There are so many scams online and offline and yet they still prosper. Why? Because people are not listening! Most of these people who don’t listen also act on impulse. They go ahead without asking others even before they buy.

I get emails from people I know asking me to join this and that. Since I know they are scams, I end up replying with the warning. I also have online buddies I warned but I learned about what they got themselves into after they have already paid. One did not even believe me and got himself to pay more. After spending more than $2000, he then began to think what I said was true.

Have you heard about the sensa scam? Others say it works, others say it’s a scam. Look around what other people say. What’s the percentage ratio before you will avoid a possible scam? For me, 5% is already too high. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Someone in my address book sent me an email and according to her she needs help.  I haven’t really heard from her for a long time and when I did, she’s asking for help. At first glance, though, I knew her email address was hacked…and that someone can get scammed. How about the others in her address book who were sent the same email? Below is the screen shot of the email:

Now let’s analyze…

1. The email was sent to herself, which means I was sent a BCC, which means others were sent the same email.

2. She had an URGENT trip to far far away country. She really does go abroad so it does seem real.

3. She has not much time on the pc which means no way to chat.

4. All her money got stolen. She really needs money then.

5. Robbery incident at the hotel (what’s the name of the hotel?)…which could mean she’s not alone that was robbed since…

6. The telephone lines were disconnected (no way to call or be called).

7. She’s restless, hence, the composition of her email may be abnormal.

8. Her mobile phone won’t work where she is so she left her phone. No way to call her. I did try but was unable to connect. She has probably changed her number. We’re not close, by the way.

9. She’s asking for 1,200 pounds. That’s a lot of money and I don’t have that! It’s realistic, though, for her to return home.

10. She’ll refund it back. It’s but right, right? For a hacker, though, that means bye-bye.

11. She’s confused. Bear with her.

12. Send the money through Western Union. No way for dispute. Once the money is sent, in minutes it can be claimed.

13. I forgot to encircle the need for the name and address where the money is to be sent. Does it mean I can’t send it to her own name? Weird. So hacky.

This is the second time I received such an email…from people whose email addresses I know. I knew right away that it was hacked and I told him (the first) that his email was hacked. He confirmed because he could no longer open his email account.

Imagine this: your email got hacked and sent this kind of message to your address book list and several or even just one of them complied and you did not even get back to pay and you’re nowhere to be found…or if the hacker says thanks and bye-bye (in the name of the real person: you)…then you will be tagged as a scammer!

Knowing that such scheme exists is halfway the battle to be won.

Hubby got my attention just today, while he is at work now.  It’s 5 minutes fresh.

Someone called his co-worker, specifically by name. She entertained the call. The woman at the other end of the line introduced herself as Marianne without a surname. She said she is from SSS (Social Security System) and she’s offering the would-be victim a loan and she’s asking for pertinent information needed for the loan. Take note, Marianne most likely has a database of people who often take loans.

Good thing, this would-be victim told her that she’s going to confirm it with HR. She got into thinking why she’s being offered SSS loan when she actually has a current loan. When she got back to the phone after asking HR, “Marianne” was gone.

What conclusions can we draw from this scenario?

1. Marianne is really from SSS and she’s moonlighting for another loan company like Citibank, HSBC, etc. If this is so, this is VERY serious matter for SSS!

2. If she’s really from SSS, why the need to ask for pertinent information? She has no direct access to the SSS database? She’s just a clerk?

2. Marianne didn’t want to mention those loan companies like, “Hi, I’m from Citibank,” because before the next word, she’ll probably hear “Sorry, not interested,” from the other end that is why she used SSS.

3. Marianne is not from any of those companies nor from SSS but wants to get the pertinent information for another use. That information can lead to a series of mail marketing of other products or other scams.

4. It’s a numbers game. How many will fall prey? Marianne is not seen so she has no way of being caught.

Have you experienced this? Do you know someone who did? Please share your thoughts and maybe we can save others falling prey to this tactic! Might as well share this info to others.

Many Adsense millionaires show proof that they are indeed millionaires. Could this be true at all especially if I can make the proof myself by simply filling up the form?

Try to be an Adsense millionaire yourself!

Thanks to Andrew dela Serna for posting the link.

Weight loss and diet pills have filled almost every corner of the internet. There are just too many you can no longer know for a fact which among them promotes with utmost truth.

HydroxyCut is one of the famous names in the US and it really did the body wonders. Later it was found out to have ephedra. From Wikipedia:

Ephedra is both a stimulant and a thermogenic; its biological effects are due to its ephedrine and pseudoephedrine content. These compounds stimulate the brain, increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels (increasing blood pressure), and expand bronchial tubes (making breathing easier). Their thermogenic properties cause an increase in metabolism, evidenced by an increase in body heat.

In 2004, ephedra was banned due to deaths caused by it. HydroxyCut got less effective.

Do you, or do you know someone who did or still does, use HydroxyCut? What can you say about it? Check on the HydroxyCut reviews that are found on the net. Don’t be scammed by misinformation especially when your life is at stake.

Several times I have received a short email that he (yes, a guy) needs a nanny, that he is a widower with 2 kids and they live in the UK, that he is willing to pay 850 pounds per week and will provide shopping allowance and accommodation.

For a Philippine nanny, that is great opportunity! A week’s salary is equivalent to almost half a year salary locally! But of course, UK’s minimum is far greater than the Philippines’. Don’t be too happy yet.

This time, instead of merely deleting the email, I delved deeper. Checked the header. I found out that the return email is from Hotmail. So what? I checked the IP. Guess what. It’s from Nigeria.

Not that everyone in Nigeria is a scammer but most of the scammers that surface come from Nigeria. Shame on them, they drag with them the good and God-fearing people of Nigeria.

Below are the pics I captured.

Beware!

I discovered another scam. By the look of it, someone in dire need of a job may fall for it, especially those who are not aware that such scams exist.

In one of my posts in one of my blogs, I’ve posted a wanted-secretary information. So, receiving an email asking for possible employees for a grand hotel wasn’t really odd. I replied to ask for requirements. After 2 days (I think) I was emailed a list of all job openings with specific salaries, the hotel pictures (very beautiful) and features, and letter of agreement.

Everything will be taken cared of like plane ticket and visa which cost will be deducted from the salary. All

The first thing that struck me was, almost everything was typed in ALL CAPS. Address and fax number existed, though. So I tried to search for the hotel online. It exists with the same address. The fax number was questionable already before I tried a search because it started with a country code not for Canada. I looked up the IDD country codes. Guess what? Mauritius.

Anyway, when I did a search on the hotel, the pictures are nothing like those sent to me. There are many branches but the specific place that was emailed was nothing like what’s on the official website.

I emailed the hotel for confirmation of the available jobs and if they knew the person. For all I know the name could be existing and really be part of the corporate body, merely being used by the scammer to make me believe it was the truth. The mere fax number really gave way. The hotel hasn’t responded to my query but I can say it was really a scam.

For what?

I still don’t know. Maybe for information to be able to pose as you to scam others. You will be asked to fax certain documents like your visa so that, according to the scammer, they can process your application. Or, you could really be sent  to Canada…or where ever…but then you cannot come back and you need money just to come back home because there is really no job. In that case, how can you pay back the plane ticket? I really don’t know yet at this moment. I’m sure there is a way that will favor the scammer.

Perhaps if you have taken one of those mba programs, you will be wiser. All I can say is, BE CAREFUL ALWAYS.

Ask for others’ opinion. If you know someone from the place of the supposed place, ask to confirm.

In a multitude of counsel, there is safety.

Or so, the email I received notified me….

It wasn’t the first time. I’ve been receiving such emails telling me that my Paypal account has been limited and that I have to fix it by clicking on a link.

Have you received such?

Don’t click! If you would notice the status bar when you mouse over the link, it’s not from paypal.com but from some site. What will happen is, when you click that link and enter your details, you have given the scammers your login information.

It’s not just Paypal. There are others like banks, commonly.

Many know of this but still a lot do not have an inkling so this post is to warn and help you…and, don’t panic.