HELPING PHYSICIANS ATTAIN FINANCIAL SECURITY
By Robert M. Doroghazi, M.D., F.A.C.C.
I live in a neighborhood right across the street from the University of Missouri. Many of the stately homes built in the late 20s and the thirties were for deans of the various schools, so they could walk to work. Because of the proximity to the University, it is not uncommon to get solicitations for one thing or another from young people.
On a Wednesday afternoon, the doorbell rang. This is not one word of exaggeration. There was a girl in her early to maybe mid-20s, long black hair; one of the two or three most stunningly beautiful women I have ever seen in real life. Movie star good looks (In fact, she reminded instantly of actress Connie Sellecca). And dressed like a model at a New York City night club on Saturday night; knee-high boots with stiletto heels, mini-skirt, leather jacket and a very low-cut top!!
She said “Sir, I am from out of town. I’m selling magazines (she took out the sales brochure to show me but quickly put it back in her purse). If I can sell the most magazines, I’ll win a $5K prize”.
“I’m sorry ma’am, I’m not interested”.
Then she said “I’m not sure where I am, can you tell me how to get to the main road”
I pointed. “It’s right there” (only 5 houses away).
“Sir, I’ve been walking all around the neighborhood, and my feet are sore” as the bent far over right in front of me to rub her exposed thighs. “Could you please give me a ride”
None of this ever made any sense, but as soon as she said that I said to myself—Entrapment!! Watch out!! If she gets into my car, she could say I touched her, or her buddies could break into the house while they knew I was gone. I want nothing to do with this. I said “ma’am, I can’t help you”
Then she asked “Well, are there any nice people in the neighborhood?”
I said I didn’t know. She then walked next door to give them the same spiel.
I later called the police. They thought the story was as bizarre as I did and said they would notify the officers to be on the lookout.
Lessons:
1) Scams occur all the time. You must always be on the lookout; if things don’t add up, be skeptical. There are a lot of nasty people out there.
2) When I was in practice and saw a young lady as a new patient, I always had one of the office females chaperone me. I would sometimes even have a chaperone on a follow-up visit. I know a doc in Columbia who was sued in exactly this situation (It went all the way to trial; he won).
3) Call the police when this sort of thing happens. You might be able to prevent some problems.
4) After this all died down, I must admit I thought “Bob, if you were 21 years old and the hottest woman you ever saw in you life, dressed as she was, came to your door saying her feet hurt and she needed a ride, you would have thought you had died and gone to heaven.
RMD
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