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The rest of the ZeekRewards and Rex Venture Group story will play out in some legal fashion and under rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. But all the recent action and maneuvering surrounding the Lexington-based company’s activities should be a reminder to us all about solicitations and investment opportunities that come our way.

Last week, the SEC filed a complaint against ZeekRewards in federal court and took action to shut down the company, alleging it to be a “Ponzi scheme.” The company, while not admitting any wrongdoing, has agreed to settle the SEC’s charges. The SEC alleged the company was paying earlier investors with funds paid to the company by newer investors, the typical way a Ponzi scheme operates.

A comment last week by Kevin Hinterberger, president of The Better Business Bureau of Central North Carolina based in Greensboro, is sage advice for all regarding any solicitation you receive to make an investment.

“Anytime we hear claims that sound too good to be true, red flags go up,” Hinterberger told the Enterprise.

In today’s high-tech world, con artists from all over the world can easily contact you via the Internet and get their hooks into unsuspecting victims. And they make their appeals so inviting, such as claims of making loads of money over short periods of time with small investment totals.

There also are the crooks who send out those sob-story emails after they have hacked into someone’s email. The email tries to trick you into sending money, saying someone you know, or maybe even a family member, allegedly is stranded somewhere and needs money.

Remember such a scam happened a few months ago when an email account of N.C. Rep. John Faircloth of High Point was hacked. Someone sent a bogus message from Faircloth appealing for money to help him after being robbed and assaulted on a trip in London. At the time, Faircloth was on the job in Raleigh representing his district.

Authorities also say grandparents can especially fall prey to such schemes if a fraudulent email comes purporting to be from a grandchild. It’s become such a problem that some area hospitals include warnings about such schemes during informational classes they hold for future grandparents.

The N.C. Attorney General’s Office has a toll-free number, 1-877 5-NO-SCAM and website — http://ncdoj.com/Consumer.aspx — to contact if you receive a questionable solicitation. If you do, send up your personal red flag and check with the attorney general or Better Business Bureau. It could save you money and some headaches.

— The High Point

Enterperise/MCT