The pay range is too large. Few things attract applicants like a good salary, which is why many recruiters try to be as broad as possible when listing the pay range in the posting. However, if the pay range is particularly large, don’t expect to receive a salary at the higher end of the spectrum.

Read more at AOL Jobs …

(Image: Thinkstock)

As much as you would like to believe it, no, you didn’t just win a brand new Mercedes Benz or $1 million just in time for the holidays.

That telephone call you may have received about your exciting “win” in a sweepstakes or lottery is just a scam, according to the Better Business Bureau, which is warning people to be on the lookout for such fraud.

Ironically, the scam artists perpetrating this current con are actually claiming to be from the BBB and they’re pointing people to a look-alike BBB website under the official sounding name: www.better-businessbureau.org. But this site contains misinformation and fraudulent claims.

The real BBB website, which is the only legitimate one you should use, is http://www.bbb.org/.

This con serves as a reminder that financial predators typically prey upon people’s innocence, their need or their greed. So don’t give con men the opportunity to take advantage of you.

Of course, with the holidays right around the corner, it sounds so very appealing to think that you may have won some fabulous, expensive prize or that you may have hit the financial jackpot.

But don’t be fooled. These bogus promises of winnings – which have targeted consumers nationwide and especially in Virginia and Michigan – are no more real than Santa Claus’s elves.

In reality, the calls appear to be coming from the 876 area code out of Jamaica.

That’s why BBB officials remind consumers that, for starters, the BBB does not conduct sweepstakes. So no one from the BBB would ever call you saying that he/she is an “agent” authorized to grant you a prize.

Additionally, the BBB urges people not to fall into the trap of turning over personal or financial information over the telephone to a stranger. That’s just setting yourself up for identity theft and financial fraud.

Instead, if you get a bogus sweepstakes call that is allegedly from the BBB, you should record the number and the conversation, then contact the BBB’s Scam Portal.

In the meantime, follow these other tips from the BBB to avoid becoming the victim of a financial scam:

• Don’t ever give out your credit card number, social security number, or personal data to someone you don’t know
• Don’t ever pay any money upfront in order to collect supposed winnings. Legitimate sweepstakes don’t charge you “shipping and handling” or “taxes” on your win upfront.
• Don’t ever wire money to strangers. If you lose your money, it’s gone forever and chances are you won’t be able to track down the recipient.

As I’ve said before, it’s a shame that scammers never take a break: not even for the holidays. On the contrary, during this time of year the financial hucksters and con artists seem determined to come out in full force to part people from their hard-earned dollars.

But it’s up to you to turn the tables on these economic predators, and make sure you use sound financial practices—and some good old -ashioned common sense—to avoid becoming a victim of someone who intends to do you financial and personal harm.

“Ask The Money Coach” is a syndicated column written by personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, co-founder of the free financial advice blog, AskTheMoneyCoach.com. Follow Lynnette on Twitter at @themoneycoach.

Speaking of dirty and slick: Be on guard against oil spill cons

Whenever there’s an opportunity, scammers often find a way to use their dirty little tricks to get into your pocket. Unfortunately, two scams related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have recently cropped up.

Stock Scams

The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority recently notified the public about oil spill stock scams, which promise financial gains from investments in companies that say they’re  involved in the cleanup. For example, last month, the SEC noted that it temporarily suspended trading in shares of Huntington, California-based ACT Clean Technologies Incorporated. The company claimed that BP was interested in using technology licensed to its wholly-owned subsidiary that could be used in the cleanup operation. ACT Clean Technologies Inc. also claimed that tests were done proving that their technology was effective for the oil cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico. The SEC says it moved forward with the suspension because it had questions about the accuracy and adequacy of this information.

Bogus Training

Know that you don’t have to pay to get training or a job to help with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Despite that fact, there are fake employment companies that are charging a fee for training and job opportunities. If you’re interested in getting involved with the cleanup, you can find legitimate opportunities by visiting the Deepwater Horizon Response Website or calling 866-448-5816.

How You Can Protect Yourself

You can protect yourself from falling victim to these types of scams. The SEC and FINRA offer the tips below on detecting oil spill investment scams. They say that a company might send out a press release, fax, or e-mail that might make the following claims:

• They have products or technologies that are effective in cleaning up oil spills or restoring the eco-system
• They advertise contracts with BP that will assist with the cleanup effort
• They claim the company is providing assistance or expertise to BP or U.S. government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency
• The company predicts rapid sales growth
• You must invest immediately

Furthermore, you can shield yourself from oil spill employment scams by calling BP directly and verifying the relationship between them and any employment company that claims to be offering jobs with BP.

Sheiresa Ngo is the consumer affairs editor at Black Enterprise.

Should you trust this guy with your stuff?

Whether you’re relocating to another state for a new job or moving into your dream home, you should be aware of moving scams. I should know; I’ve experienced my own moving mishap. When I was preparing to move into a new place not long after graduating from college, I blindly picked movers out of a phone book. Big mistake. I was hit with hidden fees on the day of the move. I was moving into a walk-up apartment building, so when I spoke to the moving company over the phone they mentioned an additional fee of $50 per flight. But once we got to my new digs, one mover said flatly, “You know we charge $100 per flight, right?” He claimed the prices recently changed. I was very young and very naïve—and much too shocked to protest—so I ran to the nearest ATM.  My final price was $400 more than the original estimate. They held my personal belongings hostage until I came back with the cash.

In light of my experience, I’m not surprised that the Better Business Bureau says it received more than 8,400 complaints against movers last year. The top complaints were about damaged items and final prices higher than the original quote. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your chances of getting scammed by movers. I wish I knew then what I know now, and that I had followed these three tips recommend by the Better Business Bureau:

Check a mover’s credentials. All interstate movers must be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Once receiving a license from this organization, the mover will receive a motor carrier number, which can be verified at protectyourmove.gov. It would be in your best interest to get this number and check it. In addition, check the ratings for the company at the Better Business Bureau Website. Don’t do business with any company that has less than a satisfactory rating.

Get three in-home estimates. Never accept a firm estimate online or over the phone. If the mover insists on this approach, it’s a red flag and a clear sign to move on to the next company. How can they properly assess the cost of the move if they’ve never seen your house? Make sure to have at least three moving companies come to your home for an estimate. Also make sure that the lowest estimate is actually realistic. Do your research and compare prices. You don’t want any surprises at the end of the day.

Know what you’re entitled to. Research and learn your consumer rights in your current state as well as the state you are moving to. If your rights are violated or the moving company does not fulfill its promise, reach out to the Better Business Bureau or law enforcement. The American Moving and Storage Association Website has answers to frequently asked questions that address how to file a complaint and settle disputes. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Website, Protect Your Move, has an extensive list of your rights and responsibilities as a consumer when you move.

Sheiresa Ngo is the Consumer Affairs Editor at Black Enterprise.

If a census worker shows up at your door, to protect your I.D., be sure to check theirs.

It’s that time again. The deadline to submit your census form is drawing near—April 1, to be exact. But that won’t stop scammers from making a last ditch effort to pull a fast one on you. I spoke with Scott Stevenson, an identity theft expert and president and CEO of eliminateidtheft.com, who says now is the time to be especially watchful. “Any time there’s a large-scale data mining operation, such as tax returns or in this case, census data mining, there’s an opportunity for con artists to steal your personal information and commit fraud and identity theft,” says Stevenson. Here are four tips to keep you and your information safe.

Be leery of visitors. If you fail to fill out and return your survey, it’s possible that a census worker will come to your house. However, you should not allow that person to gain entrance into your home. Census workers are never allowed to enter a resident’s home. If a worker knocks on your door, before you do anything, ask to see his or her official photo ID and call your local census office to confirm the information is correct.   

Don’t give up your money. The Census Bureau does not ask for payment for filling out and returning the form. They will also never ask for donations. If someone claiming to be a census worker asks you for money, this is a red flag.

Keep an eye on your e-mail. Another thing that the Census Bureau won’t do is send you an e-mail asking for financial or personal information or about participating in the survey. They state on their Website that the 2010 census will not be conducted via the Internet and they don’t send e-mails regarding the survey. If you’ve received an e-mail from an organization claiming to be the Census Bureau, immediately forward it to the Census Bureau’s fraud reporting e-mail address, which is ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov.

Pay attention to your questionnaire. Sometimes scammers will send fake forms in the mail. Make sure there are only 10 questions on your form. There should be no questions asking for your Social Security number, bank account number, or pass words. If this is the case, you have a fake form and you should immediately contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and fill out a mail fraud complaint form. It would also be a good idea to go to the Census Bureau’s Website and familiarize yourself with the questions on the form. Also pay attention to the questions that someone claiming to be a census worker asks you if you get a home visit.  “They will never ask for your social security number, bank account information, credit card information, or financial documents. If they come to your door and start asking questions that are not on the census form, they’re probably a con artist,” says Stevenson.

“It seems so simple,” Stevenson continues. “You get a form, you fill it out, and you send it in. But whenever there is some sort of confusion or deception that can come into play, you’re going to see criminals take advantage of that. Even though it seems very easy to fill this form out, the ways con artists can deceive you can be confusing and there can be chaos.”

So as you hurry to fill out that census form and mail it in, be on guard.

Sheiresa Ngo is the consumer affairs editor at Black Enterprise.

Check for legitimacy. Before donating to any organization, even some of the more established groups, it’s imperative that you know that the organization is legit and not a backyard operation looking to take advantage of your kindness. Second, make sure you understand where your money is going. As a business reporter, I usually refer to Guide Star when researching a nonprofit. You have to sign up on GuideStar.org to look at an organization’s financial information, but it’s free and well worth the seven minutes it takes to become a member. Guide Star allows you to look at an organization’s 990 tax form which itemizes its expenses, salary for top executives, and operating budget. From this form you can actually determine how much of the donations go to programming and how much go toward administrative and overhead expenses. Guide Star is one of the many companies that offer such services. You can also check out National Association of State Charity Officials and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

Figure out the tax status. There is a difference between “tax exempt” and “tax deductible.” According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), tax exempt organizations do not have to pay taxes. But that does not necessarily mean that your contribution to them is tax deductible. A tax deductible donation means that you can deduct it on your federal income tax return. If a tax deduction is important to you, ask for a receipt showing the amount you contributed and make sure it states that all donations are tax deductible, says the FTC.

See if your company will match you. Some corporations have matching gift programs where they will match employees’ charitable donations, doubling the amount donated. Check with your human resources department to find out if your employer matches charitable contributions. You can also check out MatchingGifts.com to look up corporations with matching programs.

Unfortunately, as many people as there are willing to help, there are also those only willing to help themselves. Scams have been making their way into inboxes claiming to be from the British Red Cross Society, according to security software company, Symantec. This spam includes the correct postal address of the British Red Cross in its appeal asking that donations be sent through Western Union, according to a blog written by Symantec analyst, Mathew Nisbet. The email address used in the letter does not belong to the British Red Cross.

Other scams include “old email spam campaigns, but include large chunks of text scraped from news Websites.”

If you’re still looking for a trustworthy and reliable organization to donate to, consider Doctors Without Borders, the American Red Cross, and other organizations mentioned here.

Also, actor Wyclef Jean and George Clooney are hosting Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief, a live telethon Friday night to raise funds for victims of the earthquake.

Renita Burns is a staff writer at BlackEnterprise.com

Dion Chavis was victim of an ATM skimming scam. (Photo by Keith Lanpher)

Small business owner Dion Chavis couldn’t figure out how $900 disappeared from his checking account. Chavis, also known as “Showtime,” the radio personality heard throughout the Hampton Roads area in Virginia, checked his bank statements and noticed a withdrawal had been made at an ATM some 120 miles from his home, yet his debit card was still in his possession.

Chavis discovered the missing monies in July, after a $50 purchase at Macy’s was declined. That morning he had paid $200 to install a new CD player in his car, but his account still should have had a balance of $1,500. A fraud representative at Bank of America told Chavis that the bank had frozen the account when withdrawals totaling $1,100 were made in less than 24 hours. Chavis was baffled. He later found out he’d been a victim of ATM skimming, a high-tech scam in which thieves attach an innocent-looking card-reading device over an ATM’s card scanner. The reader captures the person’s banking information; installed above the ATM is a hidden camera that records the user’s PIN number.

Chavis wasn’t the only victim. “When I spoke to the police in Richmond, they had 50 cases of ATM skimming that were actively being investigated,” he says. Although the thieves haven’t yet been caught, Chavis was lucky. Within 48 hours the bank refunded the full amount that had been pilfered from his account.

When the economy flattens, scammers are known to come up with innovative ways to separate hardworking folks from their money. In uncertain financial times, consumers are more willing to take risks to relieve the burdens of unemployment, foreclosure, and debt. That’s generally when opportunistic fraudsters step in. Since the recession began in December 2007, financial scams have increased, says John Breyault, director of the National Consumers League’s Fraud Center, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., that advocates on behalf of consumers. Results of a recent UNISYS survey reveal that three in four Americans are concerned about increased vulnerability to identity theft and fraud in light of the economy. “[Scammers] look for things on the news that will help them connect with their victims,” says Breyault. “They have learned that a good lie is based in truth—which is why some scams are especially confusing.”

Some of the timely topics scammers exploit: identity fraud protection efforts by banks, urging customers to keep their account and Social Security numbers private. Scammers also use topics such as bank closings, tax breaks, and government giveaways related to the Obama administration’s economic stimulus plan to incite interest from potential victims.

Identity thieves are using these news stories to their advantage, setting up Websites that imitate those of official government agencies, like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or the Internal Revenue Service.  Scammers known as pretexters (because they contact you under a false pretext) call or e-mail consumers and urge them to fill out forms on these sites in order to receive bogus tax refunds, recover money lost in a bank closing, or recoup investments stolen from them in a scam.

Employment scams are also on the rise. With unemployment reaching nearly 10%, the highest since 1983,  enticing job offers and advertisements have become a way to cheat consumers out of their money. All federal positions are listed and available free to the public on www.usajobs.gov, but several recent scams offer “previously undisclosed” federal government jobs—for a fee. These promotions usually mention the federal stimulus plan in an effort to anchor the scam in something legitimate.

The housing foreclosure crisis is yet another high-profile news story that scammers use to prey on consumers, says Breyault. In some instances, con artists tell a homeowner they can prevent the home from going into foreclosure—for a fee; in others, scammers promise to pay the mortgage for homeowners who sign over their deeds and pay rent. In both instances, owners are advised not to contact their lenders because any interference could jeopardize the new mortgage terms.

“They claim they’ll negotiate on your behalf, but even if they do, it’s nothing you can’t do for yourself by dealing directly with your lender or mortgage servicer,” says Frank Dorman, a spokesman for the Federal Trade Commission. “People in financial trouble at all socioeconomic levels can be misled by the promise of high reward for low effort.” The outcome of most foreclosure scams? The homeowner loses the house and no longer owns the deed, yet remains responsible for the mortgage. Such victims take the credit hit while the scammer gets away with the fee and, in some cases, rent money.

Here’s how you can avoid the latest cons.

Avoid high-pressure sales pitches that require you to buy now or risk losing out on an opportunity. A request to wire money immediately is also a sign of fraud. Never provide a company with personal banking information before receiving the products or services you are contracted to receive. “Generally speaking, reputable companies don’t ask for payment in advance,” says Dorman.

Thoroughly research any financial investment on your own before you open your wallet. Don’t rely solely on referrals from friends or family, says Ken Fisher, author of How to Smell a Rat: The Five Signs of Financial Fraud (Wiley; $24.95). Instead, ask about credentials and licenses, and consult your local office of the Better Business Bureau. Any company should be able to explain to you in 30 seconds or less how they make their money, says Breyault. Don’t let anyone brush off your questions or tell you their business is too complicated to explain.

Talk to your lender or creditor first. It should be your first point of reference. Also, the U.S. Cooperative Extension System provides personal finance education through local workshops, seminars, and home study opportunities and online at www.extension.org/personal_finance. To find an Externsion office near you, go to www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/index.html.

Be wary of all unsolicited offers of assistance with foreclosure rescue, credit repair, or job placement, Breyault advises, especially if they ask for bank account information or Social Security numbers. Remember, government agencies will never contact you by e-mail to offer assistance.

Place a fraud alert on your credit report if you believe your Social Security number has been compromised. Also file a complaint with the FTC.

Be discreet. Limit the information you reveal about yourself when making purchases. Consider removing your phone number and address from your personal checks, for example.

This article originally appeared in the November 2009 issue of Black Enterprise magazine.

My name is Michael and I’m very interested in buying you’r [sic] house. Please call me only if you’r [sic] interested. I will pay for it all cash[sic] call me at…

Michael.

If you’r [sic] not interested please ignore this letter. Thank you for your time. And have a blessed day!

There was no official letterhead, company name, or Website. Out of curiosity, I called the number and spoke to “Michael.” I told him I’m looking to sell a three-family brownstone and he immediately told me, based on the area (sight unseen), he could give me $300,000 in cash for the place.

When I asked about an appraisal, he said the appraiser will only “tell [me] what I want to hear and not the actual market value.” To start the process “Michael” wanted to come over that day to begin filling out paperwork, especially since he was leaving the country in two days and would not be back for a month — major red flag.

“Sell you home for cash” signs are ubiquitous, and unfortunately, sketchy, says Manny Alvarado, operation specialist for the New York Regional office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“Most of the time it’s a scam,” says Alvarado. “People say they’re going to buy your house for cash and then they tie it up in a contract for two or three months and what they’re really doing is getting financing,” he explains. Once financing is secured realtors will try to flip to making up to 100% profit.

While I did not know the exact value of the brownstone in which I lived, there were two brownstones in the area (one directly across the street) whose asking price ranged from $500,000 to $700,000.

“Low balling may be due to the fact that the sellers are offering the home up in cash,” says Roger Clay, president of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. While going through a real estate agent, using lawyers, and taking the traditional route of selling a home may seem be more bureaucratic, Clay says it may work in the homeowners favor since there are “more eyes on the transaction.”

The New York regional office of HUD has been cracking down on these quick sale scams for 12 years, says Alvarado. These salespeople prey on minorities and the elderly, he adds.

“HUD doesn’t have jurisdiction over the sales. It comes under the New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services. ”

To check out if a real estate agent is legit, Alvarado recommends visiting your state’s Department of State Division of Licensing.

If you are at risk of foreclosure, find a HUD approved counseling agency by visiting HUD.gov.

Renita Burns is the editorial assistant at BlackEnterprise.com.

Loan modification usually allows borrowers to reduce their interest on their loan, extend the length of the loan, offer a completely new loan, or some combination of the three. Since the cost of modifying a loan can be less than the cost of defaulting, this method can be mutually beneficial.

Unfortunately, companies are taking advantage of vulnerable homeowners. The Federal Trade Commission has filed complaints against Calif.-based Federal Loan Modification Law Center LLP, and Bailout.hud-gov.us, as well as Florida-based Home Assure LLC, and 68 other companies for fraud. Bill Anz, founding partner of Federal Loan Modification Law Center, defended his operation in an interview with the Associated Press. Anz said he will offer a refund to anyone who doesn’t get a modification. So far about 20% of the company’s 5,000 customers have received a modification, he said, with more in the works. “People might not like it,” Anz told AP, but “realistically, the problem is so large that the private sector must step in.”

The companies charge $1,000 to $3,000 in up-front fees that the FTC says legitimate nonprofit organizations don’t charge. After collecting the fees, many do little or northing to help consumers.

To combat these ill-intentioned reprobates, the FTC has joined forces with the Justice , Treasury and Housing and Urban Development departments (or as I like to call them, the Justice League). As part of the multi-agency effort, the justice department has more than doubled the number of agents investigating mortgage scams, and created a National Mortgage Fraud Team. The efforts come on the heels of Obama’s Making Home Affordable plan, announced in February , aimed at keeping up to nine million Americans in their homes by lowering monthly mortgage payments.

“American homeowners desperately need the relief this program offers, but the very last thing they need is to be taken advantage of as they try to hold on to their homes. This administration is deeply committed not just to providing at-risk homeowners with assistance but also to cracking down on anyone who seeks to defraud them,” Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said earlier this month.

Under the Justice League’s efforts, Chase Home Finance, Suntrust Mortgage, GMAC Mortgage, and American Home Mortgage Servicing, are distributing advice to consumers about avoiding mortgage relief scams and directing them to free, legitimate counseling services for at-risk homeowners.

How do you know if you’re being targeted by one of these nefarious companies? Here are a few questions to ask:

Are you required to pay fees upfront? If so, that is a red flag and you may want to reconsider using the company.

Were you asked to pay a fee in exchange for housing-counseling services or modification of a delinquent loan? These services are offered for free by consumer advocacy groups, so walk away.

Were you asked to sign over your deed? “Do not sign over the deed to your property to any organization or individual unless you are working directly with your mortgage company to forgive your debt,” says Making Home Affordable Website.

Were you asked to submit mortgage payments to an organization other than your lender, without your lender’s approval? That’s a no-no and a huge glaring red flag.

Where to turn if you’re facing foreclosure:
Obama’s site www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/
HUD-approved counselors
Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE
Refinancing FAQs

Renita Burns is the editorial assistant at BlackEnterprise.com

Ponzi schemes are an old scam named after Charles Ponzi, a swindler from the early 1900s who conned $10 million from investors by promising 40% returns on postage stamps and international mail coupons. The Ponzi scheme, also known as a pyramid scam, works on the “rob Peter to pay Paul” principle. The formula is simple: Money from new investors is used to provide a return to initial investors.

However, the scheme collapses when money owed to previous investors is greater than the money that can be raised by new investors — as was the case with the Madoff fiasco. Once the market declined, investors needed their money and started to withdraw. The whole thing collapsed like a house of cards.

“The problem is that people want above-market level returns and below-level risks at the same time. And those are two incongruent characteristics of the market,” says Ivory L. Johnson, director of financial planning at Scarborough Capital Management in Annapolis, Maryland. “Madoff got a 10% return on his investments year in after year out with no fluctuations. That is very attractive to people, but it is not realistic.”

Two things are at work: fear and greed, says Fred Joseph, Colorado Securities Commissioner and president of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), headquartered in Washington, D.C. People fear that they will outlive their savings or they greedily want something that promises to pay out a lot of money, he explains. “They are searching for alternative investments to current stock market returns or bank interest rates.”

Ponzi schemes aren’t the only investment frauds, but they do top the list of scam artists taking return-hungry investors to the cleaners, reports the NASAA. A close second is investment fraud targeting seniors. Other schemes include unregistered securities, promissory notes, offshore investing, and charitable gift annuities. Sometimes, there’s no product involved at all; only money exchanges hands. But Ponzis or investment scams, Joseph says, may be tied to a product such as real estate, generic drugs, jewelry, and even gold mines.

To make sure you don’t part with your money under fraudulent ploys, here are a few red flags to be aware of:

High Returns: Scammers will promise guaranteed returns higher than the current market. It used to be a 50% return. But in the current market, con artists are now promising a 10% to 15% return, says Joseph.

Low or No Risk: Every investment has risk. Generally speaking, the higher the yield, the greater the risk. Johnson warns it is not possible to get constant returns year after year on any investment. Some years you make money, and some years you lose money.

Urgency: Don’t be swayed by comments that you have to act now to make sure you can get in on the deal or that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Johnson also cautions.

Limited Documentation: Fraudsters rely on the fact that many people simply don’t bother to investigate or ask for detailed information. Madoff was able to get away with his scheme because he didn’t have an independent auditor, Johnson says. Reports should be generated by a reputable outside firm.

Secrecy: Beware if you are sworn to secrecy about the investment. Joseph says con artists often paint securities regulators as the bad guys trying to keep investors from capitalizing on a good thing.

Always check to see if the investment is registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission or local Securities Division. Make sure the person selling or managing the investment is licensed with your state securities regulator. Also check with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. “Don’t give someone all of your money based purely on a sales pitch,” Johnson says.

Joseph adds that unfortunately “people want to believe that everything is going to work out, that they will get their money back, and that they haven’t been conned. They want to believe in the tooth fairy.”