Yes, it's that time of year again, when the scams come out of the woodwork. This year, the scammers aren't just using the phone and e-mail -- now they're using text messages to tell you that you've won a gift card.
From the BBB website:
How the Scam Works:
You receive a text message. When you open it, you are surprised by a message informing you that you've won a Best Buy gift card (or Target, Wal-Mart or other major retailer). You just need to go to a website and enter a PIN, and the card is yours.
The text's URL leads to a website that has the company's colors and logo. It looks authentic with the company's name as the site's sub-domain (example: www.bestbuy.scamwebsite.com).
You are asked to enter the PIN and an email address. Then, you are taken to a form and instructed to fill out your name, cell number, mailing address and answer unrelated personal questions, such as "Are you interested in going back to school?" and "Are you diabetic?" When you reach the page to "claim your gift card," you instead find yourself directed to another site to apply for a credit card.
The texts are just a way to collect personal information for shady advertisers. Scammers often change the store names and cash amounts of the gift cards. A typical text message is below:
"Black Friday Winner #88323! You have WON the Best Buy Gift Card for $1000! Get your prize at WEBSITE now! Use the code 5417."
So don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
Don't just ignore the text message, forward it to your cell phone carrier at 7726 (SPAM). Then delete it and forget about it. Don't reply to the message in any way or they'll keep texting you.
And remember, if a deal is just too good to be true...
Link: http://www.bbb.org/us/article/text-message-gift-card-scam-is-back-for-the-holidays-38633
Friday, December 7, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Media Rabblerousing and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
There's been a huge amount of debate over the Supreme Court's decision on the healthcare plan.
I've been reading some of the posts and I wonder, "Where on earth did you come up with that?"
It doesn't take long to realize that people are quoting and believing the rabblerousers of the media who are ranting away with any basis in truth.
Don't buy into the BULL DROPPINGS!
Remember, these clowns who are spreading misinformation faster than a speeding bullet are getting paid to get you all riled up. Before you go wild, take a minute and read the darn decision and at least the official synopsis of the healthcare bill. You might be very, very surprised at what the rant-and-rave radio hosts are just out-and-out lying to you about!
BULL DROPPINGS are easy to spread, but unless you're using them to fertilize your garden, there's no need to let them stink up your life and take up space in your mind.
HealthCare.gov - http://www.healthcare.gov/
Read the Law - http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/
The text of the US Supreme Court decision - http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/28/12458953-full-text-of-us-supreme-court-decision-on-health-care-laws
I've been reading some of the posts and I wonder, "Where on earth did you come up with that?"
It doesn't take long to realize that people are quoting and believing the rabblerousers of the media who are ranting away with any basis in truth.
Don't buy into the BULL DROPPINGS!
Remember, these clowns who are spreading misinformation faster than a speeding bullet are getting paid to get you all riled up. Before you go wild, take a minute and read the darn decision and at least the official synopsis of the healthcare bill. You might be very, very surprised at what the rant-and-rave radio hosts are just out-and-out lying to you about!
BULL DROPPINGS are easy to spread, but unless you're using them to fertilize your garden, there's no need to let them stink up your life and take up space in your mind.
HealthCare.gov - http://www.healthcare.gov/
Read the Law - http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/
The text of the US Supreme Court decision - http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/28/12458953-full-text-of-us-supreme-court-decision-on-health-care-laws
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Post Office Has Your Package!
Wow.
Now that takes some serious "mountain oysters", to phish using the Post Office's name.
There's a big banner across the top of the USPS.com website, warning people of the latest e-mail scam. Check it out:
Don't take my word for it, go to http://www.usps.com/ to read it yourself.
And in the meantime, don't fall for those BULL DROPPINGS in your e-mail box.
(You DO know it's a Federal offense to mess with the Post Office, right? Like, don't mail illegal substances, even if they're "legal" in your state. You'll be dealing with the Feds, not your friendly local yokels...)
Now that takes some serious "mountain oysters", to phish using the Post Office's name.
There's a big banner across the top of the USPS.com website, warning people of the latest e-mail scam. Check it out:
Don't take my word for it, go to http://www.usps.com/ to read it yourself.
And in the meantime, don't fall for those BULL DROPPINGS in your e-mail box.
(You DO know it's a Federal offense to mess with the Post Office, right? Like, don't mail illegal substances, even if they're "legal" in your state. You'll be dealing with the Feds, not your friendly local yokels...)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
"Grandma, I'm in Jail"
The phone rings at some ungodly hour.
"Grandma, this is your grandson. I'm in jail and they won't let me out until I post $*** in bail. Can you please help me?"
There's one HUGE problem with this scenario. It's not your grandson. (Or nephew, or niece, or cousin, or friend's kid.)
My parents' friend got one of these calls just the other night. She's a smart cookie and still sharp despite her 80+ years.
What did she do? She let him talk and talk, made conversation and asked him about his wife. Oh, wait. Her grandson DOESN'T HAVE A WIFE!
So she told him she'd see what she could do, got a return phone number to call him back, etc.
The cops weren't even interested in the case. Now that is sad. The woman got info that just might lead to the scammer and the local yokels weren't interested.
Talk about some serious BULL DROPPINGS!
It's up to us to protect ourselves. Make sure your family and friends know that:
Puleeze, the BULL DROPPINGS were so deep that I could smell them over the phone. Why?
"Grandma, this is your grandson. I'm in jail and they won't let me out until I post $*** in bail. Can you please help me?"
There's one HUGE problem with this scenario. It's not your grandson. (Or nephew, or niece, or cousin, or friend's kid.)
My parents' friend got one of these calls just the other night. She's a smart cookie and still sharp despite her 80+ years.
What did she do? She let him talk and talk, made conversation and asked him about his wife. Oh, wait. Her grandson DOESN'T HAVE A WIFE!
So she told him she'd see what she could do, got a return phone number to call him back, etc.
The cops weren't even interested in the case. Now that is sad. The woman got info that just might lead to the scammer and the local yokels weren't interested.
Talk about some serious BULL DROPPINGS!
It's up to us to protect ourselves. Make sure your family and friends know that:
- When people call from jail, it's a collect call AND the machine will tell you that it's coming from a jail before it asks you about accepting the call. So if someone is "calling from jail" and it's not collect and there's not a warning, it's fake!
- Know the whereabouts of your family members. Don't just take it at face value that the brat doesn't want Mom and Dad to know that he/she is in trouble. Call them up and ASK them. It's quite likely that your grandchild is safe at home in bed.
- Call the jail directly and ask if a person by that name is there. Trust me, they'll tell you.
- Just because a person is elderly, it doesn't mean that they're stupid. Scams have been going on for many a long year and a lot of our elderly family members have seen way more snake-oil schemes than we realize.
- Never, ever, ever give out a credit card number, bank information or send money via Western Union to anyone -- even a family member, without verifying the facts. And I don't mean going to the website provided by the scammer. Check by calling directly or going online to the website without using the scammer's "conveniently provided" links.
Puleeze, the BULL DROPPINGS were so deep that I could smell them over the phone. Why?
- He didn't call collect.
- His "cousin" could pick up the cash. (Really?)
- I called the jail and they said there was no one there by that name. (HUH, I thought so!)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Watch Out for Your Parents and Grandparents
On the FBI website, there are specific warnings for senior citizens: http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/seniors.
Often targeted because they're homeowners or likely to have excellent credit, senior citizens were raised in a different era, where the snake oil peddler scams were in your face, and later in the mail. Today's Internet crimes and telephone scams are increasingly targeting our parents and grandparents.
It's not that they're stupid! They most certainly are not! However, some of our older relatives are simply not accustomed to the variety and sophistication of these scammers. Plus, seniors are likely to be too embarrassed to admit that they were victims of a scam and afraid that you'll think they're losing their marbles.
Look, there are plenty of young people who fall for the BULL DROPPINGS, so we can't blame our seniors for falling into the same traps. Watch out for your older family members and be sure to warn them when there's a new scam going around -- like the VISA scam in my previous post.
We all have to watch out for the BULL DROPPINGS! No one is immune to a scammer, we can only keep our eyes open and when your BS meter is ding-ding-dinging like a smoke alarm after you burnt the cookies, you can pretty much be sure that there's more than just smoke in your eyes!
Watch out for your parents and grandparents, you just never know when the newest scam will blindside you and them. And if they're being taken advantage of by a friend, family member, or new love interest, call your local Adult Protective Services. Sometimes APS can get the money or property back if you report it quickly. Elder abuse, physical, mental and financial, is a crime. Don't let your loved ones be victims!
Often targeted because they're homeowners or likely to have excellent credit, senior citizens were raised in a different era, where the snake oil peddler scams were in your face, and later in the mail. Today's Internet crimes and telephone scams are increasingly targeting our parents and grandparents.
It's not that they're stupid! They most certainly are not! However, some of our older relatives are simply not accustomed to the variety and sophistication of these scammers. Plus, seniors are likely to be too embarrassed to admit that they were victims of a scam and afraid that you'll think they're losing their marbles.
Look, there are plenty of young people who fall for the BULL DROPPINGS, so we can't blame our seniors for falling into the same traps. Watch out for your older family members and be sure to warn them when there's a new scam going around -- like the VISA scam in my previous post.
We all have to watch out for the BULL DROPPINGS! No one is immune to a scammer, we can only keep our eyes open and when your BS meter is ding-ding-dinging like a smoke alarm after you burnt the cookies, you can pretty much be sure that there's more than just smoke in your eyes!
Watch out for your parents and grandparents, you just never know when the newest scam will blindside you and them. And if they're being taken advantage of by a friend, family member, or new love interest, call your local Adult Protective Services. Sometimes APS can get the money or property back if you report it quickly. Elder abuse, physical, mental and financial, is a crime. Don't let your loved ones be victims!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
VISA Telephone Scam
Just posted on my credit union's website!
----------------------------------------
!!! IMPORTANT MESSAGE !!!
Members have reported receiving phone calls from ”Visa” saying: “a temporary block has been placed on your card; if you would like to reactivate your card, press 1 and enter your 16 digit card number.”
*** *** FCU nor any of our affiliates have initiated these calls. Please keep in mind that you should NEVER respond to this type of request and you should NEVER provide your account or personal information to unknown third parties.
Please contact *** *** if you have any questions or need further assistance.
----------------------------------------
Great.
Just great. Now they're calling people on the phone, trying to get their VISA credit card numbers.
Don't fall for these BULL DROPPINGS!
Never, ever, ever give your credit card number or personal information to someone who CLAIMS to be from your bank, credit union or credit card. Instead, hang up and call your bank, credit union or credit card directly. The telephone numbers are on your bank statements, in the phone book, online and on the back of your credit card.
And don't forget to notify your bank when you get calls, e-mails or other communications from scammers trying to fleece you like a sheep on shearing day!
Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
(And don't laugh, these scams must work or the scammers wouldn't be working so hard at them...)
----------------------------------------
!!! IMPORTANT MESSAGE !!!
Members have reported receiving phone calls from ”Visa” saying: “a temporary block has been placed on your card; if you would like to reactivate your card, press 1 and enter your 16 digit card number.”
*** *** FCU nor any of our affiliates have initiated these calls. Please keep in mind that you should NEVER respond to this type of request and you should NEVER provide your account or personal information to unknown third parties.
Please contact *** *** if you have any questions or need further assistance.
----------------------------------------
Great.
Just great. Now they're calling people on the phone, trying to get their VISA credit card numbers.
Don't fall for these BULL DROPPINGS!
Never, ever, ever give your credit card number or personal information to someone who CLAIMS to be from your bank, credit union or credit card. Instead, hang up and call your bank, credit union or credit card directly. The telephone numbers are on your bank statements, in the phone book, online and on the back of your credit card.
And don't forget to notify your bank when you get calls, e-mails or other communications from scammers trying to fleece you like a sheep on shearing day!
Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
(And don't laugh, these scams must work or the scammers wouldn't be working so hard at them...)
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