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The E-Suckers List
from the sounds-like-fun dept
It's probably not much of a surprise to anyone, but online scammers tend to keep lists of users who are easy to scam -- and, of course, those lists get passed around (read: sold) among other scammers, so once you've been taken in by one, expect to be taken in by many more. Of course, the warning about this list comes from the Office of Fair Trade in the UK, and the announcement about it certainly implies that they actually have a copy of one such list (though, there's no real evidence given). If that's the case, why not contact those on the list, and let them know they're on the list? Wouldn't that be much more effective than making a general statement?
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Because the sort of people who are that stupid, simply wouldn't believe that they were being scammed - look at the people who keep paying 419ers
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What's the OFT going to do?
Call folks up and say "Hi there! I'm from the OFT and you're on a list of suckers we just got hold of. In the future, please be less stupid!". I think not.
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Mmmmmm
I say that list should be WIDELY published, and perhaps broadcast on the 6 o'clock news.
Maybe a little public humiliation would get people to smarten the heck up.
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Not a bad idea
No, publicising it is the best because people don't like to be made fun of, so perhaps many who aren't yet on the list will think twice, and some who are (but don't realise it) will refrain from responding in future "so they won't get on that nasty list."
Just human nature.
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Hello!
Hello,
It has come to our attention that your name and contact information is being passed around certain circles as part of a list of people who have fallen for scams and other con jobs in the past.
In order to ensure that you don't fall for such similar scams in the future, please consider our patented "sucker-blocker" safety feature.
For only $99.99 per day, we'll make sure that your name and information stays off this list.
Don't be a sucker - pay up!
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Re: Mmmmmm
Maybe a little public humiliation would get people to smarten the heck up.
So what happens when the insurance companies start chanrging these people more for being on the list and banks deny loans or whatever. How about when scammers (or someone else) starts putting out fake lists with say politicians name on the list, especially just before an election. Would this lead to a protection racket "Pay me $X or your name goes on to the sucker's list"
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note to self
Never buy anything from Ron Popeil or my name goes on some list. Check
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In a related announcement...
The Office of Fair Trade has announced a record surplus for the fiscal year, and will remit it to the general fund as soon as it can be repatriated from Nigeria.
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Re: Mmmmmm
Always gotta push it too far. I don't really think Insurance companies will look anytime soon at who fell for a sucker's play on the big bad net. Unless they start selling fraud insurance to Joe-six-pack in a big way.
I mean I'm sure there would be a legal way to fight this. Just like there's a way to fight bad credit when you are the victim of identity theft (although in my opinion, fighting THAT is a huge pain in the ascii and made more difficult for the victim than it needs to be....)
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Re: Mmmmmm
If people start trying to claim on insurance for being scammed then they will jump on it fast enough.
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