Please don't tell me that you sent off your Social Security number and personal information to some anonymous online job posting.
Oh my gosh, please don't tell me you did that.
Seriously, if you've found a job listing that you're really, really interested in and it was in an online classified like craigslist.org -- run!
These days, it's really hard to tell the oblivious from the scammers. There are some real job postings out there, but if they want you to submit all your personal information before you even know who they really are, the odds are against you.
With your SSN, name, address, date of birth, and heaven forbid your bank information, a scammer can rob you and you may not even know it.
At least, not until the IRS says, "Hey, you were working two states away and we want the tax from that income!"
Not until the computer company finally contacts you and says, "Hey, we had a heck of a time tracking you down. We want the money for that computer you ordered online. You know, the one you bought with instant credit..."
Or, true story, until the apartment manager looks at you funny after seeing your application and asks for a picture ID. Because you ALREADY LIVE THERE! At least, according to his records...
Identity theft is no joke!
Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS. Wait to give your personal information until you've had a real interview. Like, in person even!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
There's A Warrant Out For Your Arrest!
Oh my, the scammers just work and work at trying to separate you from your identity.
Just this week a co-worker sent me an e-mail to verify. Sadly, it's a real one.
Someone calls you on the phone and tells you that they're calling from the courthouse and that you have a warrant out for your arrest because (get this!) you missed JURY DUTY!
"But I didn't miss jury duty, I didn't get a notice."
"Well, I'm going to have to verify this, it will just take a few minutes. I'll look you up. What's your social security number and birth date?"
BING BING BING!
There's the operative word, they want your SSN!
First, the courts and the jury duty staff DO NOT call you! Not going to happen, there's not enough time in the day to call up every person who no-shows for jury duty. (Sad, but true.)
Second, they would NEVER, EVER, EVER ask you for your SSN.
A fool and his money -- and identity -- are soon parted.
Don't be a fool, don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
From www.snopes.com: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity/juryduty.asp
Just this week a co-worker sent me an e-mail to verify. Sadly, it's a real one.
Someone calls you on the phone and tells you that they're calling from the courthouse and that you have a warrant out for your arrest because (get this!) you missed JURY DUTY!
"But I didn't miss jury duty, I didn't get a notice."
"Well, I'm going to have to verify this, it will just take a few minutes. I'll look you up. What's your social security number and birth date?"
BING BING BING!
There's the operative word, they want your SSN!
First, the courts and the jury duty staff DO NOT call you! Not going to happen, there's not enough time in the day to call up every person who no-shows for jury duty. (Sad, but true.)
Second, they would NEVER, EVER, EVER ask you for your SSN.
A fool and his money -- and identity -- are soon parted.
Don't be a fool, don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
From www.snopes.com: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity/juryduty.asp
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Political Scene
Oh
My
Goodness!
The political scene is so full of BULL DROPPINGS that it's hard to sort them all out. The mud slinging has commenced and will flow continuously until the election in November. It's going to be a longggggg October.
One thing that you, the voter, should do is research your candidates thoroughly. A good place to start is FactCheck.org http://www.factcheck.org/. While some conservative types think that FactCheck has a liberal bias, I believe that they're fairly well balanced.
In any case, don't buy into the BULL DROPPINGS, don't take anyone's word for anything (not even mine) and remember, the more mud a candidate throws, the bigger the skeleton he/she is trying to hide in his/her own closet. And if you catch a candidate in a lie, it's a sure thing that there are a whole lot more lies -- that's just the one that got caught.
We don't need any more liars in office.
Think about it...
My
Goodness!
The political scene is so full of BULL DROPPINGS that it's hard to sort them all out. The mud slinging has commenced and will flow continuously until the election in November. It's going to be a longggggg October.
One thing that you, the voter, should do is research your candidates thoroughly. A good place to start is FactCheck.org http://www.factcheck.org/. While some conservative types think that FactCheck has a liberal bias, I believe that they're fairly well balanced.
In any case, don't buy into the BULL DROPPINGS, don't take anyone's word for anything (not even mine) and remember, the more mud a candidate throws, the bigger the skeleton he/she is trying to hide in his/her own closet. And if you catch a candidate in a lie, it's a sure thing that there are a whole lot more lies -- that's just the one that got caught.
We don't need any more liars in office.
Think about it...
Friday, June 25, 2010
Watch Out On Freecycle
I recently posted on a freecycle site and received two replies, supposedly from different people.
Funny how both replies included, "I was planning to publish a cost-free offer for it, but I saw your desired post very first, very good timing! I put up a couple pics and my position upon this web site."
Hmmmm, does something seem strange about those posts?
On top of the weird language, in both cases, the name on the e-mail did not match the name at the end of the message.
Look, never, ever, ever click on a link provided by someone who replies to you in such an odd way. Especially when you get two messages that are so similar from two "different" people. Whether the intent is to get your e-mail address (for spam) or to direct you to a dangerous or porn site, just don't do it. Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
(Freecycle groups are found on yahoo. They're all over the country and a wonderful way to find new homes for everything from furniture to pets. They keep perfectly good stuff out of the landfill -- all for free!)
Funny how both replies included, "I was planning to publish a cost-free offer for it, but I saw your desired post very first, very good timing! I put up a couple pics and my position upon this web site."
Hmmmm, does something seem strange about those posts?
On top of the weird language, in both cases, the name on the e-mail did not match the name at the end of the message.
Look, never, ever, ever click on a link provided by someone who replies to you in such an odd way. Especially when you get two messages that are so similar from two "different" people. Whether the intent is to get your e-mail address (for spam) or to direct you to a dangerous or porn site, just don't do it. Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
(Freecycle groups are found on yahoo. They're all over the country and a wonderful way to find new homes for everything from furniture to pets. They keep perfectly good stuff out of the landfill -- all for free!)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Yolo Officials Warn Of Text Scam - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento
Yolo Officials Warn Of Text Scam - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento
Read the article carefully, this scam could be coming to your cell phone next!
Read the article carefully, this scam could be coming to your cell phone next!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
The IRS Sent Me An E-mail -- They Owe Me Money!
IRS Notification: Refund/Stimulus Payment
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
United States Department of the Treasury
Dear Taxpayer,
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $773.80.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
To access your tax refund, use the form attached to this email.
----------------------------------------
I instantly knew it was fake because I OWE the IRS money, because the IRS doesn't send e-mails, AND because it says "Dear Taxpayer". If it was real (if the IRS sent out these kinds of e-mails) it would have my name on it.
This is just a scam to get you to fill out the form with your Social Security number and bank information!
Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
When in doubt, check www.snopes.com. In fact, speaking of snopes, here's the link to this phishing e-mail: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/phishing/irsrefund.asp
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
United States Department of the Treasury
Dear Taxpayer,
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $773.80.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
To access your tax refund, use the form attached to this email.
----------------------------------------
I instantly knew it was fake because I OWE the IRS money, because the IRS doesn't send e-mails, AND because it says "Dear Taxpayer". If it was real (if the IRS sent out these kinds of e-mails) it would have my name on it.
This is just a scam to get you to fill out the form with your Social Security number and bank information!
Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
When in doubt, check www.snopes.com. In fact, speaking of snopes, here's the link to this phishing e-mail: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/phishing/irsrefund.asp
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Warn Your Family About Check Fraud!
Please do yourself and your family a huge favor and talk to them about the latest check scams going around.
Here's the deal.
Generally, a person is asked to deposit a check into his/her bank account. (Sometimes it's a money order.) The check will be made out to him/her, printed on check stock, it actually looks pretty good.
The victim is to deposit the check, usually through the ATM, and in a few days withdraw the money and give the money to the scammer. The scammer will convince him/her that it's really a good check, that they're hiding money from their ex/the IRS/creditors, or some other BS, so it's all good, no risk at all to the victim.
Yup, it's BS.
The person who deposits the check WILL be charged with a variety of FELONIES!! Even though he/she is a victim of the scammer. No one will believe that he/she is so foolish as to deposit a check and not know that it's fake. District Attorneys are a-holes and will not believe the victim, period!
People are truly naive about the dishonesty of others.
The scammer will throw him/her under the prison bus without a single thought of the long lasting consequences to the victim. Bluntly, no matter how nice, how honest, how caring they seem to be, they're just thieves in the temple and WILL NOT care what happens when they get the stolen money in their hot little hands.
So, talk to your family, your friends, your loved ones and make sure that they know to turn that other cheek and RUN like the wind if anyone approaches them with the idea of depositing checks or money orders into their bank accounts.
It will be bad, very bad, if they get sucked into the scammer's lies.
Trust me.
Please. Just trust me on this one. For your family's sake.
Here's the deal.
Generally, a person is asked to deposit a check into his/her bank account. (Sometimes it's a money order.) The check will be made out to him/her, printed on check stock, it actually looks pretty good.
The victim is to deposit the check, usually through the ATM, and in a few days withdraw the money and give the money to the scammer. The scammer will convince him/her that it's really a good check, that they're hiding money from their ex/the IRS/creditors, or some other BS, so it's all good, no risk at all to the victim.
Yup, it's BS.
The person who deposits the check WILL be charged with a variety of FELONIES!! Even though he/she is a victim of the scammer. No one will believe that he/she is so foolish as to deposit a check and not know that it's fake. District Attorneys are a-holes and will not believe the victim, period!
People are truly naive about the dishonesty of others.
The scammer will throw him/her under the prison bus without a single thought of the long lasting consequences to the victim. Bluntly, no matter how nice, how honest, how caring they seem to be, they're just thieves in the temple and WILL NOT care what happens when they get the stolen money in their hot little hands.
So, talk to your family, your friends, your loved ones and make sure that they know to turn that other cheek and RUN like the wind if anyone approaches them with the idea of depositing checks or money orders into their bank accounts.
It will be bad, very bad, if they get sucked into the scammer's lies.
Trust me.
Please. Just trust me on this one. For your family's sake.
A Despicable Version of the Nigerian Scam
Oh man, just when I thought I'd seen everything, this one popped up in my e-mail!
Can you Assist me!
Monday, January 18, 2010 1:40 PM
From: "Capt.Ruddy Howard"
To: undisclosed-recipients
Hello my friend, I am Capt.Ruddy Howard with the United Nations troop in Afghanistan, on war against terrorism.
Based on the United States legislative and executive decision that we must evacuate Iraq immediately for Afghanistan, Now we are in Afghanistan military base and I will be redeployed back to my country military base soonest, come next year 2010,
Our mission is to help beef up terrorist targeted states, mostly the United States and the European Union on the war against terrorism.
On the other hand, I want to inform you that I have in my possession the sum of 10.2 million USD, which I got from crude oil deal here in Iraq. I deposited this money with a Red Cross Agent informing him that we are making contact for the real owner of the money and it is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for the money.
I want to invest the money in a good business as soon as I am redeploy, anyway you will advice me on that since I am not a businessperson. I am an American and an intelligence officer for that so I have a 100% authentic means of transferring the money through diplomatic courier service .
I just need your acceptance and all is done. Where we are now we can only communicate through our military communication facilities that are secured so nobody can monitor our emails, then I can explain in details to you. I will only reach you through email, because our calls might be monitored, I just have to be sure whom I am dealing with.
If you are interested, please send me your personal mobile number so I can call you for further enquiries when I am out of our military network. I am writing from a fresh email account so if you are not interested do not reply to this email and please delete this message, if no response after 3days I will then search for someone else. I wait for your contact details so we can go into action.
In less than 5days, the money should have been in your position and I will come over for my money. I will give to you 30% of the sum and 70% is for me because I know that nothing goes for nothing I hope I am been fair to you.
Alternative Email Address: ruddyhoward@aol.com
Regards, Capt.Ruddy Howard
Can you Assist me!
Monday, January 18, 2010 1:40 PM
From: "Capt.Ruddy Howard"
To: undisclosed-recipients
Hello my friend, I am Capt.Ruddy Howard with the United Nations troop in Afghanistan, on war against terrorism.
Based on the United States legislative and executive decision that we must evacuate Iraq immediately for Afghanistan, Now we are in Afghanistan military base and I will be redeployed back to my country military base soonest, come next year 2010,
Our mission is to help beef up terrorist targeted states, mostly the United States and the European Union on the war against terrorism.
On the other hand, I want to inform you that I have in my possession the sum of 10.2 million USD, which I got from crude oil deal here in Iraq. I deposited this money with a Red Cross Agent informing him that we are making contact for the real owner of the money and it is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for the money.
I want to invest the money in a good business as soon as I am redeploy, anyway you will advice me on that since I am not a businessperson. I am an American and an intelligence officer for that so I have a 100% authentic means of transferring the money through diplomatic courier service .
I just need your acceptance and all is done. Where we are now we can only communicate through our military communication facilities that are secured so nobody can monitor our emails, then I can explain in details to you. I will only reach you through email, because our calls might be monitored, I just have to be sure whom I am dealing with.
If you are interested, please send me your personal mobile number so I can call you for further enquiries when I am out of our military network. I am writing from a fresh email account so if you are not interested do not reply to this email and please delete this message, if no response after 3days I will then search for someone else. I wait for your contact details so we can go into action.
In less than 5days, the money should have been in your position and I will come over for my money. I will give to you 30% of the sum and 70% is for me because I know that nothing goes for nothing I hope I am been fair to you.
Alternative Email Address: ruddyhoward@aol.com
Regards, Capt.Ruddy Howard
Now, as always I have no fear of publishing this clown's e-mail address. This is a very creative version of the latest Nigerian scam. However, check this out:
- An American military man stealing "10.2 million USD"? OK, first, he'd write it as 10.2 million. No need for USD.
- Next, he's going to contact me via military channels? Are you CRAZY?
- Note the usual assortment of bad grammar and punctuation.
- Why me?
Give him my personal cell phone number? What? THINK NOT!!
What a bunch of BULL DROPPINGS! This is just a despicable version, using the guise of a US military officer to try to scam you out of your hard earned money.
The scammers get more and more creative every day so just keep your eyes open, your mouth shut, and don't believe everything (anything) some stranger tells you. Even if you read it on the Internet.
Even if it was me.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Oh My, This Scam Will Spread Like Wildfire!
Oh, no, I just read this article and realized that this scam is going to spread like wildfire! http://www.hometownsource.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11852:latest-phishing-scam-hooks-businesses-customers&catid=1:latest
It's slightly more complicated for the scammer, but it looks like it will be a very lucrative scam for the ID thieves who are targeting car dealerships and their customers.
Once more, if ANYONE calls you, asking for your credit card numbers, bank information, Social Security number or any other personal or financial information, DON'T fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
The bank has your information, they don't need you to "verify" a darn thing. If it's a store or other retail/Internet source, tell them you have to look it up and call them back. DO NOT use the number they gave you. Either walk in to the store and ask to speak to the manager or look up the correct number and call your credit card directly.
You really, really can't be too careful, the scammers are getting more and more creative every day!
It's slightly more complicated for the scammer, but it looks like it will be a very lucrative scam for the ID thieves who are targeting car dealerships and their customers.
Once more, if ANYONE calls you, asking for your credit card numbers, bank information, Social Security number or any other personal or financial information, DON'T fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
The bank has your information, they don't need you to "verify" a darn thing. If it's a store or other retail/Internet source, tell them you have to look it up and call them back. DO NOT use the number they gave you. Either walk in to the store and ask to speak to the manager or look up the correct number and call your credit card directly.
You really, really can't be too careful, the scammers are getting more and more creative every day!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Top Ten Scams
My friends, the State of Virginia has kindly provided the top ten scams that are out there right now. http://www.oag.state.va.us/CONSUMER/Top_10.html
The Top Ten:
When in doubt, check it out. And if it seems too good to be true...
The Top Ten:
- Federal Grant Scams
- Telemarketing
- Foreign Lottery
- Identity Theft
- Sweepstakes
- Advance Fee/Nigerian Letters
- Medicare Scams
- Phishing
- Online Shopping
- Home Improvement Fraud
When in doubt, check it out. And if it seems too good to be true...
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