Greg's Corner

Fake Girl Scouts don’t deliver on cookies

By Greg Collier

In further proof that scammers will stoop to any level, reports are circulating about a scam that involves the ever popular Girl Scout cookies. While we’re all familiar with the stands and tables that are typically set up outside retail locations, these aren’t the cookie sellers you have to worry about. Some Girl Scout chapters will allow you to pre-order cookies, and this is where the scam comes in.

The Better Business Bureau is reporting that scammers are going door-to-door taking phony cookie orders. Scammers take the money from customers and then keep the money for themselves. While Girl Scout cookies are relatively inexpensive in the long run, they’re popular enough where scammers can rack up a substantial profit.

If this scam wasn’t sad enough, both adults and children are taking part in the scam. We wish we could say this is the first time we’ve heard of children being used in a scam, but sadly, it isn’t.

However, the Girl Scouts have taken some measures to try to mitigate the risk of potential scams. First off, any Girl Scout who is going door-to-door should be wearing their uniform. If you’re paying for cookies by credit or debit card, there’s an app used by the Girl Scouts called the ABC cookie app where you can pay directly. Or, if you’d rather not pre-order cookies, the Girl Scouts have a website where you can see where a booth has been set up in your zip code. There’s even a number you can send a text message to for ordering cookies.

If you encounter someone who you think may be a cookie scammer, politely decline their offer and tell them that you’ve already ordered cookies through the app or website.