Miss Fairchild
 
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USA
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 6999 |
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Date: 3/29/12 9:50 AM Recently, I received an email from what seemed to be my friend, Sandra. The email said she was stuck in Scotland, needed money, etc., etc., etc. Had I not received this email from another friend, I would have been greatly concerned because Sandra travels alot. But I knew this was suspicious because the text of both emails were identical, even down to the misspellings (and Sandra is very educated), as well as it just didn't seem right.
Other friends of Sandra's received this email, as they were replying amongst themselves, with copies to me and the others. One of the people in the group was asking if the email was legit, and I was trying to convince her it wasn't. Of course, her emails indicated she wasn't, so she replied to the original email.
What followed was an exchange of demands, such as "What is wrong with you? I need this money now, Aren't you my friend?", etc. etc. To which the unconvinced person asked for confirmation of our friend. Now this is where it gets sinister: The emailer sent a photo, of our friend taken recently, at a time when we were all together.
Had I not taught my Computer Science students how to copy a picture off the Internet, this story would have had a very different ending, because several in the group were convinced the email was from Sandra. I got ahold of Sandra through another email address, and she confirmed that she posted the photo to Facebook. She had to set up another email account because of the problem.
Scary, huh? ------
"We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker
"And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln
My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic
My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com
Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair |
mastdenman
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 1/12/04
Posts: 5843 |
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Date: 3/29/12 10:07 AM It's easy to limit who can see your facebook photos. ------
Marilyn
January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
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Miss Fairchild
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USA
Member since 8/24/02
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In reply to mastdenman <<
Date: 3/29/12 12:36 PM When I asked her about this, she said she had set her privacy settings to just the people she knew, so she doesn't understand how it could have happened. Maybe the link through her email address, and it being phished? ------
"We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker
"And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln
My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic
My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com
Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair |
Doris W. in TN
Intermediate
TN USA
Member since 2/9/04
Posts: 6748 |
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In reply to Miss Fairchild <<
Date: 3/29/12 3:19 PM Wow, sinister is the right adjective. Downright creepy.
Was her email hacked/hijacked, and was that email address tied to her Facebook account? I have a friend who had that happen; both the FB and email.
Facebook owns any photos posted to your/our pages. It is very easy to copy & paste a photo, too.
My guess is that the email was tied to the FB account, so both got hacked and access to the photos was really easy.
-- Edited on 3/29/12 3:20 PM -- |
poorpigling
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TX USA
Member since 12/28/07
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In reply to Miss Fairchild <<
Date: 3/29/12 4:04 PM
Wow. I see there is a new twist to a very old scam.
What I don't understand is why WHY the scammers would think you would send money to someone to whom you obviously aren't close enough to to even know where they are and what they are doing. |
nicegirl
Intermediate
DC USA
Member since 5/10/06
Posts: 1611 |
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In reply to poorpigling <<
Date: 3/29/12 4:18 PM Quote: poorpigling
Wow. I see there is a new twist to a very old scam.
What I don't understand is why WHY the scammers would think you would send money to someone to whom you obviously aren't close enough to to even know where they are and what they are doing.
This scam is gaining force. It is common for the criminals to target grandparents pretending to be their grandchildren. The consumer loss is huge. Here's an example story.------
http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com
=================
2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+
So close to parity, yet so far
Trying again in 2008
Yards purchased: 133
Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95
2009? I give up |
clothingengineer
Intermediate
CT USA
Member since 5/7/10
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Date: 3/29/12 4:21 PM This is why it is recommended that you use different passwords for your online accounts. I bet she used the same password for her email and Facebook accounts. ------
-- Anne
http://clothingengineer.com |
talesofawannabe
Advanced Beginner
VA USA
Member since 6/25/10
Posts: 235 |
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Date: 3/29/12 5:34 PM I do use different passwords for my email and facebook, and I still had my facebook hacked. They posted a very nasty message as my status for a while. ------
http://talesofawannabeseamstress.blogspot.com/ |
poorpigling
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TX USA
Member since 12/28/07
Posts: 10061 |
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In reply to Miss Fairchild <<  2 members like this.
Date: 3/29/12 6:05 PM
Dear Ms. Fairchild.
Congratulations on the opening of Fairchild's First Savings and Loan and Pickle Factory..
I find myself in a very strange place.. a Joann's superstore.. and am afraid that someone has stolen my silk purse which I recently made out of a sows ear.  I cannot get home.. to my dogs or Mr. Poorpigling and really wish to pay for my fabric goods.. seeing as they have already been cut I am afraid they may make me do dishes before they allow me to leave the store without paying.
I tried sending this message to your personal email.. but it appears I have been mistakenly blocked. I am sure that is a temporary problem with your yahoo.. and seeing that you are around on the boards. was hoping you will soon get this message.
Please send 5500 dollars. via Western Union.. or deposit into my paypal account.. whichever has the lowest fees.. I am very thoughtful you know. [not sure how much tax is on a PINK brother but I can eat the difference.} I mean I got a lot of fabric seeing as I do home dec..
I KNOW you are my friend.. and am sure there is only the normal amount of things wrong with you.. and I promise not to out you if you send money asap. I have been careful to screen this message for typos too.. I am very thoughtful that way.
This is a legit email. just look at my nostrils for further proof. I can also bombard you with pics of my sewing room if you would like to make sure its me..and not Mr. Poorpigling.. Speaking of which should you indeed send that money.. and I am sure you will. I offer up Mr. Poorpigling for collateral.. as he is quite fond of your pickles..
Please hurry.. I have waited a long time as it is.. and its five here in TX.. Which means the bank of Ms. Fairchild may close soon.. and I don't want you to miss out on the opportunity to help a friend.. |
CurlySu717
Intermediate
TX USA
Member since 10/26/06
Posts: 1043 |
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1 member likes this. I have noticed since the switch to Timeline that privacy settings don't seem to matter anymore. Anyone can see anything.
I have always used my real name on Facebook but I am considering changing it to a fake one. Between hackers and scammers and potential employers wants to see your Facebook page, they sure have taken the fun out of it.
------
"To love another person is to see the face of God!" ~Les Miserables
www.lillianbettyandsibyl.blogspot.com |
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