Power Sellers Unite

knappschiles · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4035 Location: Wi

This was new to me this morning. Maybe it's not all that new, just that it hasn't hit me before.

Anyway, i got an email with the subject line --

"Saw something about you on the forum. Is it true ? comment please."

There was a search link to a thread, BUT it was to a forum I never heard of so obviously don't go to. There ARE several gardening forums that might talk about my site that I don't participate in, but this was not one of them.

I saw this thru a program called "mail washer" where I preview all my mail. This one was deleted without being downloaded to my computer.

I'm not sure what the object of the email was, but I'm guessing probably something bad at the link like a trojan or porn.

But the subject is likely made to stir up your self defenses and make you click to see if there is something bad being said about you. Just be careful and don't fall for it.

Carol

slythorne · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 220

If only the scammers didn't smell so scammish they would be downright scary to deal with. If they hadn't of put "Comment Please" on the tag line, I might have opened it. But then when I didn't recognize the URL I wouldn't have clicked on it.

knappschiles · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4035 Location: Wi

When I first saw it, I thought of a couple of instances at both of the main places I "hang out". I also thought of a couple of less than great FB I've gotten over the years at selling sites. Hey you can't totally please everyone no matter what you do these days.

I think anyone that has been online for a while can think of a few things that haven't gone well for them. It's only natural to try to defend yourself.

I think that's what the subject line is after -- get you worked up so you don't check it out before clicking to a site that will do something bad to your computer.

Just be careful everyone.

Carol

WatchCount · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 16

A couple things I do to help minimze getting snagged by these sorts of situations...

I *always* look at the destination URL I might be about to click on in an email -- the real URL appears in the browser or email window's status bar. Even then, I'm still hesitant to click on it, and would often visit the site manually in my browser.

I have a domain name I registered ($10/year) where I can then assign any usernames (unlimited) and flow all incoming email through it. I assign a different username (the part before the @domainname.com) to each forum/website/list I sign up for. This helps me see if incoming email is legit, just spam, bought from another company, etc.

-WC

things4u · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 1331

newest old scan hitting hot mail accounts
Windows Live Hot mail Alert!!! August 15-2011

VERIFY YOUR HOTMAIL ACCOUNT NOW TO AVOID IT CLOSED !!!

Dear Account Owner

We encountered a problem with our database and a lot of records were lost, we are restoring our database to enable us serve you better. Your Windows Live! Account details are required so as to store in our database to keep your account active. Failure to do this will lose his or her account permanently.

To update and enable us restore your account details in our data base to keep your account active, you are required to provide us the details below urgently. Click the reply button to enter details below.

* Name: ..........................................
* User Name: .....................................
* Password:.........................................
* Date of Birth: ....................................
* Country Or Territory:..............................

Make sure the details above are correct to enable us restore your account details, this will help prevent your account from being suspended.

Note: YOUR DETAILS WILL NOT BE SHARED.
Users have often told us that the more they use Windows Live! Service, the more they discover its benefits. We'll keep working on making Windows Live! the best email service around, and we appreciate your joining us for the ride.
we just want to steal you information so we can use it for spaming and possibly identy theft besides empting your bank account and anything else we can think of and we do hope you fall for this they will try anything again and again only with a different twist :roll:

Sincerely,
The Windows Live Hot mail Team
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052

sanibel · Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 205

Yeah, I fell for this one last summer - call me gullible :oops:

Gave them my credit card to renew my account since it was coming due. Luckily for me, my credit card company called me later that day asking if I had purchased 6 Flag Tickets, Concert Tickets, Itunes Downloads, and 4 other online purchases for a total of almost $3000.00. I was able to dispute the charges and have them removed and I was given a new credit card.

Now they have me on their list and I get this type of email at least every other day - fool me once, shame on you - fool me twice shame on me :roll:

sanibel · Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 205

.....also had to change my password on my hotmail account but that was the least of my concerns. Worried for months that more charges would spring up even though my old card was deactivated and worried that my email account would be hijacked.

repairguru · Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Posts: 3

If scammers/hackers used their 'gifts' for the greater good, Google and Facebook would have more great employees ;)