing she's ever gotten. And believe me when I say she gets AT LEAST 8 pieces of junk EVERY day. Mondays are the worst. One time I weighed the junk and it was 1 pound. Ya'll should get some paper and weigh it til it gets to 1 pound and you'll see how much that is. It doesn't sound like much, but it is.
So she has not gotten anything from them because I have it. But this past week someone calls her. She called me Thurs. morning so excited she could hardly talk. They called her and said she's won $500,000.00 and they would come Sat. between 9-11 to bring her a check. Then later that day she tells me they had called earlier that week wanting to be sure she has a picture ID and what was it. She said she gave them her SS# or maybe her DL#. She cannot remember things very well lately. They had asked for directions, too. Of course she gave them.
Well, I went early Friday morning thinking they might come then. But no one showed up. I was with her all day. No calls. Her son came up Sat. morning and I got there at 8 am. No one showed up. She was so excited. She was all dressed up because they told her they'd be taking pictures and the whole deal. Nothing happened. No calls or anything. Of course, we knew they wouldn't show up. They probably got all they needed from her the first time they called.
So Thurs. I called her DD and she called the bank and had her account frozen. I just hope it wasn't too late then. And they will have her # changed soon. Her DD is here for a few days and will take care of a lot of things here. But these people now know where she lives and that she lives alone and she's 92 and very much wanted to win this money. She was even going to give me some! Darn it. But what we were afraid they would do would say they didn't take out the taxes and they'd need her to write them a check for $50,000.00 and she would have, too. Or even sometime this week they might call and say they had some problems and couldn't make it or just can't find her house, could she meet them somewhere with a check. And she would, too.
Anyway, please, if ya'll have any elderly parents or relatives that live alone, check and see if they are involved in an, sweepstakes. What happened was, she only entered ONE and they sold her name all over the world. She was getting them from Australia, Singapore, Canada, even the Netherlands. And she was sending them all money. She still can't believe she sent so much money. Still thinks she has just sent $60.00. And that she only entered one contest. So please, be aware of this horrible scam on the elderly. They will do whatever these people tell them to do.
She will be going to live with her other DD the middle of Nov. for the winter til next spring. Maybe longer. So she will be protected more there. But she was so upset. She just knew they were coming. She has so much faith in people. Her heart was broken. It's so darn sad. and I am MAD!
Oh, and the place that's the worst is from Las Vegas. There are 4 different ones she was getting things from. That's the ones we know of. There are probably more. So watch out for them. I have looked up alot of them and they are all crooked scams. Even Publisher's Clearing House. All a scam.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 24 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 14 2009 : 8:45:49 PM
WOW I never had a problem with it. Hmm, I wonder what was wrong. I would try it again right away I don't know.
One great thing is it can actually be only 12 dollars a year, they have a 5 year plan you can buy for 60 dollars!
We love it!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 2:53:25 PM
Heather, I got a Majic Jack the other day. I hooked it up yesterday and got almost to the end and I don't know what happened but it said I'd need to try again later. It was when the city part came up. I can't figure stuff like this out but would love to get it hooked up. I'try again a little later. A friend has it and just loves it. Just a one time fee and $20. a year.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 2:37:59 PM
oh my goodness that is a sick one-the canadian jail!
I just want to say, they probably said Justin, not because they thought he would go to jail, but because they had just seen him that morning. And older people tend to forget ones names they don't see every day. They probably said it in shock! Not really believing he was in jail.
What a sick sick situation!
I am so glad I have magic jack (phone service). My number is unlisted-comes that way, no special fee!, and we do not put it on ANY forms. The only people who have it are close family members (no aunts, uncles, cousins! Only siblings, parents and grandparents!), and our drs office. That is it! No one else gets it. And we get no junk phone calls. When we had verizon the phone rang off the hook! When we switched to Vonage we stopped getting them! Then with Magic Jack it's been even better! :)
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 10:14:17 AM
Jonni, that's just plain horrible. I am the same way about animals and people. Some people don't even need to be breathing the same air as us. I am so sorry Justin's grandparent's had to go through that. Just makes me madder now.
I just talked to the DD who is still here till this afternoon. She said they got another call saying she'd won $500,000. but when she asked who they were and for a phone number they hung up. So hopefully they will think someone is there with her now and will not call again. Also she didn't get the mail like she said she would before her mother saw it. She had over 20 and was looking through them all as we spoke. EEWWW!
Julie, great idea! Also look up stop sweepstakes junk mail, too. Good luck.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 09:54:54 AM
It was really sad, Alee and yep, Jus called them personally, and went over after his shift was over. I just hated it because they've both suffered so much this year with illness, and then to have such stupidity happen.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 09:50:40 AM
Oh my gosh Jonni! Jus's poor grandparents! I hope they are both better now? Did Jus call to reassure them?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 08:59:52 AM
I'm so sad about this...it broke my heart when I read in your post that she'd gotten all dressed up. So cruel, these people!
But, in fact, a few weeks ago, Justin's elderly grandparents were scammed as well. They're both 82, and very ill. The telephone rang around 9:30 in the morning, and the caller spoke to their nurse--the called said, "I need to speak to Mrs. Lynch. I'm calling from Montreal, Canada, where her grandson is in jail for a DUI. She must wire $2,378.00 immediately for bail or he will remain in jail until such time that he will go to trial." The nurse said to his grandparents, "your grandson is in jail in Canada!" and the granparents responded, "Justin?" (never mind that they have 5 other adult grandsons...guess Justin would probably be the only one in jail  ) and the caller, overhearing this conversation said, "yes, Justin!" So, his grandmother was so frazzled that she told him she would call him back because she had to talk to my father in law, who advised her that "no", my husband was NOT in jail in Canada, he'd just been by their home to drop our little one off for the day, and to under no circumstances, believe that caller. They called the police, and apparently this telephone scam has been going around since early Summer in these parts. Some folks have wired up to $30,000 a piece, as the caller calls back and says that the Canadian authorities have other evidence, so the "bond" is higher now....Justin's grandparents were both so thrown by the call that they became physically ill afterwards, his grandfather had to go to the hospital.
It's sick. Just sick. Elderly people have little to no money as it is, most on fixed incomes and struggling to eat. I hate to be so negative, but this is why I like dogs and cats better than people, most of the time! 
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| paradiseplantation |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 08:51:45 AM
Hey, Kristin. Think we could come up with a charity called 'save the farms'? With my luck, every one we sent something to would put "Return to Sender" on the envelope without even opening it! Yep. Emily gets stuff every day just about. I'm headed to Stop Junk Mail right now, and see what I can do to at least lessen the load. Thanks for the tip!
from the hearts of paradise... |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 07:05:20 AM
I googled Stop Junk Mail the other day and sent it to the DD's. Hopefully they can get it stopped soon. But she'll be leaving in a month then I'll get the mail for her and only send her bills and any letters or cards she gets to her. It's just gotten to be such a mess and I had no idea how bad this could get. It just never stops as long as they play along with it. And it's an every day thing, too.
She's that wat, too, Julue, about the charities and church. You should only have to send them something once a year but she gets things every month. And there's one from the "save social security" foundation. Such BULL! She has bought into that crap, too. She lives on SS and doesn't want anything to happen to it so sends them money every time she got something from them. It's all a scam. It's a good thing your aunt has you to help her. So many elderly people don't.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| paradiseplantation |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 04:44:40 AM
Kristen, I have the same problem with my aunt. When we found out she sent money to every charity that sent her a request, we about went ballistic (she is on an extremely fixed income!) So, my sister, my cousin and I now get her mail as often as possible, thin it out, and have had a long talk with her. She has now narrowed it down to three reputable charities (one church supported mission, the American Cancer Society and a church-supported children's home). We still keep an eye out, because she feels if they 'send her something' (address labels, a 'shopping bag', etc.), she needs to at least 'pay for that'! Ugh! Good luck with your lady. It's a hard row to hoe, but eventually, between you and her kids, maybe y'all can get things sorted out for her!
from the hearts of paradise... |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 8:09:41 PM
Or just get a po box Alee, and then she could screen it for the neighbor.
But, yeah, we had no idea real businesses were in on it! It was so bad! Back then it wasn't B of A, I believe it was First National, or Fourth National something like that. But, it was a legit bank she had had almost her whole life!
Her mortgage companies were also calling and calling her names, and saying she was a dead beat and all kinds of things when she was paying them as well! I can't remember who they were from though. But, it was just such a huge scheme, it was amazing.
That is why we took over though, she called one day and was crying that she owed all these things, and didn't know how, she thought she had been paying every month, but they were telling her she wasn't! And they were foreclosing on her house-which they were NOT! And while she didn't have proof she had been paying.......sadly. But, when we started paying we kept proof. (She was beginning to get alzhiemers). So...we were able to get every thing fixed. But, who knows how many thousands they scammed her out of through the years before it came to that.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 7:44:44 PM
Kristin- That is horrible!
I wonder if her DD would be willing to do a change of address with the post office and have everything sent to her house for screening, then they could either mail the safe stuff to you to take over or something?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 7:41:23 PM
They would have been real sorry if I was there when they showed up, I would have met them at the door with Bessy in hand, my double barrel 12 gauge shotgun. The worst thing these people do is prey on the old who don't have a mean bone and still think all people are good. When and if they are caught, they should be strung up in the town square with a big sign saying what they did, and a box of rocks there for anyone inclined to use them!!!
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| laurzgot |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 6:55:20 PM
Kris, i'm so sorry that,that has happened to your neighbor.People who con the eldery are sooo bad. But It will fall back on them someday. My mother in law lives in a nursing home she's only in her mid seventies but we haave been getting all her mail sent to us. Because she would keep spending money on all the junk mail she gets. And it's alot. We just tear it up and she never gets them. It's terrible that we have to look out for the elderly like that but somebody has to. I'm so glad that you can help your neighbor. Extra stars for those of us who help the elderly.
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 5:21:41 PM
Kay, where did you go to get a form to fill out to stop the junk mail? And how long did it take to get it stopped? We have called and sent stuff back unopened and sent stuff all torn up and written letters but it still comes. And more now than before.If you can tell me where you found that I would so appreciate it. So would her family. It's a good thing you were there to do that for your neighbor.
Heather, that is horrible. I don't know why the bank would do that to your grandmother. But we now have B of A bank as our mortgage bank. We had Countrywide but they were bought out by B of A and I do not like them at all. Make one late payment and they threaten foreclosure so fast it's crazy.
Karin, me too. That would be a good payback.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 4:56:24 PM
That makes me so angry. I hope when they are old someone turns around and does it to them. What jerks. Gee, I hope her family can get things straightened out for her quickly.
Karin
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
www.athreadofred.blogspot.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 4:41:50 PM
I took care of the finances of an elderly neighbor. I could not believe the amount of junk mail that she got from places asking for money. Many times they make it look like a bill that is due so the seniors are confused by it. I finally did what you did and started intercepting her mail. Then I went online and filled out a form to stop all junk make from being delivered to her address.
I hope that things works for the your little lady and that she hasn't been scammed out of a bunch of money.
Handmade Soap, Lotion Bars & More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
|
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 4:04:02 PM
It's been happening at least 30 years. Happened to my grandma too!
And it was so bad for my grandma even the banks were in on it!
She had bought a used car about 10 years, before we started helping her with her finances.
Any way, when we found out she was still paying on that old used car (a loan from the bank!). We started paying what the bank was sending out that she owed. We did that for 3 months! Then we had proof! The bank was actually cheating her (since she was on that scam list!). And yes a nationally known bank at that! (now known as Bank of America!). What they were doing is each payment she made instead of subtracting, they added it to what she owed. When we went in and confronted them with it, they said it was "new" math! We threatened to take the proof we had in just the last few months (who knows how many years they had been doing this to her on this one car!) to the news. They decided to let it go! And stop arguing that it was "new" math.
Any way, she used to get the ton of junk and join all those sweepstakes too. And get so excited! After spending tons of money on them (buying crappy magazines and such to enter).
Any way, I highly urge any one with elderly parents, please check into this stuff as early as possible! Even legit businesses are in on the scams of elderly, and it's sickening!
Thank goodness I finally convinced my husband these were scams too. (he was raised by old people and loved entering those sweeps stakes too, and ordered countless magazines from them! UHG!)
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 2:48:53 PM
That is such a sad thing. Shame, shame, shame on those evil people.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 1:40:59 PM
I just want people to be aware that this is going on. And right under most people's noses, too. And this could keep going on for years for her. I just hope she's able to forget this soon. Her son did talk to the FBI and they really can't do anything much. I think he'll take all the huge stack of mail I gave him to them. At least they'll have the addresses.
Karen, good for your granny. She is very lucky to have you, too. I told my parents they better not do this to me. They throw all junk away, thank goodness. I think it is those poor little people who live alone that are targeted. And she told them all too often that she's 92 and lives alone. It's just horrible. And these idiots have parents, too.
Thank you all for the good thoughts.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Autumn Leaves |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 1:32:06 PM
That is just disgusting! A sweet 90+ year old lady. What has happened in this world? What has it become? Now I'm mad!!!
Warm Wishes
Jennifer
Never let yesterday use up too much of today - Will Rogers
http://jenscountrylife.blogspot.com |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 1:31:33 PM
People (and I use the word loosely) that would prey on the elderly like this are the lowest of pond scum. I truly believe in karma...they will get theirs.
Meantime, I am so grateful that she has you Kris to look out for her.
Di |
| Ga Girl |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 1:27:48 PM
Kris, Im so sorry and this happens all the time but most people never have anyone to help them or even report it. I am so thankful my granny has always thrown anything such as that in the trash. You are so sweet to be so involved and caring she is so lucky to have you as a neighbor! Blessings,Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
www.KKJD1.etsy.com
http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/ |
| Sitnalta |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 1:27:10 PM
Oh that is just HORRIBLE!! Rather than care for and respect the eldery cons see them as primary targets. Such a dangerous thing to give out her SS# and DL#. Identity theft is everywhere!
Hope everyone can get it all worked out for her!
hugs
Jessie
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
|
|
