One morning, at 7 a.m., as I was considering getting out of bed at an earlier hour than usual, the phone rang with a voice asking me about my Who’s Who information. I should have been wary when the caller stated my wedding date as my birthdate.

Since I have appeared in several Who’s Who publications over the years I answered a few questions and even gave my email address so they could post the Who’s Who information for me to check. Never before had I been asked to correct or add to my Who’s Who information on email but this is a techie age and I complied.

I joked that they would have to call this old “lady” each year to check if I were still around. But they weren’t checking to see if I were still in the land of the living. They were out to get their $95 up front and probably even more for the plaque and publication of my Who’s Who.

I didn’t wait long enough to find out what the plaque and book would cost but bowed out as soon as I could hang up.

Since this was the morning that I was to take my special weekly pill to help strengthen my bones and I had to sit up at least a half hour after taking it, I thought I might as well go to my computer and Google "Premiere Who’s Who." I found a listing for Premiere Who’s Who scam.

I pride myself on not doing any business by telephone but the early hour of the call caught me unaware. It took me almost 15 minutes to realize that this was not the Who’s Who I could trust to publish without pressuring me to purchase or join something.

Interesting how the promise of fame or fortune can twist one’s judgment. In my case I only lost 15 minutes of my time, precious time in my 80's I must admit, but I could have lost much more if I had not been concerned about my finances.

Well, my half hour of sitting up is almost over and I not only avoided being scammed, but I have written a story that I hope can alert others to such manipulation by phone.

After my bank changed hands and policy and the television industry messed up everyone who doesn’t have cable, I am thinking about moving to another planet. Better yet, I decided to support a group intending to end Corporate Personhood. If you don’t know what that is, Google it.

It is time we took back our power as citizens and we might as well start now. Our president cannot clean up the mess all alone.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 206-935-8663.