Oh, yes, got one of those for a weight loss product over 6 years ago (postmarked from California). It's a marketing tool that's been around for years.

Guess, as long as you don't order anything, there's no harm in them wasting their time to make those things look like a personal message, and their money for the postage to send them.

I've known a few people who have received similar 'ads' and all thought it was a disreputable way to do business, and no one would even consider ordering something they heard of that way. Some must--or these folks wouldn't keep doing this sort of thing--but it doesn't seem like the most effective way to advertise if you really want people to buy, does it?

That's not new at all... and must work if they are still doing it after all these years.

Hard to believe it works. I can't believe people respond to that type of junk.

I never heard of that scam. Good to know. I will have to warn my mother about this. She falls for everything.

I would think they would have better luck playing slot machines.
Each postage stamp counts as a pull on the slot machine.

Pooh Bear

How is receiving a paper advertisement in the mail a scam??

I've gotten these a couple of times. Throw them out!

Just junk mail.

My mother almost got taken by a phone scam the other day. Thank gawd she showed me the notes she took in the recorded message she got.

She said it sounded like a recording. It addressed her by name in a robotic voice and the caller who said their name was "Jennifer" was a "neighbor" whose "dog had got out and lost" and they were "frantic". They gave a number to call.

My mother wrote the details down and the number and was going to call. Thank gawd I was able to stop her from doing something so stupid.

These types of scams get someone to call a number that could be out of the country and you get billed for the call when you make it - not just billed for the long distance charge but billed for it as an "information call". OR someone answers and knowing that you were stupid enough to call a stranger long distance, they know you would be dumb enough to get talked into buying whatever they are selling. Either way it is a scam.

It took some convincing on my part to get my mother to realize that if she does not know anyone named "Jennifer" who would have her number, and the fact that the area code on the number to call was not from around here that it is a scam. How many people would have a robotic recording set up with a dialer, at there home that would be so convenient to use for their "lost doggy". Why would they be calling all over the country? My poor mother never even though to think about the area code thing being a clue to a scam.

I have the feeling it was someone with a Keen account trying to drum up business. There is nothing wrong with Keen if people KNOW they will be billed $9.99/min for calling them, but some unscrupulous entrepreneurs trick people into calling their Keen line. Some people do like to use Keen to call to hear their horoscope or listen to a sexy voice talk to them. Tricking someone into calling Keen is wrong.

Here is a link that might be useful: Keen

I received a "Harbor FCU Alert" text message yesterday with a phone number to call. Since I don't belong to that credit union, I checked on the internet and read that this is a "phishing" scam to get peoples' credit card information.

Monica, I believe it to be a scam because they try to personalize it as though a friend sent it. It says no where on the paper it is an advertisement.
They try to suck you in with a false sense of familiarity.

That is a scam in my book.

Trin

Thanks for informing us about the Keen scam. Thought I knew most of the phone scams, but apparently I don't. Anytime anyone wants information that could be a scam.

We've gotten something like that except it was for credit card & debt consolidation. It was made to look like someone specifically meant it was for us. I told DH it looked like a marketing ploy to me. Sure enough, we got the same thing happen a second time almost a month later. No return address, the SAME "newspaper clipping", a post it note, with a message saying "this might help" & "signed" with only the initial "J".

I'd guess it's not hand-written, rather a handwriting font used to simulate it. There's been scams around since the beginning of time. Will people ever learn?

"How is receiving a paper advertisement in the mail a scam??"
I'm guessing you're perhaps confusing the term "scam" with the term "spam"? Otherwise, if you look at the definition of "scam" it seems pretty obvious.
Ânoun 1. a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle.
Âverb (used with object) 2. to cheat or defraud with a scam.

Cynic,
Yes it is handwritten.
What is the dictionary definition of spam?
Just curious.

Trin

here you go trin...

you hae to feel for these poor deluded people who think this is a some sort of "home business"...now they're out postage money and goodness knows what else...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(electronic)

All my junk mail goes right in the trash by our mailbox area.

The thing about it, Glenda, is that is doesn't come off as junk mail.

The envelope is handwritten (but no return address), the newspaper is made to look like it was pulled out of the paper specifically for an article (no date or name of paper anywhere), & the post-it note is also handwritten with the homeowners name on it (but only signed by an initial.

The DO hire people to handwrite or sign those things. Lawyers do it all the time. Have you ever gotten a ticket and then received a barrage of mail from law offices? The white envelopes are all handwritten and stamped like personal mail so that you open it.

Years ago when Humphrey was running for office, they hired people to sign reams and reams of letters touting how great the guy was and signing off with "your nieghbor" and a signature (you didn't have to use your real name) and then stuffed into a stamped envelope. I was one of them who got hired.

Now days there are computerized sigs for things like this but they look so obvious. They still use real humans for such jobs. I know for a fact that auto dealerships hire people to hand write thank you cards and send them out to those who purchased new vehicles. They sign the name of whoever the saleman was that sold the car.

katclaws, I was just adding my two cents in that I throw junk mail in the trash.

Wasn't referrring to Trin's mail :o)