THERE'S A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE

Bren Sheriff
Bren Sheriff


THERE'S A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE

By Brenda “Bren” Sheriff  C.S.A.

Whether you believe this statement, often attributed to P.T. Barnum, the famed showman of the late 1800s, or W.C. Fields, an early stage and screen star of the 1920s, the statement is still true and remains the unofficial mantra of grifters everywhere. As is often said in the "hood," "suckers are there for the taking."

The intent of this column has always been to make you, the reader, informed and ever vigilant, helping you avoid the pitfalls that happen in life. Too often in our Black culture, we hold certain beliefs to be true that are as counterfeit as a three-dollar bill. I am willing to bet that you have heard, more than once in your life, the phrase, "What you don't know can't hurt you." Am I right?

It is this kind of thinking that allows con artists to continue snaring victims in their webs of lies and deceit.  Almost, without exception, we ARE hurt and harmed by what we don’t know.  Can I get an amen?

Some of the successful scams of the past are still being used today. Scammers continue to believe that "suckers" are always out there and that all they need to do is create a better mousetrap to catch them. Technology has become their greatest ally. They no longer need to hang around banks and currency exchanges looking to lure check-cashers into their pigeon-drop schemes. Today's scammers enter your home through your telephone and the internet from virtually anywhere in the world.

I hope the information I provide will help you—and those with whom you share it—avoid becoming the next victim.

It may help to understand how scammers view you and the tactics they use. Older adults are often considered prime targets because many seniors have accumulated assets, own homes, maintain good credit, and are trusted members of their communities. While the technology used by con artists has changed, their underlying tactics remain the same: create fear, urgency, confusion, or excitement, then pressure victims into acting quickly, before verifying the facts.

A word to the wise is sufficient. Today I am presenting a scam targeting seniors in 2026 that had its origin decades ago.   The game is the same and the goal of the grifters are unchanged, get the cash and dash.  In weeks to come I will share other scams and provide suggestions for thwarting their efforts to make you a sucker.

As I shared earlier, technology has become the greatest aid to scammers worldwide. These criminals now use AI (artificial intelligence) to clone the voice of a child, grandchild, or someone else known to you. You may receive a call from someone who sounds exactly like a family member claiming to be in jail, involved in a car accident, or stranded while traveling and needing money immediately.

I am very familiar with this scam because it was attempted on my father more than 20 years ago—long before the use of AI voice simulation.

Here's how it almost worked.

My father answered his landline telephone, and the caller claimed to be a close friend of one of his nieces. She said his niece needed bail money to get out of jail. My father, upset and having only two nieces, unknowingly provided the names of both nieces and asked, "Which one?" The scammer immediately selected one of the names and declared that she was the niece's best friend.

My father, who was no longer driving, called me and asked me to take him to the bank. I suspected nothing unusual. Since he had no debit card, I often drove him to the bank when he needed cash.

During the drive, he explained the situation. I asked him a gazillion questions, none of which he could answer. I immediately suspected a scam. I called my supposedly "jailed cousin," who assured me she was not in jail and that someone was trying to con my father. I then contacted a friend   to the Bunko Squad in our police district and was advised to do nothing.

My father had agreed to have the money available for the caller to pick up by 3:00 p.m. Living on a corner, he instructed her to pull onto the garage apron, honk the horn, and he would bring the money outside.

At approximately 3:00 p.m., a silver "beater" pulled onto the garage apron and honked exactly as instructed. When no one appeared, a young woman got out of the car, walked to the front door, and rang the doorbell repeatedly. When she received no response, she returned to the car and called my father. Following the Bunko Squad's instructions, we allowed the call to go to voicemail. The caller left no message.

After receiving no response, the car drove away.

Unfortunately, there was no useful caller ID information, and the license plate could not be read. Our friend on the Bunko Squad later informed us that they had received reports of home invasions and robberies involving similar scams when criminals arrived to collect the so-called bail money. In hindsight, doing nothing may have prevented a much greater loss.

From that day forward, my parents immediately hung up on unknown callers.

A wise choice.

Now that scammers have dramatically upgraded their methods, consider these precautions:

• Never send money based solely on a phone call.

• Hang up and call the family member directly using a known phone number.

• Establish a family "safe word" known only to close relatives.

• Be suspicious of requests involving gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Some of you may remember the famous closing words from the late 50s and early 60s television series Naked City: 'There are eight million stories in the Naked City. This has been one of them.' Well, this scam story is just one of the countless stories unfolding every day across America.  In future columns, I will share others and explain how you can protect yourself.

In the meantime, common sense and healthy skepticism remain your best defenses against becoming that "sucker born every minute."

THIS WEEK'S QUIZ: Mrs. Johnson receives a phone call from someone who sounds exactly like her grandson. He claims he has been arrested while traveling and urgently needs $2,500 wired immediately. What should she do first?

Answer to Last Week's Quiz: As of July 1, 2026, Illinois drivers are no longer mandated to retest for their driver's license until age 87, unless they have a physical or mental condition that impairs their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

For Questions or Help:
773-817-0601
basheriff1@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The illustrations and examples presented in this column are not, nor are they intended to be, legal, financial, tax, insurance, or other licensed professional advice. Readers should consult the licensed professional of their choice regarding their individual circumstances.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

JERALD GARY- REGAL THEATER