POCKETBOOK DROP

A stranger, usually a woman, opens a conversation with you in the street. Shortly after, another woman appears with an envelope containing a large sum of money that has just been found.  You do not get a chance to examine the money. The question of what to do is discussed and resolved, when one stranger states she works for a lawyer and she will ask him what to do. She leaves and returns, stating that the money was from a gambling, and was lost by someone trying to avoid taxes.   Her boss said she must share the money equally with them, but they must show they have money of their own.

The first stranger will say she has an insurance award with her, she leaves to show it to the lawyer, returns and states he gave her one third of the found money.

They instruct you to go to the bank and withdraw cash. The woman who works for the lawyer says she will take your money to him. She returns saying the lawyer wants to talk to you.  He is counting your money. You follow directions to his office, only to find he does not exist, you return to the spot you left the stranger and find they are gone. You have given your money away.

Be alert for a female working alone using a canvas bank deposit bag who has the victim speak to her boss over the phone.

HANDKERCHIEF SWITCH

A man is seeking a hotel or rooming house, he can't read or write and asks for your help. He is either a seaman or visitor from another state settling matters of a deceased relative. He shows a large sum of money and offers to pay for your assistance. Another man will approach, and caution the stranger to put the money in a bank.  The newcomer says the hotel sought is demolished, but he knows of a room.  The seaman does not trust banks, and suggests you hold his money until he gets the room. You tell him to put the money in a bank.  He says he doesn't trust banks, but if you prove you can make a withdrawal, he would put his money in a bank. He insists you hold the money. He gives you his money tied in a kerchief and begs you to be careful. The second man suggests you place your money in the kerchief for safety.

The seaman opens the kerchief and puts your money in with his and ties it up. He will show you how to carry it, under the arm or in the bosom. He may open his jacket or shirt and insert his hand with the kerchief, at this time switching the kerchief with another identical one. The strangers leave and you examine the handkerchief only to find you have pieces of newspaper. You have given your money away.

SPANISH HANDKERCHIEF SWITCH

A Spanish speaking person is looking for a specific lawyer or real estate operator. He then relates one of the following stories:

1) His father is dying in South America. Years ago his father worked for a rich man in the United States. When the rich man died, the father found a package containing a large amount of money. The father stole this money and returned to South America where he invested the money wisely and became wealthy. Now that he is dying he sends his son to America to donate the money to charity so that he may die with a clear conscience; or

2) His father or employer is dying in South America. Years ago a daughter ran away to America. The daughter died in childbirth and now this man is sent to pay the hospital bill, have Masses, and give money to charity so that the old man may die in peace, not owing anything.

3) He has in his possession a winning Lottery Ticket...

A second person passes and one of the above stories is related to him. He says the lawyer is a crook. The first man must return to South America the same day, before his father dies. He offers the lawyer's fee to complainant and the second man if they will help him disperse the money. However, he stipulates they must prove they are trustworthy by showing they have money of their own. The second man leaves and returns in a short time with money of his own. Complainant is accompanied to the bank so he can make a withdrawal to show he is trustworthy. After complainant obtains his money, there are two ways of separating the complainant from it:

--- The first man says he feels ill and asks complainant to go to the drug store for some medication (or complainant is sent for paper to make a document to disperse the money). When complainant returns, both subjects are gone with the complainant's money; or

--- The first man wants complainant to hold money to be donated. The money is usually placed in a cosmetic bag or a handkerchief, along with complainant's money. The complainant is shown how to carry the parcel. When the complainant opens it at a later time, he finds either newspaper or play money as a switch was made when complainant was shown how to carry the money.

Both male and female Spanish confidence operators participate in the above confidence operation.

 

THE BANK EXAMINER

He will usually call women on the phone and use a title from a bank or Police Department. He will tell you some accounts at the bank, even yours show large withdrawal and he suspects a dishonest employee.  Your cooperation is requested to trap the thief. The examiner will ask you to go to the bank and withdraw money from a certain window. You are told to put the money in an envelope and give it to the examiner or his partner when they approach you. They tell you the money will be redeposited by them, and you can return to the bank in a few days to have your book adjusted. You make the withdrawal, give the envelope to the agent, who identifies himself to you in the bank.

In a few days, you return to the bank for adjustment of your bankbook and find that there are no irregularities in any of the accounts. You have given your money away.

THERE ARE NO CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR ANY LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY WILL ASK YOU TO WITHDRAW ANY MONEY FROM A BANK OR SURRENDER YOUR VALUABLES.

THE HOME "REPAIRMAN"

Beware of the phony "repairman" or "engineer" who offers to check your chimney, furnace, catch basin or other installation.

Such a person might say he has just completed a job in your area and has enough material left to fix your roof, or black tar your driveway--he must be paid in cash--job is done with black oil that never dries.

Beware of phony inspectors who check your chimney, heating, plumbing and find damage that must be repaired to save your house. He will offer a contract for a down payment--he never returns.

Beware of Topsoil salesman--you purchase buckets of it, the man spreads it for you and you later discover it to be sawdust colored by used motor oil.

Examine the credentials of the phony, "Con Ed" or Gas Company, Meter readers--make sure they are from that company before you admit them.

If your auto is damaged and men come to you and offer to fix it for a low price--you will later find that the damage has been repaired with plaster and one coat of paint which will fall off when riding over a bump.

TV SWINDLE

Complainant receives phone call, usually at place of business, from male who says he was given complainant's name by building maintenance man, elevator operator, doorman, etc. Male caller has color TV sets, stereos, video tape machines, etc. for sale, either stolen or overstock. He will sell this wholesale. An appointment is made for that afternoon or the following morning. The complainant is told to meet the caller with a car or truck at the loading dock of a retail department store. At the loading dock, complainant is told by male to back vehicle up to platform. The male takes money from complainant, goes into the loading area and does not return.

THE FORTUNE TELLER

If you have problems, don't let a fortune teller give you MORE problems!

Never mind what she calls herself -- Fortune Teller, Reader, Advisor or Seer . . . Medium, Healer or Spiritualist, Palm Reader, Card Reader or Psychic.

She is breaking the law, and she could "break" you if you give her a chance.

She claims to have wonderful powers. A sign in her front window or a card handed to you on the street tells you about her. You're told she can help you get a better job, make more money, win back someone you love or cure a serious illness. Just any kind of problem you may have.

She does this by reading your palm, cards or tea leaves.

But she deceives you. She's clever. She listens closely to what you say. If she finds out that you have money, she may explain that it takes time to help you. She tells you, for example, that you have cancer and that there is a big curse to be lifted or "evil spirits" to be driven away. She must exorcise the evil from your money.

And if you believe she's helping you, she persuades you to come again and again, charging more and more money each time.

She steals from you. If you don't watch out, she may also steal money or valuables from you. Or she gets you to play a switch game, where she switches you money for paper.

And she disappears. Her "work" is, of course, illegal. If she's afraid the police may investigate, she and her family simply move out--overnight if necessary.

GYPSY BURGLARY

A female may knock on the door and ask for a glass of water because she is not feeling well. When she is invited in, she goes into the kitchen and gets a glass of water, at which time another accomplice or two sneak into the house and go to the other rooms and take money, jewelry or whatever valuables they find.

PHONY COP COME BACK

This is a scam where one or more persons approach the victim of a previous scam by phone or in person and pose as detectives investigating a loss. They convince the victim to withdraw money from the bank on the pretence that a bank employee is involved in the previous scam. The victim turns over the cash, receives a receipt, and is advised that the money would be redeposited in victim's account. The next day victim goes to update bankbook, then finds another scam was perpetrated on him.

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SO WHAT SHOULD YOU DO if you have a problem? Just talking with a member of your family or with a trusted friend will help a lot. If necessary, you can consult a clergyman, lawyer, or doctor.