New Scam

[martin]

Some friends out at our place had a visit from a young man who claimed to be a 'german neighbour of ours'. He was in GA with some friends and their villa was broken into and they had to get a locksmith....yes all their cash and cards were taken so they asked if my friends could give them some cash to pay for the work and the lovely people our friends are would do anything to help a 'neighbour'. Anyone know anything of this?

Martin

[Barry former GA Advertiser]

A common scam here on GA. Just be aware and alert others.

[John H]

As Barry says, common scam, been going on for at least 10 years.

Regards all

John

PS been very quiet so far this year re car break ins down at the CC
The old favourite was people would park up, put their valuables in the boot and then trot off to the shops.......hardly surprising that the thieves know which cars to target

Regards all

John


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[Corporal Jones]

The tale of woe scam is everywhere in the world, from a taxi to hospital to see a dying relative or money for some other dire emergency. I've never understood why these people of many nationalities don't just get a job, they are clearly clever, quite articulate and hard working whilst trying to fleece there victims. Do the scammers have a Gas bags type forum where they share the latest tricks of the trade because wherever you go in the world these people are there.

[John H]

....add to the list;
my cats on your roof, it's very frightened, can I go up and get it
.......I'm from the water company, there may be a problem in your house, I'll just go and check the pressure in the other bathrooms whilst you turn the kitchen taps on for me
......both of these have occur on an annual frequency
My favourite is the guy who wanders into your house with a child's €1 fishing net saying he was chasing a rare butterfly, brilliant!!!

Then there's the big lad whose been wandering round for years, has a friendly and polite chat, then tells you he's collecting for a children's home or something, produces a home made "authorised collectors card" and then, and I love this bit, shows you a form where people have noted their donation........all nationalities and no ones donated less than €20.......in other words "don't be a tight barsteward  dig in your pockets Mr Englander"
He's stopped pressing our bell now.

Not forgetting I'm from the gas company, I just need to check your appliances and issue you with a new licence, that'll be €60 thank you

Any others, other than the opportunist just coming in while the doors open, still the most common method of operation. They were usually looking for their dog, they thought it had wondered into your house!!

I think all those who rent their property out should have a page on the need to be alert to this sort of thing in their guest information pack

Regards all

John


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[David D]

We had someone call to our house last week,he said he had to get a locksmith out & needed €18 because the bill was €528 he could only withdraw €500 out of the cash point machine.He said a neighbour had given him €10 & could I give him the other €18.He said he was Dutch & named Frank,he new the name of our president & Vice President & that our president was back in the uk & wouldn't be back until September which was all correct.He gave me the number of his house which was located in the street @ the back of me & also the make & reg of the car that belonged to the real owner of the house which I found out when I went to check & warn the real owner who just laughed & said it must have been a chancer.Not the reaction I would have given if it was me who's address
was given for a scam.
Dave

[Blue and white stripes]

Luckily I've got short arms and deep pockets.

[puddy-woo]

We had "travellers" move into a disused carpark in our High Street not long ago, about 2 days into them being there we had a very angelic boy knock on our door with a piece of paper with a few names and donations, said he was collecting for the local rugby club.  Might have been a bit more convincing if he didnt have a very thick pikey accent. Of course we said no, as did the rest of the street I hope.


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[martin]

Ok, I need to change the subject from 'new scam' to 'old scam'

Martin.

[llamedos]

As Barry says, common scam, been going on for at least 10 years.

Regards all

John

PS been very quiet so far this year re car break ins down at the CC
The old favourite was people would park up, put their valuables in the boot and then trot off to the shops.......hardly surprising that the thieves know which cars to target

Regards all

John


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The first thing I did when getting a hire car was to carefully remove the Goldcar /Reckord ( steal from me) sticker from the rear, and make it look lived in to make the thieves go elsewhere.

[John H]

I do exactly the same.
I always take the rear parcel shelf out as well........although I put it back in before retuning the car, at €350 a pop they're rather expensive to replace

Regards all

John


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[mike and judith]

Heard of this one.
Check into hotel having left CC details at reception, go to room.
Person in lobby overhears room number allocated & goes outside.  Phones hotel & asks to speak to room number he has clocked.
Meanwhile, occupant of room, tired from travel & trying to get unpacked answers phone coming through from reception.
Our machine has gone wonky, & we need to verify your CC details says "reception".
Who would suspect?
They've got your details, & you know the rest!

[Blue and white stripes]

John - I've never had to 'retune' a hire car in my life (although I did have one break down on me)  :-)

[John H]

John - I've never had to 'retune' a hire car in my life (although I did have one break down on me)  :-)

You should try it

Predictive text!!

I've never heard of that scam Mike, simple to pull off, I would probably get caught out by that one myself

Regards all

John


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[Stoods]

Just to let people know we also had Dutch Frank come to visit us last night

His price had gone up to €38 though
Only problem was he scared my kids a bit though - just have to remember to be vigilant