Spam Incognito can catch you not paying attention to your emails. This is a costly mistake that can be avoided with a little thinking. The internet is a wonderful thing. BUT beware of scammers and this is the time of year where they just try harder to make others miserable by stealing their hard earned income.
I am embarressed to admit that I have been scammed again! I am probably the only one who can’t spot spam! I am gullible and I like to think the best of people and companies. And I have to tell you, it is costly!
When I realized that I had been scammed, it was to late to get my money back. But that is ok, as I learned a few valuable lessons. And I am going to pass them on to you.
This is the instructions of my tech guy, who is the best! Since this is the second time this year that I have called him to scrub my computer, he surmised that I was in need of some spam lessons. (He is very smart and talks in my language.) He pointed out the links involved. Do you look at the initial link? I just look at the first name and let the other digits or letters pass right over my head. Not anymore!
Take a look at the email that got me. Can you see the signs of spam?
Mistake #1 –I did not check my computer for Avast to check status. I recognized the name, was pretty sure I did not have it, but I did not research. Bad Choice!
Mistake #2-See the copyright: looks legit to me. This is from their site: 1988-2021 Copyright Avast Software s.r.o.
Mistake #3-calling the number given to cancel subscription. The way he wanted to cancel the account “with my help”. I should have hung up right then. Bad Me!
Mistake #4-not reading the send link! My tech guy had to point out to me that the sender’s email address is the first clue as to a Spam email. Like I said I usually look at the first word and ignore the rest. NOT ANY MORE!.
Just note, that this is my “walk of shame”. If any of this information helps you to be more aware of spam, then I will be happy. I sincerely hope that all of you are smarter than I am with using emails, social media, or any other form of communication on the internet.
The below spam links came to my personal email. Usually I get 3 or 4 per day.
The below spam links came to my personal email. Usually I get 3 or 4 per day.
Spam #1 (Amazon should be ok, but I haven’t ordered anything from them. But look at that email address!!)
Spam #2 (Elena Do never heard of her. Just sent straight to spam.
Spam #3 (my business email name, what are kusu, and no email address)
Spam #4 (When you mark spam, yahoo helps you out. Look at the email address.)
Spam #5 (Email lists right up my ally, but again look at the email address)
Spam # 6 (This is Bank.of.America, but why the rest of address. I don’t bank there.)
Spam # 7 (Title is all underlined? 4 digits? Check out the 2nd line of address)
Spam #8 (this starts with my business email, look at the 2nd line of address)
Spam # 9 (well, yeah, I am on Target to David’s list.)
Spam # 10(the written way, 4 digits and 2nd line of address keeps popping up)
Spam # 11 (This one is easy, unclaimed money, right! 4 digits and look at the 2nd line of the address.)
This blog is hopefully not needed for many of you. I do want to say that my bank was very diligent in watching my account. They called me and told me that I had probably been scammed. There is more to the story, but the fraud dept. put a hold on my account until I could get my computer cleaned up. Just the online banking part. I could still use my debit card.
Also, here’s the kicker, I bought an Apple gift card. Just for the heck of it, I went online to Apple to see if the card had been redeemed. Couldn’t get in because I don’t have an Apple account. So I went to the Gift Card purchase and look what I found:
About Gift Card Scams
https://support.apple.com/gift-card-scams
Be aware of scams involving Apple Gift Cards, App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, and Apple Store Gift Cards.
If you believe you’re the victim of a scam involving Apple Gift Cards, App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, or Apple Store Gift Cards, you can call Apple at 800-275-2273 (U.S.) and say “gift cards” when prompted.
You can go to the page and read the content, but what I did was exactly as Apple reported. So I called them, they were really receptive of my information. Thanked me for calling. I do not expect my money back as I verified the card when I purchased it. Should have known better, but I didn’t.
I have learned my lesson! And don’t you dare by gift cards unless they are for YOU.
Be careful when you open your emails and watch for the telling points of spam. I am sure there are many that I have not come across. But the two times, I have been scammed, it was for Name Brand Companies. Amazon was the first, and these theives have the audacity to keep sending me emails. It is not the real Amazon but now I am not buying from Amazon because of this. I changed my password and since this time around the thieves got into my computer, I am changing all my passwords.
Now that the holidays are here, Scammers are going to be out in force. Be careful, when ordering online, just don’t let the scammers rob you of your holidays.
However you observe the holidays, I wish you happiness, joy and peace.
Response Magic