Make yourself scam-proof

If you haven't already been hoodwinked, just wait.

Somewhere, sometime, someone is going to try to scam you.

If you have an email account, we're willing to bet you've received an offer that sounds too good to be true, or that tugs at your heartstrings or appeals in some other way. A close friend is in desperate need of a loan; a grandson is in jail in Canada or Mexico and needs bail money; you've won a sweepstakes prize which you may claim as soon as you pay taxes or a service fee.

These are some of the more common scams that have drawn the ire - and, in too many cases, the cash - of unsuspecting North Idahoans. There are many, many others.

Today at 11:30 at Lake City Center, 1916 N. Lakewood Drive in Coeur d'Alene (667-4628), representatives of the Idaho Attorney General's office will advise citizens of some of the nefarious schemes designed to defraud you. Education and awareness are key.

"It is much easier to avoid scams than it is to get your money back," says Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.

Because fraud is so rampant in society today, and because much of it plays on the benevolent spirit of many North Idahoans, The Press is putting a bright light on the dark secrets of scams. As you may have seen Monday, reporter Maureen Dolan kicked off the first installment of a series we call HOODWINKED. Dolan shared with readers details of an intricate scam that started to pull her in. Fortunately, she realized what was happening before she'd given the scammers any money or critical personal or account information. Unfortunately, upon investigating further, she discovered this particular scam has already been attempted and presumably executed numerous times in our area.

Please share with us any scams you're aware of - that someone has tried on you or someone close to you. We don't need to use your name, but we do want to share your story so we can increase residents' awareness of these attempts at fraud. Contact Maureen Dolan: [email protected] or 664-8176 ext. 2005.