FRAUD ALERT!!! -- Suspicious Microsoft Service Phone Calls (Update #3)

Reposted: *7 Nov 14
Originally Posted:  9 Aug 13


Update #1:  Another sensible response to this threat might be the "National Do Not Call Registry (click here)".  You may register up to three phone numbers.  You will receive a separate verification-email for each registered number.  Each takes effect 31 days after verified registration.

Update #2:  At the bottom of this article, I gave a link to StopFraud.gov.  On further investigation, the type of telephone fraud discussed herein is supposed be reported to "FTC - Telemarketing Scams (click here)" -- and I have placed a report in this case.  THE MORE WHO FILE A REPORT, THE GREATER PRIORITY THE MATTER SHOULD SURELY RECEIVE FROM OUR BUSY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO MUST MAKE THE HARD CHOICES.

*Update #3: 7 Nov 14  -- a comment today on this bulletin led me to realize that this problem is still in play and that this bulletin might be helpful to those who hadn't seen it yet.  So, it is being reposted.

---

Purpose

To caution fellow Internet/Microsoft users (and helpful Apple users) concerning a particular fraud I encountered, yesterday, from the phone number, 1-631-621-0001 (a New York area code but, well...).

This particular fraud has, in my view, serious threatening implications for the unwary.

The Story

1.  Yesterday, I received an unsolicited phone call  --  purporting to be a (garbled) company working on behalf of Microsoft.  (My operations are largely PC-based.)  I was instantly suspicious but curious to see where this was leading.

2.  The caller said that Microsoft was checking because they had indications from my computers (all of them, so they said) that I was encountering hidden errors that were threatening my security (more alarm bells, here -- I have super security measures in place -- not infallible, but high confidence is justified).

Besides, how could Microsoft (or any company) afford to do such a trivial, unnecessary task -- much less detect when millions of individual users are in alleged need -- and notify each one?

3.  I was then asked to run my "Event Viewer" and when I complied, playing along, they tried to interpret the various successful actions of my system as being errors (clearly absurd).  Yet, the spoken accent was so heavy, I needed to be sure I wasn't misinterpreting the words.

4.  During the course of their "troubleshooting" they guided me to a remote-control site which would enable them to take over my computer -- "just to look at the so-called error codes and determine what action they should take."  ABSOLUTELY NOT -- I HEARD ENOUGH TO REMOVE FROM THEM THE BENEFIT OF ANY DOUBT.

5.  At this point, I asked for a phone number so I could call back and confirm that I had a bonafide caller.  They were apparently ready for this, as they maintained a polite-seeming attitude and gave me the number without hesitation.  Here is the number I was given:  1-631-621-0001.   After hanging up, I immediately Googled the number and this is what I found (click here).

6.  As you can see from the Google Search, many have experienced this ploy -- and it is a terrible ploy, at that.  Once they dupe you into downloading the remote-control app, they can then take remote control of your system, can plant malicious codes that can track your keystrokes (or do other unpleasant things), and can access sensitive information to play havoc with your life.

Next Steps

I am still very angry -- but I haven't called back.  Still, I just hate to see this fraud perpetrated on innocent users -- without my doing something to take these miscreants to task.  I'm pondering my punitive alternatives to help society fix this -- but meanwhile, I thought you should be given this "heads-up."

For starters, I have begun exploring "StopFraud.Gov," with a view toward filing a report -- either there or someplace more appropriate. (See Update #2, at the top of this article)

Please comment below, if you have anything to add.

Down with the corruptors of our precious Internet blessing!  

Up with precautions for friends 

-- and with strong law enforcement alternatives!

David Nelson


All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

QUICK NOTE: From USA.gov -- HOW TO AVOID HEALTH SCAMS (Pub.)

Posted:  24 Jul 14

Friends,

If you're not familiar with the wealth of free tools our magnificent government provides us -- from all levels of government -- then, you may be existing at a bit of an unnecessary disadvantage.

This is to call your attention to the above point; to tell you that you can subscribe to the mighty USA.gov -- (Federal-level) and change your world a bit; and to give you the link to the above mentioned publication.

To get your FREE PDF-copy (or copies, if you desire), of the publication, entitled: "Health Scams," just click the following link and fill out the little order-box on the right of the screen.  Here you go:

http://publications.usa.gov/USAPubs.php?PubID=6071

In their own words: "Health fraud can cause pain and suffering, and cost you money. Learn to recognize scams before you get taken. Includes examples of typical claims to watch out for. (Previous item number: 576Y)"

David Nelson

All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you
can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.

DOUBLE-SCAM ALERT! Miscreant Impersonates Peace Officer in Telephone Scam (& More)

Posted:  9 Sep 13

TEN THINGS WORTH KNOWING
& DOING -- RIGHT AWAY!

A.  FIRST SCAM

1.  In addition to the below police warning of rotten telephone behavior, a similar practice has attacked personal computers with a vicious form of infection referred to as "Ransomeware."

2.  One example of this Internet crime:  In this example, if you are attacked, an alarming, very official-looking warning, purporting to be from the FBI, locks your screen and does something like this: (1) accuses you of downloading child pornography (or some other serious crime); (2) threatens you with an arrest warrant; (3) says that to avoid arrest -- and unlock your computer -- you must pay a $300 fine; (4) Instructs you to pay at once, using a reloadable prepaid card ONLY (no other payment form accepted) -- upon which, you will receive an "unlock code"; (5) freezes your ENTIRE SYSTEM (so that you can do nothing with it at all) and says you must pay before your system will be unlocked.  

B.  SUGGESTED INTERPRETATION & WEIGHT

3.  ISN'T THAT UTTERLY DESPICABLE?  Like some diabolical fisherman casting a wide net to see what "fish" can be caught.  And holding his catch for ransom.   A revolting display of misdirected human creativity.  The police will never do this, so you should never be duped by this sort of thing.  

4.  AND, I AM SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE  This happened to me, about 10 days ago, and I lost a few irreplaceable hours, figuring out exactly what to safely do -- I'm counting on saving you some precious time and urgent distraction.

5.  THE RISK:  I am told, so as to believe it, that your system can be seriously damaged if you don't deal with this especially potent form of attack correctly.

C.  VERY SENSIBLE PREPARATION TO MAKE NOW

6.  Please: (1) take a look at this Google search (click here); (2) install the recommended repair programs on your system (those programs are great to have, anyway); (3) print a copy of the repair procedures you've selected and keep them in your files -- for you will not be able to use your computer to search for what to do -- nor even to download and install a solution -- after you have been stricken -- another reason to have a second computer, if you can.

D.  FIXING IT IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU

7.  So far (at the time of this writing, though you should double-check), Norton and other major security programs don't seem to have a fix for this one, yet -- but you can readily find the ones that will, on the search-page, above.

• Some of the legitimate programs will tell you to reboot Windows systems in "safe mode" and run the repair programS to thoroughly fix the problem as instructed (which may not always be possible, depending on the particular virus).  
• Others might tell you to use your installation disks or to "restore" your computer to an earlier state, then run the repair programS (a process which also might be interfered with, I found).
• Also, installing more than one little "fix-it" program is a generally necessary and reassuring precaution.

E.  MY SOLUTION EXPERIENCE

8.  I did a "restore" of my system back to a month prior, then went in and did the recommended "surgery."  Although, in my case, the virus rendered my normal "restore menu" inaccessible, requiring accessing the restore command, directly at the command level.  (If you don't know how to do this, the procedures will show you how)  Worked like a champ!

9.  Don't panic, but do be systematic and prepared.

F.  SECOND SCAM --  (10.  The Police Bulletin)

Monday September 9, 2013, 3:05 PM Pittsburg Police Department (CA)     Community: The Pittsburg Police Department has an important message for you! Man Impersonates Peace Officer in Telephone Scam. The Pittsburg Police Department has an important message for the community! Crime Alert — Man Impersonates Peace Officer in Telephone Scam Targeting East County Residents The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff would like to warn the public about an individual who is impersonating an employee of the Sheriff's Office. For the past month, this unknown suspect has randomly called numerous residents in Contra Costa County claiming to be “Lieutenant Stevens.” The caller tells listeners that they have a warrant for their arrest. In order to clear the warrant, the caller then requests payment over the phone through reloadable prepaid cards that could be purchased at local drug stores. There is no one by the name of "Lieutenant Stevens" employed by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff. It is not the practice of any law enforcement agency to have people clear their warrants over the telephone through reloadable prepaid cards. Several people have been victimized by this type of fraudulent activity. Anyone receiving such a call should refuse to provide any personal information to the caller. Please contact your local law enforcement agency and notify them of the incident. For full details, view this message on the web. TEXT-A-TIP Text TIP  PITTSBURGPD followed by your message, to 888777  or  Submit an anonymous web tip Sent by Pittsburg Police Department (CA) 65 Civic Ave, Pittsburg, CA 94565 Powered by . © 2013 Nixle, LLC. All rights reserved.

David Nelson

All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent:  You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

SCAM STOPPER SEMINAR 7/18/13/THU / 2:00 pm / Pittsburg Senior Center

Posted:  17 July 13

Jump to Content | Display errors? Click here to launch in browser.
Thursday July 18, 2013 2:00 pm Pittsburg Senior Center 300 Presidio Lane Pittsburg, CA 94565 Experts will give you tips on how to protect yourself from fraud relating to home repair, insurance, health care, finances,identity theft, and more. Resource materials and brochures on fraud prevention and local senior advocacy will be available as well. Seniors, their families, and caregivers are welcome to attend this FREE seminar.	State Senator Mark DeSaulnier invites you to attend a FREE Senior Scam Stopper Seminar. For more information, contact Senator Mark DeSaulnier's office at 925.942.6082.
California State Senator Mark DeSaulnier - District 7 The Seventh Senate District includes most of Contra Costa County and parts of Alameda County, including the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Discovery Bay, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. Web site: http://sd07.senate.ca.gov/ E-mail: Senator Mark DeSaulnier Capitol OfficeState Capitol, Room 5035 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4007 Fax: (916) 445-2527 District Office1350 Treat Blvd., Suite 240 Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Phone: (925) 942-6082 Fax: (925) 942-6087 Antioch Satellite Office 420 West 3rd Street Antioch, CA 94509 Phone: (925) 754-1501 Open the first and third Tuesday of each month

       

USA.gov -- HOW TO AVOID SWEEPSTAKES SCAMS

Posted:  2 Apr 13

From:  USA.gov

how can i avoid sweepstakes scams?

 Asked by an anonymous Tumblr user. A recent research poll...

A recent research poll showed that more than half of all American adults entered sweepstakes within the past year - most of which were legitimate and law-abiding. However, con artists try to capitalize on the popularity of these offers by disguising their illegal schemes.

The Federal Trade Commission receives thousands of complaints each year from consumers about gifts, sweepstakes, and prize promotions. You can protect yourself by recognizing the differences between legitimate sweepstakes and fraudulent ones:

• Prizes in legitimate contests are awarded solely by chance. Contestants don’t have to pay a fee or buy something to enter or increase their odds of winning.
• In fraudulent schemes, “winners” almost always have to pay to enter a contest or collect their “prize,” if they get a prize at all. Requiring a fee to enter is illegal.

Fraudulent sweepstakes promotions often show up through telemarketer calls, e-mails, or in the mail. You can reduce your chance of receiving these notifications by registering for the National Do Not Call Registry and by,having your name removed from direct mail and e-mail marketing lists.

Learn your rights under the law when it comes to sweepstakes and find more ways to protect yourself.

REJECT SCAMS & HOAXES!! FAST FACT-CHECKER TOOLS!!!

Posted:  13 Jan 13

1.  Purpose

To insure that all readers are aware of the invaluable fact-checking site, Snopes.com, which is a very effective and easy way to check the quality of information you receive in your emails and elsewhere.

To help protect our fellow humans and the quality and integrity of our "Human Knowledge Base (HKB)" against false, misleading, and even malicious information that might be taken as true -- thereby leading to erroneous thinking and action -- with often inconvenient, if not harmful, consequences.

2.  Background

If you are unfamiliar with Snopes.com, I'm about to do you a VERY big favor.

• This is one of the LEADING FACT-CHECKING sites, in the fact-checking industry.  
• I've used them for years and have found them to be fair and scientific in their analyses of dubious information that comes at us on the internet and elsewhere -- urban legends, hoaxes, unsigned or unauthenticated claims of "fact," etc.
• I have researched their reputation and their industry agrees with my very favorable observations.
• They publish a very informative weekly newsletter to which you may subscribe, to remain abreast of new scams, hoaxes and trash that poison the HKB.  If  you subscribe, you will be less likely to forget they exist or miss the valuable things they have to tell you, from time to time.
• I cannot publish their newsletters here, for your convenience, due to copyright considerations.


• You may occasionally hear people deride this fine FREE service, but consider who has something to lose as Snopes succeeds in their mission -- those who willfully put out bad information or who have something to gain from your believing it.

3.  Recommendation

I urge you to add this fine service to your "tool-kit," so you can judge whether dubious information that falls into your hands is true, false, or a mix.  Snopes will help.  And use them often.  I use them all the time (along with other fact-checkers) to be sure I don't add onto our vital networks what the old saying warns about when inputting to a computer: "garbage in, garbage out."

And, if you don't have a particular "factoid" in mind for checking, it is an interesting and entertaining site to casually explore to see what people are talking about -- you never know when you'll "hit the jackpot" on useful things you didn't even know to look for.

4.  A Practical Link-List For you

4.1  Lists and Reviews of Fact-Checking Websites -- this is a Google search which leads you to many of the fact-checkers available to us in the "electronic universe," INCLUDING independent reviews and critiques as to the reputations and reliability of many of those sites.

4.2  About the Snopes.com site, itself, it's already laid-out well, so you can easily find what you're looking for, but I would like to call your special attention to these useful and interesting pages:

• "What's New" -- scroll down this list to see their most recent accumulation of analyses.
• "25 Hottest Urban Legends" -- self-explanatory
• "FAQ" -- anticipates what you may be wondering about the service and helps you understand what the site does and does not try to do

4.3  Special Note:  Be careful how you interpret the answers to your queries.  If you only look at the top of their answer (and not all the way through), you will miss their points and may come away thinking they said a thing is true, when they're really saying it's false or a mixture of false/true.

4.4  ALWAYS SCROLL THROUGH THE WHOLE ANSWER TO YOUR SNOPES QUERY -- ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM.  Here's what I mean --

The Snopes site tends to answer you in this way

• FIRST it repeats the statement being investigated -- including many different variations in the way the material may appear on the Internet -- so you can clearly know what they are reporting on
• THEN it carefully analyzes these things for you
• FINALLY, they tell you their findings and conclusions -- the whole point of your search.

May we always try to avoid passing along bad information (setting-back human progress, each time it happens)

David Nelson

All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

SCAM ADVISORY -- 12/13/12 -- TRILEGIANTS

Posted: 13 Dec 12

Purpose

To alert readers to traps that may appear in their "snail mail" (and elsewhere) to drain precious dollars away from their financial accounts, involuntarily.

This advisory explains how this matter came to my attention; who this company is; the class of creature to which it appears to belong; a partial consumer complaint track record; some remedies in the works; at least one law firm ready to help you take legal action; and a friendly recommendation (since the well being of society is everyone's business).

Background

This morning, my wife was going over the monthly bills and found a mysterious check for $11, from "TrileGiants," claiming to be reimbursement for transactions that made no sense.  Alarm bells.  Is this another way for the bad guys to get good info?  A quick Google check revealed that this was not a "free-bee" and triggered this investigation.

A Corporate Profile

• TRILEGIANTS (Google search) -- oh, there's much that has been said about all of this.
• Who are they?  Their website
• Here's what Wikipedia says. (Affinion Group is the parent of TrileGiants, among others)

Apparent Class of Corporation

• VERTRUE (ex-MWI) -- This [VerTrue] is one of a rash of "negative-option" schemes now making the rounds.  Companies like Vertrue (formerly MWI, alias MemberWorks Inc.) enroll you in their plan without your asking and it's up to you to cancel the enrollment. Often cancelling isn't enough and more drastic action is needed. (Consumer Affairs, Scam Alerts)

Corporate Reputation

• Here's what ConsumerAffairs.com says. [check out all the familiar names this company operates under -- and be warned].
• Here's what RipoffReport.com says.
• Here's what Yahoo Answers says: Have I been scammed by Trilegiant and my bank? How do I stop it? 

Remedies in Play

• Webloyalty and Affinion/Trilegiant Settlements (New York State slammed them in 2010, and they have to pay restitution to NY consumers)
• Trilegiant Membership Program Class Action Lawsuit (California suit and settlement for abuses from 1998 to 2008)

From Gilman Law LLP

• The Leading National Consumer Protection Law Firm Gilman Law LLP is investigating claims and complaints in the Apollo, Trilegiant, Affinion Lawsuit involving deceptively marketed membership discount clubs operated by Trilegiant Corporation, Inc., Affinion Group, LLC, and their controlling owner Apollo Global Management, LLC (“Trilegiant”). 
• The consumer protection lawyers at Gilman Law LLP are investigating allegations that Trilegiant colluded with numerous merchants in an effort to sell “memberships” to discount “clubs.” The firm is accepting claims from consumers who believe they were deceptively enrolled and repeatedly billed by one of the following membership discount clubs operated by Trilegiant, Apollo, or Affinion:  [at this point, the article lists names of relevant discount clubs -- click here]
• The site also invites consumers to CLICK HERE TO FILE AN APOLLO, AFFINION, OR TRILEGIANT TLG COMPLAINT AND JOIN IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

Recommendation

Keep a close eye on changes in family and business financial accounts -- don't let unknown expenditures stand without figuring out what they are for.  If they are not authorized, Google is a good place to check for remedies.  Daily visits to on-line accounts is not a bad habit to develop.

Here's to as prosperous a new year  

as you deserve.

Editor

ALERT!!!! MALICIOUS SOFTWARE!!! "SNAP.DO"

Posted: 1 Dec 12

INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS IS A VERY HARMFUL ONE which captures personal information, passwords, etc. and sends it to places it shouldn't be. 

A. PROBLEM: I just cleaned off this nasty piece of work and thought I should mention it to you and what I did, based on advice from the "Norton (leading security firm) Community." 

Item #1, below, gives you an idea of the dangers and Item #2 gives you the solution, which seems to not only fix the problem, but improves performance (at least in my case).

B. SYMPTOMS: Here's how it manifested for me: Whenever I clicked "new tab" in my browser (to create a new tab), instead of my usual page, I had a page called "Snap.do" in it's place, complete with a search box. 

Apparently, it came with a free download, yesterday. When I went behind the scenes to remove it, I found there was no way to make it go away for sure. Alarm bells. Investigation. More and worse alarm bells. Finally, a solution (whew!)

C. FIXING IT: For me, Item #2 not only appears to have fixed things -- everything seems to run even FAR, FAR faster than before -- even all my different browsers never loaded so fast before (I may start using them again). 

As far as I'm concerned, the magnificently elegant and blazingly fast anti-malicious software (French, but translation is available at the top of its web page) IS A KEEPER for future daunting threats.

D. SPECIAL PRECAUTION: Since it appears that all passwords have been compromised, I have begun changing mine -- I'll finish after posting this. Thought I should hurry this one to you.

GOOD LUCK!

#1 -- THE DANGERS -- ABOUT THIS BAD BOY-- the solution given here is quite technical, so I searched for a safer approach. So far, the solution in the paragraph #2 is as slick as ice.

http://guides.yoosecurity.com/manually-remove-snap-do-virus-completely-uninstall-snap-do-toolbar/

#2 -- THE SOLUTION I JUST USED -- WHICH ALSO PROVIDED PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS (probably cleaned off legacies of previous programs and infections) -- the report of deletions was HUGE, after this program had done its work on all my computers. 

The below link will take you to the Norton Community, which will link you to the heroic French anti-malware program:

http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-Internet-Security-Norton/Remove-snap-do/m-p/821642#M219935

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

SCAM ADVISORY -- WAKA WALMART GIFT CARDS

Posted:  15 Nov 12

Purpose

To advise readers about reports of suspicions and discontent surrounding the marketing activities of the entity known as the WAKA Network.  At least one fact-checking site refers to those activities as the "WAKA Network Walmart Survey Scam."

This article is called a "scam advisory," rather than a "scam alert," since the evidence seems strong, but not absolutely conclusive, at this stage of my investigation.  In addition to reasonable basic suspicions, the firm's pattern of operation is consistent with the warnings that are issued, from time-to-time, by Internet watchdogs and security firms.

The safe presumption for this article is that it's far better that readers know, than not know about this situation.

Background

The WAKA Network is one of those firms which cold-calls prospective "customers" by email or phone.  They entice participation in "consumer surveys," for which they promise Walmart gift cards in return (touted as worth $100, or other amounts).  They then proceed to capture valuable information through a prolonged series of  "steps" that need to be taken to "qualify" for the reward -- each step involving enticements to purchase one or two products at every stop.

Involvement with this firm may result in unintended dollar withdrawals from user accounts for dubious services rendered and other abuses of personal information.

THE EVIDENCE

A DISTURBING PATTERN: 

This Google search, "Waka Network," reveals significant consumer complaints and dissatisfaction.  The firm has not disappeared, as yet, as indicated by an 877-phone number which the firm does answer -- SO FAR -- and uses to conduct business.  However, what happens during a call and after it is completed, often appear to be unsatisfactory.

This Google search, "Waka Network Scam" also reveals criticism -- as does this FastestFox search "Waka network scam ripoff report."

EXPLICIT VERDICTS: 

This article-link to the website, "WafflesAtNoon," which monitors Internet activity, calls this operation, in no uncertain terms, a scam.  Note: While no industry reviews of the "WafflesAtNoon" site, itself, were found --- the site has at least a stable Internet presence, as judged by its monthly archives, dating back, continuously, to March 2008.  The article, as written, is quite persuasive and also links to two prior related articles.  Also, a comment-stream follows the article, relating the experiences of readers.

The Better Business Bureau reports 58 consumer complaints against WAKA over the last 3 years.

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

~~ Buyer Beware ~~

HOLIDAY SCAMS AND MALWARE ALERT!!!!

Posted: 13 Nov 12

Purpose

To help you preserve your well-being in this "brave new world," by laying out a big problem (hopefully in time for you) and by giving you some links to helpful problem-mitigating information.  It is still true that knowledge is power.

It is hoped that you will find power here, as easily as possible, so you don't have to disrupt your days, too much, by searching so hard for it or learning the hard way.  It's sort of a reminder to look both ways before crossing.

Your attention is also invited to another relevant article on this blog, entitled "SCAM ALERT! Work From Home Scam."

What's Up?

They're at it again.  You didn't think they'd stop, did you?  Who?  I mean the poisoners of the great Internet achievement, and thus, our very lives.  And, just as all humans, they are learning how to do their "work" ever more efficiently and convincingly.

Until good ultimately conquers evil (which it shall), we're going to have to stay alert, keep each other informed, learn what the enemy is up to -- at every opportunity, AND HELP PROTECT ONE ANOTHER.


What sparked all of this?

This morning, I received a warning from one of the many computer industry watchdog groups to whom I subscribe.  It caused me to drop what I'm doing, to get this out to you, without delay.  Here is that article, but there is more I can offer you:

http://www.zdnet.com/cybercriminals-start-spamvertising-xmas-themed-scams-and-malware-campaigns-7000007178/?s_cid=e550


Scope of the Problem

There are so many ways that the enemy can fool and trap us -- if we give them a tiny opening --playing on our various needs for more and better goods and services, bargains and savings of precious dollars, our sympathies, our mutual trusts -- anything that they know a good human possesses inside  -- or on our inevitable weaknesses and failings.

Because we humans tend to be ingenious, the variety of assaults on our well-being are countless.


Limitations

Ideally, my desire is to cut snippets from all the various articles and warnings and to place them all in one convenient article.  But, I not only must respect copyrights, it's my desire and duty to respect the creativity and hard work of fellow humans -- and insure that they get their fair due credit for their efforts.  Besides, they can explain far better than I.

Since, I can't maximize your convenience in that way, the next best thing I can think of is to offer you a trail to follow, so that you can see the lay of the land, as efficiently as possible.


Therefore

The following are links that I have either examined myself or are from sources I consider to be unimpeachable.  Please examine them carefully and as soon as possible.  Eventually, you will understand at least some of the patterns and specifics that will allow you to minimize your risks.

And, please alert ALL OTHERS WHOM YOU CARE ABOUT.  You may certainly distribute this article as freely and widely as you wish.  I do ask that you consider my own copyright statement, at bottom.  For I have big plans for our futures and need to protect the integrity of the organization I am forming.

Here's to the safe and peaceful and wonderful holiday season you deserve -- as you renew yourself and others, to better play our unique parts in our society's vital work -- toward better days ahead.  We will get there.  We will.


The Links

• I always ask Google, first, and he or she never lets me down.  Here you go: "scams and malware."   Just go on down the list.  Check a few at each opportunity, till you feel you've gone far enough.
• Facebook scams -- here is a quick read that should keep you from stepping on land mines in that magnificent Facebook garden of growing friendships and wisdom.
• For Android users
• My favorite handy-dandy -- Be sure to keep "Snopes.com" in your tool box.  Like everything, unfavorable rumors can float to the top.  But, you can safely ignore any negatives concerning this fabulous public service.  I have checked them out thoroughly, have used them for years to sort out hoaxes and worse, have read the highly favorable reviews in the "fact-checking" industry and KNOW them to be good, reputable, reliable, and as honest as possible.  You can trust them.

More to Follow

• This is as far as I can go, right now, because I really wanted to rush this into your hands.
• As I learn more, so shall you, my friends.
• Check-in, here, from time to time.
• And, please tell us what you learn.  You are welcomed and encouraged to share what you know in the comment section below this posting
• I look forward to the day when I don't have to say, "be careful out there."  And, that day is coming.  We have to believe that and in each other.

David Nelson

Editor & Publisher

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

SCAM ALERT! "Work-From-Home" Scam

1.  9/21/12 - Update:  Computer security remains a major point of criminal entry into private lives -- creating much personal havoc and destruction and social productivity loss.  It still seems that not everyone believes they can better their lives without ruining others.  They are changing the way we have to deal with our "Internet miracle."   So be it. 

A foremost recommendation is to change our daily routines.

It is becoming imperative to check on-line bank and credit accounts, 
EVERY DAY (or more), so that criminal activity can be detected promptly and dealt with.
Sooner is always better in this case.

Two other blog articles, here, have touched on the subject of computer/financial security, as follows:

• COMPUTER SECURITY!!! Lock Down Your Facebook Profile
• INTERNET SECURITY -- Protecting Bank and Facebook Accounts
• More will surely follow

2.  First published: 2/12/12 -- Editor's Note --  The below article is, by far, the most popular one on this blog.  As long as demand remains so high, I will keep it near the top of the "bulletin board."  I hope it is doing as much good as it seems to be doing.

THE SCAM
Interested in checking on other scams? try ConsumerAffairs.Com AND this Google Search

THE STORY

1.  Purpose.  This posting is to caution you about a MALICIOUS email that has been circulating for quite a while -- on which evidence is now CONCLUSIVE that this is much worse than a hoax.  You should be wary -- for you stand to be harmed!

2.  Background. Over the last few months, versions of this highly "suspicious" email have reached me, identical to the examples contained in this "Internet Patrol" site article, which evaluates the exact version of the email I received.

THE MALICIOUS MATERIAL IS VERY WELL DONE AND LOOKS ENTIRELY GENUINE -- AND EVEN CLEVERLY TAILORS ITSELF TO YOUR CITY . (e.g., "Rebecca Schwartz, a mom from Antioch, CA says....")

3.  Reviews of this suspicious EMAIL-TYPE, by the reputable fact-checking site, Snopes.com, produces over 100 different versions of this money-stealing ATTACK on victims.  Apparently, this vicious scheme works well enough for others to copy in order to victimize the unwary.

4.  What should you do about this?  It's still a sad truth that "what sounds too good to be true," usually isn't true -- and desperation often makes us take chances we shouldn't. (Who isn't greedy about trying to make the most of life?  We just have to be REALISTIC in our expectations -- and keep on fact-checking == BEFORE GRABBING FOR A LIFE-RING THAT TURNS OUT TO BE AN ANCHOR.)

Note: Interested in checking on other scams? try ConsumerAffairs.Com AND this Google Search

FOR FURTHER "HOAX-Insurance" -- before believing and/or passing along interesting emails, purporting to be factual, it is very important to "fact-check" them.

• A leading, highly reputable fact-checker website (within the fact-checking industry and the public, at large) is Snopes.com.  They conduct factual analyses -- first showing some of the various ways the suspicious information is presented; then examining them, point-by-point; and then concluding with recommendations as to whether the material is false or true or mixed.
• Be especially leery if the suspicious material is presented to you "unsigned," (i.e. with no clear indication as to who authored it).  Even if signed, it doesn't hurt to have a habit of checking with Snopes -- can usually be done in just a few minutes.
• Then, if found to be bad information, you can properly (1) not send the garbage any further or (2) send it along -- WITH a warning of your findings.  The second option is preferable, since this enables others to be served with good and helpful information, should they ever be confronted with the material again (and they probably will be).

HELP PROTECT THE PURITY & UTILITY
 OF THE HUMAN KNOWLEDGE BASE!

Tag: "Scams, Fraud"

454

NEW BLOG FEATURE -- HOAX and SCAM-CRUSHER! (Update: 6/5/14)

Posted:  21 July 12
Updated:  5 Jun 14

PURPOSE

In an effort to help keep you aware of the hoaxes, scams, and other unfortunate byproducts of human imagination that are known to be at work -- from time to time, I will place the relevant links I may find, below.   I hope this proves helpful to you:

From "Snopes.com:"  Reputable leader in the "online fact-checking industry"

From "Hoax-slayer:"  Latest Information - Internet Scams - Email Hoaxes - True Stories

For "General Criminal Attacks"


David Nelson

LET'S SOLVE THE "TELEMARKETING PROBLEM"

Posted:  1 May 12

RELIEF FROM UNSOLICITED TELEMARKETING CALLS

A.  PURPOSE

1.  To convey phone and web access to the "National DO NOT CALL Registry," which allows citizens to "opt out" on receiving unwelcome marketing calls (see paragraph D., below).

2.  To offer one analysis of the "National Telemarketing Problem," and how that problem might be resolved to everyone's satisfaction -- more or less.

B.  PROBLEM

As you may have noticed, in addition to land lines, CELL PHONES are also being called, uninvited and often at inconvenient times, by telemarketing companies, often at our personal expense.  It's one thing if the calls are for altruistic causes, but quite a different matter for the rest of them.  This whole thing contains a taste of unjust victimization -- and can be quite disruptive.

C.  ONE INTERPRETATION

1.  MANY BUSINESSES HAVE LITTLE CHOICE.  
I understand that telemarketing is an important tool for helping businesses to grow --- and growth of honorable business is a good thing for all of us.  Many businesses probably have no choice but to use this tool, if they hope to compete in a tough marketplace.  That's where government comes in.  It levels the playing field.  So, this is not to cast aspersions on any business' sense of honor.  

2.  CITIZENS HAVE VIRTUALLY NO CHOICE.  
It's just that citizens need relief, too, so we aren't distracted, unnecessarily, from doing our part for society.  This strains and drains our scarce personal resources with unpleasant disruptive emotions -- and, collectively, hurts our productivity and readiness for life's more pressing challenges.  Our homes are sacrosanct and undisturbed tranquility is essential for self-renewal.

There is virtually no limit to the number of unsolicited calls a citizen can receive in any given day.

3.  A WIN-LOSE or WIN-"MAYBE-WIN" IMBALANCE.  
The present practice seems a most UNFAIR arrangement and feels like an aggressively indifferent squandering of social resources.

It's ALMOST like saying: "We're going to intrude ourselves on as many lives as we can -- at a moment we know, without a doubt, will be most inconvenient (with information that PROBABLY won't even be needed or wanted). But we're going to have to force others to  pay something (time & expense), involuntarily, for our numbers game.  And, we don't (or can't) particularly care if we disrupt tranquility and steal precious time, to which we are not entitled -- we have a lottery to win -- and that's that."  

4.  A REGRESSIVE "NON-GOVERNMENTAL TAX."  
Seems to me (and a lot of others), this is a problem in need of a better solution -- but not at our unfair and random expense.  Aren't we already paying, pretty much, our fair share in keeping things running and improving?  Don't "tax" us this way -- while leaving us nothing (or little) to say about it.  It must be clear that this is a terribly undesirable way to go about needful things.  The government seems to agree and has given us a remedy that seems to be working, fairly well.

D.  MAKING IT STOP

Citizens can "block" these discourteous-feeling calls by enrolling each of our individual phones with the "National DO NOT CALL Registry" (and, we can "fix" ALL of our phones at the same time there).  

Again, many businesses are caught up in this "wave," and can't make it stop on their own -- if they hope to survive.  They all must stop or none can -- if just a few try to stop, they risk "going under," for their trouble.  THEREFORE, WE CITIZENS HAVE TO CLOSE THIS DOOR FOR THEM.

And, the alert are always spotting and exploiting "loop-holes" in the law.  A call or email to Local, State and Federal legislators may help toward dealing with this, long-term, but may or may not offer immediate relief.

E.  ONCE AND FOR ALL

Your registration will not expire. Telephone numbers placed on the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently due to the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, which became law in February 2008. 

And, if someone is violating your expressed wishes -- you can do something about that, too -- to at least place more of the expense where it belongs.

F.  IF ENOUGH OF US DO THIS 

With determination, maybe we can cure this little, but costly, social distraction, so we can focus more on the ills that really need our attention and scarce energies.

Read more about it and take action at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/04/dncfyi.shtm.

G.  MEANWHILE

1.  A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE.  
Not to tell anyone their business, but what if telemarketers tried to convey this idea -- quickly?

"We're so sorry to have to inconvenience you with this unexpected call from the ____ Company.  But this is the only way we have to learn if we might be of service.  May we have 30 seconds to tell you enough (or to give you our web address), so you can decide whether we may contact you, in a manner of your choosing, to tell you a little more about us?  We might have something you need and want." 

2.  TIMING IS ALMOST EVERYTHING.  
I think I, for one, could live with something like that -- but within a reasonable "window," say, before and after presumed dinner hours, but no later than the first most popular TV show (say, during "working hours" till 6 pm AND between 7 and 8 pm. (but, no different, please -- or domestic tranquility risks damage -- we simply must get the house quieted down))

3.  HOW I THINK I'D REACT.  
If it's convenient, at that moment, I think I'd be willing to hear more -- I wanna help 'em succeed, if possible -- they're just trying to make a lawful living -- by conveying things that might prove valuable -- and that's a good thing.  And, their very tough dilemma is, how to make themselves known to us.  

4.  BECAUSE FAIR'S FAIR == AND A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS!!!
I'm willing to give them a break, if they're willing to give me one.

Just ruminating on the problem.  Ideas and advice are welcome.

David Nelson

Tags: "Telephone Numbers," "Scams," "Discourtesies"