Scams...

There's no doubt that most of us would love to be lots more comfortable financially. And we'd love to do it without any effort. That's why so many people fall for scams which can cause them to lose money, or "just" infect their computers/smartphones with viruses. Before they check it out carefully or notice the damage, they've sent it to their groups and mailing lists. Sometimes, the virus even does that chore on its own.

Americans of my generation and older probably remember the very popular 1950s TV show "The Millionaire" which was about people who were suddenly given a million dollars, which bought a lot more than the sum would get you today, by an eccentric multi-millionaire who'd send his assistant off with a check... Not all of the recipients found their lives improved...

life-changing check- picture from Wikipedia

The Millionaire told the stories of Tipton's beneficiaries in flashback, as if from Anthony's case files. Each episode began with Anthony, behind his desk and looking directly into the camera, speaking one or another variation on this theme: 

My name is Michael Anthony, and until his death just a few years ago, I was the executive secretary to the late John Beresford Tipton. John Beresford Tipton, a fabulously wealthy and fascinating man, whose many hobbies included his habit of giving away one million dollars, tax free, each week—to persons he had never even met.  (read more in Wikipedia)

To prevent getting caught up in one of those scams, here are a few suggestions: 

1- businesses send legit messages/sales offers to members, so if you didn't get it directly from the business.... 

2- the first word in the code should be the name of the business and not "lottery," or something similar.

3- important motto: 

"If it sounds too good to be true... it's probably a scam."