Monthly Archives: January 2016

Tania Amir wants to be partners

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I love it when people reach out to discuss a collaboration or partnership, but I don’t like it when scam artists do.

You tell me if this sounds legitimate:

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From:  Tania Amir (tania.amir8@gmail.com)
Subject:  I seek your sincere partnership 

Attention;

I am formally writing to bring this Landmark Project to you. Kindly go through the attached Confidential Letter and get back to me or you can reach me on +(44) 770 030 8940 for more information.

Thank you and hope hearing from you soon.

Regards,

Tania Amir
AMIR & AMIR LAW ASSOCIATES

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Amir & Amir Law Associates is possibly legitimate.  The domain was created in 2009 and the site itself contains the information one would want to find when looking for a lawyer.  I do wonder why a photo gallery was included, but maybe that’s just me.  Notice the phone number.  On the site, the number is.  The phone number in the email includes a +44 prefix used when calling the United Kingdom.  To call Bangladesh, where Amir & Amir is located, the call prefix is +11.

No, I did not download the attached letter.  Never download unsolicited attachments.  It’s generally not a safe move.

I will not take Tania up on this kind offer.  You shouldn’t, either.  There are too many red flags.

 

Another deployed soldier scam

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Once again, a “deployed soldier” has reached out for my help.  When will these crooks ever learn?

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From: Capt. Kate Car Lee (fslship@auk.co.kr)

Subject: Reply Asap

I know you will be surprise to read my email  Please dont be skeptical to reply me. My name is Cpt Kate Carr Lee Carr Lee. I am a member of the US ARMY medical team deployed to Iraq because of the current ISIS problems. I discovered trunk boxes containing American dollar bills. I have deposited two of these boxes with a security company here in Iraq. Am looking for a trust worthy individual who will assist me to receive the funds in his country before l will come over and join the person. Please, I want this to be between you and me since I am still in the service. To prove my sincerity, you are not sending me any money because most of these scams are all about sending money.
 
For reference click the link below
 
 
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_military_intervention_against_ISIS
 
Please send me the following below.
 
1. Full Name…
2. Address….
3. Occupation…
4. Age……….
5. Your Telephone Number.
 
As soon as i received these information i will get back to you.
 
Best Regards
 
Cpt Kate Carr Lee

 

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Yes, she will get back to you to request more of your information before she steals your money.

Be safe.

 

Our debit cards were cloned

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We were having a regular Saturday.  We’d just finished breakfast and were about to head out to tackle our usual weekend errands.  I logged in to our bank pay a few bills online and found our checking account empty.  Someone had cloned our debit card and cleared out all but a few dollars.  We felt sick, shocked, and angry.  We were careful with our card and only used it in shops we trusted.   It wasn’t enough.

The criminal withdrew the full amount allowed by law in two separate transactions in two different counties.

We called the bank to report it, but since it was the weekend, we had to wait until Monday for a full investigation. We called Costco because it was the last place we used the debit card.  Costco reps apologized and promised a full investigation.  We went to the police department to report it.  The officer took our report and told us we to report the second transaction to a different county because the crime occurred there.  The second county tried to blow us off, and the dispatcher taking the call seemed annoyed when we explained what the officer first police department advised.  When a detective called us back, he suggested that one of our children or friends took our card, used it, and returned it without our knowledge.  ‘It’s almost impossible for someone to steal your money without your debit card.’

We called every creditor we’d planned to pay that week and reported the fraud.  We needed extensions and unfortunately, late fees.

We did the right things and felt like no one cared or wanted to help.  Thankfully, we were not alone.  Several customers were robbed that same week and the bank responded with a quickness.  The bank returned our money, but the criminals are still at large.

We cannot always prevent fraud, but we can take steps to protect ourselves and at least recover our lost funds.

  • Check your accounts often
  • Do not use your debit card at an ATM or at checkout if the scanner does not look right
  • If fraud is discovered, report it immediately.  Call your bank and the police.
  • Do not let the person your report the incident to brush you off.  You are a victim and deserve full cooperation.

Be safe.