SCAM LIKELY

My six-year-old daughter has longed for a certain toy she saw in a TV commercial for a while now. Santa somehow forgot to deliver said toy on Christmas morning. But let’s be honest, “he” chose to not get that toy because it looks like a scam. It’s a hard lesson to learn and one she hadn’t yet. This toy’s promotional ad on TV with special effects and added audio made it appear to be fun— dare I say magical. They even had a disclaimer on the commercial that said those added effects were not included on the actual toy. This is a fact my daughter could not comprehend as I told her repeatedly about what the producers of that ad had done. Of course, she can not read yet since she’s only in kindergarten—and frankly the disclaimer was so small most would miss it anyway. I digress. She’s saved up Christmas money, birthday money, done chores, and as of the money she received inside Valentine’s cards she’s done it. She has enough to buy that ridiculous priced toy selling false magic to unknowing six-year-olds. We picked it up today curbside.

This is one of those situations where saying, “I told you so’ does not make me happy. I am not happy at all to report that the darn thing is not even close to magical. And the disappointment on her face when she learned that lesson I mentioned before was heart-breaking to witness.

I must get one hundred scam likely calls on my phone each day. They call during dinner and on weekends, early in the morning and late at night. I do not answer. My smartphone notifies me not to. If only toys that don’t work like they say they will came with a clear scam likely warning.

This “warning” could actually be very helpful in many life situations—when dating someone who is lying to you (scam likely), when your boss promises you a promotion that never comes (scam likely), when you are overpaying for something (scam likely), when the that product you’re using doesn’t actually work at all (scam likely)... I could go on and on. If only we knew in advance.

Funny thing is the toy she purchased was actually a crystal ball and supposed to tell your future... it could have come in really handy if it actually worked.

elena@societylifemagazine.com