By now I suspect you’ve heard (if not read) about the New York Magazine financial columnist who wrote about the harrowing tale of how she literally handed $50,000 in cash to scammers. It’s a tale worthy of a Lifetime movie or a six-part limited Netflix series written by Harlan Coben.
In a nutshell, scammers apparently convinced Charlotte Cowles that her identity had been compromised, and through various twists and turns, she was now wanted in multiple states for myriad crimes. The CIA and other authorities were offering her an identity reset of sorts.
Of course, there was money involved - lots of it.
Cowles (and anyone who reads her article) is shocked she fell for it but now some online are calling her a liar, claiming this tale is an elaborate fabrication.
I, too, found the story unbelievable, and yet I believe Cowles’ tale of intrigue and, mostly, panic. Her choices do seem irrational and yet I’m convinced panic often wipes out rational thinking.
I also believe it because the scam has many elements of truth. Even the way it starts with bogus Amazon orders. I get texts and calls like this all the time. Sometimes I play along because I’m fascinated by where they might try to take me. Usually, it’s not that far because I’m a terrible actor.
I recounted one such exercise here.
In any case, even if Cowles is lying, her story is still a good reminder that scammers of all kinds are always ready and waiting to pull the wool over your eyes and empty your pockets of money and heart of goodwill.
As for Cowles, I wonder if she’ll now feel compelled to provide physical evidence. She did claim to have recorded some of the calls after all.
I say we hold off on judging, lest we be judged - or scammed.
If there’s anyone who would like to publish a book of essays by a journalist with nearly 40 years in the media industry, give me a call. I haven’t written anything yet, but since I churn out as many as 1,000 words a day, I don’t think it’ll be a problem.
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