I haven't received one of these in quite some time but today what did I find waiting for me in my inbox!? An email supposedly from Paypal with the subject "Dispute Transaction!" It explained that I had paid $249 for an Apple iPod Video 30 GB MP3 Player. Hmmm.....really? It showed an official looking receipt with Paypal shopping cart contents and shipping info. Then about middle of the way down in boldface type was this "If you haven't authorized this charge, click the link below to cancel the payment and get a full refund". It ended with the usual "Thank you for using Paypal, blah, blah, blah........" and Paypal logo to complete the look of the fraudulent message.
I never click on anything when I get these and neither should you. The thieves would love to get their hands on your password. Go to the Paypal website, log in to your account and check your info from there. I did and I found no such transaction. You can also forward the evil email to spoof@paypal.com and then delete it or if that's too much trouble just hit delete.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Rebate Processing Jobs
The other day I received an email promising that I could make very good money as a rebate processor. Being the skeptic that I am and thinking this is too good to be true, I decided to do a little investigating.
So just what is a rebate processor? Honestly, I'm still not sure. The ads I checked out did not clearly state what I would be doing. Possibly it would be some form of data entry.
The ad stated they had a "proven and guaranteed way to make $225 in only 60 minutes a day". No prior experience, education or special skills required. Wow! That is my kind of job! If I had known about this sooner I could have saved all that money I spent on college! LOL! Okay, this sends up red flag #1.
Reading on I found that for three months I could try it for free. If I am not satisfied with the results, I can easily cancel. Whoa! Let's back up for a minute. Free for three months...so I have to pay someone to work!? Yep! That's right! Alarms are sounding...red flag #2!
After scrolling through the entire page and reading the "proven" testimonials of how others have easily made thousands of dollars, I finally get to the bottom line. For a one-time investment of $197 (reduced from $500) I would have the tools to get me started on my way to financial freedom. Again, I have to pay my employer to hire me!!?? The last and final red flag warning!
Are there legitimate Rebate Processing Jobs? The answer is yes, but they are not found on-line. You must physically go to the company office and pick up the rebates. You take them home and process them according to how the company wants them. It can be data entry, creating mailing labels, actual mailing, etc. How much do they pay? Not much. You can expect about $0.15 (fifteen cents) per rebate. That's it. To find out where these jobs are, look for local companies that offer rebates and contact them directly.
One last thing to remember, you should never, ever pay an employer to work! When you find these, beware, they are scams! Best thing you can do is just hit the delete key.
So just what is a rebate processor? Honestly, I'm still not sure. The ads I checked out did not clearly state what I would be doing. Possibly it would be some form of data entry.
The ad stated they had a "proven and guaranteed way to make $225 in only 60 minutes a day". No prior experience, education or special skills required. Wow! That is my kind of job! If I had known about this sooner I could have saved all that money I spent on college! LOL! Okay, this sends up red flag #1.
Reading on I found that for three months I could try it for free. If I am not satisfied with the results, I can easily cancel. Whoa! Let's back up for a minute. Free for three months...so I have to pay someone to work!? Yep! That's right! Alarms are sounding...red flag #2!
After scrolling through the entire page and reading the "proven" testimonials of how others have easily made thousands of dollars, I finally get to the bottom line. For a one-time investment of $197 (reduced from $500) I would have the tools to get me started on my way to financial freedom. Again, I have to pay my employer to hire me!!?? The last and final red flag warning!
Are there legitimate Rebate Processing Jobs? The answer is yes, but they are not found on-line. You must physically go to the company office and pick up the rebates. You take them home and process them according to how the company wants them. It can be data entry, creating mailing labels, actual mailing, etc. How much do they pay? Not much. You can expect about $0.15 (fifteen cents) per rebate. That's it. To find out where these jobs are, look for local companies that offer rebates and contact them directly.
One last thing to remember, you should never, ever pay an employer to work! When you find these, beware, they are scams! Best thing you can do is just hit the delete key.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Brring Update...
FYI...If you belong to Brring and use them for your GPT offers, you need to know this. In an earlier post I wrote that the advertisers hang up before I answer. I stand corrected. They are being patient, listening to the ads and getting through to my cell phone. I've had a few leave me voice mail messages. To avoid talking to them I make sure to check caller ID before I answer a call.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
ALERT...Valentine's Day Virus
You've opened your inbox and you are all excited to see a you have a Valentine's Day e-card. Before you throw all caution to the wind, you better read this!
Usually around holidays millions of innocent looking emails disguised as e-cards will go out. Don't be a victim. The e-cards actually contain a computer virus believed to be from Russia. Once you click on the e-card your computer is immediately, but secretly, infected with the virus. Your computer is then at the mercy of the people who sent the e-card. They can launch commands to send more spam emails or other criminal activity such as stealing your identity.
The virus has been around for years, but spammers like to take advantage of the holidays because more people are susceptible to open an e-card around those times of the year.
As for tomorrow, no matter how tempting it may be, don't open anything if you are not sure who it is from.
Usually around holidays millions of innocent looking emails disguised as e-cards will go out. Don't be a victim. The e-cards actually contain a computer virus believed to be from Russia. Once you click on the e-card your computer is immediately, but secretly, infected with the virus. Your computer is then at the mercy of the people who sent the e-card. They can launch commands to send more spam emails or other criminal activity such as stealing your identity.
The virus has been around for years, but spammers like to take advantage of the holidays because more people are susceptible to open an e-card around those times of the year.
As for tomorrow, no matter how tempting it may be, don't open anything if you are not sure who it is from.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Now There Is 'Vishing'
Since most internet users are on to the phishing scams, we know not to click on links in unsolicited e-mail. Now con artists are turning back to the phone to trick us into turning over our private information.
Like the traditional "phishing" e-mails, "vishing" will report some problem with your account. But instead of clicking on a link to the bogus site you are provided with a phone number to call where an automated answering service takes your information.
Some vishing attacks don't begin with an e-mail. Some come as a phone call where the caller already knows your credit card number (which makes it seem more legit) and just asks for the three-digit security code on the back of the card. You can see how these vishing attempts make it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.
So what can you do? If you do get a phone call asking you to provide or confirm any of your personal account information-hang up immediately. Then call your financial institution and inquire about the issue.
To learn more visit fbi.gov
Like the traditional "phishing" e-mails, "vishing" will report some problem with your account. But instead of clicking on a link to the bogus site you are provided with a phone number to call where an automated answering service takes your information.
Some vishing attacks don't begin with an e-mail. Some come as a phone call where the caller already knows your credit card number (which makes it seem more legit) and just asks for the three-digit security code on the back of the card. You can see how these vishing attempts make it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.
So what can you do? If you do get a phone call asking you to provide or confirm any of your personal account information-hang up immediately. Then call your financial institution and inquire about the issue.
To learn more visit fbi.gov
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Paypal Phishing Scam...Update Your Account
If you receive any email from Paypal asking you to update your account, it is more than likely a phishing email. Today I received two original looking emails which seemed to be from Paypal, but upon closer look I found them to be scams. The subject is "Update Your Account".
The letter asks you to update your account as part of their continuing commitment to protect your account and to reduce fraud on their website. Yada, yada, yada... Failure to update your account will result in suspension. You are conveniently provided with a link to click on which I'm sure will require you to enter your all of you personal account information. And viola! The crooks have access to your account!
The best thing to do is to forward it to spoof@paypal.com and immediately delete it. Do not respond! Paypal will never ask you for your personal account information.
Learn more Paypal.com Security Center
The letter asks you to update your account as part of their continuing commitment to protect your account and to reduce fraud on their website. Yada, yada, yada... Failure to update your account will result in suspension. You are conveniently provided with a link to click on which I'm sure will require you to enter your all of you personal account information. And viola! The crooks have access to your account!
The best thing to do is to forward it to spoof@paypal.com and immediately delete it. Do not respond! Paypal will never ask you for your personal account information.
Learn more Paypal.com Security Center
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