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How to avoid scammers in the Mall

Today we will talk about how to avoid scammers who are now spreading in different countries.

On July 1, I experienced being scammed by someone I didn’t know. This is the first time that I was scammed by a person, and to this day, I will never forget that bad experience.

What is my experience with scammers?

It was an exciting day for me because my boss gave me a vacation for about 14 days. In my mind, all I could think about was happiness. I am thinking of nice welcome gifts for my family and nieces.

I went to a Korean store nearby and bought some food to take with me when I went to my mom’s house. My brother loves to eat Korean Food and so does my mother. They loved eating it since I brought it to them to taste.

Before I arrived at the Korean store, I first passed by a well-known mall because it was also one of the nearby roads to go to the store.

As I was walking a man called me to give me a plastic fan with a smile. So I smiled at him while accepting what he gave to me.

I told him thank you brother with a smile, as I was leaving he called me wait ma’am! please list your name in our book list first. As for me, being happy and full of excitement in my brain, I listed my name in their book list.

While I was writing my name, the man said at the same time, ma’am, do you have a credit card or other bank cards?

My answer to the man was yes brother, I have a credit card. When I listed my name, I put the city where I live.

When I put the city, he suddenly screamed and jumped and hugged me. I was surprised by his reaction, he said to me with a charming smile that ma’am you are still here in the city living now, I said yes, ma’am you are one of the lucky winners today you won a blender.

I was also surprised because I won a blender. Really brother? I won? Yes ma’am you are number 9 who won in our appliances store.

They let me in to a place to sit. They called the guy on the phone to make me believe that they were real promoting appliances and I was one of the winners.

What I didn’t know was that I couldn’t understand what the man was saying on the phone, it was accompanied by a male staff member who was also making noise that he was happy that I won.

The man said while he was talking to me that he wanted to check my credit card. I was so stupid that I gave him my card. He always hugs me with excitement on his face, ma’am, I’m happy that you were chosen to win. My answer to him is, I can’t believe that I won.

As long as you introduce this brand of our store to those you know. Brother, I know many people and I can recommend them to buy appliances from your store.

How to avoid scammers in the Mall

During our long conversation, he said that he will increase what I am winning such as a massage chair, stove, rice cooker,and many others.

At the same time, they told me that they just wanted me to buy a water dispenser from them that costs 44,000 pesos.

I was surprised at the price of the dispenser, before I could get what I won I had to buy from them, at that time something seemed wrong (the guy still had my card and it was plugged into their scanner machine and they were just waiting for my sign).

I didn’t sign it first because the amount was too big and I was going on vacation that day. They talked me into signing but I didn’t.

I know someone and I called him to come to the store so he could talk to them. The man even told me not to call him or go to the store.

The bad thing is that my credit card was scanned and I have already paid 44,000 pesos. I didn’t tell them to buy that dispenser.

Bro, my credit card has been scanned, I haven’t told you yet that I won’t buy it!!!!

I was angry at that time but I didn’t show it to them yet. When my companion arrived, they suddenly became kinder and the conversation calmed down without excitement.

When my acquaintance arrived, he immediately told me, What’s going on! (with anger) I told him that the cridet card has been scanned but I didn’t tell them that I would buy it (with sad and confused).

They told me that I won a blender, but I didn’t expect that I would have to buy it from them for such a large amount.

How to avoid scammers in the Mall

They said to my friend who just arrived, we didn’t tell her(me) that she won. I told her(me) that we only promote appliances.

My acquaintance said to them, brother, we don’t need a water disperser because we already have one at home, the brand is even better, it came from Korea (while showing a picture).

They said that it is beautiful your dispenser, yes bro, it’s been a long time since I’ve been using it until now, it’s still good.

Good thing I didn’t sign them to prove I didn’t buy. At the same time I said that I will cancel the 44k that I paid and they did.

What happened next?

• Receipt that I bought
• Receipt of Cancellation 

It’s a fact that you didn’t actually buy that appliance. You can show it to the bank once it is deducted from your card.

The man’s smile disappeared suddenly because he didn’t completely scam me. Because when the amount is too big, it seems like it’s hard to let go.

We talked for maybe 1 to 2 hours and I looked like a fool. After that, we went to the bank first to make sure my card wasn’t reduced, but when we arrived there were too many people so I just did online banking.

When we got home, my acquaintance scolded me because he said I was so stupid. I didn’t answer because he was right that I was making a fool of myself, but I thanked him because he came at that time.

How to avoid scammers in the Mall

• When they ask you if you have any cards, don’t tell them.
• If they give you a fan or anything else, don’t accept it.
• You will see their store with someone standing and holding things and handing them to you, don’t accept them either.
• Do not show any bank card.
• Do not give your card to them.
• Don’t be fooled by their fake smile

These are the ways you should avoid when you go through malls or small stores.

There are too many scammers. They have their own ways of tricking people. Until now they are still growing.

When I got home, the disappointment was still there in my mind. I don’t think too much because I can continue my vacation that day.