Almost getting had by a con artist feels a lot like dodging a serial killer.
If you’re a business owner, that is.
Because the right scam can kill a business.
Apparently, there’s one running around — and I barely dodged them.
I got lucky.
It all started with a second opinion.
Something didn’t feel right.
“Let’s do a double date,” I said.
The con artist agreed.
My goal was simple: Watch how they interacted with their significant other. It reveals a lot.
Mysteriously, the other half didn’t show up.
Secondary goal: Get an unbiased opinion.
And as this person chewed with their mouth open — ordering drink after drink after drink — their true intentions started leaking out.
I caught a few red flags I might’ve brushed off (open-mouth chewing aside).
But my wife picked up on the subtle stuff I missed.
After paying the $657 bill (my wife and I only racked up $125 of it), we pieced it all together in the car.
I told them I’d have to pass.
Shortly after?
They got arrested — for exactly what they would’ve conned me for.
Again, I got lucky.
Two big takeaways/reminders:
Always trust your gut. If it smells rotten, it probably is.
Get a second set of eyes on anything major. Perspective is priceless.
Oh, and one last thing — they never reached for the check, or even said thank you.
But man, I’m thankful now.