Is This A Scam? (long)

[Ed_L]

I received this is e-mail today, and although it sounds good, I wonder about the company they recommend. Here it is in it's entirety:


>
>
> We CAN help America TODAY
>
> No doubt you have heard dire predictions about the financial devastation
> that will occur when the US stock market re-opens.
>
> This will be a second devastating attack on America if we allow it to
> happen.
>
> We DON'T have to allow it to happen. Here's what YOU can do to help
> prevent
> it...
>
> When the markets re-open, in a show of support and solidarity, BUY at
> least
> one share of stock in a U.S. company.
>
> Open your minds to imagine what a SLAP in the face of terrorism it would
> be
> if the American markets actually RISE instead of PLUNGE when they
> re-open!
> Can you think of a STRONGER
> message we could send to those who would seek to destroy our way of life?
>
> WHEN THE US MARKETS RE-OPEN, BUY AT LEAST ONE SHARE OF STOCK IN A U.S.
> COMPANY.
>
> If you DON'T own stock and don't have a stock account, look at the bottom
> of
> this e-mail for information about how you can do it quickly and easily
and
> cheaply. This e-mail is sponsored by
> no one, so if you also have a suggestion for people without stock
> accounts,
> please add that information before you forward this e-mail.
>
> We do NOT have to be the VICTIMS of the US stock market like we were the
> victims of four hijacked planes.
>
> WE are at the controls of our stock market and WE can determine its
> course.
>
> WHEN THE US MARKETS RE-OPEN, BUY AT LEAST ONE SHARE OF STOCK IN A U.S.
> COMPANY.
>
> This e-mail is started by an average citizen just like you. WE can create
> an
> unbelievably POSITIVE revolution by participating wholeheartedly in this
> movement to support the USeconomy.
>
> If we all participate in a massive stock selloff, then we are BOWING to
> terrorism. We do NOT have to do that. We have a choice.
>
> People by the hundreds of thousands are lining up to donate one pint of
> blood. Think of the effect we can have if we line up in the same way to
> "donate" to the American economy!
>
> For very little money you can DO something to show would-be terrorists
> that
> they will NOT win.
>
> If you are willing to dismiss this because you are "just one person,"
then
> look at the footage that's being replayed constantly on the TV and
> consider
> the tremendous impact that just a dozen
> people had on our world yesterday.
>
> YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
>
> Take part in this revolution and forward this e-mail to everyone on your
> mailing list. We can reverse the tide of the finanical carnage throughout
> the world just by doing that.
>
> Do you want to show support for America? Then show support for American
> companies.
>
> WHEN THE US MARKETS RE-OPEN, BUY AT LEAST ONE SHARE OF STOCK IN A U.S
> COMPANY.
>
> Imagine the headlines we will read when we all make this happen...
>
> "US Financial Victory -- Of the People, By the People, and For the
> People."
>
> Respond with STRENGTH instead of FEAR when the US Markets open. In that
> way,
> and ONLY in that way, WE win!
>
> Thank you in advance for your participation. We SHALL overcome!
>
> Peace, A US Citizen Fighting Back
>
> IF YOU DON'T HAVE A STOCK ACCOUNT NOW AND WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS
SHOW
> OF SUPPORT FOR THE US AND WORLD ECONOMY:
>
> ONE resource is a company called "Frame-a-stock," which allows you to
> purchase a single share of stock for as little as $18.00 and without
> having
> to open up any kind of trading account.
> You can contact them at:
> http://www.frameastock.com/shares.html
>
>
>
>

[thomasgeorge]

I am somewhat skeptical. Perhaps this is "legit", but I would just as soon buy a US savings bond, and continue my regular shopping and buying habits. Almost sounds like some broker or group thereof are looking for commissions. By continuing to follow our regular routines and not taking any precipitious actions, the economy will manage to struggle through. We have been in an "economic hangover" for quite some time and attempts to artifically stimulate a market which needs to stabilize naturally have never worked--except to the advantage of the greedy. Tom

[Ed_L]

Excellent point - well taken.

Ed

[thomasgeorge]

Thanks for posting it Ed. We all are going to have to be extra alert for these types of things---especially anything which appeals to Patriotic feelings. Scam artists and the greedy never seem to take vacations, although I would be happy to invite 'em to a special meeting of the "up-lift" society, to be held at the nearest Cottonwood tree should any care to accept the invitation. They could have all the tar and feathers they can walk away with as a free door prize!! Tom

[jeaniesa]

One of my red flags for spam is any e-mail that says: "forward this e-mail to everyone on your mailing list." Then I usually do a search on snopes.com and vmyths.com, but didn't see mention of this one. Of course, it would be fairly new, so my guess is they haven't seen it yet. In any case, I agree with Tom. Better to go about our "normal" lives than artificially prop up the market.
-Jeanie

[DJ Dubovsky]

The idea isn't a bad one but I would do what Tom suggested by buying a bond if you have the need to buy stock, or talk to a reliable broker or even better just keep buying products without fear. If the consumers keep spending, that is even better than buying stock I would think as it helps raise the stock prices of those companies you purchase from. Just don't let these circumstances change your lifestyle. As for going to that specific company to get an $18 stock, I wouldn't.
DJ

[Doug Nelson]

I don't think it's a scam in the traditional sense, but it does seem to be a particularly reprehensable example of opportunistic marketing.

And, for the record, I've seen several analysts on CNN and FNN saying that the worst thing anyone could do financially is buy any stock for reasons they would not have had a week ago.

[Ed_L]

Another *possibility* is that this is one of bin Laden's brainstorms. If the site was actually a ripoff, he could stand to make quite a bundle of American dollars to be used against us. Just a thought.

Ed