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Business - Scam Alert

Sunday, Aug. 02, 2009

Similar name, same old con

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THE SCAM: Death benefit

HOW IT WORKS: A recent e-mail to an editor at The Bee from Shirley A. Russell-Cox said she's come across an account of a deceased person with a similar name. Shirley said she's in the "UK undergoing a Financial Engineering course" but would love to chat about how she can help you get the money in that account. If you send her the money to handle the paperwork, she'll send you a share of the cash in the account.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: Your money and any personal financial information you share.

HOW TO BEAT IT: Don't respond. This is an old con designed to appeal to human greed by making you think you can get your hands on some money because of a similarity in names. That wouldn't fly in court and is only meant to separate you from any money you invest in the scheme. Shirley's just engineering a scam to get some of your money. Delete her e-mail.

For a look at past scams, go to www.modbee.com/business/scam.