We are going to always be subject to losing our money to scammers if we ignore the precautions we are told to use and easily fall victim to well-trained pros. The sad part is that the big majority of victims are the elderly and disabled who are least likely to be able to withstand the high-pressure calls.

We must all be against the callers even before the call is received. Now is the time to be prepared so we will recognize the improbability of the caller’s claims during the big pitch and raise that big wave of caution we need so desperately. Simple hints like money having to be paid in order to receive your winnings or needing to call someone else to ask a question the original caller won’t answer are dead giveaways.

Any call from area code 876 is immediate cause for suspicion as many such scams are generated in Jamaica and those with Caller ID can avoid the frustration by not answering that call. I think it is a sad state of affairs when our vulnerable citizens are taken advantage of like this. We can all help them by making sure that we teach our friends and neighbors how to say no when it is called for.

Todd Washburne

Calais