Long lost cousins

It’s not a part of the job I enjoy, but often the library is one last place to learn about the latest scam. It’s happened with Ebay, it’s happened with online banks, and now, with email.

A very tall, roundish man bustled up to the desk in a great hurry. “Ma’m, I’d like a list of the closest branch of these banks, anywhere within say, three hours of here.”

I looked at the list. I didn’t recognize the names of any of them. I went to anywho.com and entered a bank name – the nearest one was three states away. “No, that’s too far,” he said sadly.

I tried the next one, same problem. Finally, third try, I found one in the next state, maybe four hours from here. His face lit up, and he almost ran from the desk, ecstatic, to the pay phone.

I saw him slam the receiver down and come purposefully back to my desk, head down and mumbling under his breath. “They’re just trying to steal my joy, they’re NOT going to steal my joy,” he said.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“They won’t open an account for me. Could you look for another bank for me?” He handed me the list, and it was an email – from Nigeria. Asking him to open a bank account with a small amount of money in it so they could add more. He was a long lost cousin…I’m sure we’ve all received a similar one.

I pretended to look at it, and wondered how to word my response, so as to be heard and not lumped in with the joy-stealers.

“Sir, I wonder if you and I might be related.”

His eyebrows shot straight up. As I said, he was very tall. He was also African American. I am very short and white. “What? Why?” he asked.

“I received a very similar email to this one,” I said. “Mine was a scam – they just wanted me to open an account so they could steal the money. They never intended to add any more to it at all.”

He was still surprised. “An email like this one? Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir – we even got one here at work in our department email, very similar to this one. I’m afraid it is another scam.”

He was hesitating. I could see him weighing it in his mind. “Maybe that is why the bank wouldn’t open an account for you, sir. Too many other people that have gotten ripped off have complained. Would you still like me to look up another bank for you?”

He stopped. Slowly, he took his list back, and said very sadly, “No – no, I don’t think so. Thank you for your help.”

It is never fun to be the one to pop somebody’s balloon. But I know I did the right thing for that man – and who knows? We might be related, after all.

Comments

[Cat in Ohio]

Well done. I'm still trying to explain to people in my branch that no, they won't really win an Iphone if they fill out that survey.

[Heather]

You are totally awesome for what you did for that man. You found a great way to start the conversation and gently tell him that it's a scam. Kudos to you and to all librarians out there who are trying to genuinely help people.

[maura]

thank you for sharing this.

every once in awhile, i run into a patron who has just received this email and is interested in pursuing their long lost funds.

in the past, i have provided information from fcc and .gov websites detailing how it is a scam. this is so personal and connects with the user. i'll keep this in mind for next time.

[Vampire Librarian]

Brava! Excellent handling.

[Daniel Cornwall]

I stand amazement! Thanks for sharing this gentle and effective approach.

[cate]

This is such a classy way to handle this situation. Very quick thinking.

[Ed Darrell]

Classy dealing, yes, I agree.

Have you considered a career in high-level diplomacy?

I still get these things -- someone is falling for them. Otherwise, why would the evil-doers send them out?

I wonder if these scams are organized at a higher level -- how is the Bush administration paying for Iraq, again?

[Inteligent Librarian]

Everyone who said that this is "classy" got it exactly right; you are definitely that! Just another reason why I want to grow up to be just like you! Love ya'!

[Staci]

Glad to see you back online. I've missed your fun and gentle approach to reference services-- especially now that I finally have my MLS and can hope to do the same soon. Your "small contribution" does make a difference for me.

[StaciB]

Thank you for this elegant and eloquent response to a common problem. FYI, I've linked to your entry about long lost cousins and the email scam in my latest entry at LibraryJournal.com. I'm a blogger for "StudentAffairs." Thank you again.

[Angie]

I love you, this is the nicest possible thing you could have done and I hope I would be able to think this quickly on my feet.