Comments on: The Scam That Pretends to be You https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html a freelance writing resource. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:14:40 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3784 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:14:40 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3784 There's the point, Anne. I'd call, too. I'd check to see what the issue is. Even if Lillie's friend was instructed not to call, I would have to see how she is and how long her husband's been out of town. Small talk, but some connection to see if she's okay (and that would've been the clue that he was still around).

]]> By: Anne Wayman https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3780 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:05:47 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3780 You know, with all the info out there about email scams, and with all the scams we've run into,it amazes me when people who are pretty sophisticated computer users fall for them.

I don't mean to blame the victim… but why wouldn't someone make a call, if not to the wife (in the case of the minister), to the church office or another friend who knows what's going on?

If either of my sons, my daughter or even you Lori email me for money I'd call first… at least I sure hope I would.

hugs

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3778 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:53:35 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3778 Lillie, that's horrifying! I'm so sorry for your friend. It's what that NBC piece highlighted – they go after your friends (and you, if you're the friend of someone whose email has been hacked). And since they're located somewhere other than the U.S., good luck bringing them to justice.

Wendy, I agree. Is it unethical to trap these people and divert them from stealing for a while? No. It doesn't help all that much, but it's a strong message – we're on to you.

Katharine, aren't you tempted to write back and complain? "I took those pills and now I'm a man! Damn you people! I'll sue!"

]]> By: Lillie Ammann https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3776 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:54:57 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3776 A friend and client who is a minister had his e-mail account hacked into. The scammers sent messages to all his friends saying he was on a mission trip to Africa and had been kidnapped and held hostage. "He" asked for money to be wired for his release and begged that the person receiving the message not call his wife because she would fall apart, and he didn't want her to know until he was safely home. I don't know how they got in, very likely he clicked on something as in the video. The scammers changed his password and security questions/answers, and hotmail would not let him back into the account because he couldn't answer the questions correctly! I don't believe any of his friends actually sent money, but changing e-mail addresses and notifying everyone was a big hassle for him.

]]> By: Wendy https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3774 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:41:48 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3774 I can't really see how scambaiting is unethical when you look at the whole picture. Those scammers do prey on the trusting.

People have lost their savings, homes, spouses, and friends; and even worse- their freedom and lives.

When the authorities can't get the real perpetrators, then guess who they go after. The one that trusted them enough to give them the money.

I snooped some of the scambaiters sites today and I'm amazed at the tactics they are able to pull off with their unsuspecting scammers. Some of those are definitely entertaining.

]]> By: Katharine Swan https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3773 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:53:59 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3773 I don't answer any number I don't recognize, either. If it's legitimate and important they can leave a message. Funny how many of them don't.

But I do get regular email offers to enlarge my penis!

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3772 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:36:29 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3772 Paula, we keep getting those calls, too. It's to the point we don't answer any number we don't recognize. Too much!

Krista, that's freaky! They will try just about anything these days, won't they?

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3771 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:57:14 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3771 I think you're thinking of 401scambaiters, Wendy. LOVE that site! Some people complain it's cruel, but considering who the pranks are being played on, I say fair play to the scam baiters. These are people who make a living of cheating people out of their money. If the scam baiters can dish out some retribution, I'm all for it.

]]> By: Wendy https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3770 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:39:38 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3770 These stupid scams get more serious as time goes on. That really bothers me that they can now see everything you type on the screen. It's certainly no laughing matter.

But, about a year ago, I came across a site that was dedicated to humiliating some of those scammers. It was funny how these people could get the scam person to do stupid things, like handwriting part of a book. (I think it was a Harry Potter book)So, it's nice to know that even a scammer can get scammed.

]]> By: Paula https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html#comment-3769 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:22:23 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/10/scam-that-pretends-to-be-you.html/#comment-3769 Ooops – sorry for the typos above. I was changing things around when said sister called.

]]>