Damn the scammers

We don't know if the Hayden woman was merely an intended target or an actual victim, but her story of yet another scam caught our attention.

Asking that her name be withheld, here's what she shared with us:

"Someone will call you and say they are letting you know that the coupon you sent in to Publishers Clearing House was selected as the second-place winner of $3.5 million and a Mercedes-Benz. You don't recall sending in a coupon but decide it is possible that you did.

"Supposedly the PCH will pay 90 percent of the taxes on your winnings and all you have to do is pay the other 10 percent which amounts to $292. To pay your share of the taxes all you have to do is go to Rite Aid (specifically) and buy a Green Dot Money Pak scratch card for $292 plus $5 handling fee.

"The scammer will call you again after you've obtained the green card. He will ask you to give him the number off the card (so he can be sure you have followed directions). He tells you that they will be coming to your door shortly with your new car and a check for $3.5 million. Congratulations!

"He then just adds the green card number to his own Pay Pal account and your $292 is his. You will never see your new car or your $3.5 million.

"I checked this out with Rite Aid and with the sheriff's office and with Publishers Clearing House and was told it is an on-going scam. Don't bite! Let's get these crooks out of Northern Idaho. They are targeting seniors."

Stories like these are heart-breakers. Sadly, scams are rampant, and they appear likely to keep increasing as long as honest people keep getting duped.

We commend to readers a good website that will help you stay ahead of many scams:

www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts

Further, the Idaho Attorney General's website offers valuable consumer alerts. Go to:

www.ag.idaho.gov/media/consumerAlerts/

consumerAlerts.html

Finally, we remind readers, young and not so young, of something your parents and grandparents once told you. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Next time a stranger calls to share with you tidings of your great fortune - yours for just a small investment or access to your finances or other important information - hang up. You'll be stepping on a cockroach.