Watch Out For Scams

Dear reader, 

I want to draw your attention to the reality of scams. 

If we stop to think about it every opportunity to sin is a scam that we are believing. 

I was recently scammed out of a decent chunk of money, as a new entrepreneur I was scrapping by, but this scam really kicked me in the shins. 

I was led to believe my account was hacked, and that to show that I was who I said I was I needed to prove it. 

(NOTE) please take notice that if anyone, for any reason tells you to buy and share the gift card number over the phone it is a scam. 

Just don’t do it. 

That warning I just put above I wish I would’ve known. I knew nothing of gift card scams, and before I was shown what was happening it was way too late. 

I went to a Dollar General to buy another round of gift cards because the person on the other side of the phone assured me that the previous batch didn’t work, (my account now says otherwise…) My brother happened to be working that day and called me asking why I was buying so many gift cards.

I explained the story and on the other side of the phone, I heard.

“Mitch, repeat what you just said and listen to how ridiculous it sounds.” 

Poop.

I called the scammer back and said

“I hope you needed that money more than I did.”

The phone quickly hung up.

Bye bye money. 

Hello guilt and embarrassment.

I was definitely angry, if you’ve ever had anything stolen from you I’m sure you can understand the wild tornado of emotions that were swirling around inside of me. 

I went out on a walk with God and laid out all my anger and disappointment in myself. I couldn’t figure out why he didn’t stop me, I asked him for wisdom and peace all morning long and it felt like he led me straight into the lions den. 

That was when my heart changed. My anger towards the scammers turned to sadness, I wanted them to experience God’s love and mercy, sure judgment as well, but more so I wanted them to know what redemption and forgiveness looked like. 

I let go of all the bitterness I had against them and went on with the story. Sure I was a lot more poor by the end of the day, but I knew that my heart had been refined so much more, and for that, I was eternally grateful. 

Don’t be scammed. Not just by people over the phone, but also by your flesh and the enemy. We are carried away and enticed by our own desires as it says in James, don’t seek after anything that will leave you empty-handed. 

I don’t need to say it again, but I feel like I will be a spokesperson for the rest of my life. 

Don’t get scammed. 

Sincerely, 

Your Fellow Scammee.

-Mitchell