What’s with all the scams on the Internet Lately! Yikes!
First, I get a phone call from a friend to inform me that her computer had been compromised and her contact list was snatched. Well, I did receive an email and many others did as well that she was stranded in Spain and needs money!
Then not that long ago, a family member called me to say that a message keeps flashing on the computer screen “Warning” Your system requires immediate anti-virus scan.” A free scan is offered. What do you do?
Well, I personally saw that flashing message too. I recalled reading somewhere to DO NOT CLICK ON IT ANYWHERE NOT EVEN DO NOT CLICK ON “NO THANKS” AND JUST MANUALLY SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER BY PRESSING THE BUTTON ON YOUR TOWER.
Another solution is to hold down the Control and Alt keys and hit Delete. Once the application tab pops up, select “End Task”. Then always do a full scan on your computer with the anti-virus software you already have. I find it strange that the anti-virus programs we have installed in our computers don’t already detect these scams and throw them into a scam folder immediately. I’m a self-taught computer person and I don’t have all the answers but I try to learn as much as I can.
Just recently as yesterday, I received a Scam that claimed they were from AOL and that I had to provide them with updated information within a certain amount of time otherwise my service would shut down. They asked for usernames and passcodes. Well, I forwarded that email along to AOL for them to try and investigate who was doing this.
Many of us have received scams that look just like it is coming from our banks with their logos. The banks say: they do not email their customers requesting personal information of any kind. And always be warned when you see “Dear Customer” instead of your real name.
How good are you at recognizing a scam or a con? More important, we all have to learn as to what to do to avoid being ripped off or having your identity stolen or being conned out of your money.
Recently, on the News, it was stating that the ATM machines are another scam……….is anywhere safe these days? They said that only after the light flashes should you proceed with entering your PIN, and to cover the keypad to block prying eyes or cameras. I avoid ATM machines altogether. Is life so busy that you can’t go through the drive through or walk straight in to the bank to withdraw funds?
Sad that we have to shred our junk mail or any mail we no longer need. People actually go through the trash bins for personal information. What has this world turned into? Surely, if something is illegal, it is definitely something the con artist is interested in. Heaven forbid these people should work a regular 9-5 job for income instead of stealing it from innocent citizens, who work hard for their paychecks to support themselves and their families.
I try to be aware of all these scams and they do come from left and right it seems. My email list was compromised just a few short weeks ago and all it took to stop them is changing my password. Good advice is to change it often. When it doubt delete it and never never give any personal info in an e-mail or on the telephone for that matter. All good things to be aware of.
ReplyDeletewe burn all our important trash after we shred it. seems like you can never be too careful!
ReplyDeletexxalainaxx
ps. you really should write for a magazine. i always enjoy your articles!
Hi Rose,
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right ... it's gotten out of control. I never click on links and that whole business of shreading all the junk mail is double-annoying. Not only do we get barraged with junk, but now we have to shred it, too, to prevent someone from stealing our identity. As for the ATMs, I only use the ones from my bank ... and only the ones that are inside the bank instead of outside facing the street.
Best,
Marty
I'm quite used to getting scam mail and I just report spam of forward it to the proper authority. I do use a few tricks however to screw up the scammers and/or expose them.
ReplyDeleteGood thought on the ATM pasword. Highpowered cameras and lenses make theft quite possible.
Jommy
I got one of those same requests saying it was from AOL But AOL never asks for a password so I sent mine to the scrap heap.
ReplyDeleteThe ones that sometimes trip me up are the ones that seem to come from a blog buddy, as in:
"A message from DB. Hi Rose, you'll enjoy this one. Just click on the link below and start having fun." Etc.
Those are ones you really have to watch out for.
D
A good anti-malware program to have is Malwarebytes. It is a free download. If you get one of those messages like you were talking about you should, like you said, immediately do a hard shut-down of your computer tower. Then boot back up and immediately run a quick scan on Malwarebytes. It will almost always remove anything that got on there before you were able to shut down. Another thing I use is CCleaner, another free download.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I missed this one. It is full of helpful information some I have not heard. We all try to stay up on the scams and cons but one never knows what will come up next. Once a long time ago my cc was compromised. they only charged $29.95 to it. I asked the banker why only 29.95, she said because they charged 150,000 cards that amount and most folks won't notice it. They did not know Sherry, ha!!
ReplyDeleteLove and thanks,
Sherry & Jack