It seems like there is a plague of gullibility affecting or community recently.

Last week there was the report of a woman who was sexually abused by a man who claimed to be a medical professional involved in performing house-to-house breast examinations.

Reports have also reached us of two sisters from St. Vincent who each lost $5,000 when they paid a strange man to find them men to marry so that they could obtain their immigration green cards. They both gave this man cash over two months ago and the man cannot be found since.

These incidences of abuse and scams on the unsuspecting, and those in great need seem never ending. People are desperately in need of something daily. They need to solidify their immigration status, get documents to rent an apartment, get a mortgage, buy a car, or something. In their desperation they shell out large sums to people they hardly know, but who convince them that they can fulfill their needs. In so many cases these facilitators can and will never be able to do anything to help, but to take one’s money and run. Difficult situations have opened the way for an entire new breed of scam artists.

But our people need to stop being so gullible. They need to think. Why would a man be walking on he streets offering breast exams? Did the victim even bother to check out of this man had any credentials? Why would a woman pay over $5,000 dollars to a stranger to find a husband? Did she know where this man lived? Did she ever meet the alleged man she was supposed to marry?

But the depth of gullibility gets worst. We hear of people paying large sums to attorneys who they believe to be honest and qualified, not because they have checked out their credentials, but only because they have heard them promoting their practice on radio programs. This is very foolish.

It is also a foolish thing for people who we think are educated and articulate to be paying money to a university whom credentials we cannot verify to obtain doctorial honor degrees. An honorary degree is just that; an honor to bestowed on outstanding members of a community. They are offered free, not sold nor even exchanged for a monetary contribution.

Money is too hard to come by in the community to be yanked away by people who only seek to pry on the desperate needs of others, folly, vulnerability and their gullibility. It is still true, and will ever be so that if it looks too easy - beware. Scam artists do not necessarily dress poorly or look suspicious. Many wear designer suits and dresses and drive luxury cars. That’s how they can afford to dress and drive well - by using all kind of scams. Many of them really talk a good talk, and are very persuasive.

We appeal to everyone to listen carefully, to these people who are offering the best solutions for the best prices. There is usually a flaw in their arguments. If it sounds too good to be true you can bet your last dollar, if you have one left, that it is not true.

Teens and fast cars

Of course jost parents love their children and seek to express that love by giving them expensive gifts when they reach their sixteenth birthday. In many cases this gift is a car. We either buy them a car or assist them with the money to buy that car. But, is this really expressing love for our children?

Week after week there is news of teenagers killed in tragic accidents, because they drive much too fast. Teenagers and cars have become as dangerous as gasoline and fire. Normally well-behaved, obedient, respectful young men and women seem to be possessed by an urgent death wish when they get behind the wheel of a car. This death wish is enhanced when the teen goes to a nightclub and rushes home afterwards. There always seem to be a car with another teenager or young driver waiting at a stoplight to challenge him or her to a drag race resulting in tragedy.

What can we do as parents? To be honest, we are not certain. We can only suggest that if we really love our children we should try to refrain from putting them into a car until at least their eighteenth birthday – hoping they will develop a stronger sense of responsibility and driving skills. Of course they are going to nag and hound us to drive. But if we really love our kids, we will say no. We just may be saving their lives.