The con artists were thrilled when a frail ninety-year-old lady opened the door. But their excitement wavered when a massive dog named Max appeared behind her.
Olivia Smith, although ancient, was quite modern for her age. At ninety, she connected with her grandchildren on Skype and paid her bills online. “Why waste time at the post office?” she often remarked.
Olivia had buried her husband twelve years back. The only companion in her life was her equally aged dog, Max—a name bestowed upon him by Olivia’s late husband. Every morning and evening, the neighbors would see Olivia stroll by, cane in one hand and leash in the other. The leash was more for appearance; Max had never bitten anyone, even in his prime, despite his intimidating looks.
Olivia was well aware that elderly and solitary individuals were prime targets for scammers. Her grandchildren warned her, the local constable advised her, she read about it online, and just months ago, a friend tearfully shared how her funeral savings had been swindled.
So when the doorbell rang, Olivia was cautious. Two youngsters, a man and a woman in their mid-twenties, claimed to be from social services.
“I didn’t call for anyone,” Olivia said, her eyes narrowing knowingly.
“Oh, we came on our own,” the man grinned broadly. “Have you bought anything from the pharmacy in the past month?”
“Of course I have,” Olivia replied. “At my age, I visit the pharmacy as often as the grocery store! Ninety years isn’t a joke!” She could recount her purchases and medications endlessly.
However, the young visitors seemed uninterested in her stories.
“You’re entitled to a government refund! It’s a new support initiative. Let’s step inside, you find your receipts, and we’ll take care of the rest,” the woman suggested.
Olivia smiled to herself. She knew this trick: uninvited guests enter, one distracts while the other searches for valuables.
The couple entered the living room, and the woman immediately asked Olivia to join her in the kitchen for some water.
“Certainly, dear! And you, young man, Max will keep you company,” Olivia smiled.
Right on cue, Max sauntered in, sleepy but alert to the strangers’ presence. Despite his age, he looked menacing.
Olivia left the room with the woman. Max moved slowly toward the man and stared him down.
“If you snoop around, I’ll have your head,” Max seemed to convey. The young man didn’t dare move a muscle.
Unsurprisingly, the duo quickly remembered pressing engagements and tried to leave.
“What about the refund for the medication?” Olivia asked with a trace of irony.
“We’ll get back to you,” the woman mumbled, hurrying to the door.
Olivia watched them go, closed the door, and patted Max. Then, she called the local constable, describing the pair for him to look into these so-called social services.
