Jane Hatfield

Her name was Jane Hatfield. She was a sweet, elderly woman, who was well into her late 80s. She lived alone in a quiet suburb and had a daughter, Anna, who checked on her from time to time. For the most part, she lived independently, paid her bills, made her own meals, went to church with the neighbors, and still drove on occasion. A couple times a week, her daughter would stop and visit. They would have dinner or go to a movie. Even so, Jane was very lonely. She would spend her days reading, watching TV, knitting, and spending time with her cat. She was very grateful for her daughter's visits and enjoyed conversing with the neighbors. Her beloved husband James had passed away, nearly 8 years ago, and she missed his presence immensely. What money he left her was used mostly towards paying funeral costs, so his loss was very much a hardship, both financially and emotionally.

One day, she received a call from a man with a thick, foreign accent, who tells her that he is with Publishers Clearing House and that she is the lucky prize winner of $2.5 million and a Mercedes-Benz. Jane is so excited and feels that it's her lucky day. The man, John Smith, proceeds to tell her that there is a delivery fee for the car and that she must pay taxes in advance of receiving the winnings. She is alarmed and expresses to him that she is on a fixed income and has no money for the $500 payment. He quickly tells her that they can make an adjustment and that $250 would be fine. Jane doesn't have that either. Mr. Smith says to her that surely, there is someone she can borrow from. She is very reluctant to do this, even for millions of dollars, so Mr. Smith says that he will have her talk to his supervisor. So, she talks to him, and he okays the amount of $50. She gratefully accepts, and he tells her that she needs to go to the nearest Western Union or Money gram to send the payment and gives her the address of where she needs to send it. After she does this, she calls him back to let him know. To her relief, he informs her that the check can now be delivered, and once she receives it, she will need to pay the remainder of the $500. Anxiously, she does this, but the check she receives isn't the $2.5 million that she was expecting. It was for only $2500. Mr. Smith tells her the rest is coming, but the $450 must be paid first.

A couple days later, a Rudolph Jensen from the FBI calls and tells her that she is guilty of check fraud and owes the American government $2500. Jane is horrified and says that cannot be possible. Rudolph continues threateningly that if she doesn't pay the $2500 immediately, that she will be incarcerated. Jane is begging and pleading with Rudolph. She doesn't have the money, and he threatens that she MUST come up with it. No excuses. She has committed a crime. Jane, out of desperation, remembers that she has some savings bonds tucked away that were reserved for her only daughter, for when she passes on. She agrees to cash some of these in to pay off the $2500 debt, and Mr. Jensen seems satisfied.

A few days later, she gets a call from 2 more agents, one from the CIA and the other, a U.S. Marshall. Both agencies are telling her that she is being charged with check fraud and conspiring with foreign intelligence to steal funds from innocent Americans. Jane is so upset. She is in tears and pleads with them that under no circumstances is she guilty of any wrong doing. The agents take turns badgering the poor woman, until she breaks down and tells them that she will do whatever it takes to clear her name. That gets them to stop badgering her, temporarily. She sends them another $2500, this time to a different address.

A day later, the scenario repeats itself. So-called agents call Jane and harass her. They change their story and their job titles but still employ the same tactics. Their goal, their mission is to rattle Jane, until she hands over money. When they get what they want, they leave her alone for a bit but will be back at it again. They do not care if Jane has to sell her home, beg, steal, whatever, so long as they get money, that is what they care about...

This crime happens every day in this country. Many times, an elderly person will fall victim to it because they may be lonely, naive, have mental problems or just desperate for cash. They are not the only victims though. Others will fall for this scam, believing that Publishers Clearing House is actually awarding them money. Having to pay taxes on winnings or delivery costs on a brand new car does not seem too far-fetched, so people pay it. It's a small sacrifice, when you think millions are coming. People will dig deep into their pockets to pay these fees, borrow money, spend their life savings, sell a home, go into debt. The scammers are professional con-artists. They can be threatening, but they can also be friendly, whatever it takes to get into a person's pocketbook. It's a cold, heartless, calculating business.

At my work I hear from people like Jane and others, who call to verify the legitimacy of these calls. Some will swear up and down that the callers and their stories are the real deal, no matter what I tell them. Scammers even go so far as to tell victims that if you believe in God, you can believe in me, and my offer is real. The lengths these people will go to rob people is unbelievable, but it happens every day.

So, if you get anything from this message, I hope that it is awareness. I only ask that you take that awareness and spread it. There are people out there, who need not be victims. All they need is a little education. Just think, Jane could be someone you know.