Video transcript: Scammers R Us
Title: ‘Scammers R Us’
Description: This video clip was created by students from four secondary schools in the Geelong region – Sacred Heart College, The Geelong College, Clonard College and Kardinia International College. The students won first prize in the scams category of the 2012 Consumer Stuff Film Fest, the schools based competition run by Consumer Affairs Victoria. The video comprises filmed action acted out by the students.
Description: A young girl appears on screen. She is wearing a white t-shirt. Her name is Petunia.
Petunia: All I wanted to do was to go to New York to see the bright lights of Times Square, ride a yellow taxi, go on Broadway, see the statue of liberty. I wanted to be a real New Yorker. That was the dream until I got scammed and lost all my life savings. Now, I guess I’ll never go to the city of dreams. I’ll be stuck in this city of garbage.
Voice over: But, wait. What if Petunia had of had someone to guide her through the scammers ways, to help her follow her dreams and get to New York City?
Description: Petunia is sitting on her bed in her pyjamas, and has a laptop computer.
Description: Petunia reads from her laptop.
Petunia: OMG! My third cousin from Germany just passed away. OMG! She was a princess. OMG! She was so rich. But, whoa, she’s left me so much money. I don’t even know how many zeros that is.
Music: We hear a musical sound
Description: A young girl suddenly appears at the side of Petunia’s bed.
Petunia: Who are you?
Anti-scams genie: I’m the anti-scams genie. I’m here to protect you through any scams you may face.
Petunia: Genie, you’re making my head spin. I’m not exposed to any scams in modern life.
Anti-scams genie: What was that email you just got?
Petunia: It was from my fair cousin, she just passed away. She’s left me all of her money.
Anti-scams genie: Do you know her name?
Petunia: Not exactly.
Anti-scams genie: Well, don’t you think it’s a scam?
Petunia: Well, it could be.
Anti-scams genie: Never give your bank details online, especially on emails. I’m going to help you three times. You’ve already used once. I hope I don’t have to see you again.
Description: Petunia has moved into her lounge room and is sitting on a settee. She picks up the remote control to turn the television on.
Music: We hear some music coming from the television, and then her phone rings.
Description: Petunia answers the phone call.
Petunia: Hello, Petunia speaking.
Description: We see a young man sitting in an office. Behind him on the wall is a sign that reads: Scammers R Us. He will be referred to as the Scammer.
Scammer: Hello. You are the lucky winner of an iPad.
Petunia: Oh, my God. Really?
Scammer: Now, I just need to get your name, address and um, er, your credit card details for you to claim your prize.
Petunia: Okay, I’ll just get my bank details, says Petunia, jumping off the settee.
Scammer: Okay.
Petunia: I’ll just be a moment.
Description: Petunia walks into another room to get her bank details.
Music: We hear a musical sound.
Description: The anti-scams genie appears before Petunia.
Anti-scams genie: Stop! We need to have a talk.
Description: Petunia and the anti-scams genie sit down on the settee.
Anti-scams genie: Did you enter any competitions?
Petunia: No.
Anti-scams genie: Then, how does he know your details?
Petunia: Oh…
Anti-scams genie: Does he know your name and address?
Description: Petunia speaks into the phone.
Description: Do you know my name and address?
Scammer: Oh, I gotta go. I think the line is breaking up. I gotta go. Sorry about that.
Description: The scammer hangs up the phone.
Scammer: That was close!
Petunia: He hung up on me!
Anti-scams genie: I guess he’s not legit.
Description: The anti-scams genie clicks her fingers.
Music: We hear a musical sound.
Description: The anti-scams genie disappears.
Description: There is a knock at Petunia’s front door and the door bell rings twice.
Description: Petunia opens the front door.
Description: A man with a clipboard is at the front door. He will be referred to as the Charity Scammer.
Charity Scammer: I was just wondering if you want to donate some money to elephant mutation world wide. We help elephants all around the world with five legs.
Petunia: That sounds like such a nice thing to do. It’s not a scam, is it?
Charity Scammer: Of course, not, honey. Now, how much do you want to donate? Two thousand dollars? Can I please have your credit card details? Thank you.
Description: The Charity Scammer hands his clipboard and pen to Petunia.
Anti-scams genie: Stop! Do you know who this man is?
Petunia: No.
Anti-scams genie: Why are you giving all your details to him?
Petunia: You’re right, genie, you’ve saved me once again!
Anti-scams genie: This is your third and final anti-scam saving. I hope I have taught you right and you don’t cross paths with me again.
Petunia: No, thank you.
Description: Petunia pushes the charity scammer away.
Description: Petunia closes her front door.
Petunia: Thank you anti-scams genie.
Charity Scammer: Damn it, I nearly got her money. Now I have to find someone else to scam!
Description: We see Petunia wearing a tee-shirt with I heart NY. She is standing against a New York city backdrop.
Voice-over: Thanks to the anti-scam genie, Petunia didn’t throw all her money away to scammers but followed her heart to New York.
Description: We see the charity scammer approaching another door.
Voice-over: However, there are many scammers out there trying to ruin your dreams. You could be next.
Description: The charity scammer knocks on the door, and a young woman answers.
Young woman: Yes?
Words on screen: Be scam smart.