The Question: If you are hoodwinked by a con man or scam artist, it’s your own fault. Agree or Disagree?
My 2 Cents: I’ll have to play both sides of the coin on this one.
On the one side of the coin, if you’re trying to get something for nothing, then it’s your fault if you get hoodwinked by a con man or scam artist. Anything worth anything is worth working for. Trying to get over to get rich comes with huge risks. If you’re foolish enough to believe there’s a “free lunch,” you deserve the consequences of your actions.
On the flip side of the same coin, if you’re simply under the impression that you’re being offered a great deal, you’ve done your homework to the best of your ability and things seem to be on the “up and up,” and you didn’t rush into committing to the situation, you’re purely and simply an unwitting victim of the con man’s or scam artist’s scheme. Although you do need to take some responsibility for being in the situation, for the most part you were just taken advantage of.
Many scams and cons are easily deciphered, but some are so intricate that all the research in the world may not help you see through the scheme. The rule of thumb: if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Check out the Top 10 Scams of 2009 as listed on the consumeraffairs.com website.
MSN Money lists the Top 10 Investing Scams.
McAfee (the Antivirus software folks) list the Top 10 (Email) Phish Scams.
Also, check out Scambusters and Snopes for more information on cons, scams and urban legends that simple aren’t true.
Buyer, beware.
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Take a few moments to check out the tweets from Twitter on this subject:
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RegalRB I think I take it personal responsibility…because I probably didn’t follow my gut and got scammed…
tclarkusa Disagree. Some ppl are just really good at being bad.
Inurstrength depends on how good the scam is. Skills baby skills.
PROTECTED TWEETERdepends on the situation. Nigerian scam – fool me once shame on me lmao!!!
roaddoggz I agree it’s my fault because I was greedy to get something for nothing
LadyInfamous I agree
jayln1985 nope, scams require trust & everybody has trust n something or someone so anybdy can be scammed, the only fault would be trust
Reese9386 hoodwinked by a con man… Def not ya fault, a con man is by definition slick, persuasive, and clever….
linc0lnpark I DISagree Just look at the Nigerian 419 scams. They R so intricate, even sophisticated businesspeople have fallen 4 them.
PROTECTED TWEETER Disagree!
NightShade10 disagree-victims of crime R never guilty! Intelligence/common sense relative-many people R quite “simple”minded & often victims
Tazzee depends, if I was trying to get something for nothing – my fault. If I was genuinely trying to help someone, then no.
Palmetto_Star to a degree… but most people dont know the ins and outs of scams but should be weary of giving people money 4 servicesNOTdone
PROTECTED TWEETER Disagree. Some people are so good that you never see them coming. As strong as you are some people can still hoodwink you
atane It depends. Some scams are elaborate. i.e. Bernie Madoff. Others are not. i.e. E-mails from dubious people.
jreneker It’s the con man’s fault, definitely. Victims should report it, too. If they think it’s their own fault they might not.
PROTECTED TWEETER disagree
sunshine625 Agree use common sense
mayqueen79 It is your fault if you don’t do research on what people claim to be true. Same with scam emails that people mindlessly forward
TankaBar_JasonD It should be the person that pulls the con or the scam is at fault. In a way you should know it is a con and try and get out.
consciousskillz Ignorance is the state of unawareness and if you don’t know you’re being taken how can you prevent it.
chela816 Not always. I’m sure there are some great con artists out there. But most give enough signs of a scam to tip you off
PROTECTED TWEETER not necessarily, some r professional that u do not know the truth. ie man that married u and u had no idea he was alrdy
BLKMGK Not always. If it involves money, its my own fault.
BigEd_1956 Agree!!!
ClassyDreamer I agree, people can only do what you allow them to…but the person also should be “moral”
aLiGaT0rBaYChiC I dont think its ur fault.. becuz it can happen to anyone if the conartist is real good. Just at the wrong place the wrong time
ItsThaTarheeLdy Both: 1st time shame on you, 2nd time shame on them. Also every situation is different.
CedricMcCay usually, yes. when one gets hoodwinked, it’s because they sought a greater value for a lesser price. scam artist live on that.
NancyWelker No it isn’t. You had no idea the person was lying to you.
rishaholmes agree
ImABlackPoem no. It’s nvr ur fault wen ur hoodwinked. No1 has the rite 2 take advantage of sum1 else just because they aren’t “swift”
DesignsByOnye Agree. There’s 2 much info that warns us how 2 keep ourselves & our $$ safe. If we listen 2 our insticts, we’ll smell the rat.
sutherngeorgian it’s your own fault. pay attention people.
JoshDamage agree, you can’t trust anyone these days
walkerdl It depends on the con man’s skill & your gullibility
Pettra88 Agree
MissMeandI Depending on how VISUAL those scams are, yep…Most scams are so see thru you can’t help but know it’s a scam.
blacknthick disagree because not all con men do the same thing most are fast talkers and they tell you what u want. To hear most times…the person won’t know what hit them until its done and over example I know a guy name see yea putting his name out he had lots…of women and lots of kids you would find out after the fact and he would lie sad thing is even his bf wouldn’t even warn the…women so when Jane thing he at work he with another chick talking them out of money cars things and panties sad but true
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The commentary doesn’t have to end!
Please feel free to continue to add your comments below.
