By Dennie Quill, ContributorTHERE WAS a time if someone approached you with a lovely smile, you took it at face value, returned the smile with one of your brightest and often you would have a pleasant conversation. Of course this is adult behaviour because when we were children, mommy always warned: "Don't talk to strangers." Surely mommy knows best.
In today's harsh world one would do well to heed mommy's warning and be extra cautious of strangers who attempt to be-friend you. Women are to be feared as much as men judging from some of the stories that I have been hearing. There are a number of persons, city slickers one may call them, who are intent on making a living by using their wits i.e. by planting where they have not sown.
Crooks and confidence tricksters are not new, for who can forget the 'Three Card Man'? Yet the traditional scams, which included collecting deposits for rentals or buying and selling goods, or offering to find jobs, have been replaced by new methods.
Take the story of this teacher who went to a remittance outlet in Cross Roads to do some business a few months back. She left the establishment with a large sum of money carefully en-sconced in a corner of her handbag. As she emerged a young woman, smiling like a Cheshire cat, sallied forth and called out her name. She started asking her personal questions, suggesting that they were old acquaintances. As they continued talking the strange woman offered her a lift to her office. When the teacher reached her destination she had some difficulty opening the car door and had to let go of her handbag which was when the woman made her move and stole every dollar. The teacher was massively devastated by the experience.
CREDIBLE STORY
Then last week a woman entered a St. Andrew apartment complex saying she was a relative of the householder. She concocted a credible story about a family gathering and eventually she was admitted into the home by the helper. While the conscientious yet gullible helper continued her work in one part of the house, the thief started picking off goodies and soon she had garnered two bags of clothing, jewellery, money etc., she suddenly remembered that she needed to go somewhere and after about an hour, she called a taxi and was off with her loot. Just like that.
Recently a businesswoman was travelling from JFK airport in New York to Kingston. Narrating the sequence of events, the businesswoman said as she entered the check-in area she was greeted by a woman who called her by name and hugged her. An onlooker would think they were long-lost friends. She could not recall ever meeting this woman and try as she might she failed to make the connection. Then she dropped the bombshell, "You think you can carry this box for me since you don't have much luggage?" She offered to pay for the favour. With a look of disbelief on her face, the businesswoman snapped "No Madam." Good for her. She did not wait to find out what was in the box but she smelt trouble and wanted none of it.
Confidence tricksters are on the loose. And Christmas tends to bring out the thieves. They usually work along with one or two accomplices. For criminals the invention of the cell phone must have been greeted with wide applause. Believe it or not, this piece of technology has made life much easier for criminals and for others it has been a nightmare. It is not unusual to see people hanging around banks, ATM machines supermarkets, etc., with phones glued to their ears watch them carefully, they may be communicating with an accomplice about you. Eavesdrop if you can.
That is exactly how a woman lost $50,000 recently. She withdrew the money from her bank in New Kingston and drove to an insurance company on Half-Way Tree Road. As she eased into the parking lot a car pulled up beside her. The driver brandished a gun and demanded her handbag. He knew exactly where the money was and he took it all.
Everyone has to be vigilant especially when handling money, because cash is the thief's best friend and he or she doesn't mind taking it from your handbag, your car or home. Theft at any time can cause distress, theft at Christmas can be devastating.
There are some simple common-sense precautions that we can all take to safeguard our lives and properties. Here are a few suggestions:
Do not use ATMs at night.
At the risk of appearing rude, don't engage in conversations with strangers.
Don't allow strangers into your home and instruct your helpers not to do so.
Don't walk around with huge sums of money.
Don't exhibit your shopping by leaving packages on the seats.
When shopping at night park in a well-lit area.
Avoid crowded buses when you are carrying cash.
Good luck, don't let them get you.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who can be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com
