Schemes and Scams
Scripture: Genesis :1, 5, John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10
“Your Netflix service will be stopped unless we hear from you with updated credit card information in the next 48 hours. Please send us your information to ensure there is no interruption in your service.” I was surprised to receive this email recently. I went to get my credit card, then stopped and called my husband. He told me that it was not my card on the account, but his. I went back to the email and ran the cursor over the supposed Netflix address. Sure enough, it revealed an address that was not the official Netflix address, was misspelled and made no sense. I was nearly the victim of a phishing scam. Phishing is when a scammer sends an email that appears to come from a legitimate source, but is actually seeking information, including identity and credit card data.
According to the Federal Trade Commission consumers like you and me reported losing close to 8.8 billion dollars to various schemes, scams, and frauds in 2022. Alarmingly, this number was up about 30 percent over 2021’s reported losses. As the old proverb says, “Forewarned is forearmed,” so let’s spend a few minutes talking about how we can protect ourselves.
Consumer Finance, a government agency, lists some common signs of scams. These include phone calls, emails, or texts that ask for money, credit card, or personal information such as your social security number. Never provide personal information via text, email or over the phone without first calling an official number that you can find by visiting the website of the agency or business claiming to be contacting you. Scammers pretend to be well–known businesses, utilities, technical support, or government agencies including the IRS or the Social Security Administration. Who isn’t nervous about being told that their computer may have been infected with a virus, or that there is a problem with a utility bill and the lights may be turned off? And no one wants to hear from IRS that there is a problem with their taxes. All of these scams use fear to elicit a response. However, the government rarely calls anyone, and they never ask for payment over the phone.
Another popular scam uses the claim that you have won a prize or sweepstakes, or perhaps you have inherited money. You may not remember having a rich uncle, or having entered the contest, but the prize is all yours. All you need to do is to pay the taxes on the win so that it can be sent to you. If it sounds too good to be true? It probably is. A similar type of scheme claims that you have been “specially selected” for a bargain that isn’t available to the public at large. High pressure sales tactics follow, encouraging you to take advantage of this limited time offer. Offers include everything from cookware to cosmetics, from vacations to vehicles. Be wary of deals that are only “good today,” and that pressure you to act quickly.
The website Scam Spotter recommends a simple three step process when you suspect a scam.
https://www.scamspotter.org/ This website lists common schemes and how not to be scammed. It also has a fun online quiz you can use to help your women spot scams.
- Slow Down—be skeptical of urgent messages.
- Spot Check—Investigate the business or agency; call a legitimate phone number.
- Stop! Don’t Send—Personal information, credit card information, or unusual payments (gift cards or wire transfers which cannot be cancelled.)
Scams and schemes are as old as mankind. Think about Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3). God gave them everything they needed. There was only one tree that He asked them not to eat from. The serpent, who was “more crafty than any of the wild animals,” (Genesis 3:1) slinks up to Eve and appeals to her pride. He convinces her that by eating from that one tree, she will gain wisdom and “be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:5). Who could resist such a deal? Not Eve, and not Adam, who she convinced to join her in this venture. And Satan has been using these tricks to scam and scheme against God and His people ever since.
Jesus gives the best description of this enemy of our souls. In John 8:44b He says “…there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Peter warns us that we need to be alert and of a sober mind—a watchful mind—because “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Does this mean that we need to be fearful? Never, for Jesus tells us that while the thief (the devil) comes to steal and to kill and destroy, He has come that we might have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). We just need to be forewarned in order to be forearmed.
When we find ourselves struggling with an issue, when we aren’t sure if the message that we are hearing is from God or from the enemy, we can use the same three step process described for handling scams and schemes.
- Slow Down—be skeptical of messages that bring you down, make you fearful or that try to lead you in a way that doesn’t seem right. Take a deep breath and ask God to show you the truth.
- Spot Check—investigate. Open your Bible and see what God’s Word has to say about the message you are hearing. If it isn’t in line with His Word, then it isn’t from Him. If you aren’t sure where to look to find the truth you are seeking, ask your corps officer or a mature Christian friend.
- Stop—go no further down that road until you have your answer. Once you know the truth, the lie will reveal itself as blatantly not from God.
With this information we can live confidently, avoiding the costly mistakes of falling prey to scams and schemes of any sort.
Schemers and Scammers in the Bible
(The answers are in bold.)
What son plotted with his mother to fool his father into giving him the family blessing? (Genesis 27)
A.Esau
B. Isaac
C. Jacob
How did Jacob’s father-in-law Laban scam Jacob on his wedding night? (Genesis 29)
A. Stole the dowry money.
B. Gave him the wrong sister.
C. Traded sick goats for healthy ones.
Delilah tricked Samson into giving up this secret to his strength. What was it? (Judges 16)
A.Tying him up with new ropes.
B. Cutting his hair.
C. Weaving his hair into her loom.
Rahab helped the two spies of Israel by fooling the soldiers seeking them in what way? (Joshua 2)
A. Hid the spies and told the soldiers they had already left the city gate.
B. Entertained them so that the spies could sneak out of town.
C. Got them drunk until they passed out.
Jesus warned against false prophets. He said that they come in sheep’s clothing, to fool you, but inside they are really. (Matthew 7:15)
A. Lions seeking to devour you.
B. Ferocious wolves.
C. Sneaky hyenas.
What disciple tried to fool people into thinking he didn’t know Jesus? (Luke 22:54-62)
A. Thomas
B. Matthew
C. Peter
What scheme did Ananias and Sapphira use to deceive God and the early Church? (Acts 5:1-11)
A. They claimed to have healed a man who had been lame all his life.
B. They sold land and only gave part of the money to the church, claiming it was everything they received.
C. They took up a collection from all their neighbors for the church but kept the money for themselves.
What did Simon the magician want Peter to do for him? (Acts 8:9-24)
A. Guarantee him a seat in heaven.
B. Sell him the power of the Holy Spirit.
C. Teach him how to turn water into wine, like Jesus.
For even more information:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed Information on how to report being scammed.
https://www.donotcall.gov/ The National Do Not Call registry. Or call 888-382-1222. This will help block robocalls and other unwanted sales calls.
