Day 165: Elizabeth Ray – scam artist

My project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 165: Elizabeth Ray – scam artist

You probably pride yourself on being smart, but how smart are you really? Can you spot a scam?

Yesterday, I was approached by Gloria Allendorfer-Anderson on Facebook who told me that she was awarded a grant of $50,000 and that I might be eligible too. All I had to do was get in touch with Elizabeth Ray (email elizabethray938@gmail.com)

Just for fun I sent Elizabeth an email and of course she let me know that I was eligible for a $50,000 grant too. I knew right away that I was dealing with a scam artist, but I decided to have some fun with her.

When she asked for my name, address, phone number and monthly income I gave her bogus information and when she wanted to know whether I wanted the $50,000 in cash or with a cheque, I opted for a cheque.

Then came the kicker … in order for the money to be delivered to me by UPS she wanted $1,000. Yeah, right, like I was going to send a complete stranger that much money.

I played along and said that I would send her the money. She suggested that I go to Walgreens or a CVS store. When I told her that no such store is in my neighborhood, she suggested I transfer the money via Western Union.

I suggested that I pay her directly to her bank account, but she was having none of that. If she gave me that information, it would be very easy for the police to track her down.

Not that tracking her down is much of a problem for those who know how. With her I.P. address they have her in a matter of minutes if not seconds.

This kind of scam, or shall I say all kinds of deceit makes me mad though. Generally, people work hard for their money and then a scam artist like Elizabeth Ray comes along and steals folks' hard earned cash. She herself probably probably never has done a day's work. She spends her time sending people emails and hoping that they fall for her scam. If only five people a day believe her nonsense, that's $5,000 for a few hours of 'work'.   

I might not have a Harvard degree, but I’m smart enough to spot a scam a mile away. Unfortunately, scammers are smart too. 

In the case of Elizabeth Ray, she will change her name and her email address and bamboozle who knows how many more people.

In conclusion … be wary of Elizabeth Ray and her partner in crime Gloria Allendorfer-Anderson, they might even be one and the same person.

If you keep the following in mind, you should be safe:

Never trust that a stranger wants to give you money. Nobody is going to give you money out of the goodness of their heart.

Never give your real name, address or phone number to a stranger.

Never trust a stranger who wants you to use Western Union as a money courier.

And last but not least … if something seems too good to be true … it usually is.

Day 29: Why Is Feedback Important

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 29: Why Is Feedback Important

People like to believe that they do most things well. They trust their strengths but often ignore their weaknesses. Feedback, from a third party, usually offers an accurate assessment, but isn’t always accepted.  Whether it’s praise or criticism, everyone should take a moment and evaluate why feedback is important.

Asking for feedback

Questions such as “What do you think?” and “Can I have your honest opinion?” are often met with trepidation. If family and friends like what they see, giving praise is easy, but if they have nothing good to say, do they dare voice what they really think? Giving an honest opinion isn’t always the best choice as it might hurt feelings and discourage the individual unnecessarily.

The feedback

When you’re asking for feedback, do you really value someone’s opinion or are you merely fishing for compliments? Keep in mind that family and friends are not the best sources of feedback. If they love you, they are biased. Most parents or good friends avoid deliberate criticism because they love you and will choose to encourage, rather than discourage.

The importance of feedback

The importance of praise is that it will encourage you. At a time when you’re feeling low or flat out of inspiration, hearing the words “you really have talent” can pick you up and motivate you to work with renewed vigor. Criticism is never as welcome, but positive criticism has motivational value as well. 

Cooking.

If your family tells you that the veggies taste bland, you might learn how to use herbs and spices.

Habits.

Someone making the observation that you drive recklessly might make you more careful.

Workplace.

Being told you were late a few times this week will make you more punctual.

Writing.

The criticism that your story sounds a little weak will force you to take another look at the plot and the description of characters and settings.

How to give feedback

Not only is the process of feedback important, but how the feedback is given is even more so. Be considerate of the person’s feelings. If you’re not sure of something, put yourself in the person’s shoes and imagine how you would react to the feedback you’re about to deliver. Always be sincere when you praise and always balance a dose of criticism with praise.

You’re one of the most dedicated workers I know but…

I really like where you’re going with the story, but…

The meat is excellent, but the veggies are…

Your parking skills are superb, but…

How to take feedback

While praise might feed your ego, be careful not to let it go to your head.  The moment you stop learning, you stop growing. Learn from constructive feedback http://www.expressyourselftosuccess.com/the-importance-of-providing-constructive-feedback/. 

If someone wants to share their knowledge with you, be open to suggestions. If the feedback you get is hurtful, move on and use it to make improvements. Even the greats had to put up with criticism and carried on regardless.

Why is feedback important? Because it helps you become a better you. Take full advantage of constructive criticism and don’t let the negative kind bother you. Feedback is only one person’s opinion and not every opinion will be the same. 

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Can article writers be trusted

I came across a website the other day that stated that immigrants who haven’t taken Canadian citizenship are not eligible for retirement benefits.

Since I’ve been working and contributing to the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) ever since I came to Canada some 17 years ago, this threw me for a loop. Had I been paying into this pension plan for nothing?

Admittedly, contributing to the Canadian Pension plan is mandatory in Canada, but still, if one pays, one want something in return.

To be sure, I checked with someone who would know and as it turns out, what the writer of the article wrote is nonsense. Anyone who contributes to the CPP is entitled to benefits.

Another writer claimed that if someone, who lives in Canada, dies without a will, his or her entire estate goes to the Canadian government. This too I found a little worrying, so I checked with someone who knows about legal matters. As it turned out, this too is nonsense. In case of a death, duty fees have to be paid to the government, but they do not take the entire estate. With or without a will.

After reading these two “uninformed” articles, I started to wonder about everything else one reads online. For every question there is an answer, for every problem there is a solution, for every situation there is someone who gives advice.

But who gives those answers, solutions, and advice? Very seldom, professionals do the “talking”. Articles are mostly written by regular people, none of which are experts in the field.

So where it comes to our health, our pets’ health, skin problem, hair issues, cleaning methods and 101 other things, shouldn’t we leave giving advice to those who actually know what they’re talking about?

So my advice would be …

If you’re sick … go see a doctor.

If your pet is sick … make an appointment with the vet.

For skin problems … turn to a dermatologist.

Hair problems … talk to a stylist.

Whatever the problem is, don’t take the word of amateur, talk to a professional.