Are you asking to be scammed?

As we go further into the economic death, we are faced with the most undesirable aspect of the human culture.  That is to say, scammers are going to use the chance to find people to scam.  I don't say this lightly because scammers have become more cunning and dubious through the years.  They are actually using the internet as well as most companies.  They are going to sites like Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, and other hiring sites to get people to apply for jobs.

<<See Previous Post -- Nationwide Marketing Scam

Having said that, I recently had a problem with being tried to be scammed.  I applied to a job posted on Careerbuilder and that is how they got a hold of my home address.  I did not think about the security problems associated with applying for jobs on line, until recently.

As you can see that is how they got a hold of my information and have made myself vulnerable to scams and also, other potential problems.  I am talking about Theft ID and also spam.  Although spam is to be expected with anything we do online.  I've come to the conclusion that we will always have to deal with spam.   I wanted to talk about how to be careful when you apply for online jobs and  put your information out on the internet.  I've started taking some steps to prevent this from happening again.

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• No Longer am I going to apply for any more private companies -- if I can't see who they are then they have something to hide.
  


• To prevent spam -- I am going to make an email address just for my resume.  That way I don't have to worry about spam on my main account.


• If it's too good to be true, it is probably not --  I am going to start using that philosophy when I'm about to apply for a job.  See picture above, advertising way to much money for a Customer Service rep.


• Don't ever put your Social on your Resume --  That is the most crucial part, if you want your identity stolen that is one sure way to get it stolen.  Even though that should be painfully obvious it is sometimes overlooked.
  

I am sure there are more but that is the basic idea of the whole thing.  I will probably come up with even more ideas later on but this was one thing that I have been thinking about all day.    I also think we have to starting asking the questions before the seriousness of the scammers come to bear.   They will never go away but until we get serious, they will always be there to taunt us and laugh us.   I am not sure how to do it,  Do you?   Are we  just supposed to sit here and take it or do we fight back and how?   These are importantquestions  for anyone to consider when you are faced with the possiblity of fraud or being scammed?  How do we deal with it in the future? Should scammers be punished serverely or moderately?

Scam ALERT: NATIONWIDE MARKETING!!

*Update* Seems to be that they've went and changed to another name.  They are now using  Excel Marketing, and I plan on keeping people updated.   Read the comments to find out about what people have said!!!

Hi all,

[ad] Just got this nice little letter from Nationwide Marketing.  This was sent snail mail, or Postal mail.   I came home today to find I got mail from 30 Centurian Drive/Markham, ON L3R 8B9 Canada.   I opened it up and find a check from Nationwide Marketing.   it's the old routine, they want you to cash the check send them $3,500 and you keep the rest.  The fake check that I know is faked, I call the bank in question.   It says you have to do a 2 hour evaluation training and get paid training for 200$ per Hour.   The fake check was for $3,990.00 and $3,500 was supposed to be sent through a Wal-mart Money Gram.   The so called position was Customer Service Evaluator (Rep ID#: KB0C0608).     I am supposed to call 1-905-598-1519 I received this assignment to validate the enclosed payment.Thank goodness I did a little searching and found out this was a scam.

A little more information about this so called fake check is:

Nationwide Marketing

PO BOX 91

Minneapolis, MN 55440

Keybank of UTAH in Price, UT

Check Date 10/06/2008 Vendor ID 6280748  31-0300/1243

Routing number is : 124303007   Bank: KEY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Peter Goldman Is the So called Co-ordinator.

Along with the letter and check there was a Customer Satisfaction Evaluation Tool (CSET), I'm assuming this is a way for them to get the important information of the money gram.   We are supposed to fax that after the completion of the assignment.

I did posted this to get the word about this scam.  I encourage all of you leave comments about this and warn people of all the variety of this scam.  Thank goodness I did research or I could of been a victim too, thanks Google!!!

There was another form of this starting up and I wanted to let people know:

Well, guess what . . . I just got a "Customer Service Evaluator" letter, check and survey sheet in my mail! The post mark is from Canada, and the check is from The State Bank of Faribault, Minnesota and the survey company letterhead says that they are located in New York. The phone number I am supposed to call is 1-416-831-1673 to let them know that I have gotten the check. Then I keep $100 and wire the rest back using Money Gram.

I did a google search on the name of the company, and they have a scam alert on their site telling people that the letters that they are getting in the mail are NOT from them.

http://www.surveyclub.com/e/ScamAlert.aspx
They should really check WHO they are sending these letters and checks to before they drop them in the mail!

[From Shawn Mosch]

This came from the scam victims site and wanted to inform people of this scam too!

[gsom-optin]

Skype isn't always safe!!

System Alert ®Says:
WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
=============================

ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected
malware on your computer !

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution / Virus Infection /
Unexpected shutdowns

Recommendation: Users running vulnerable version should install a repair
utility immediately

Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
Failure to do so may result in severe computer malfunction.

http://www.alertscan.net/?q=update
http://www.registryservice.org/?q=scan
http://www.registryscan.cc/ (Newest One)

Now if you are me you do your research? It's spam, they try to scare you into buying there little product and is really stupid!! It says I've got Trojans and spyware but yet, It's not ACTIVE X. I'm thinking its Java look a like!! If you get something from Skype like this just disregard it. If it's an update from Microsoft it comes from the update Microsoft screen not from Skype!!  (DO NOT INSTALL SOFTWARE)

So I am guessing this guys in in Europe. It was created on Oct 2007, so this site is really new!!  This person shouldn't be scaring people like that, Go email them an complain!!.  I'd also go to the skype abuse website and let them know. I really hate people who try to trick people.

There is this possibility that it is Malware. Go check out this topic:
Malware Computer help?

I've also seen another forums post that it might be a virus people talking about it slowing down there system. Check this article out!!

Skype Users. The TMP Cafe

Some Important programs to prevent yourself from having viruses and Malware!!

This post is in response to Alertscan.net and how many people have seen my page. If you would like to protect yourself from the possible hi-jacking of your internet or Computer there are some programs to consider using:

[ad#ad2-left]If you would like to scan your system right now without downloading any files go to:
Kaspersky Lab Free Virus Scan

Firewalls:

• Commodo Firewall


• ZoneAlarm For Vista


• ZoneAlarm for Windows 2000/Xp

Now these are free but I tell you. You will only need one firewall even though windows has a firewall this helps as a better protection to know what is coming in and going out.

Anti-Virus:

• Pctools Antivirus Free Software


• AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5.503


• Avast Home Edition


• Clamwin Free Antivirus

Again these files are free but you will only need one of these. If you install more than one you will most like start slowing your system down to much!!

[ad#ad2-right-1]Spyware Removal:

• SpywareBlaster


• Spybot Search and Destroy v1.5


• Ad-Aware 2007 Free Edition


• Hitman Pro

If these load automatically in windows when you set these up unselect them. I only use one or two of these when I think I need to. You can download more than one of these programs to do the job. The only warning I have is make sure when you install them to unselect the startup when windows starts.

Rootkit Removals:

What is a Rootkit?

• Aries


• F-Secure Blacklight


• AVG-Rootkit Revealer and Remover


• Panda - Rootkit Remover

Other Utilities:

• CCleaner


• HiJackThis


• FireFox Mozilla - Safer than IE 7

Now if you start using these programs that I suggest you will be a far better off then when you started. I will not say you are a 100% protected but will say you are like 50% protected or something to that nature. It is how you explore the web, that causes the most problems some tips to remember:

[ad#ad2-right]

1. Never Click links directly - Always go there manually typing in the address(Some links can be phished or Hidden from site!!)


2. Anything you get in emails Consider who it is from and how much you trust them(Remember though people still can send viruses to you in a multitude of ways)


3. If in doubt Google search to see what the web has to say about a particular idea or website. If they are a serious website there will be good reviews, and you know the opposite of that.


4. Be kind, Don't forward emails when someone says please forward. Most of them are either scams or just trying to clog up the email servers.

I hope all this helps you to be a better user on the internet. If you have any questions, please feel free and go to the miketechshow forums and post your questions. Someone there will be more than glad to help!!

More Skype Spam

[3:41:14 PM] Update ® says: WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
=============================

ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected
malware on your computer !

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution / Virus Infection /
Unexpected shutdowns

Recommendation: Users running vulnerable version should install a repair
utility immediately

Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
Failure to do so may result in severe computer malfunction.

http://www.updatew.org/?q=scan

[ad]

Now if you are me you do your research? It's spam, they try to scare you into buying there little product and is really stupid!! It says I've got trojans and spyware but yet, It's not ACTIVE X. I'm thinking its Java look a like!! If you get something from skype like this just disregard it. If it's an update from Microsoft it comes from the update microsoft screen not from skype!!

If you would like to protect yourself without going to that site try my list of programs to help protect your computer better and they are all free:

Some Important Programs to Prevent Youself from having Viruses!!

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I've went and did a public DNS look up:

Domain Name:UPDATEW.ORG
Created On:09-Dec-2007 16:37:17 UTC
Last Updated On:01-Jan-2008 10:35:21 UTC
Expiration Date:09-Dec-2008 16:37:17 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:eNom, Inc. (R39-LROR)
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:2E99066135D1A4D0
Registrant Name:Whois Manager
Registrant Organization:Whois Proof Service
Registrant Street1:1901 60th PL
Registrant Street2:Suite L9177
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Bradenton
Registrant State/Province:FL
Registrant Postal Code:34203
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.2024700599
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:b2ap56b7@whoisproof.com

If you're like me and you think that email address is a fake just send them snail mail and complain! Tell the company you don't like this type of advertisement!!

[ad]

Some other things to consider, don't open links in emails and other files sent to you without first verifying from people that it is a legit and they have said they sent it.

Some Important programs to prevent yourself from having viruses and Malware!!

This post is in response to Alertscan.net and how many people have seen my page. If you would like to protect yourself from the possible hi-jacking of your internet or Computer there are some programs to consider using:

If you would like to scan your system right now without downloading any files go to:
Kaspersky Lab Free Virus Scan

Firewalls:

• Commodo Firewall


• ZoneAlarm For Vista(Recommended)


• ZoneAlarm for Windows 2000/Xp(Recommended)

Now these are free but I tell you. You will only need one firewall even though windows has a firewall this helps as a better protection to know what is coming in and going out.

Anti-Virus:

• [intlink id="3884" type="post"]SUPERAntiSpyware[/intlink] (Recommended)


• [intlink id="3851" type="post"]Malwarebytes[/intlink] (Recommended)


• Pctools Antivirus Free Software


• AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5.503


• Avast Home Edition


• Clamwin Free Antivirus

Again these files are free but you will only need one of these. If you install more than one you will most like start slowing your system down to much!!

Spyware Removal:

• SpywareBlaster


• Spybot Search and Destroy v1.5


• Ad-Aware 2007 Free Edition


• Hitman Pro

If these load automatically in windows when you set these up unselect them. I only use one or two of these when I think I need to. You can download more than one of these programs to do the job. The only warning I have is make sure when you install them to unselect the startup when windows starts.

Rootkit Removals:

What is a Rootkit?

• Aries


• F-Secure Blacklight


• AVG-Rootkit Revealer and Remover


• Panda - Rootkit Remover

Other Utilities:

• CCleaner


• HiJackThis (Recommended)


• FireFox Mozilla (Recommended)- Safer than IE 7

Now if you start using these programs that I suggest you will be a far better off then when you started. I will not say you are a 100% protected but will say you are like 50% protected or something to that nature. It is how you explore the web, that causes the most problems some tips to remember:

1. Never Click links directly - Always go there manually typing in the address(Some links can be phished or Hidden from site!!)


2. Anything you get in emails Consider who it is from and how much you trust them(Remember though people still can send viruses to you in a multitude of ways)


3. If in doubt Google search to see what the web has to say about a particular idea or website. If they are a serious website there will be good reviews, and you know the opposite of that.


4. Be kind, Don't forward emails when someone says please forward. Most of them are either scams or just trying to clog up the email servers.

I hope all this helps you to be a better user on the internet. If you have any questions, please feel free and go to the miketechshow forums and post your questions. Someone there will be more than glad to help!!