Cautions
1. Two scams in one: A phony job offer plus a check-cashing scam are being used to target job seekers. Scammers place an ad for the often heard of "Secret or Mystery Shopper" opportunity. These are supposedly people who are paid to go shopping in their free time to evaluate services or products. They are promised pay plus free clothing, hotel stays and restaurant meals.
People who answer the ad receive materials by mail, including a check that they are told to deposit as paid training money. They cash the check, keep the predetermined pay for themselves and wire the rest of the money back to the company address.
Reality: The checks are forgeries. Weeks after depositing them, victims learn that the checks are phony and that they must repay the bank the amount they sent to the scammers. Scammers can make $1,000 or more per victim. (BBB, Louisville, KY)
2. You have either heard of this next one, or unwittingly participated, or received their mailings. Beware of investment salespeople who label themselves "senior specialists" at seminars in hotels and restaurants. These people, who may call themselves "Retirement Counselors" or "Senior Counselors" may have little or no investment training. They may urge attendees to sell off their investments and put the proceeds into other products, including some that have high commissions and early withdrawal penalties.
Before consenting to or giving money to anyone claiming special expertise in investments for seniors, read the SEC article Check Out Brokers and Investment Advisors, available at www.sec.gov/investor/brokers.htm
(SEC, Washington, DC)
Money Saving Tips
1. I spied this one Oct 15, 2008 (to let you know it's current) in one of my incoming publications. You are invited to go to: www.MoneySavingGuide.com for advice on saving money and spending wisely on travel, entertainment, groceries, utilities, banking and more. The site features articles, blog posts and other tools and resources on the Web, as well as suggestions from readers and a FREE monthly
E-mail newsletter.
2. I have just concluded attending to my eye needs. This tip came to me after the fact, but perhaps you may find it can save you some precious dollars. The advice is: "Shop around for eyeglasses." This is sound advice because you would be surprised that the same pair of glasses priced recently at $178 to $390 depended on where it was bought. Really! There is price variation in lenses and in frames.
Doctors and independent optical shops tend to charge more but provide more personal service. Chain stores often make glasses in about an hour and may offer discounts for members of AARP, AAA and other groups. Warehouse clubs offer low prices and, in some cases, do not require membership for eyeglass purchases. But get this: Internet merchants may offer the lowest prices of all. "One, Zenni Optical, offers eyeglasses (frames and lenses) starting as low as $8."
Eyeglasses and frames, like jewelry, have a tremendous markup in price when, in fact, the materials' cost itself is not hefty. To save money it always pays to do your homework before stepping out to shop.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob "Always on the look-out"
