ITS A WICKED WORLD WE LIVE IN.

We have been the victims of an incredibly elaborate scam, two actually.  The first one came when we tried to purchase an ipad on Craigslist for $250.  We should have known if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The seller directed us to a "safe caller" website where phone numbers are screened before they are passed on to the receiver.  Although I didn't understand the need for such an illogical step, we wanted the ipad, so we entered our phone number.  We were supposed to get a security confirmation code within 15 minutes which we were to enter into the computer so that our number would be labeled "safe"to the seller.  When we didn't get our confirmation code, we found a trouble shooting tip telling us to try another phone number, which we did.  And then another.  All three of our phone numbers had been entered before we discovered that the "safe caller" website is a scam to get a hold of peoples phone numbers for dishonest use.  We are monitoring our numbers now but there's really nothing we can do.  At least it didn't cost us anything (yet), but we sure feel violated, and I can't stop shaking my head, wondering how evil you have to be to be a part of a set up like that?  And yet, the next one was worse.  Way worse.

Scam #2 came less than a week later when we found yet another ipad for half the cost of retail.  It was the top of the line model which we did not need, but only cost $450, which is less than the bottom of the line model, so logic told us it was a good deal.  This time we were more careful.  The seller was using a third party shipping company who handles the cash (western union) transactions and the transportation of the device.  They even have technicians who inspect the device and provides the seller with a report on the contents of the package.  The website looked official so we spent $43 on a western union money transfer and sent it off.  But several days later, we still received no verification of our purchase.  It turns out that a scam artist went to elaborate measures to build a counterfeit website identical to the real transportation website so people would think it was a legitimate deal.  And it worked. It wasn't until James made some calls that we learned that our money had been picked up and the company was bogus.

I am upset about the loss of the money, but I am more upset that people have degenerated so completely.  I suppose this shouldn't astound me, but living in the LDS bubble that we create for ourselves, we just don't think people like this really exist, or that they will touch our lives.  All I can tell myself now is, lesson learned.  I'm embarrassed, but it happened and we're just going to have make sure it doesn't happen again.