Page 5 - Boca ViewPointe - May '23

May 2023 Viewpointe, Page 5
Scammed Into Old Age

By Robert W. Goldfarb When connected, I was told the offer was made document describing the offer were those of Comcast.
possible by Target Corporation which was hoping to win Indeed, when later I spoke with one of Comcast’s technical
At 93, I know I’m deep into old age. But, until yesterday, customers by partnering with Comcast. I had 24 hours to security analysts, she exclaimed, “It’s as though they were
I didn’t feel old. I exercise six days a week and regularly go to Target, purchase a $450 gift card and provide the emailing and speaking to you from one of our offices!”
compete against much younger runners in three and five mile data on the card by calling the Comcast phone number She added that their sophistication was a challenge she
races. I mentor women and minority aspiring entrepreneurs. listed on the document bearing its registered email address. would confront the moment we hung up.
University faculty invite me to speak to MSW candidates Once the gift card was received by Comcast, the $450 I must confess I did go to Target to purchase the gift
about the elderly they will be counseling upon graduation. would pay the next six month’s bills. For the following card. It was pure luck that a young Target staff member,
I’ll soon by flying to San Francisco to hold, feed and diaper three years, I would be charged $75 a month instead of hearing my request, said “Sir, that’s a scam. Older people
my first great-grandchild. the $175 I had previously paid. To prove the authenticity keep coming in to respond to that offer.” She added: “The
But that changed yesterday when scammers reminded of the offer, before going to Target, I would receive a scammers are aiming at those in their eighties and older.”
me that all my activity bears a fast-approaching expiration formal notification from Comcast sent via its standard I recalled the scammer asking if I could get to Target or
date. The realization that I was a very old man began with an email address. would need someone to take me. I should have realized he
email from Comcast, the company that provides my Internet I’m certain skeptics--if they read this far--would wonder wouldn’t have asked that of a younger person. Apparently,
service. I was told I qualified for a sharply-reduced monthly why I had fallen for what was obviously a scam. Why my name and email address were drawn from a roster of
charge. The offer was outlined in an email bearing the official couldn’t I see that any such offer had to be fraudulent? My the very old.
Comcast brand. If accepted, the new plan would save me a grandchildren--skeptics of Olympic quality--often wonder Thanks to the astuteness of a Target staff member, I
total of $3,600 over three years, an amount that gained my how I got to be 93 still contemplating bogus online offers. didn’t purchase a gift card. But, I came away feeling older;
attention. I called, and was immediately greeted with the But, even they were impressed by the seeming genuineness that however vigorous I am, I was contacted because I
string of prompts familiar to anyone telephoning Comcast. of the offer. The email address, the phone number and the am old, very old. I certainly intend to remain active and
engaged, but emerge from this encounter feeling far more
Board Of Directors vulnerable, far older, than I did yesterday.
Bob’s articles have appeared in The New York Times,
May 2021 – May 2023 Officers/Executive Committee The San Francisco Chronicle and in Next Avenue, the
publication of the Public Broadcasting Service. His
book, “What’s Stopping Me From Getting Ahead?” was
Chairman and President Barry J. Haberman District 5 Howard Weinstein (El Dorado)
Vice Chair Steve Retzer Esplanada, Caravelle, Palomar, La Corniche, published by McGraw Hill and is in five languages. 
Secretary Steve King and El Dorado
Treasurer Harvey Kaplan District 6 Connie Murray (Villa Flora)
Villa Flora, Montego Bay, Villa Del Sol, and Palladium Hot Topics
District Directors District 7 Alan Markoff (The Plum)
District 1 Mary Ann Frazier (Palms) The Plum/Cortina, Villa Sonrisa and Pointe 100
Encantada, Valencia and The Palms District 8 Robert Cornell (Costa Brava) Group Notice
District 2 Steve King (Imperial Royale) Costa Del Sol and Costa Brava
Promenade, Imperial Royale, Imperial, Regency District 9 Robin Gliboff (Edgewater)
and Panaché Edgewater Pointe Estates and Stratford Court We are a women’s group who remember Reva
District 3 Harvey Kaplan (Meridiana) At Large Directors
La Mirada and Meridiana Tucker. Hot Topics has resumed meetings every Friday
District 4 Michael Ehrentreu (El Viento) Through May 2023 Through May 2023 and are seeking new members. Please join us for lively
El Viento, La Paz, and Southwinds Chandra Stewart-Keith (Panaché) Barry J. Haberman (Encantada) discussions at 11:00am to 12:30pm at the Boca Pointe
Bob Greenstein (Lakes of La Paz) Marvin Lazarowitz (Villa Del Sol) Community Office. If you would like more information
Steve Retzer (La Mirada) Carsten Bethge (Valencia) or to sign up, please call 561-715-8298. 

All Realtors Are Not The Same!

We all have access to the MLS but only some of us are experts in our community.

The reason to choose The Hershon Team is for our expertise in Boca Pointe, and

our dedication to unequaled personal and professional service.

As residents and Club members, we are experts in Boca Pointe Real Estate.

Choose us for Experience, Honesty, & Integrity.

For Sale Call for 4 month or longer

PROMENADE Seasonal Rentals

Unique one per floor penthouse for 2023-2024
w/3 bedrooms & 2 baths with 1900 sq. ft
rooftop terrace. Designer finishes. 2 bedroom 2 bath,
$629,000 and 3 bedroom 2 bath

BUYING – SELLING – RENTING

Call The hershon TeaM

Karol & Marshall hershon

Visit Our Web Site: www.bocapointerealtors.com
Cell: (561) 213-4017 Eves. (561) 338-3582

E-Mail: hershonteam@aol.com

Boca Pointe members & residents

Boca Pointe Expert Realtors