Photo Scam Exposed

T 3rd Engineers El Toro Reservists train here Page A-2 aggress 1/4 Kaupiko Regatta held here Page A-8

Vol. 17 No 29 Photo scam exposed: not a pretty picture Female charm used to lure gullible separated from each other meats or consumer install- payment terms are similar to to be shipped after the final buyers into costly commitment and the males girls begin the ment sale agreements with. the terms of many credit card payment, coupons for re- hard-mell tactics. Often the starting balances of $900 - accounts and chalk up placement film, certificates Recently, Marines have clad, outgoing, talkative Marine is told that he is $1,400. Usually the maxi- hundreds of dollars in inter- for a few framed photo- fallen prey to a sham deal on sales girls. The sales girls being presented with a one- mum legal interest of 18 est. graphs to be shipped at the streets of Waikiki. They portray their initial approach time offer, at great savings percent per year immediately However, unlike most varying 'times, coupons to- are being talked into enter- as a survey, a scavenger over normal costs for such begins to accrue on that credit card purchases, the ward a limited number of ing photographic merchan- hunt, an invitation to a merchandise and services. balance. The interest on the buyer walks out of the sales photo enlargements, and/or and services clubs at party or just; plain flirting. The sales girls turn on the balance is calculated and girl's office with nothing other ambiguous services or diseexorbitant costs, including The girls talk to the Marines personal charm and portray billed to the buyer every tangible to show for his com- brochures. Usually, the high rates of interest on for a few moments, then. the business as a social ne- month, usually at the rate of mitment. What he can camera is not even delivered high outstanding balances. offer a ride to their offiee to cessity. What the buyers end 1.5 percent of the outstand- usually expect to receive for until after four installment The typical situation in- show the Marines "some- up getting is far from ing balance. The buyer is $90041,400 includes a cer- payments. volves young, male Marines thing." The Marines often necessary-and very costly. told to make a minimum tificate for it toy-like, simple The value for all of these being approached on the follow avidly. The buyers are induced to monthly payment which. plastic,' 35 mm camera, a items is often misrepresented streets of Waikiki by scantily Th.e Marines are then sign revolving credit agree- includes that interest. These certificate for a photo album. See SCAM/A-2 CG lauds Navy Relief effort HQMC to select The final result of the 1st MEB's 1988 Navy Relief Fund Drive career planners was a heart - warming example of the generosity of Marines and sailors, and their willingness to take care of their own. in move to end Please convey my personal appreciation to the Marines and critical shortage sailors. Their unselfish support ensures that Navy Relief can Continue to respond faithfully to those in need as it has for 84 ALMAR 1. 6 4 / 8 8 'a n - years. nounces the now policy of Again, congratulations on a job extremely well clone! Headquarters Marine Corps screening and selecting primary duty career planners. G.L. Cates Also, it cancels the volunteer Commanding General only Career Planning Force announced in ALMAR 242/ Editor's note: 3rd Bn., 3rd 87. Marines donated $15,075, 450 per- Since its inception, the cent of their goal. VMFA-235 con- volunteer Career Planning tributed $8,904, 373 percent of Force has failed to supply a their goal. sufficient number of accept- able applicants to fill table of Al organization (T/O) billets "I (8421). The primary reason ite04 %t goad for non. -acceptance has been the '"short-MOS" of the applicants who simply must one Callers continue to serve in their It has become apparent in recent weeks that pi,iple primary MOS. This shortfall the Dependent Outpatient Clinic at the Kaneohe Branch has an adverse effect on the Medical Clinic are finding th