Spam, Phishing and other Email Pitfalls

Ever have one of those days, that everything just IRKS you? I'm in the midst of one. Nothing horrible or dramatic just - arghhhhhhhhhhh. First, I recieved not 1 but 4 phishing scams in my email. The first came from the "IRS" claiming they needed info to speed delivery of the stimulation check we're all to recieve. Something about it, just didn't seem right, so I contacted the IRS, they confirmed what I suspected - spoofed email addy. I was also told, that someone is making phone calls, claiming to be the IRS and gathering info in that way.
The second was supposedly from 'PayPal', saying that my account had been suspended because they had noticed some unusual spending . Again they too wanted all my banking info. The fake site looked almost identical to the real Paypal site - except the url read wrong. Unsure, I called Paypal - sure enough another spoof.
The other two were the usual, I've won some lottery ( one was supposedly Microsoft) that uses email addresses, and for my $70gadzillion dollars I just need to give them my banking info. Uh-huh. Ok, the intention of being ripped-off, seems obvious to me - but it must be working as they just don't stop. Are there still folks naive enough to just hand over their info? Worse, those poor souls, probably aren't 'greedy', but just that desperate for money.
Another email that just angers me, is the one with a sad story from some parent with a sick child and AOL, (or some other large company) will pay them 5 cents everytime it's forwarded. (There's one with a newborn's pic attatched, that I KNOW has been circulating since 2000 at least.) Obviously, no one is making money off this hoax - but what about the desperate parent, whose child IS dieing? Imagine the false hope they might feel, only to be informed by these corporations that they just don't do that. I don't know the statistics, but I'd wager tracking certain emails beinging forwarded could be pricey and time consuming. Face it, this kind of hoax is just plain mean.
There's several things we can all do to protect ourselves and eachother. First, stop forwarding emails that prey on emotions or ask you to 'send to all' so that Johnny can get his operation. Secondly, research any that are 'reporting' vicious viruses before forwarding.
Phishing scams should be duly reported. Most email services have a button you can click to report . If you believe it's from a spoofed address, call the company involved ( look the number up, don't use the one on the fake site if it's there) Most companies, like PayPal, will address you by your first and last name in their emails. It's no biggie if you're wrong, legitamit companies would rather you play it safe. Odds are if you recieved that email, a few hundred others did too. You just may be saving Great-Auntie Em's farm from foreclosure because some louse emptied her account. Once it has been confirmed it was indeed a 'spoofed' address - warn everyone you know.
Email can be alot of fun, it's a great way to share info, and laughs. Together we can also make it safer for all. Forward responsibly and help get rid of Spam and phishing.

Here we go again

I've started another blog over at MySpace - check it out, if you're curious. Why, have I started another blog? No real reason, except I found out , I've been a member there for the past 3 years, and didn't know. Be interesting to see, if I get more readers there then here. Although, I've got to say, Blogger is much, much easier to customize, and offers way more options. More interesting will be to see, if I can keep up posting very different posts, in each place.
I think most of my depression has finally lifted. Not that things have changed radically or anything. In fact, today is very overcast, and we're having thunder storms. Lousy weather, even if you're a duck. I'm just hoping it slacks off or even stops completely before I have to leave for work. It wouldn't be too bad, except we keep having gusts of wind, that make umbrellas more struggle then help.
I am toying with the idea of stepping up my show on Caravan Radio. Several folks have mentioned, I should talk more. Ye gads - are they all tone deaf? I think I sound like Minnie Mouse on helium, but am assured it is quite the opposite. Interesting to note, these are mostly males making the request, although my friend, Rosa tells me, I have a 'very cute accident'... I don't think I'm the one with the accent, Rosa....
Sherry, president of Caravan Radio, thinks I should do more talking because 'I'm funny.' Hmmmm...I am? Is that funny ha-ha? Or funny - weird ? Oh , well I can give it a shot. Just have to work up my nerve.
What many don't know is I had speech therapy for five years. I suffer from letter transference ( on double letters one wants to be a 'd', like budton for 'button' or budter for 'butter'. And 'ch' wants to be 'sh'.) as well as a stuttering problem. Although, I seldom stutter now. Still, I am aware, and sometimes only speak well with extreme concentration. Fortunately, for me, most people are lazy listeners, and thanks to that therapy, it goes mostly unnoticed. Or perhaps, my speech is not as bad as I think. Who knows? The important thing is for folks to have fun while listening to my show. From their reactions, I can only assume that they do, though not as much as with Nomad. That man is hysterical. How he can be in at least 3 chatrooms, taking requests and dedications, filling the que, downloading new material, on IM, and talking all at once, is a study in multi-tasking. Personally, I have my hands full with hosting, djing , and requests, without being in multiple rooms. Although I am still waiting to break the double digit listener mark. Tune in, darn it! lol
I am watching Caravan Radio grow. We are bigger, stronger, and I think better, then ever before. Sure, we still have our eyes (and ears) open to new talent, in either dj or artist form, but we're a solid group. We know we have each others backs, and none of us suffer the 'diva' syndrom. It's even more like a family, then ever before. Why? I'm not sure, perhaps it is because we're all sharing in the growth. We've shared in the pitfalls, weathered technical difficulties, and learned together what works and what doesn't. One day, in the not too distant future, we may rank as the number one internet radio station in the world!!!