I seem to be a beacon for telemarketers. I have switched numbers, had my name taken off numerous lists, went to a cell phone only and none of it seems to work. The latest and greatest called to ask if I would be interested in refinancing my home. Doesn't sound like a bad idea oh but wait.....I don't own my home.

I sold my house roughly 14 years ago, and we decided not to buy again until we moved to our final stop (hopefully) and guess what it's not California. So I explained to this rather friendly if not too bright person on the phone that I leased my home and that I'm quite sure it would be a waste to try and refinance my lease payments. He didn't seem to understand all that well. He thanked me for my time though and we parted company. That was the end of it, or you would have thought that was the end of it.

This wonderful little phone call took place about a day after I got home from our trip to Disneyland. Well guess what arrived in the mail today? I won't keep you in suspense, it was a check for $50,000.00 The stipulation on this check was simple. If I deposited this check I agree to the terms of the refinancing agreement made with the associate over the phone recently. I decided to make a phone call and explain to them that they had made some sort of error and sent me a check by mistake.

The phone call was made to some place back in Georgia. The young gal (young sounding voice) was very pleasant and had one of those really soothing southern accents that I just love. I explained to her that I received a check and that it had to be a mistake because I didn't own a home and so how could I refinance something that I didn't make payments to own. She looked it up and told me that I was wrong.....I must have made a mistake when I spoke with the Loan adjuster (who's name was Michael I found out). I decided that these guys were gems, so I explained to her that the only mistake was theirs, because I DON'T OWN MY FLIPPIN HOUSE!!!!!! She curtly told me that I didn't need to get loud and nasty. She then proceeded to tell me that if I had changed my mind about the refinancing all I had to do was tell them I changed my mind.

I told her no that was fine, I was going to keep the check and go ahead and refinance. So I deposited the check. It is of course on hold, because it's $50,000.00. I just wonder how long it will take them to realize that they gave me a check for $50,000.00 and I have no collateral to take that loan against. That's if the check is any good. I verified that it was indeed a real company and they are a large investment firm that deals with refinancing. So the check is sitting in my savings account and I figure I'll get a couple bucks in interest before they demand it back.

So if you don't own a home and you don't want to buy a house, but you want $50,000.00 maybe you will be the next lucky recipient of the refinancing company with an obviously extra spot of cash. I can hardly wait for the next phone call from these "professionals". I do believe that Ian has named it best...Carnival of Idiocy....And then they wonder why we are in a financial meltdown...Classic!!