What we're talking about

Merlene Crawford on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic It is great sadness, Bob, that you are leaving the airways. You made my afternoons. Please consider gracing the airways ... more
Anna on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Dear Bob: I will miss your cheerful voice and down-to- earth approach on thought- provoking topics covered in your programs. ... more
lee goodacre on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic its about time they pulled your kind off the air! haha..with ur filth and depravity haha..perth will miss the jugaunaut of ... more
michael on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic sorry your gone bob ,you were a wealth of knowledge humour and always lifted my spirits,take care mate we will all miss you more
Jack on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Bob, why you always do that? You give us the best and versatile show and then leave. You are the only one at 6PR with such ... more
fergal on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic all the best mate your a real radio legend a great laugh but always got the important points across when it mattered have a ... more
george on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic What a shame, a Great Radio Man, down to earth no bulls**t, Bob would have made a great Pollie, i for one will be sorry to ... more
Simon on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Bob, will miss you on 6PR buddy, take care mate and enjoy your retirement. more
cheryl on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic so going to miss you Bob more
Brett Clements on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic I will miss your show Bob. Unfortunately I tuned into 6pr in the past 6 months and I loved every minute of you on air ... more
Wayne on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Bob your retirement is a loss to the listeners. Your humour is second to none and is what I looked forward to daily. So far ... more
chas robinson on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic listened to your dribble in Perth, Sydney all around OZ for years.Now in retirement in Phuket. At least you were on the ... more
Miss Understood on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Poppy - my afternoons will never be the same again. I wish you nothing but luck with life and love. May the best of your ... more
Norma Miller on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Oh! Bob how sad that you are going. I am coming from Cairns next week just to listen to you (and Howard) I am in shock that ... more
Nigel Onamade on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic So sad to hear that you are leaving Bob. So who is going to take over the "grand father" role at the station now? Wishing ... more
Maureen on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Bob you will be sorely missed in the afternoons. No one can take your place but I am sure that Ted will try hard good luck ... more
Nancy Powell on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Bob Maumill, our family have been listening to you for many years and enjoyed it. I guess we don't expect you to stay on ... more
Ross Bailey on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Dear Bob Have been listening to you for years, you will be surely missed, best wishes for the future and look forward to ... more
Bazza on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Mr Maumill, came over from the UK 3 years ago and accidentally tuned to 6PR and have been avid listener since. Your show in ... more
sandra on Bob Maumill hangs up the mic Hi Bob will miss your sexy voice in the afternoon and your great sense of humour. Goodluck in your retirement but please ... more

Don't become another sucker

Posted by: Bob Maumill | 27 March, 2009 - 11:50 AM

It may be the cynic in me but I have never trusted smiling men in suits, encouraging me to give them my money whilst telling me they can make me rich and secure.

In the end lots of the suits end up rich and secure and the poor souls who hand over their money end up on television looking stunned and stupid and sobbing to a reporter that “I trusted them, I left all the details to them."

Bad Blue.

Never trust anyone to handle your money without carefully scrutinizing their background, the fine print, their fees, where your money is going, what guarantees you have and whether or not the smiling paper shuffler in the suit is licensed.

There have been too many collapses, rorts and downright thefts from trusting, gullible people, many of them elderly who are simply trying to acquire some security by building a financial base for their retirement.

In doing so they often trust the wrong people. Of course we know there are no certainties when it comes to investing money but far too often victims who lose their savings admit they did little research, relied only on the promoter or the investment advisor for advice, then foolishly signed their money away.

When things go wrong victims blame the regulators, the system, the smarties who took their money – everyone except themselves.

But the truth is, that in many cases they invested willingly in schemes that were too good to be true.

Of course there are times when even the most prudent investors lose their money but on many occasions those who see their money disappear have been attracted by the prospect high of returns and a smooth sales pitch.

There are a few truisms investors should keep in mind when someone is pitching a deal offering returns that appear too good to be true.

Rule One: If it appears too good to be true, it probably is.

Rule Two: If it appears to be too good to be true, there is a chance it is too good to be legal.

Rule Three: Never, ever, part with your money until you have obtained independent advice, that means an opinion from someone other than the smiling, well dresses helpful 'expert' pushing the deal - and his own barrow.

With the passing of time, we tend to forget the lessons that history teaches us but for as long as I have taken an interest in news and public affairs issues, there have been regular collapses, defaults, con games, pyramid schemes, and a plethora of get-rich-quick rorts that have parted fools from their money.

Don't become one of them.