Mary Ann, I got caught up in a scam several months ago and it went pretty far before my husband and I came out of the trance and were able to have the shipment of money returned to us. As I thought about this experience and how not to repeat it, u think the most important advice to myself is to interrupt it early, get their contact info and call my son, daughter or husband - anyone to break the cycle and panic!
It’s like you’re in another zone and can’t think or critique! Sorry for your family member - it’s an AWFUL feeling to be scammed!!!
The other practical thing I heard was to call the entity (bank or whatever) that’s supposedly been compromised, rather than letting them call you. BUT to also use a different phone than the one they contacted you on. Our loved one’s phone got hijacked by the scammer so badly that though he called his bank, it only *looked* like he was calling it—they patched him to someone else who was in on the scam. Jackals, all of them.
Good thoughts. As for scamming, it often works better on the societal scale because people socialize their fears. Harder to calmly exit the stampede when all your friends are screaming a warning, even a false one.
Thanks as always for a thoughtful piece. I was talking to another pastor in our denomination who shares some of the frustrations that I have with changes in focus at the GA and Presbytery levels… I told her that I feel like I have the intelligence, imagination, and love but am seriously depleted when it comes to the energy part of our ordination vows. You have (as always) given me much to reflect on and incorporate into my daily living. Thank you!
Mary Ann, I got caught up in a scam several months ago and it went pretty far before my husband and I came out of the trance and were able to have the shipment of money returned to us. As I thought about this experience and how not to repeat it, u think the most important advice to myself is to interrupt it early, get their contact info and call my son, daughter or husband - anyone to break the cycle and panic!
It’s like you’re in another zone and can’t think or critique! Sorry for your family member - it’s an AWFUL feeling to be scammed!!!
The other practical thing I heard was to call the entity (bank or whatever) that’s supposedly been compromised, rather than letting them call you. BUT to also use a different phone than the one they contacted you on. Our loved one’s phone got hijacked by the scammer so badly that though he called his bank, it only *looked* like he was calling it—they patched him to someone else who was in on the scam. Jackals, all of them.
Good thoughts. As for scamming, it often works better on the societal scale because people socialize their fears. Harder to calmly exit the stampede when all your friends are screaming a warning, even a false one.
Oof, you’re right on the money with that one!
Thanks as always for a thoughtful piece. I was talking to another pastor in our denomination who shares some of the frustrations that I have with changes in focus at the GA and Presbytery levels… I told her that I feel like I have the intelligence, imagination, and love but am seriously depleted when it comes to the energy part of our ordination vows. You have (as always) given me much to reflect on and incorporate into my daily living. Thank you!
I love thinking about those four elements as individual dials on the console... yes, they do fluctuate independently of one another. Go gently...
You as well my dear Sister!