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# Santa Monica Thanks for the heads-up
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-thanks-for-the-heads-up-editor/
- Published: 2008-02-29T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T18:40:56.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Cherie Rodgers*

Ms. Melody Hanatani does a service by bringing this scam to the attention of the public (“Business scam hits Westside,” page 1, Feb. 27). I am a lawyer and suspicious by nature, but even I had to read through this letter carefully to figure out that it was a scam. Constantly in a rush, as are most business owners, I almost paid it! I can imagine that many business owners have indeed paid it. However, Ms. Hanatani’s article doesn’t dig deep enough. I can’t imagine that something this misleading is actually legal (despite the fine print at the bottom). Perhaps you can check with the Secretary of State to see whether their office is on top of this?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 29, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022908.pdf?ref=smdp.com)