# Scam (Internet and Otherwise) Omnibus Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 4, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265 "2022-04-04T18:23:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/221 "2022-09-11T22:55:24Z")
Literal money-laundering. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/222 "2022-09-14T12:29:24Z")
What do you suppose this bot is up to? It’s just a plain email, no attachments or links to click. Is it just looking for valid addresses to harvest? Passed the gmail spam filter. * * * Gary Young [codytyoung@sbcglobal.net](mailto:codytyoung@sbcglobal.net) to Hello, Hope you’re doing well? Am sorry for brothering you, Just wanted to know if you order with Amazon. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/223 "2022-09-20T16:04:25Z")
Typical inheritance scam except for the name of my alleged relative. Dr. Latrivia Polite Mosse. ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/224 "2022-09-20T20:41:53Z")
I just got a text about a suspicious charge on my card for $349.99 for a Canon PIXMA wireless printer. I called the number and it was answered by “Amazon Support.” He asked for the reference number in the text and I gave it to him. I explained that I had ordered the printer this morning and they had promised I would get it by the day after tomorrow. I asked him if they are sending the model MG3620 that I requested. I told him it was very important that I get it by the day after tomorrow. When I asked him if there was a problem with my order he hung up on me. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/225 "2022-09-21T18:26:45Z")
I got a similar call attempting to verify a 900 dollar purchase “I” had made at “Amazon”. I hung up. I got a recent call asking for Thomas (or maybe Mr. Rodgers); somehow my cell phone is associated with Thomas and/or Lesley Rodgers, judging from the the various spam texts I get. I will give this to Verizon: their spam text filtering (recently implemented) is working pretty well. Anyway, this time I politely informed the caller that Mr. Rodgers was deceased. Rather sorry I didn’t try “You’re looking for him? So AM I!!!. SONOFABITCH HASN’T PAID CHILD SUPPORT IN THREE YEARS!!!”. Somewhere, there is a genuine Thomas Rodgers, whose reputation gets thoroughly trashed every time I a) get such a call, and b) think fast enough on my feet to screw with the callers. The child support line might not have worked well this time - my COVID-enhanced vocal capabilities make me sound not just like a man (which is pretty common for me), but someone who would sing (or croak) in the deepest ranges of the bass register. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/226 "2022-09-21T18:31:52Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I got a similar call attempting to verify a 900 dollar purchase “I” had made at “Amazon”. I hung up. I received one of those calls a few months ago. I just told them that yes, I made that purchase and to go ahead and ship the item. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/227 "2022-09-21T19:19:14Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > They prey on the hopes and naivety of people who are often in dire financial straits. Unfortunately, many good people fit that profile. Maybe you call it hope and naivete, I call it greed and magical thinking. And I don’t call that a “good person” profile. This is not to excuse the scammers just because their victims share some of the responsibility for the outcome. Scammers are scum. But they are not 100% of the problem. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/228 "2022-09-21T19:36:42Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Maybe you call it hope and naivete, I call it greed and magical thinking. And I don’t call that a “good person” profile. - Depends on the scam. A romance scam certainly doesn’t prey on greed. Or believing that Kamala Harris, President of The United State, is personally overseeing your compensation fund of $10,500,000 Million US Dollar USD just preys on the extremely gullible. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/229 "2022-09-21T19:46:04Z")
Others not based on greed: The Amazon scam noted upthread. SSA accuses you of drug running and murder. Your bank account has been hacked and is being used to buy child porn. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/230 "2022-09-21T19:58:23Z")
The bank returned the money that was stolen with our tenant’s washed check. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/231 "2022-09-21T21:07:34Z")
That’s a relief, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/232 "2022-09-21T21:07:54Z")
Yes, I did not mean to say all scams are based on greed and magical thinking, but from my general survey (not a scientific study) it appears the majority of them do. Many of the remainder prey on fear, and that’s a completely different story. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/233 "2022-09-21T21:24:02Z")
I got an email with a subject line saying something about child porn from my IP number. I didn’t open it, but I’m guessing it was scammy. I can’t imagine the angle - maybe they clear my IP for a fee?? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/234 "2022-09-22T01:51:57Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I got an email with a subject line saying something about child porn from my IP number. I didn’t open it, but I’m guessing it was scammy. I can’t imagine the angle - maybe they clear my IP for a fee?? - Or they claim to be the police and you have to pay to clear the warrant. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/235 "2022-09-22T03:01:31Z")
Not necessarily spam but I’m starting to get robo calls for my ex husband’s dead wife claiming “they are going to go to my place of business and serve a warrant” I’ve been divorced for over 20 years and took back my maiden name the day of the divorce. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/236 "2022-09-22T07:40:22Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > Not necessarily spam but I’m starting to get robo calls for my ex husband’s dead wife claiming “they are going to go to my place of business and serve a warrant” Why don’t you answer and give them her current address? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/237 "2022-09-22T19:37:25Z")
Always amusing when the name has nothing to do with the email address. Found this in my spam folder, ostensibly from McAfee: Marlen Murphy (jenifer79004@[redacted]) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/238 "2022-09-22T19:44:50Z")
Steam users targeted in spear-phishing attack: > **[A new 'browser-in-the-browser' attack threatens Steam users](https://www.pcgamer.com/a-new-browser-in-the-browser-attack-threatens-steam-users/)** > > A sophisticated phishing technique is aimed at competitive gamers. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/239 "2022-09-22T21:21:53Z")
Big thank you on that one @Skywatcher. Something new to my experience, and a solid point (since there has been talk about who falls for scams) that it isn’t just old or non-tech savvy folks who fall for them. One of my wife’s fellow grad students got caught with a browser hijack last month and we spent 2-3 hours trying to kill it, but due to the age of the laptop (5400 speed drive running windows 8!!!) it became a tedious process of clean, reboot, check, clean reboot, check. They finally wrote it off after we saved the key docs to a thumb drive and we did a factory reset. Just because everyone wants a more customizable interface and personalized toolbars (which isn’t exactly foolish or greedy or fear based). > **[What Is a Browser Hijacker and How to Remove One](https://www.avg.com/en/signal/browser-hijacker-removal)** > > Do you have a browser hijacker problem? Learn the browser hijacking definition, discover how to remove hijackers & get full threat protection. For anyone who needs information on browser hijacks and how-tos on how to fix them. ---
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/240 "2022-09-23T01:32:17Z")
I had a similar call and they kept calling right back after I hung up without making a choice, Finally, I just pressed 1 for yes and hung up. The calls stopped and wonder of wonders, I never did get charged, nor did I get a new i-phone. `//i\\` [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265.md?page=13)