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Con artists bait their traps with "free lunch line Con artists still bait their traps with the proverbial free lunch although the menu may have chang- ed over the years. "There's a whole range of scams that prey on people's desire to get things free or at least at cut rates and many of the cons have been around in various forms for decades," says Marilyn Gurevsky of the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations (MCCR). "The only thing you get for nothing these days is nothing ... or less, if you lose money in a scam." Most consumers say the swindles seem too obvious to fool them. Yet people get taken every year as the same old scams resurface in various forms. According to Gurev- sky, the victims are often blinded by the chance to save or make money. Many are later too embarrassed to go to the police. One classic example, called the "pigeon drop" starts when a con ar- tist strikes up a friendly conversa- tion with an intended victim. They are soon joined by another person ---- an accomplice -- who ex- plains he's found a purse, bag or wallet and asks if it belongs to either of them. It is quickly made clear there's a lot of money in the bag. No identification can be found and one of the con artists suggests the cash be shared. Through various twists in the con- versation it is agreed that it would be a shame to hand over money to someone who might waste it. To show they handle money wisely, the victim or "pigeon" and the swindler who made the initial contact are told :0 withdraw substantial sums of cash from their bank accounts. They are then to meet at a near- by restaurant, "good faith money" in hand, at which time the "loot" will be shared out. When the pigeon arrives, only the second swindler is there. After tak- ing the '"'good faith" money and waiting a few minutes, the con asks the victim to look outside for the other person. Neither con man or money are ever seen again. "This isn't a modern day parable, it's real life and it happens again and again," Gurevsky sayss. "We suspect a lot of incidents go unreported because the victims are embarrassed at being taken. What about the poor womean who was supposed to have lost the purse con- taining all that loot? An honest per- - by the promise of a fabulous prize, HARD TO BEAT son would have tried to find her." Senior citizens seem to be the most common targets of another scam that has hit many areas of On- tario recently. The operators stop their cars by the roadside and flag down motorists, looking for likely SHEAFFER Calligraphy Set victims. ly : 1-Incie aes fountain pen nibs ink practice pag ah Acting the part of the desperate MSIUCHION BOOK Everything you need 10 learn the ar of stranded motorist, the swindler kgraphy claims to have run out of gas. Even worse, he's forgotten his wallet. Oh, what will he do? He'll probably try to sell junk wat- ches or other overpriced items to people who stop to help him. The merchandise is always flashy stuff, that looks expensive. "This swindle lets people feel like they're doing a good turn and at the same time, they get what appears to be a great deal," says Gurevsky. "So maybe you don't need a watch, but here's this $200 watch you can have for only $40. And, now this poor stranded chap can buy some gas. A lot of rationalizing goes on by the side of Ontario roads." Many other scams work on the "free lunch" principal, says the con=-- sumer advisor. Unwary people have paid hundreds of dollars worth of "reservation deposits" or "ad- ministrative fees" after hearing they have won 'free' trips. Few ever get the promised vacation or refunds. Some American companies have been prosecuted for their part in this unethical game. Although they not actually lose money, many consumers beguiled VRP $1595 po EL1626 - 10 agit print display Min desk top calculator Oper. es on Af A or DC Ink roller SRP $8495 ERY aurora. Wallet Calculator ACJ304 - Compact de signer wallet with large keys 8 digit LCD display Automatic shut oft Nite & Day dual power let sales people into their homes. The prizes are usually inexpensive and of questionable value, the sales pitch is invariably high pressure and unwanted purchases often result. "The next time a fabulous oppor- tunity or super bargain comes your way, remember it may be a rip off," Gurevsky warns. Anyone with information about scams or unethical business deals should contact local police or the nearest Consumer Services Bureau of MCCR. Numbers are listed in the phone book. For general information about consumer rights contact the Con- ~~ Ma sumer Information Centre at 555 : ES Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A Hl SM ORONM 2H6 ---- 416-963-1111 or toll free at a SHOPLIFTING IS A CRIME! This message is sponsored by the Port Perry Star . . CA - ~ 1-800-268-1142. Ontario residents / with an 807 area code may call the : / 5 M2000 . Spell igh I = 000 word eleclionic dickanary ind feature, full ine correction word eraser. ¢ atic he 416 number collect. The TrY/ThD nll Steno Chair space. automatic return, 9 inch wnting line with 12 inch line for the hearing impair is CHAY paper capacity 416-963-0808. Opus 4 - Posture stent «», SRP $34900 ~h 5 prong base Has or loured seat and back Jual wheel casters nn oneumanc height «or ror Excellent char for 156 Ato Hnmputer at trun gl . A [ee] $257 0; now available at PORT PERRY STAR (0. 235 QUEEN STREET, PORT PERRY PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 17, 1987 -- 4) aa i mu hh a 2 ali i i A a | ih a a ohh pl »