Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: Henry on February 05, 2009, 01:44:23 PM

Title: A Spam Note I Got Today
Post by: Henry on February 05, 2009, 01:44:23 PM
If you get something like this in your e-mail, by all means do not reply or give out any information - You will get taken.  I received this one today and deleted it:

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum_photos/spam_090205.jpg)
Title: Re: A Spam Note I Got Today
Post by: Mojovt on February 05, 2009, 04:21:45 PM
Quote from: Henry on February 05, 2009, 01:44:23 PM
If you get something like this in your email, by all means do not reply or give out any information - You will get taken.  I received this one today and deleted it:

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum_photos/spam_090205.jpg)

If you get ANYTHING with spelling and grammar mistakes like that, chances are really good it is a scam. Chances are that the IRS isn't going to write a sentence like that first one. Even if you think there is a chance that it might be legit, always call and speak to someone before releasing any information. Clicking on a link in an email can bring you to what may look like a legit website, but its not really. Just be careful.

Once in a while I look through my spam folder in gmail just to make sure that nothing REAL was mistakenly sent to the spam folder, and I can't even tell you how many times I've won the British and/or the Australian lottery!! Oh...wait...how did I win the lottery when I didn't buy a ticket?
Title: Re: A Spam Note I Got Today
Post by: Rev. Elizabeth on February 05, 2009, 06:38:21 PM
Wow! At least the 'scammers' could learn correct English!   A few weeks ago I got one telling me that the IRS records had me down as a RESIDENT ALIEN and if I just sent all my bank information, why, I would be rescued from who knows what horrors.  The farther I read on this message, the worse the grammar and spelling became.  It would be funny if there weren't so many gullible people who fall victim to such blather!
Title: Re: A Spam Note I Got Today
Post by: cedarman on February 06, 2009, 12:41:16 PM
Another major point people should keep in mind is the ending of the email, or the web addresses in general.   I wouldn't trust anything claiming to be from a government source if it did not at least have ".gov" at the end.   
Furthermore, I'm not sure any branch of the government uses email to notify people of a need to provide information.  I'm not sure they legally can.  I think for most issues, they have to contact people via a trackable, hard copy document (i.e. certified mailed letter).