The Political Scam

To friends of course, and to foes where ever....

I have given to political parties in the past.  The downside of so doing is that the parties then have your contact points and contact they do, over and over and over again.  Also, these become part of the public record, accessible to all.   This last point is my issue today.  The party is irrelevant.

Let me list a few observations.

• I get frequent follow-up emails, sometimes a dozen per day from various named or unnamed senders.  This morning one identified himself as Bob.  That’s it.
• I get several phone calls every week asking for contributions.
• I often get multiple mailings from congressional candidates looking for contributions.

This goes on and on, day in and day out, weekly, monthly, and so on.  OK, these folks want money.  That is my value to them.  But where is the scam?

Finally, my point.  Two days ago I got a phone call from a friendly fellow supporting the governor, and asking for money.  Just a hundred was the first suggestion.  I said no.  Down went the suggestion until finally I agreed to $20, usually my max. That’s when it happened.  He wanted a credit card number.  I said no way was I going to give a credit card over the phone.  Send me an invoice by mail. He did not want this.  He persisted. (Actuially, when you agree to contribute they usually send you off to some boss for verification.  But NOT in this case.)  I insisted no credit card number.  No invoice, no deal!  Continue asking and I’ll hang up, I told him. He persisted on the credit card.  I said no deal. He insisted. I hung up.

What’s the matter here?  Answer. I was being scammed by someone or some group, I don’t know which. Tho opposing party, some general scammers???  My advice is not to give a credit card number over the phone to anyone or group you cannot verify!