Free Money Scam Sweeps Country

The headline reads "Free money giveaway of historic $2 bills also solves everyones Christmas shopping list."¹ But is it really a headline? Upon first glance, this article looks genuine. Two whole pages of my local weekend insert are covered with this story, photographs and graphics. They seem to be banking on people missing the small print on the top of the page claiming this to be an "advertising feature."²

This reserve bank is emptying it's vaults for fresh, new money.  All you have to do is call in to reserve your bank book loaded with bills. The call center is open for four days only and people are directed to call one of two numbers, dependent upon the first letter of their last name. The article ends with "So, on your mark, get set, go."³

One photograph shows a line of people outside of the Bureau of Engraving in Washington, D.C. receiving some type of handout from a uniformed individual. Another photograph shows workers sealing huge stacks of freshly printed bills. The second page holds two photographs on a background of bills of various denominations. One of those photos is the call center "bracing for the flood of calls,"⁴ and the other photo shows a family at Christmas receiving bank books full of money. The bank books are impressive. They are several inches thick, with a raised Seal of The United States on the front.

You look for a catch. What you find is that you must buy a bank book of either ones, fives, tens or twenties in order to receive the free $2 bill. The book of ones is $49, which, if the bank book is a large as indicated in the photograph on the second page, is a great deal. The call center is going to open in minutes, what should you do?

Think. Put the idea of giving this interesting Christmas gift to grandpa aside, and think. It will take little to no time to do some quick research online.