“Officer, officer, stop that man! He just stole my identity!”
In my several years at college thus far, I have noticed something rather frightening.
People are way-too-easily drawn by free stuff.
For example, outside the library (I passed him on my way in to type this) is a man standing behind a table, laden with clipboards, t-shirts, tiny FM radios. Hand-lettered sign proclaim, “2 free gifts with sign up.”
Sign up for what, exactly? A credit card? A bid for one’s blackened soul?
People are lining up, but is anyone asking, “What is it for?” The very words “free stuff” appear to drive rational thought out of many heads.
In this age of technology, anyone can make professional looking documents from the privacy of his own home. For all anyone knows, this guy could just be collecting addresses and telephone numbers under the guise of scrupulousness.
I like freebies as much as the next college student, but be wary when they come at a price. Make sure that so-called free t-shirt or radio is truly worth the trouble!
Perhaps I’m a shade more paranoid than the rest, but, in the end, I feel it’s worth the hassle.
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April 19th, 2005 @ 6:58 pm
This seems to be very correct. By this way those people are getting access to the important personal information like SSN etc.
April 19th, 2005 @ 7:53 pm
I agree. I avoid those people at all costs. Is it really worth a lifetime of ruined credit for a free t-shirt?
April 19th, 2005 @ 9:09 pm
At WPU a week or so ago, they had a barbeque going, proclaiming free food… Turns out the food was only free if you donated like.. five bucks.
April 24th, 2005 @ 3:56 pm
Sadly, the same thought came to my mind as I passed the very same man and said to my boyfriend, “What are they signing up for?”, he replied, “Probably for a Credit Card.” I just don’t think people take the time to gaurd themselves properly these days. You and I must watch the same news pieces.
*Please ignore all injustices to the English language;
I’m a Biology major.