Showing posts with label Internet Scams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internet Scams. Show all posts
Friday, February 12, 2016
Internet Scams: Windows 10
Below is a link to my blog post - warning everyone of a phone scam / internet scam where the scammers are representing themselves as customer service reps from Windows and or Microsoft Corporation. Please read. It could save you from being cyber-attacked. Thanks.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Internet Scams: Hiram Lewis: Fake Section 8 Housing
This was brought to my attention so I thought to share it with everyone. It is about a man who is scamming section 8 housing applicants. Yes, this man is preying on the very poor. Please click the link below to learn more - and if you can, pass it around and spread the word. I think it's despicable when people take advantage of children, the elderly, the sick, and the poor. Here is a piece of shit who may be doing this to all four types I mentioned.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Internet Scams: Absolute Write
Okay, this is my second installment of "Internet Scams". I'm thinking this might be a regular topic around here, on The Looking Glass. We'll see. Regardless, I wanted to bring to light another possible website trying to scam unsuspecting people. In this case, new or aspiring writers. What better group of people to prey on than someone with a dream, right?
But before we get into why I hold reservations about this website known as "Absolute Write" and why I suspect them to be a scam, allow me to tell you a little story. I got to thinking that someone out there might be asking themselves, "How would Carroll know what a scam is? What makes him such an expert?" And to that I would say, "Very good question."
You see, I have an older brother, and he is a natural born con man. When I was a teenager, I looked up to him. I thought he was the cats meow. Cool, sophisticated, and everybody seemed to love the guy. He just has a way with people. It's hard to dislike him. And during my teen years, I got to hang out with him from time to time. He would let me work for him during the summers and such to make a few extra dollars. I got to hang out at his place all the time. This meant, I got to watch him in action as he would often scam people left and right. He could sell you a rock for a dollar and have you thinking you just got a great deal. You go home and show your spouse and she rips you a new one. You get upset, and go back to face off with my brother and to get your dollar back, but five minutes into your argument, he turns around and sells you another rock for twice the price. You're happy with your purchase. You get home and your spouse rips you again. Then you take one of the rocks and crack your spouse upside the head and smile. "He was right, I did need to buy these rocks!"
That's my brother. He will talk you into thinking that you want or need what he is selling. More times than not, you don't. That's not the point. The point is, my brother can scam with the best of them. And I got to watch him in action more times than I care to mention. Even when people realize later that he got the best of them through his famous grin, and wink from his baby face, they shrug their shoulders and say, "Oh well, he's such a cool guy." Nobody can get mad, or stay mad at my brother.
Every time I watched him, I would shake my head. I always wondered how these people could be fooled by him. The one thing I learned about my brother was, everything thing was a business deal. Even relationships. Friends or otherwise. He is always looking at what's in it for him. If you don't have something that he wants, there's a pretty good chance you won't be good friends with him. But he will keep you around to some degree, because in his mind, you might have something someday that he will want so ......
Anyhow, I learned all about scams from watching him. This is why it is hard to run one by me. This also leads me to the website "Absolute Write".
Now, when I first joined Goodreads back in the Spring of 2011, someone sent me a link to their site. I checked it out, reading through their forum before joining. I didn't join. My initial thought was, "This is proof the 'no child left behind' program was a complete and utter failure." There was something about these people that didn't add up. In the first place, all I saw was a bunch of gossip, and arguing. I got the feeling there was a lot of hate in these people and I wasn't about to go getting involved with a group like that.
But as the months passed, I soon forgot all about them until I got attacked by the Goodreads bullies. This is when I learned about STGRB. From there, they did a post about "Absolute Write" that soon explained why my internal alarm was ringing off the hook the first time I checked them out. It turns out that the site owner, MacCallister Stone, isn't who she appears to be. In fact, MacCallister Stone isn't even her real name. And when you're trying to decide if there is a scam in the works, I think someone who hides behind a fake name would be the first red flag that you might be dealing with a scam. The truth of the matter is that MacCallister Stone is really Lisa L. Spangenberg. (An author)
Not only that, but MacCallister, or Lisa, lists her address in Seattle, Washington. (A P.O. address) And furthermore, she really lives in California. Hhhmm, fake name? Fake address? Second red flag!
I also discovered the reason why she would probably go to such lengths to hide her true identity and address, because Lisa and her husband have been sued more times than a tabloid newspaper.
From what I have gathered, Lisa and her husband seem to hold seminars throughout the West coast. People pay to go to these seminars. I also learned that they provide "writing" services for a fee. This is when the light bulb turned on. How easy would it be to lure new and aspiring authors into their web? I mean, it's all about the money. And apparently, with all the lawsuits filed against them, most of which I understand, they lost and were found guilty of ripping people off, they do indeed fit the "scam" type.
This couple may also be largely responsible for a lot of the bullying going on over at Goodreads and Amazon Kindle Forum Boards. Here are a couple of screenshots of Lisa's GR profile, and her sock puppet, MacCallister Stone. (Provided by STGRB) Where you can clearly see some familiar bully names on their friends list. Take a look.
So I'm guessing at this point, with the members they have now, they all own several "sock puppets" each. It seems like more and more, STGRB continues to uncover these bullies and their sock puppets. It makes one wonder. I know it makes me wonder.
With all of this evidence and information, it would only be fair of me to warn any and all new, old or aspiring authors about this website. Of course, ultimately, the choice to do business with these people or even be associated with these people is completely up to each individual. However, if you do decide to get mixed up with the likes of these people, and find out later you've been scammed, don't say I didn't warn you.
My advice is, if you get involved with them, do not - under any circumstance - give them any money for anything. Period! And especially, do not send them any unpublished manuscripts to look at, review, or even edit. Double period!
I will go on record and say that I am not one hundred percent positive that "Absolute Write" is a scam, I have no concrete proof of it, but when the owner of the site lies about her real name, and address, and has been sued on multiple occasions, then all of the signs point to ---> Buyer Beware!
Trust me, no writer needs what "Absolute Write" has to offer. It is easy for people to prey on those who desperately dream of being a published writer, and have low self esteem.
To all Indie writers, I always recommend Bookbaby.com. And I advise to stay away from Goodreads if you can. I also highly suggest to tread carefully, and or stay away from the website that is called, "Absolute Write".
Yes Violetta, you got me. I read "Jonathon Livingston Seagull". I am 60 years old. That is my confession. But wait! I have another confession to make. The truth is, I also read and liked "Journey To The Center Of The Earth", by my longtime and dear friend, Jules Verne. (I just always called him Dr. J.) And as everyone knows, that book was published in 1864. My second confession is that I lied about my first confession. The real truth is, I am 180 years old.
Okay, that's not true either. Now for my most shocking confession of the day. I lied about my second confession. You see, I also read and liked the Bible. Therefor I confess the truth that I am 10,000 years old.
But before we get into why I hold reservations about this website known as "Absolute Write" and why I suspect them to be a scam, allow me to tell you a little story. I got to thinking that someone out there might be asking themselves, "How would Carroll know what a scam is? What makes him such an expert?" And to that I would say, "Very good question."
You see, I have an older brother, and he is a natural born con man. When I was a teenager, I looked up to him. I thought he was the cats meow. Cool, sophisticated, and everybody seemed to love the guy. He just has a way with people. It's hard to dislike him. And during my teen years, I got to hang out with him from time to time. He would let me work for him during the summers and such to make a few extra dollars. I got to hang out at his place all the time. This meant, I got to watch him in action as he would often scam people left and right. He could sell you a rock for a dollar and have you thinking you just got a great deal. You go home and show your spouse and she rips you a new one. You get upset, and go back to face off with my brother and to get your dollar back, but five minutes into your argument, he turns around and sells you another rock for twice the price. You're happy with your purchase. You get home and your spouse rips you again. Then you take one of the rocks and crack your spouse upside the head and smile. "He was right, I did need to buy these rocks!"
That's my brother. He will talk you into thinking that you want or need what he is selling. More times than not, you don't. That's not the point. The point is, my brother can scam with the best of them. And I got to watch him in action more times than I care to mention. Even when people realize later that he got the best of them through his famous grin, and wink from his baby face, they shrug their shoulders and say, "Oh well, he's such a cool guy." Nobody can get mad, or stay mad at my brother.
Every time I watched him, I would shake my head. I always wondered how these people could be fooled by him. The one thing I learned about my brother was, everything thing was a business deal. Even relationships. Friends or otherwise. He is always looking at what's in it for him. If you don't have something that he wants, there's a pretty good chance you won't be good friends with him. But he will keep you around to some degree, because in his mind, you might have something someday that he will want so ......
Anyhow, I learned all about scams from watching him. This is why it is hard to run one by me. This also leads me to the website "Absolute Write".
Now, when I first joined Goodreads back in the Spring of 2011, someone sent me a link to their site. I checked it out, reading through their forum before joining. I didn't join. My initial thought was, "This is proof the 'no child left behind' program was a complete and utter failure." There was something about these people that didn't add up. In the first place, all I saw was a bunch of gossip, and arguing. I got the feeling there was a lot of hate in these people and I wasn't about to go getting involved with a group like that.
But as the months passed, I soon forgot all about them until I got attacked by the Goodreads bullies. This is when I learned about STGRB. From there, they did a post about "Absolute Write" that soon explained why my internal alarm was ringing off the hook the first time I checked them out. It turns out that the site owner, MacCallister Stone, isn't who she appears to be. In fact, MacCallister Stone isn't even her real name. And when you're trying to decide if there is a scam in the works, I think someone who hides behind a fake name would be the first red flag that you might be dealing with a scam. The truth of the matter is that MacCallister Stone is really Lisa L. Spangenberg. (An author)
Not only that, but MacCallister, or Lisa, lists her address in Seattle, Washington. (A P.O. address) And furthermore, she really lives in California. Hhhmm, fake name? Fake address? Second red flag!
I also discovered the reason why she would probably go to such lengths to hide her true identity and address, because Lisa and her husband have been sued more times than a tabloid newspaper.
From what I have gathered, Lisa and her husband seem to hold seminars throughout the West coast. People pay to go to these seminars. I also learned that they provide "writing" services for a fee. This is when the light bulb turned on. How easy would it be to lure new and aspiring authors into their web? I mean, it's all about the money. And apparently, with all the lawsuits filed against them, most of which I understand, they lost and were found guilty of ripping people off, they do indeed fit the "scam" type.
This couple may also be largely responsible for a lot of the bullying going on over at Goodreads and Amazon Kindle Forum Boards. Here are a couple of screenshots of Lisa's GR profile, and her sock puppet, MacCallister Stone. (Provided by STGRB) Where you can clearly see some familiar bully names on their friends list. Take a look.
So I'm guessing at this point, with the members they have now, they all own several "sock puppets" each. It seems like more and more, STGRB continues to uncover these bullies and their sock puppets. It makes one wonder. I know it makes me wonder.
With all of this evidence and information, it would only be fair of me to warn any and all new, old or aspiring authors about this website. Of course, ultimately, the choice to do business with these people or even be associated with these people is completely up to each individual. However, if you do decide to get mixed up with the likes of these people, and find out later you've been scammed, don't say I didn't warn you.
My advice is, if you get involved with them, do not - under any circumstance - give them any money for anything. Period! And especially, do not send them any unpublished manuscripts to look at, review, or even edit. Double period!
I will go on record and say that I am not one hundred percent positive that "Absolute Write" is a scam, I have no concrete proof of it, but when the owner of the site lies about her real name, and address, and has been sued on multiple occasions, then all of the signs point to ---> Buyer Beware!
Trust me, no writer needs what "Absolute Write" has to offer. It is easy for people to prey on those who desperately dream of being a published writer, and have low self esteem.
To all Indie writers, I always recommend Bookbaby.com. And I advise to stay away from Goodreads if you can. I also highly suggest to tread carefully, and or stay away from the website that is called, "Absolute Write".
1) Owner has fake name and address
2) Owner has been sued multiple times
3) Their forums are nothing but gossip
4) Strong ties to Goodreads bullies
I will give give "Absolute Write" credit for one thing though, they're very intelligent people. You see, they solved the mystery of my age. Using their version of commonsense and deductive reasoning, they were able to figure out that I am a withering and wilted old man. In a thread on their forum, they were talking about me. As everyone who has been following me knows, my age has not only been a bully obsession, but has baffled them for centuries. It's really all they can talk about. And because I openly admitted to reading and liking the book "Jonathon Livingston Seagull", they figured out how old I am. A tip of the my hat to you AW. Sherlock Holmes would be proud. You can see for yourself in this next screenshot by super sleuth herself, ViolettaVane.
Yes Violetta, you got me. I read "Jonathon Livingston Seagull". I am 60 years old. That is my confession. But wait! I have another confession to make. The truth is, I also read and liked "Journey To The Center Of The Earth", by my longtime and dear friend, Jules Verne. (I just always called him Dr. J.) And as everyone knows, that book was published in 1864. My second confession is that I lied about my first confession. The real truth is, I am 180 years old.
Okay, that's not true either. Now for my most shocking confession of the day. I lied about my second confession. You see, I also read and liked the Bible. Therefor I confess the truth that I am 10,000 years old.
Am I glad to get that off my chest!
I tell you what Violetta, just call yourself stupid.
(I told you the 'no child left behind' program didn't work)
I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.
Things We Learned Today:
* "Absolute Write" is an "Absolute Wrong!"
* Learn more about "Absolute Write" on STGRB
* Carroll was born 10,000 years ago
* Carroll was born 10,000 years ago
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Internet Scams
They are everywhere in the world. The scammers. They hide in the shadows waiting for their next victim. Then without warning, BABAM! They strike.
We all know that when it comes to the internet, you have to tread lightly. You can't always take things at face value. It seems like everywhere you turn, there are people out there in the world asking for your money. If you aren't wise to the word, you just might find yourself giving these people your money, unsuspecting in the beginning that you just been took.
We all know that when it comes to the internet, you have to tread lightly. You can't always take things at face value. It seems like everywhere you turn, there are people out there in the world asking for your money. If you aren't wise to the word, you just might find yourself giving these people your money, unsuspecting in the beginning that you just been took.
Sucker!
I know that I for one get emails all the time from these people, telling me of a sad story of bereavement, inheritance, or announcing that I have half a million dollars just waiting for me in some foreign bank account from some lottery I just won when I never even bought a lottery ticket in the first place. All I have to do is send them a few thousand dollars to cover the taxes and fees and within thirty days, I'm wiping my bum with hundred dollar bills.
Peanut butter jelly time!
Then reality hits you like an over-sized muscular green monster on steroids with an attitude. Hulk mad! Instead of being half a million dollars richer, you're just a few thousand dollars poorer. The next thing you know, you're eating dinner over at grandma's house for a while. "What's for dinner, grandma?"
"Little Friskey's tuna delight."
"But, you don't own a cat."
I've seen this a thousand times. The next thing you know you're catching lice from a friendly game of "duck, duck, goose". Well, we're not falling for it! Are we? .... Are we?
Actually, some people do fall for it. I mean, it's just too good to be true! Well, word up. If it's too good to be true then .... you know the rest of it.
Recently, a friend of mine was approached on Twitter by a website called EasyLifeStyles.org. Now, I'm not going to accuse this site of being a scam, but they sure do look fishy. I'll tell you why, but first, let's take a look at the conversation. It starts out innocent enough, but wait until we get to the punchline.
At this point, my friend was really into it. I mean, who wouldn't? Getting paid to write? What a way to go! However, she came to me asking if I would look into these people and see if they are legit. So I did. Everything was looking okay at first. They sure do know how to reel them in. But after I signed up to learn more, I saw the bottom line. The way they present themselves and the "catch" at the end was a dead give-away to me that this might not be all that it seems.
My friend gave me her sign-in info and password for her Twitter account so I could follow the conversation. And click the link they supplied her. Once I saw the red flags, I had to bust her balloon. "I'm sorry sweetheart, but I think it's scam." And with that revelation, I responded to them on her twitter account with the last line in the next screenshot.
Okay, so you may be asking, "What did you learn, Carroll?" - very good question. Gee whiz, you people are so smart. Well, here is what I learned when I clicked on their link. This website is hiring people with absolutely NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! To write. Yes, you heard me, anyone can earn a living (Up to 27,000 dollars a year!) to write reviews for blog posts, restaurants, short stories and or write reviews for books, and so much more.
Take a look.
Excited yet? Well, you should be ..... NOT!
After clicking on their link and then clicking on their "get started" link, I was sent to this page.
Oh, it's so ..... colorful. And look at the lovely lady. She's dressed for success ... and smiling!
As you can read for yourself, they have more writing jobs than what they can fill.
They're hiring!
You also get to see this after you submit your name and email to them.
Make tons of money! OMG! Braingasm!
Money, money, money .... monnnn-ey!
So far, I am creaming my jeans just thinking about all the money I am going to make. The hotrod car I will be driving and all Swedish girls that will be living with me in my newly, custom-built mansion. You with me so far? Good!
So, hey, hire me, hire me!
Then I get to the bottom of the page.
Suddenly, I feel a strange blunt object penetrating my rectal area.
Before they will "hire" me, I have to pay them a fee with a credit card.
Yes, I have to pay "THEM" a fee.
$68.00 dollars to be exact.
If I submit the secret code that they give me, I can get a 50% discount.
A 50% percent discount? Just to get a job? Count me in!
NOT!
Don't believe me? See for yourself.
A fool and his money soon go their separate ways.
Like I said earlier, I'm not sure if this really is a scam, but it's not looking so good from where I sit. I don't know of too many jobs where I have to dish out some money in order to get hired. I thought the purpose of employment was to make money, not spend it to get the job. Hey, I understand the economy is bad right now, but who in their right mind is going to fork over $68.00 bucks for a chance to earn more?
There's no guarantee in life.
And there is no guarantee that this job offer to write for a living with this website is legit. But am I going to take that chance? ... I don't think so.
However, the manner in which they present themselves, and tell you all about the money you can make gets the reader excited. They go through this whole shamille to lure you in and then they hit you with a "membership" fee at the very end. This is how most scams work. They know you're going to be excited and while you're all juiced up, they know that many people will not hesitate to send them their money in the hopes of getting a writing gig. From what I have learned through the years, legit companies would never ask you for a fee of any kind. So just be on your guard.
However, the manner in which they present themselves, and tell you all about the money you can make gets the reader excited. They go through this whole shamille to lure you in and then they hit you with a "membership" fee at the very end. This is how most scams work. They know you're going to be excited and while you're all juiced up, they know that many people will not hesitate to send them their money in the hopes of getting a writing gig. From what I have learned through the years, legit companies would never ask you for a fee of any kind. So just be on your guard.
If anyone out there is familiar with this company, please let us all know if this is for real. As for my friend, she's no longer interested. It's a "proceed at your own risk" kind of deal.
You can check them out on Facebook, so I did, and this is what I found.
Nobody seems to be following them, yet on their website they show almost 500 Facebook Followers. Something just isn't adding up here.
Again, I'm not saying that EasyLifeStyles.org is an actual scam, but I ask you, how bad do you want to find out?
If you're approached by them on Twitter like my friend was, just know that a little commonsense can go a long way to keeping your hard earned money in your wallet. (Or purse) It's okay to get a little excited, but try and keep your composure and do your research. If you're still not sure, contact me and I will see what I can do to help. You fine folks aren't just a bunch of readers to me, you're my friends. I'll be more than happy to do whatever I can.
Meanwhile, if it sounds too good to be true .......
I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.
Things We Learned Today:
* Not everything is what it appears to be
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