Scam Alert!

Hats off to Ed Bomar in Wartrace, who was shapr enough to send a scam artist on his way.

It seems this gentleman, with a decidedly not-American accent named Alex Cooper, told him he was the recipient of a $7,000 grant. Needless to say, Mr. Bomar would be required to send them some money first, $99. A check was waiting for him, and, oh, wouldn't it be so much better to have it directly deposited. All Mr. Cooper needed was the account and routing numbers ...

Not only did Ed have more sense than to give out account or social security numbers, he had enough sense to check his Caller ID and get the con artist's phone number. And send it to the US Attorney General.

The number actually works. I called it myself and spoke to Mr. Cooper, but he hung up on me when I questioned his business tactics.

A quick Google told the rest of the story. Mr. Cooper has been a very, very busy man -- or men -- and has all sorts of schemes going on all over the place.

I can't say it often enough.

DO. NOT. GIVE. YOUR PERSONAL.INFORMATION.TO.STRANGERS.

Not to anyone claiming to be with the IRS, FBI, CIA, banks, schools, or anything until you have visible, tangible proof they are who they say they are.

If we dry up the source of funding for these crooks by not falling for their schemes, maybe they can learn an English phrase other than "You have been specially chosen."

Like, maybe, "Want fries with that?"