Sure we have. Even with a good spam filter, some of these "lotteries" and pleas for money from Nigeria (worst offender I think) slither through. I report them as spam and I'm sure all of you do as well.
However, as my friend PI in Great Britain wrote today, some people, especially seniors with little internet experience, are being taken in. Even people such as her friend, a retiree with extensive business experience, was duped.
One of her commenters included a link to Spam Baiters whose primary mission is to make life miserable for spammers. I'm not sure I'd want to spend my time communicating with the spammers to spam them right back but the site has much valuable information about these online "confidence men (or women)" and how to recognize and combat them.
Some of you may know someone who might not recognize the Lottery emails and the heart rendering pleas for money as fraud. If you do, pass this on.
If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
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16 comments:
I feel badly for the elderly who get swindled.
I was able to save my dad from this crap. He sent me this email, he was all excited, asking if he'd won the lottery. I wrote back no no no no no no! But if I hadn't, he mya have responded. I couldn't believe it. My dad, a smart man, almost fell for this.
My elderly in-laws were oh so thrilled when Readers Digest kept mailing them, every time they purchased a book from them, they were oh so closer to winning that £250,000 jackpot they were virtually guaranteed to win..
So little is sacred thesedays (sigh).
Good on you, Granny,
The more alerts, the better. There was a brilliant post on this subject a few months ago from a blogger. Will have to dig it out and send you the link.
Your last line is the key to it all.
But we as humans are so gullible ...
Cheers
David
I hate that there are people out there who will take advantage of the unsuspecting. It's a concept that totally baffles me--I can't imagine ever thinking that would be OK and I guess I just don't understand how anyone else would, either.
I'm going to check out that site--thanks for posting this. If it saves one person you've done a great thing.
Hi Ann,
I get dozens of these and report them as spam. I know there are people who think they're the "real deal" Your post on this is a good idea.
Loved the pictures of Jonathan. Such a cutie!
xo
I'm glad somebody's fighting back against the spammers. Off to check out Spam Baiters. Thanks.
I used to get those Nigerian spams at work, and often wondered what would happen if I did reply and send them rubbish information, just to waste their time. Glad to know some people are taking the time to do that.
I also used to get emails confirming "my order" for their Product X for $4525! That's one kind you shouldn't touch at all.
i don't even look if it's from someon i don't know i just delete saves me time;)
Thanks Ann for spreading the word.xoxox
Lottery? Won? Me? If I believed that I’d also believe that some dude in Ghana was going to pay me $80,000 just to transfer some money for him.
Another big scam is emails, purporting to be from big banks, asking you to confirm account details.
Ann, I have had a good week so far.. hope you have, too... I hate that people scam others...especially the elderly who put their trust in them... it's horrible...
Yay, I can comment again! Great post, it is important to educate people so they don't fall prey to these scammers. So far I haven't gotten any of these emails.
Thanks for adding me to your blogroll. When I update mine I will add you.
Humans do terrible things to one another at times.
I like what Val said about writing them rubbish. But then they would probably send a virus attachment w/their email.
I hate all the con games we get on the internet.
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