DEAR READERS: Believe it or not, and despite great efforts to deter it, counterfeit money is still out there. And the surprising places it's showing up? The family garage, yard or tag sale, and at meetups arranged through online purchases.
At a garage sale, the person with the bad bill will wait until the seller is very busy. Then he or she will ask the seller to make change. The seller gives the person two good $20 bills and a $10, and is left with a phony $50.
Be sure to study the bill given to you closely. Look for the security features built into it: the color-shifting ink on the bottom right corner, and the watermark.
For online sales, meet the purchaser either at a police substation or at a bank -- anywhere that has lots of cameras, and where you can verify the authenticity of the bill.
DEAR HELOISE: Please warn your readers about the online practice of "catfishing." The victim is seduced by a too-good-to-be-true profile and biography, and a stunning picture of someone (maybe a model), not the perpetrator.
A relationship is established, with promises of a lavish lifestyle and gifts. Then calamity strikes. The catfish claims some dire circumstance where she or he is in need of a large sum of money. Don't buy it.
The Federal Trade Commission has some hints:
• Never send money electronically (wire transfer) to, or load money on a cash card for, someone you don't know.
• The catfish will inspire a sense of urgency -- he or she wants you to rush out and get money. Slow down.
• Contact the dating site and the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
I hope these hints help your readers avoid this common online fraud. I wish I had known about them sooner.
-- Robert in Chicago
DEAR HELOISE: When I retired, I needed something to do besides housework. I joined a porcelain doll-making class for 12 years, and I also joined a memoir-writing class. I've published two books.
Three years ago, I found a guitar class, which I love. The class performs at the county fair every year, and we often perform for the senior center and other places that request us.
-- Keeping Busy at 84
in California
DEAR READER: Love that you're keeping busy and enjoying life.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
Style on 08/13/2019