Parents getting text messages from their “children” who ask for “load” from borrowed mobile phones after an “accident” wonder how strangers know who to contact.

Actually, the scam artists— for that is what they are—pick numbers at random, hoping to get lucky. Emergencies often make people, especially parents, suspend their disbelief and immediately do as they

are told, which is to give load credits to an unfamiliar phone number.

One parent found out how the scam worked. After getting the request to reload the phone her “daughter” had borrowed, she decided to call the number to talk to her child.

She asked for Jenny, her daughter’s name. Right away, the person at the other end, who claimed to be a doctor, said “Jenny” could not talk because she was in the intensive care unit.

Fortunately, this bit of information got the mother thinking —if her daughter was in an accident, why was she in the ICU just a few minutes later? Shouldn’t she be in the emergency or operating room?

The mother called her daughter’s office and found out she was in a meeting.

The con man did not know her daughter’s name. I am sure if her mother asked him for their family name he would not have been able to give it.

Scam artists try to get people to do what they ask through scare tactics, like children telling parents they were in an accident, or by promising rewards such as raffle prizes, balikbayan boxes from overseas relatives or a share in some ousted dictator’s loot, etc.

It is not easy to stay calm when getting such messages, but recipients of the good or bad news should try to remember that the mobile phone is now the favorite tool of con men and women.

News about an accident should be verified. If the son or daughter cannot be reached, his/her friends and/or colleagues should be contacted.

A person should remember if he/she joined a raffle. And it is no longer difficult to contact overseas relatives and friends to check if they really sent a package.

As for “offers” of a hefty share of someone’s unclaimed money in the bank, I ask people to think why, of the world’s 7 billion population, complete strangers would want to share the fortune with them.

I have written before about strangers calling up landlines to fish for information that they may use later in a con job, particularly the “dugo-dugo” scam.

I do not have a kasambahay so I personally answer my phone. My number is listed, and people have called wanting to know if we are related.

To establish our “relationship,” they ask me to answer questions like what my father’s name is, where he was from, his line of work, etc. while saying very little about themselves. They try to solicit personal information which, if used, can show that they know me well.

I suggest that everyone in a household should be warned against callers fishing for personal information.

Empowering consumers

I agree with Trade Undersecretary Victorio Mario Dimagiba that the “suggested retail price” (SRP) tag should remain. It helps empower consumers.

With the SRP, people have a better idea if the rates they are being charged are fair. Most consumers are reasonable. They know that where and when they buy stuff can affect the cost. A supermarket in a high-rent mall will charge higher than the wet market. But some shoppers are willing to pay extra for the convenience.

Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; or e-mail [email protected].