In Which I Am Seduced by a Scam
Claire Scott

“Every year tens of millions of Americans
collectively lose billions of dollars
to scam callers.”
—New York Times, January 27, 2021

I admit it, I pressed #1.
Not realizing I was sailing off a cliff. Like Thelma and Louise.
After all I’d had a terrible horrible day, missed the bus,
spilled coffee on my boss, and bruised my ankle climbing
six flights to my cockroached apartment.
A soft-spoken man answered, a lilting accent, said I could
get a refund for the antivirus software on my computer
that is now filled with maggots and malware.
He assured me he could fix the problem. If I let him
access my computer and remove the faulty software,
which could cause my computer to blow up any second now,
and yes, I admit it, I logged into my online banking,
he sounded so nice, talked about his four kids
after I gave him my social security number
and my birth date and he, kind man that he was,
wished me an almost happy birthday, and oh we were doing
so well, and for sure I could use the $4300 to pay back my sister
for the loan she gave me for the rent on my rat hole.
I noticed his cursor flitting across the screen,
hovering over my bank account. He said he needed
my password and then we would be done.
I would see the money in my account in five days.
I felt like inviting him over for a drink.
Wouldn’t you?

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Claire Scott’s Comments

“In Which I Was Seduced by a Scam” is meant to be amusing, although it is all too real for many. I continue to be amazed at how clever scammers are, always one step ahead. It used to be that all you had to do was check the email address to see if it is a scam. I have had a number of friends seduced by scammers. I find writing what I hope are humorous poems lightens my day.

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