Topic : 02/24 How Not to Get Scammed

Doctor Get How Not Phil.Robin Seammed To. I was never scammed in my life. So there. See you on Tu----

esday fEBURry 24th, 2009. Sincerley Your. Sincerley Your. Russell Vlaanderen.-------------------------------------

the rich have been robbing the poor for god only knows how long

about time the rich got robbed back

Since losing my job I check into Dr. Phil from time to time.  Today's subject of Scamming could not have come at a more timely time.  I was hoping such a situation would possibly be brought up in your show but I realize limited time so you can't cover every such scam situation. 

I am blaming Internet Dating sites.  About a year ago I was communicating from what I thought was a US soldier stationed in Iraq.  We communicated daily via email and vis msn chat line.  Earlier this month he was speaking of a project he was working with one of the generals...an off duty job in which he was paid cash.  Then it was a case he was unable to be having cash as a soldier and wanted to send it to me in order that I may keep it for the time he finished his tour of duty and came to visit me.  So far so good...not really, but... Then supposedly a diplomat was involved and was bringing to me a package containing the money and some personal items but the diplomat supposedly did not know about the money.  The diplomat was sending regular messages upon his trek here to Canada to deliver this package.  Then he is in Ghana and needed $2,000 Cdn before going any further.  I froze.  I got in contact with a friend of mine who is exmilitary and involved at some point with RCMP.  He then directed me to what to do and I followed his instructions to the letter.  I feel like such a fool even more so after watching your show such as comments that scammers are really not all that educated and English is a second language and to look out for things such as grammer, spelling, punctuation.  Well...if you seen the messages that would make sense but I find most men appear a little "stupid" on email with spelling and using short forms etc.  I see one of your comments about anything from Nigeria...well this show should have happened a week ago and I would have been completely saved!  Bottom line...thank you Dr. Phil for bringing this to the attention of your viewers.  You say you know us!  Good work! Thank you.

Those who scam and "get scammed" are people who are either:  1) downright ignorant/stupid, 2) corrupt themselves ("If it's too good to be true it isn't"--remember that one?) and last but not least, 3) GREEDY.  The number one reason scams are successful for BOTH the scmammer and the scammed is that both parties are thinking in terms of "instant wealth" (money, money and more money!) without working hard to attain it. (EASY money!) Greed comes in all genders, races, ages, ethnic, employment and educational backgrounds.  I do not feel any sympathy (especially for those who are educated and wealthy to begin with) for their monetary loss.  Common sense flew out the window and greed came through the front door.  Simple.  No one is to blame but themselves.  Dr. Phil, to tell the "victims" of these scams not to blame themselves for any of their plight is downright ludicrous.  Your guests are much smarter than you're giving them credit for.  Scams have been around since the beginning of time.  History keeps repeating itself.  Many people will never learn the lesson.

You will probably get tons of messages but please read mine. My husband and I have never had the kind of money you and your wife had but we DO understand your pain. We lost a business years ago that continues to  be a burden for my husband. He also blamed himself for that loss.  We lost our home and vehicles and all credit. I think it was hardest on our kids, however we survived. We survived because we still had each other and we had our kids. When ever I get down my husband reminds me of that fact. We will work till we are called home to heaven...we have been blessed by the ability TO WORK HARD!!

Our kids think we are heros and learned many lessons about what is truely important. Tomorrow will come no matter what your bank account is. You pay bills as you can and be honest with everyone...even those who still have all the bucks. If those "friends" can't see beyond your bank account, find some new friends. Look at it as charecter building..we did and now we are real charecters. Keep a smile on your face..someone will smile back!!