Company releases '12 Scams of the Holidays' list

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - McAfee, the computer security software company, has announced its annual 12 Scams of the Holidays list for consumers to help them avoid unwrapping an online threat while surfing digital devices.

Cybersecurity threats heighten during the holiday season as consumers unknowingly share personal data across their devices.

The 12 scams include:

1. You've Got Mail: Think twice before clicking links in shipping notification emails, and always verify the shipping company before giving out personal information.
2. Deceptive Advertising: Beware of deals that are too good to be true as they could steal your personal information and ruin your holiday cheer.
3. Chilling Charities: 'Tis the season to donate, but be wary of fake charities. Do your research and double-check the site URL.
4. Buyer Beware: Check your credit card statements to make sure you don't have unwanted charges as a result of a point-of-sale breach.
5. iScams: Today, smartphones act as a phone, a credit card, a house key, a camera and more. Malware can access your device via apps, so do your research and stick to official app stores to download.
6. Getting Carded: Avoid the unwanted gift of malware and always verify that e-cards are from someone you know and are from a trustworthy site.
7. Holiday Travel Scams: Avoid fake online deal links offering low price airfare or hotel rooms that could be a trap. Think before you click.
8. Bank Robocall Scam: Be suspicious of phone calls from people who claim your computer is infected and request your personal information to fix it.
9. ATM Skimming: Need cash in a hurry? Beware of using ATMs as a skimmer device designed to steal data off the card may be installed. Look carefully at the ATM and cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
10. Year in Review Traps: While a "Year in Review" sounds entertaining to read, clicking on these links could infect your devices.
11. BYO... Device: With the hustle and bustle of the season, smartphones could easily be lost or stolen in the shuffle. Don't leave your smartphone unattended during the hectic holiday season as it could give hackers access to your personal and work information.
12. Bad USB Blues: Be wary of free USB drives that are often used as giveaways. This method is an easy way for hackers to spread malware.

For more information about staying safe digitally during the holiday season, visit McAfee.com.

WAVE 3 News.  Louisville, Kentucky

One Ring Cell Phone Scam: BBB Warns Against Unknown Caribbean Island Calls

Cell phone users are being warned to think twice before answering any suspicious calls from the Caribbean Islands.

According to the Better Business Bureau, a new "one ring" scam is giving phone owners unauthorized charges on their wireless bills. WGHP reports that the calls may come from Antigua, Jamaica, Grenada and any other Caribbean Islands and that the phone rings only one time before disconnecting.

If a customer calls back the number displayed, the BBB details that the caller will then be charged $19.95 for an international call fee and an additional $9-per-minute charge. Users reporting the scam to the BBB have said the calls normally come from outside the U.S.

To protect yourself, the BBB encourages consumers not to answer calls from unknown, out-of-state numbers. But if you do answer the phone, they recommend not to call it back if the call disconnects. 

SOURCE:  International Business Times

BBB: Scammers pretend to be utilities company, want payment immedately

The Better Business Bureau is warning customers of a new utility scam.

The BBB said customers are receiving calls by scammers, who tell them their payments are overdue.

Scammers as customers to make those overdue payments by “green dot money pack carsd” in the next hour, or their utilities will be disconnected.

Charlie Mattingly, Louisville Better Business Bureau, said those cards act as cash and are untraceable, meaning the customers lose their money.

Mattingly also said the scammers sometimes ID spoof the calls, so the caller ID may say that they are calling from a local number, when they are actually out of the country.

SOURCE:  WHAS

Selling Out or Just Marketing Part 1 Scammers, Spammers, Trappers and Gleaners. Oh My!

For us, the human experiencers,  obtaining and maintaining financial security is very important.   After all, it's money that pays for our utilities, water, food, clothing and shelter.   Among other things.   

In this day and age, working with integrity seems to have fallen into some idiotic gray area. As far as I  know gray areas are something my hair dresser fixes when I go in for my 90 day spruce up.  Thank you very much!   Seriously though,  these days integrity appears to be  going by way of it's long time companions good sense, logic and courtesy.  All of which rode off on a horse with no name into the sunset never to be seen or heard from again!    Since the day the Internet became available to everyone and their proverbial brother honesty and integrity have really been put to the test.    Scam artists and everyone looking to make a fast buck or find that next get rich & famous quick have nearly quadrupled over the last 10 years alone.  

What's truly amazing is the growing number of people who get scammed.   With all the information readily available these days, one would think people would be less likely to get burned by some flim-flam scheme.  Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth!

People are still falling for the same cons over and over and over again.  It's tragic, but at the same time, disgusting to know that there are  still that many ignorant people in the world!  

The Internet continues to prove true that old saying "there's a sucker born every minute!"     And as a result, keeping the doors wide open for the...

Scammers, Trappers, Spammers and Gleaners.  (Oh My!)

The Scammers.    These are the assholes who are cons, grifters and professional liars seeking out individuals to steal money and/or identities.  

One of the most infamous email scams, dubbed The Nigerian Bank scam, has bilked a few thousands since it's creation.  Unfortunately, the various "new and not so improved" mutated versions of the Nigerian Bank scam are still making the rounds. 

And as sick to my stomach as it makes me to have to say this...there are still dumb asses out there still buying into these ridiculously transparent cons!   

Scammers' primary objective is your money.  And in some situations your identity as well.  They will use many ploys to obtain them.  From telling you a sob story to brow beating you into believing their product is something you cannot possibly live without to you got a curse and you need to give them X amount of money to remove it.  These  few examples of the cons Scammers use and still get away with are continuing to  spread world-wide on the world wide web.  

~BEFORE BELIEVING ANY SCAMS

ALWAYS CHECK WITH SNOPES ~

The Trappers are those annoying websites that lock you in--Trap you into staying against your will.  You know the ones I'm talking about.   Those websites where you literally have to X out of your browser and come back.    They're also the ones that will ping you with that uber annoying little pop up begging you to stay, promising you this that and the other thing.  GADS!  How I hate those rat bastards!

And the ones who use this audio recording to tell you all about their product only to spend 99.9% telling you a bunch of bullshit before ACTUALLY getting to the product and point!  They are really good at using those little annoying windows that trap you.  

Word of Advice: STOP DOING THAT!  Nobody Likes IT!!!  And it just makes me NOT want to buy anything you are selling.

Speaking of pop ups.  I just have to say this...Since the invention of the pop up blocker, we really have no need to even go there.  But I will state for the record...ASS HOLES!  Nuff Said!

The Spammers. As if scammers weren't bad enough you have the incredibly pushy ass people known as spammers.   Penis enlargement anyone?   Spammers are usually little bots who grabbed your information while you were visiting an unsecured site.   But there are other type of Spammers who go that extra mile.  They are what I endearingly refer to as (drum roll please)...

The Gleaners.   Ahhh yes!   The Gleaners!  These are spammers who are actual "humans" that put forth a little effort.   The Gleaners are the ones who glean your information through befriending you on various social networks.  Primarily Face Book and/or through personal contact.   

SPECIAL NOTE:  You may also want to take extra care when signing on to any internet radio websites.   I know one person in particular who uses this little scheme to add folks to her newsletter contact list.  

Just a little FYI for those who make practice of  this particular "trick":   many of the internet newsletter generators strictly prohibit such tactics.  

READ THE FINE PRINT!

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No matter how they obtain your information, all Gleaners take your information and add you to their newsletter contact list and then blow up your email account, Face Book wall, Twitter and so on with their endless crapola. 

 They do this under the misguided belief of building clientele.   

Again, for emphasis, Gleaners are  the dumb asses and  ass-wipes who think it's perfectly okay to inundate you with advertisements for their products, endless workshops, webinars, newsletters and "deals."     You know the ones I'm talking about.   And too (even though they say they don't) they also give and/or sell your information to their buddies so they too can add you to their lists!!!!  

Gleaners are under the mistaken belief that because you are "friends" it's perfectly okay to spam you.  WRONG!

Spamming, Scamming, Gleaning and Trapping 

of any kind, no matter your intention

 IS NOT MARKETING!

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Some of you no doubt are wondering what my qualifications with respect to marketing may be.   Do I hold some fancy schmancy degree in Marketing and such?    No.   I just rely on my life experiences.  And of course, my long-time buddies good sense, logic, courtesy and integrity.   (Thankfully I have their private number!)  

My experiences have taught me what  True Marketing  really and truly is. 

Be it a product, a job,  yourself or all three, you are in the business of marketing.  And marketing whatever "it" is takes a great deal of work.   There are no short-cuts or easy ways out. 

True Marketing is not invasive or over bearing.    In fact, True Marketing leaves the client,  and potential client, with a good feeling overall.   

That's your main objective! Leave'em feeling good to have met you! 

Your Second objective?  "Always leave them wanting more!"  Give them something to remember and consider in the future.   And you do this by exercising your Third objective:   Showing genuine and sincere interest in your clients by being a good listener!  

While they may not buy the product right then and there, they will certainly keep you in mind  in the future.  And too, they will refer you to someone.  That's how True Marketing works folks!

You don't have to have a degree to know, understand and comprehend all that.  You just have to be paying attention, exercise some brain matter, and be willing to roll up your sleeves and actually work it!!!

Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. 

Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience.    In the style comparable to Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way.  

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Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

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