From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 5 March

I never thought – but it has!  Despite being cautious, and reading carefully the scant fine print, I have been conned in a purchase scam. 

IN my defence, it was the lack of fine print by which I was duped. While the loss is not great, what should have cost $58 has been charged at $250, it is the audacity of the scammers which is so back-teeth-grindingly irritating.

Only after the event, when I was saw the total which had been charged to my credit card and called the 1800 customer support number, did I realise it was a clever scam. When asked, the call centre representative who answered the phone claimed to be in Salt Lake City but, from the accent, was obviously somewhere in the Philippines or Malaysia. Her lack of understanding when I mentioned the word Mormon confirmed my suspicions.

Also, I should have halted any further purchase processing – and closed the website – when my computer security software suggested the website was dubious.

Gallingly, there is little one can do except report the theft to your bank, make certain there is a stop on any further erroneous payments, and to investigate the possibility of reversing the charges.

In this instance the Health Boost Company, which claims to be based in Salt Lake City, sent only one of the expected three bottles.

After making up-to six phone calls, including to the Salt Lake City police department, and relentless badgering and harassing, did they capitulate, promising to send the missing product, plus an additional bottle as compensation. The proof of the pudding…

What I have learned from this experience is to exercise more caution. These con artists, thieves, are experienced. They know how to play the game. It is their modus operandi.

We have to remember: caveat emptor – let the buyer beware!

To my chagrin, these days I am rarely afforded the opportunity for a long and varied discussion with men and women under the age of 25.

The recent Fiona Elsie Cancer Research Institute soirée presented me with a perfect opportunity.

Andrew Nicholson, the oldest child of Richard (Nicholson Construction) and Paula (chair of Fiona Elsie Institute and Ballarat Arts Foundation), indulged my interest for several hours, and on a wide range of subjects.

Andrew is a University of Melbourne science graduate and works in the financial sector.

Naturally, the conversation turned to politics. While Andrew was careful not to reveal the party for whom he voted, he did say, and it has caused me to contemplate in some depth, “When I look at the politicians from both the major parties, I don’t see anyone who represents me.” I was astonished, and dismayed, that his milieu of friends, feel disenfranchised by the current political status quo.

If political parties are genuinely concerned about good governance above staying in power, they should pursue, with enthusiasm, those young people whose world it is. It could be argued, too many aged men and women make decisions for young people, with, and about whom, they have too little contact, or understanding.

All arrive at a juncture in their lives, when it comes time to hand the baton to the next generation, however difficult to relinquish. While they may not be immediately experienced, they need to be nurtured and trained. Those possessed of the wit and wisdom – the years of experience – need to be on stand-by to steady them should they stumble.

Attitudes need to change, and soon, lest it be too late.

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald at 10.45am Mondays on 3BA and contacted via [email protected].