Community Chat

[silentgirl]

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@Caligurll wrote:

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@silentgirl wrote:

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@Caligurll wrote:

Just want to share what has happened to me so far today.

I have an on line savings account, and I recently transferred some funds from it to my regular checking account at my credit union.  This morning I had an email claiming to be from that financial institution saying my funds were going to be withheld until I provided more verification details and I would not get my money until I followed the link provided.  Thing is, the money was deposited in my account 2 days ago.  The email address (mine) wasn't even the correct name.

Then this afternoon I get an email claiming to be from Comcast that my service was going to be discontinued because I had outstanding bills (plural!).  Needless to say, I DO NOT have unpaid Comcast bills!  This is part of what the email said:

Your account currently has unpaid bills due. Please check your account here to view the status of your bills.

Failure to do so will result in your innability to access your account. If you have your account up to date on payments please disregard this message and check your latest payments here.

I love how they spelled "innability!"  And how "nice" that they provided two click here links (I bolded and underlined), one for if I had unpaid bills and one to check my latest payments. 

Two in one day is really distressing to me, not sure what to do about it. 

We really can't be too careful about what we put out there on the internet. 

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@Caligurll

I'm so glad you shared that and that everything worked out.

We had a similar occurrence regarding our brokerage transferring to our bank-

Same email, looked official enough, so I called the brokerage firm who connected me to their security-They also requested I send them the email with all of the tracking info attached - everythiing was fine pertaining to the transfer-but it was scary-

Just had a call from a credit card company we have never used-wanted to know if I had been to Starbucks-Had I charged a dollar? Ah, NO and NO!

He said they knew that was the case but, needed verification-

Why would anyone not be able to afford a dollar?- I asked-He said they will charge a dollar just to see if the card is a working card and raise the amount gradually in order to see if its flagged, or if the card has funds available-

I think they count on individuals fear-many people would just become upset, call them back or contact them without question, end up giving them personal information and often end up in devastating circumstances-

For those who may not know, in those situations you will not be sent an email, but recieve a phone call-or, the information will be posted to your private account-

Always call-

Good idea to dump cookies daily as well-

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@silentgirl That was the first thing I did after I got the email, and ran every security program I had!  And shut down and restarted my computer. (I figured it couldn't hurt.) 

I deleted the email, but I will contact the financial institution and call Comcast.

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@Caligurll

I've been there many times-did just what you did and in a frenzy, I might add!

Never hurts-we don't know what we pick up when we are casually minding our own business on the internet-

Hoping tonight is uneventful  

[mistriTsquirrel]

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@Moonchilde wrote:

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@YorkieonmyPillow wrote:

  Googled myself, including my state and common variations of my name....found absolutely nothing, zilch, nada....because I don't use my real name and put my info out there.

  I'm on FB but my page is private. I don't use my real name, no personal photos, I don't even list my real CONTINENT. 

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It wasn't so many years ago that if you came onto a forum (almost any forum) and chose a forum name that wasn't a "real name"-sounding name, you would be taunted as a troll, or it was said you must be up to no good, otherwise why in the world would anyone ever not want to use their real name anywhere on the internet, what's wrong with you, you don't have the courage to use your own name, blah blah. Those of us who have used alter egoes from the beginning just sat back and laughed.

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People often say to others, "I'll bet you wouldn't say things like that if you had to post under your real name!!"  The problem is, you don't even have to say something nasty to offend someone.  You can simply give some sort of clue about your political leanings or religious beliefs and someone somewhere will want to kill you.  People act like it's shady to want to be anonymous--and it is for some people--but there isn't a person on this earth who is liked by everyone.

[Caligurll]

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@silentgirl wrote:

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@Caligurll wrote:

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@silentgirl wrote:

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@Caligurll wrote:

Just want to share what has happened to me so far today.

I have an on line savings account, and I recently transferred some funds from it to my regular checking account at my credit union.  This morning I had an email claiming to be from that financial institution saying my funds were going to be withheld until I provided more verification details and I would not get my money until I followed the link provided.  Thing is, the money was deposited in my account 2 days ago.  The email address (mine) wasn't even the correct name.

Then this afternoon I get an email claiming to be from Comcast that my service was going to be discontinued because I had outstanding bills (plural!).  Needless to say, I DO NOT have unpaid Comcast bills!  This is part of what the email said:

Your account currently has unpaid bills due. Please check your account here to view the status of your bills.

Failure to do so will result in your innability to access your account. If you have your account up to date on payments please disregard this message and check your latest payments here.

I love how they spelled "innability!"  And how "nice" that they provided two click here links (I bolded and underlined), one for if I had unpaid bills and one to check my latest payments. 

Two in one day is really distressing to me, not sure what to do about it. 

We really can't be too careful about what we put out there on the internet. 

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@Caligurll

I'm so glad you shared that and that everything worked out.

We had a similar occurrence regarding our brokerage transferring to our bank-

Same email, looked official enough, so I called the brokerage firm who connected me to their security-They also requested I send them the email with all of the tracking info attached - everythiing was fine pertaining to the transfer-but it was scary-

Just had a call from a credit card company we have never used-wanted to know if I had been to Starbucks-Had I charged a dollar? Ah, NO and NO!

He said they knew that was the case but, needed verification-

Why would anyone not be able to afford a dollar?- I asked-He said they will charge a dollar just to see if the card is a working card and raise the amount gradually in order to see if its flagged, or if the card has funds available-

I think they count on individuals fear-many people would just become upset, call them back or contact them without question, end up giving them personal information and often end up in devastating circumstances-

For those who may not know, in those situations you will not be sent an email, but recieve a phone call-or, the information will be posted to your private account-

Always call-

Good idea to dump cookies daily as well-

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@silentgirl That was the first thing I did after I got the email, and ran every security program I had!  And shut down and restarted my computer. (I figured it couldn't hurt.) 

I deleted the email, but I will contact the financial institution and call Comcast.

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@Caligurll

I've been there many times-did just what you did and in a frenzy, I might add!

Never hurts-we don't know what we pick up when we are casually minding our own business on the internet-

Hoping tonight is uneventful  

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@silentgirl  Thanks, me too! 

[Toppers3]

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@Q4u wrote:

I agree with everything you said, however these forums are private to QVC and need a password to participate (not infalliable).  Which means that the information provided here isn't immediately available to the World Wide Web. Granted, we still need to be careful as anyone can register and participate but having a password to participate is far better than raw info being disseminated to the entire web .... but certainly something to always keep in mind no matter where we're discussing.....

Thanks for your thoughtful reminder....  

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Hi @Q4u,

You can read these forums without signing in, so anyone anywhere can see and read what's posted here online.

[mistriTsquirrel]

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@Carmie wrote:

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@RoughDraft wrote:

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@tansy wrote:

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@missy1 wrote:

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@esmeraldagooch wrote:

If you have a ip address or a business name it's easy to find a physical address.

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So you are saying I go on a site, they can know exactly where I live with my IP? I am not talking just location. (I know that)  I went on a site and this company called my phone.  Where is this home address/IP  phonebooK? Is there a special program?

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@missy1, no, I don't believe an ordinary citizen can determine your home address from your IP address.  Mine doesn't show the correct city even.  Maybe @dooBdoo will chime in.

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Interesting.  I just checked my IP address.  In the past it just gave a general location. This time it lists a very close proximity to where I live, what kind of device I'm using, my operating system, my screen size and my browser!  The only thing not listed is my shoe size!  Times, they are a changing.   (thud)

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I just looked mine up and it's way off. It's in the US, that's about the only thing that was right.

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Your IP address is not YOUR IP address.  IT is provided by the carrier you are using at the time.  If you are in Starbucks, your IP address will not be the same one you use from home or at work.  An IP address is not assigned to you and it temporary.  Everytime you turn your device off, you get a new IP address when you turn it back on from your home or anywhere else.

You  can turn off location services generated by your phone and tablets.  That way no one will know your location. Delete your cookies everyday and your browsing history .  Your device gives out much more information than your mother's first name.

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Thank you.  I wanted to mention that because @sidsmom made the comment about another board and the moderator having the IP address of those members and therefore being able to identify them.  I just wanted to point out my IP address isn't close to being where I really am.

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Forum admins can block members of a forum by IP address, can't they?  That is what I've heard anyway.  But how can they do that if your home IP address is different every time you sign on?

[Moonchilde]

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@mistriTsquirrel wrote:

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@Moonchilde wrote:

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@YorkieonmyPillow wrote:

  Googled myself, including my state and common variations of my name....found absolutely nothing, zilch, nada....because I don't use my real name and put my info out there.

  I'm on FB but my page is private. I don't use my real name, no personal photos, I don't even list my real CONTINENT. 

---

It wasn't so many years ago that if you came onto a forum (almost any forum) and chose a forum name that wasn't a "real name"-sounding name, you would be taunted as a troll, or it was said you must be up to no good, otherwise why in the world would anyone ever not want to use their real name anywhere on the internet, what's wrong with you, you don't have the courage to use your own name, blah blah. Those of us who have used alter egoes from the beginning just sat back and laughed.

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People often say to others, "I'll bet you wouldn't say things like that if you had to post under your real name!!"  The problem is, you don't even have to say something nasty to offend someone.  You can simply give some sort of clue about your political leanings or religious beliefs and someone somewhere will want to kill you.  People act like it's shady to want to be anonymous--and it is for some people--but there isn't a person on this earth who is liked by everyone.

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I think "offend" is just another meaningless word like "bully" or "hater" or half a dozen others misused to promote agendas. Words become meaningless when they're misused.

People no longer differentiate between offended, angry, annoyed, disgusted, unhappy.  Theoretically, people are supposed to think that being "offended" is valid and important and everyone will rush to your side in support, like being bullied, whereas if you're just annoyed, and say so, you're just one of the crowd.

Annoyed with, sure, sometimes even angry. But very, very few things to actually, seriously be offended about on a shopping channel forum. Unless one's hobby is being offended; quite a few of those around here.

[Carmie]

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@Caligurll wrote:

Just want to share what has happened to me so far today.

I have an on line savings account, and I recently transferred some funds from it to my regular checking account at my credit union.  This morning I had an email claiming to be from that financial institution saying my funds were going to be withheld until I provided more verification details and I would not get my money until I followed the link provided.  Thing is, the money was deposited in my account 2 days ago.  The email address (mine) wasn't even the correct name.

Then this afternoon I get an email claiming to be from Comcast that my service was going to be discontinued because I had outstanding bills (plural!).  Needless to say, I DO NOT have unpaid Comcast bills!  This is part of what the email said:

Your account currently has unpaid bills due. Please check your account here to view the status of your bills.

Failure to do so will result in your innability to access your account. If you have your account up to date on payments please disregard this message and check your latest payments here.

I love how they spelled "innability!"  And how "nice" that they provided two click here links (I bolded and underlined), one for if I had unpaid bills and one to check my latest payments. 

Two in one day is really distressing to me, not sure what to do about it. 

We really can't be too careful about what we put out there on the internet. 

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I get email like this almost every week.  I get email and voice mail about student loans and from large banks that I don't even have an account at.  

Some claim to be Amazon or Chase Bank.

The scammers just send out large volumes of email to every possible email address out there. They are computer generated email addresses.  Some go where because that email belongs to no one.  They are hoping that someone will be dumb enough to fall for it.

i just delete them.  I am not paranoid.  Everyone gets this sometimes.

[Moonchilde]

Over the years, I've gotten multiple spam mails about "your X (bank) account." Some are super obvious with very bad English, and some might be believable - except that I've never had an account at Bank X.

You would think, if so much can be recognized by programming and stored away, that when you go to a website where you have a sign-in and have belonged for 5+ years, that "Please sign up with us!" would not show up every time. If IP addresses were all that pinpointing, and/or tied in with email addresses in any way, "they" should know who "you" are when you cruise by - but they don't. Seems like they know the Dark Side all too well but don't bother keeping you pleased with them after the hook.

[chickenbutt]

GREAT idea mentined by Silentgirl to dump cookies frequently.

Furthermore, any time I have been in my checking account or paying bills, I clean everything out.  I use CCleaner, which does a great job with cookies and other clutter.  Then I run a defrag.

I really like Auslogic Disk Defrag and use it on all my computers, except for the Windows 10 one.  I had the program on it and one of their updates killed the program.  But I was able to find the Win10 program and just use it but don't know how good a job it does.   Really ticks me off that Win10 kills off some of the programs that I installed.  Almost every time there is an update it either corrupts or just kills off at least one program.

Anyway, moral of that too-long story is that keeping things cleaned out helps with security.  

[Caligurll]

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@Carmie wrote:

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@Caligurll wrote:

Just want to share what has happened to me so far today.

I have an on line savings account, and I recently transferred some funds from it to my regular checking account at my credit union.  This morning I had an email claiming to be from that financial institution saying my funds were going to be withheld until I provided more verification details and I would not get my money until I followed the link provided.  Thing is, the money was deposited in my account 2 days ago.  The email address (mine) wasn't even the correct name.

Then this afternoon I get an email claiming to be from Comcast that my service was going to be discontinued because I had outstanding bills (plural!).  Needless to say, I DO NOT have unpaid Comcast bills!  This is part of what the email said:

Your account currently has unpaid bills due. Please check your account here to view the status of your bills.

Failure to do so will result in your innability to access your account. If you have your account up to date on payments please disregard this message and check your latest payments here.

I love how they spelled "innability!"  And how "nice" that they provided two click here links (I bolded and underlined), one for if I had unpaid bills and one to check my latest payments. 

Two in one day is really distressing to me, not sure what to do about it. 

We really can't be too careful about what we put out there on the internet. 

---

I get email like this almost every week.  I get email and voice mail about student loans and from large banks that I don't even have an account at.  

Some claim to be Amazon or Chase Bank.

The scammers just send out large volumes of email to every possible email address out there. They are computer generated email addresses.  Some go where because that email belongs to no one.  They are hoping that someone will be dumb enough to fall for it.

i just delete them.  I am not paranoid.  Everyone gets this sometimes.

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I get a lot of those too, but the one from the financial institution was a little to specific and timely for me to ignore it like I do when I get emails from banks I don't bank at or credit card companies I don't have cards with.

The Comcast email was just the usual phishing kind, not specific, so I'm not concerned about that.  I might just close the on line account and transfer the funds to my CU.

It was just that when I saw the email first thing this morning I flashed back to this thread from last night, and was already thinking about how much information I had put out there in bits and pieces on this forum.  Nothing significant individually, but made me question if I had overshared.