Date Posted:13:24:21 10/19/11 Wed Author:Bob Poskitt Subject: Re: SCAM EMAILS In reply to:
Ruth K
's message, "SCAM EMAILS" on 18:41:00 10/12/11 Wed
Thank you, Ruth, for your timely alert to the class. Yes, I was hacked last week and my Address List, Inbox, Folders, and Sent Messages were all stolen and deleted from my account. They even knew we were planning a trip to London last week and sent that scam message about being mugged over there. In addition, the State Dept has been involved re fraud in the misuse of our passport information.
It has taken me a full week to recover my lost identity. Since I have no Address List or records, I have not been able to share this experience with anyone else.
My advice is to be sure you have passwords that are 100% secure. Do not use personal names, streets, cities, pets, cars, etc. as professionals can deduce them with the right illegal software.
I hope no one else was impacted. Ruth's advice is excellent in that you should never respond if you suspect a scam. If you reply with an email 'to help,' it will go directly to the person who is scamming and they could readily worm their way into your personal accounts.
Gad!!! Bob, I had no idea it was that bad! Did you buy a new computer? If you're thinking about it, think hard about getting a Mac. Seriously, you would love it and be much safer. You also really need a backup hard drive, and need to use it every day. My Mac backs up automatically every few hours to an external hard drive. I learned my lesson once. Do you have the same or different email address? And are you still going to London or did this experience ruin those plans for you???
Yes, I have the same email address and would welcome messages so I can re-enter your email addresses into my address book. And, No, we are no longer planning a trip to London when so much excitement happens right here!
