Bull Droppings

Watch Out for Your Parents and Grandparents

2012-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

On the FBI website, there are specific warnings for senior citizens: http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/seniors.

Often targeted because they're homeowners or likely to have excellent credit, senior citizens were raised in a different era, where the snake oil peddler scams were in your face, and later in the mail. Today's Internet crimes and telephone scams are increasingly targeting our parents and grandparents.

It's not that they're stupid! They most certainly are not! However, some of our older relatives are simply not accustomed to the variety and sophistication of these scammers. Plus, seniors are likely to be too embarrassed to admit that they were victims of a scam and afraid that you'll think they're losing their marbles.

Look, there are plenty of young people who fall for the BULL DROPPINGS, so we can't blame our seniors for falling into the same traps. Watch out for your older family members and be sure to warn them when there's a new scam going around -- like the VISA scam in my previous post.

We all have to watch out for the BULL DROPPINGS! No one is immune to a scammer, we can only keep our eyes open and when your BS meter is ding-ding-dinging like a smoke alarm after you burnt the cookies, you can pretty much be sure that there's more than just smoke in your eyes!

Watch out for your parents and grandparents, you just never know when the newest scam will blindside you and them. And if they're being taken advantage of by a friend, family member, or new love interest, call your local Adult Protective Services. Sometimes APS can get the money or property back if you report it quickly. Elder abuse, physical, mental and financial, is a crime. Don't let your loved ones be victims!

VISA Telephone Scam

2012-01-19T07:57:00.000-08:00

Just posted on my credit union's website!

----------------------------------------
!!! IMPORTANT MESSAGE !!!

Members have reported receiving phone calls from ”Visa” saying: “a temporary block has been placed on your card; if you would like to reactivate your card, press 1 and enter your 16 digit card number.”

*** *** FCU nor any of our affiliates have initiated these calls. Please keep in mind that you should NEVER respond to this type of request and you should NEVER provide your account or personal information to unknown third parties.

Please contact *** *** if you have any questions or need further assistance.
----------------------------------------

Great.

Just great. Now they're calling people on the phone, trying to get their VISA credit card numbers.

Don't fall for these BULL DROPPINGS!

Never, ever, ever give your credit card number or personal information to someone who CLAIMS to be from your bank, credit union or credit card. Instead, hang up and call your bank, credit union or credit card directly. The telephone numbers are on your bank statements, in the phone book, online and on the back of your credit card.

And don't forget to notify your bank when you get calls, e-mails or other communications from scammers trying to fleece you like a sheep on shearing day!

Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
(And don't laugh, these scams must work or the scammers wouldn't be working so hard at them...)

More Than a Scam -- Murder

2011-12-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

I hadn't talked about this terrible case, but these poor men were answering a job ad for a farm hand on craigslist. Three murdered and one injured by the posters. The poor guys just wanted a job and paid the ultimate price for being naive.

ABC News report: http://abcnews.go.com/US/ohio-craigslist-murders-purported-chaplains-criminal-past-includes/story?id=15055922

Now let me say, craigslist is NOT responsible for this tragedy. There is no way of knowing if any ad is legitimate or not. We are all responsible for our personal safety, and that includes meeting people in public places and using extreme caution in giving out our personal information.

Having said that, this is not the first time that a job applicant has been murdered through an ad. This has been going on for a longggg time, the Internet has just made it easier. By the same token, be careful if you're selling a product, service or car. You are equally at risk from a criminal who wants to rob or harm you.

Do not believe the BULL DROPPINGS. Check on companies, look up names, only meet people at real offices or if it's freelance work, in a public place. Don't let yourself become a victim of criminals or criminally insane people who want to take advantage of you!

DISCLAIMER -- DO NOT READ THESE LINKS IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH OR NIGHTMARES! SOME OF THEM ARE HORRIBLE!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armin_Meiwes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonely_hearts_killer
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/minnesota/dao-xiong-guilty-life-prison-craigslist-car-ad-aug-12-2011
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Police+trawl+dating+ads+in+search+of+answers+over+1993+murder+mystery/1135270023824
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-04-17/news/17919537_1_hotel-room-masseuse-craigslist
http://docublogger.typepad.com/villiscamystery/2011/11/late-in-december-of-1913-jessamine-hodgson-a-woman-in-her-late-twenties-answered-this-advertisement-in-the-omaha-world-hera.html

Payday Loan Scam

2011-10-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

This is wild, but I JUST talked to a lady who's been getting calls threatening her regarding an old payday loan that was long paid off (thanks to assistance from her bank).

There's people calling her from all over the country, claiming to be a District Attorney and demanding repayment of the loan that SHE ALREADY PAID OFF or she will be arrested!

What a bunch of BULL DROPPINGS!

Yes, I printed this off and I'm going to take it over to her this afternoon. Hopefully she can get some help.

So here it is, straight from the FBI's website:

Telephone Collection Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans

12/01/2010—The IC3 receives a high volume of complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. In these scams, a caller claims that the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check cashing services.

One of the most insidious aspects of this scam is that the callers have accurate information about the victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. The method by which the fraudsters obtained the personal information is unclear, but victims often relay that they had completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls began.

The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim’s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide to the victims any details of the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers threaten victims with legal actions, arrests, and in some cases physical violence if they refuse to pay. In many cases, the callers even resort to harassment of the victim’s relatives, friends, and employers.

Some fraudsters instruct victims to fax a statement agreeing to pay a certain dollar amount, on a specific date, via prepaid visa card. The statement further declares that the victim would never dispute the debt.

These telephone calls are an attempt to obtain payment by instilling fear in the victims. Do not follow the instructions of the caller.

If you receive telephone calls such as these, you should:

■Contact your banking institutions;
■Contact the three major credit bureaus and request an alert be put on your file;
■Contact your local law enforcement agencies if you feel you are in immediate danger;

■File a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

Link:
http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams

2011-08-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

I found this in my spam box and thought I'd share some of the BULL DROPPINGS that this clown is spreading over the garden (or is it kindergarten) of the Internet and especially our e-mail boxes.

OK, so let us note a few HUGE warning signs.

1) The header: Note that there's a misspelling. "FIST" instead of "FIRST." Really, they couldn't be bothered to check spelling? Or do they speak English fluently or at all?

2) The phone number: Hold up, that's not a United States phone number. Does Western Union even go to Europe? And what do they mean they send me money via Western Union? I never heard of these people! Oh, yeah, and Western Union is written western union. No reputable business would write a business name in all lower case.

3) E-mail addresses: Check out the e-mail addresses, both by the sender and the so-called "western union" address. OK, they sent me money? Note that there appear to be a whole lotta people they supposedly sent money to. --"undisclosed recipients" Really? What turnip truck do these clowns think I fell off?

Another danger sign with the e-mail address - Note that it's a hotmail address. Whaaat? This isn't a bank or business, it's a made up address that anybody could've snatched up and made an e-mail address. And you're not likely to get hotmail to cough up any info on the sender PLUS it'd be useless anyway, it's all fake. Trust me.

PLUS - Since when would Western Union not have their own website? Oh, yeah, they do. So why on God's green earth would the extension on this so-called address be @live.fr??? Really? REALLY?

4) The signature line: "IMF Managing Director" OK, they have GOT to be stupider than a stump to think that you'd really believe that the International Monetary Fund would send somebody like me or you 1.5 million dollars. Come on now!

There are a lot more warning signs, such as "winning funds" and "transfer payment information." What international contest did you enter that would send you money from the International Monetary Fund? Yup, none. And what transfer payment info are they asking for? Betcha it's your bank account info, which you never, ever, ever give to anyone!!

Oh my, the BULL DROPPINGS are getting deep in here. I'm going to have to step out for some air.

But in the meantime, DO NOT even bother to reply to these kinds of messages. Hit that "Spam" button and then delete your Spam box. It's not real, it's not gonna be real, and if you give this info to these rip-off artists, you will lose all of your money.

Trust me.

OK, don't trust me, check on it yourself. Google it or go to http://www.snopes.com/.

Don't be a fool. Remember the famous saying, "A fool and his money are soon parted."

Yup, now that's a truth to be remembered!

You Need A Clearance Certificate!

2011-05-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

You need to send $350 to the FBI for a Clearance Certificate OR ELSE!

Or else what? Since this is totally a scam, what does that guy in Nigeria (or the Ukraine or wherever the latest scammer is located) going to do about it?

Nothing of course. It's all BULL DROPPINGS!

In all seriousness, this phishing e-mail targets the unwary among us, the elderly, the people who are still naive about the vast kindergarten we call the Internet.

Take a minute and warn your family members, friends and co-workers that this old FBI scam is making the rounds again. There's no need to send any money out, there's no such thing as a Clearance Certificate for us regular folks.

And when you get some madness like this, before you panic, go to www.snopes.com or even to google and check it out.

From the Valejo Times Herald: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_18031033

More and More and More

2011-05-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Now I get an e-mail from Michaels, the arts and crafts store, that they've had a security breach.

Again.

I'm starting to wonder if it's really smart to use credit/debit cards or if you should always use cash. Hard to do in today's world.

In the meantime, don't buy into the BULL DROPPINGS. Always, always, always protect your credit card numbers and never, ever give anyone your personal information over the phone, internet or in person unless YOU inticiated the transaction.

Craigslist Scams

2011-03-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

Craigslist rocks! It is the best for locating free, cheap and awesome stuff.

Everything from sofas to cell phones to building materials to cars can be found on www.craigslist.org.

However, there are some serious scammers out there. When you open up the page to view the listings, there are even warnings about the most common scams. In HUGE BOLD LETTERS! Yet people go to the legal forum asking how to find, sue, get their money back from scammers.

Oh
My
Goodness

Don't be a fool! Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!

Please READ the darn warnings and remember, if it sounds too good to be true...

So You Applied For A Job Online...

2010-12-01T19:56:00.000-08:00

Please don't tell me that you sent off your Social Security number and personal information to some anonymous online job posting.

Oh my gosh, please don't tell me you did that.

Seriously, if you've found a job listing that you're really, really interested in and it was in an online classified like craigslist.org -- run!

These days, it's really hard to tell the oblivious from the scammers. There are some real job postings out there, but if they want you to submit all your personal information before you even know who they really are, the odds are against you.

With your SSN, name, address, date of birth, and heaven forbid your bank information, a scammer can rob you and you may not even know it.

At least, not until the IRS says, "Hey, you were working two states away and we want the tax from that income!"

Not until the computer company finally contacts you and says, "Hey, we had a heck of a time tracking you down. We want the money for that computer you ordered online. You know, the one you bought with instant credit..."

Or, true story, until the apartment manager looks at you funny after seeing your application and asks for a picture ID. Because you ALREADY LIVE THERE! At least, according to his records...

Identity theft is no joke!

Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS. Wait to give your personal information until you've had a real interview. Like, in person even!

There's A Warrant Out For Your Arrest!

2010-10-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

Oh my, the scammers just work and work at trying to separate you from your identity.

Just this week a co-worker sent me an e-mail to verify. Sadly, it's a real one.

Someone calls you on the phone and tells you that they're calling from the courthouse and that you have a warrant out for your arrest because (get this!) you missed JURY DUTY!

"But I didn't miss jury duty, I didn't get a notice."

"Well, I'm going to have to verify this, it will just take a few minutes. I'll look you up. What's your social security number and birth date?"

BING BING BING!

There's the operative word, they want your SSN!

First, the courts and the jury duty staff DO NOT call you! Not going to happen, there's not enough time in the day to call up every person who no-shows for jury duty. (Sad, but true.)

Second, they would NEVER, EVER, EVER ask you for your SSN.

A fool and his money -- and identity -- are soon parted.

Don't be a fool, don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!

From www.snopes.com: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity/juryduty.asp

The Political Scene

2010-10-02T08:30:00.001-07:00

Oh

My

Goodness!

The political scene is so full of BULL DROPPINGS that it's hard to sort them all out. The mud slinging has commenced and will flow continuously until the election in November. It's going to be a longggggg October.

One thing that you, the voter, should do is research your candidates thoroughly. A good place to start is FactCheck.org http://www.factcheck.org/. While some conservative types think that FactCheck has a liberal bias, I believe that they're fairly well balanced.

In any case, don't buy into the BULL DROPPINGS, don't take anyone's word for anything (not even mine) and remember, the more mud a candidate throws, the bigger the skeleton he/she is trying to hide in his/her own closet. And if you catch a candidate in a lie, it's a sure thing that there are a whole lot more lies -- that's just the one that got caught.

We don't need any more liars in office.

Think about it...

Watch Out On Freecycle

2010-06-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

I recently posted on a freecycle site and received two replies, supposedly from different people.

Funny how both replies included, "I was planning to publish a cost-free offer for it, but I saw your desired post very first, very good timing! I put up a couple pics and my position upon this web site."

Hmmmm, does something seem strange about those posts?

On top of the weird language, in both cases, the name on the e-mail did not match the name at the end of the message.

Look, never, ever, ever click on a link provided by someone who replies to you in such an odd way. Especially when you get two messages that are so similar from two "different" people. Whether the intent is to get your e-mail address (for spam) or to direct you to a dangerous or porn site, just don't do it. Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!

(Freecycle groups are found on yahoo. They're all over the country and a wonderful way to find new homes for everything from furniture to pets. They keep perfectly good stuff out of the landfill -- all for free!)

Yolo Officials Warn Of Text Scam - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

2010-06-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Yolo Officials Warn Of Text Scam - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

Read the article carefully, this scam could be coming to your cell phone next!

Fake Officer Pulls Over Off-Duty Deputy - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

2010-06-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Fake Officer Pulls Over Off-Duty Deputy - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

The IRS Sent Me An E-mail -- They Owe Me Money!

2010-04-30T22:35:00.000-07:00

IRS Notification: Refund/Stimulus Payment

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
United States Department of the Treasury

Dear Taxpayer,

After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $773.80.

Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.

A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.

To access your tax refund, use the form attached to this email.

----------------------------------------

I instantly knew it was fake because I OWE the IRS money, because the IRS doesn't send e-mails, AND because it says "Dear Taxpayer". If it was real (if the IRS sent out these kinds of e-mails) it would have my name on it.

This is just a scam to get you to fill out the form with your Social Security number and bank information!

Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!

When in doubt, check www.snopes.com. In fact, speaking of snopes, here's the link to this phishing e-mail: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/phishing/irsrefund.asp

Warn Your Family About Check Fraud!

2010-03-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

Please do yourself and your family a huge favor and talk to them about the latest check scams going around.

Here's the deal.

Generally, a person is asked to deposit a check into his/her bank account. (Sometimes it's a money order.) The check will be made out to him/her, printed on check stock, it actually looks pretty good.

The victim is to deposit the check, usually through the ATM, and in a few days withdraw the money and give the money to the scammer. The scammer will convince him/her that it's really a good check, that they're hiding money from their ex/the IRS/creditors, or some other BS, so it's all good, no risk at all to the victim.

Yup, it's BS.

The person who deposits the check WILL be charged with a variety of FELONIES!! Even though he/she is a victim of the scammer. No one will believe that he/she is so foolish as to deposit a check and not know that it's fake. District Attorneys are a-holes and will not believe the victim, period!

People are truly naive about the dishonesty of others.

The scammer will throw him/her under the prison bus without a single thought of the long lasting consequences to the victim. Bluntly, no matter how nice, how honest, how caring they seem to be, they're just thieves in the temple and WILL NOT care what happens when they get the stolen money in their hot little hands.

So, talk to your family, your friends, your loved ones and make sure that they know to turn that other cheek and RUN like the wind if anyone approaches them with the idea of depositing checks or money orders into their bank accounts.

It will be bad, very bad, if they get sucked into the scammer's lies.

Trust me.

Please. Just trust me on this one. For your family's sake.

A Despicable Version of the Nigerian Scam

2010-03-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

Oh man, just when I thought I'd seen everything, this one popped up in my e-mail!

Can you Assist me!

Monday, January 18, 2010 1:40 PM
From: "Capt.Ruddy Howard"

To: undisclosed-recipients
Hello my friend, I am Capt.Ruddy Howard with the United Nations troop in Afghanistan, on war against terrorism.

Based on the United States legislative and executive decision that we must evacuate Iraq immediately for Afghanistan, Now we are in Afghanistan military base and I will be redeployed back to my country military base soonest, come next year 2010,

Our mission is to help beef up terrorist targeted states, mostly the United States and the European Union on the war against terrorism.

On the other hand, I want to inform you that I have in my possession the sum of 10.2 million USD, which I got from crude oil deal here in Iraq. I deposited this money with a Red Cross Agent informing him that we are making contact for the real owner of the money and it is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for the money.

I want to invest the money in a good business as soon as I am redeploy, anyway you will advice me on that since I am not a businessperson. I am an American and an intelligence officer for that so I have a 100% authentic means of transferring the money through diplomatic courier service .

I just need your acceptance and all is done. Where we are now we can only communicate through our military communication facilities that are secured so nobody can monitor our emails, then I can explain in details to you. I will only reach you through email, because our calls might be monitored, I just have to be sure whom I am dealing with.

If you are interested, please send me your personal mobile number so I can call you for further enquiries when I am out of our military network. I am writing from a fresh email account so if you are not interested do not reply to this email and please delete this message, if no response after 3days I will then search for someone else. I wait for your contact details so we can go into action.

In less than 5days, the money should have been in your position and I will come over for my money. I will give to you 30% of the sum and 70% is for me because I know that nothing goes for nothing I hope I am been fair to you.

Alternative Email Address: ruddyhoward@aol.com

Regards, Capt.Ruddy Howard

Now, as always I have no fear of publishing this clown's e-mail address. This is a very creative version of the latest Nigerian scam. However, check this out:

An American military man stealing "10.2 million USD"? OK, first, he'd write it as 10.2 million. No need for USD.
Next, he's going to contact me via military channels? Are you CRAZY?
Note the usual assortment of bad grammar and punctuation.
Why me?

Give him my personal cell phone number? What? THINK NOT!!

What a bunch of BULL DROPPINGS! This is just a despicable version, using the guise of a US military officer to try to scam you out of your hard earned money.

The scammers get more and more creative every day so just keep your eyes open, your mouth shut, and don't believe everything (anything) some stranger tells you. Even if you read it on the Internet.

Even if it was me.

Oh My, This Scam Will Spread Like Wildfire!

2010-01-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, no, I just read this article and realized that this scam is going to spread like wildfire! http://www.hometownsource.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11852:latest-phishing-scam-hooks-businesses-customers&catid=1:latest

It's slightly more complicated for the scammer, but it looks like it will be a very lucrative scam for the ID thieves who are targeting car dealerships and their customers.

Once more, if ANYONE calls you, asking for your credit card numbers, bank information, Social Security number or any other personal or financial information, DON'T fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!

The bank has your information, they don't need you to "verify" a darn thing. If it's a store or other retail/Internet source, tell them you have to look it up and call them back. DO NOT use the number they gave you. Either walk in to the store and ask to speak to the manager or look up the correct number and call your credit card directly.

You really, really can't be too careful, the scammers are getting more and more creative every day!

Top Ten Scams

2010-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

My friends, the State of Virginia has kindly provided the top ten scams that are out there right now. http://www.oag.state.va.us/CONSUMER/Top_10.html

The Top Ten:

Federal Grant Scams
Telemarketing
Foreign Lottery
Identity Theft
Sweepstakes
Advance Fee/Nigerian Letters
Medicare Scams
Phishing
Online Shopping
Home Improvement Fraud

In the New Year, as always, don't fall for BULL DROPPINGS, be an alert and aware consumer.

When in doubt, check it out. And if it seems too good to be true...

Swine Flu Phishing

2009-12-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

Oh
My
Gosh

As if we don't think the scammers have sank low enough (see the post I'm writing next over on This Woman I Am), now people are being targeted in a massive phishing scam.

We got this message at work:

Please be aware of a fraudulent phishing program requesting recipients to register with CDC for swine flu vaccination. Upon clicking on the link, a malicious code will download onto the PC. CDC does not require online registration for H1N1 vaccination. Please do not respond to emails with such requests.

Are you kidding me? That is despicable and a bunch of BULL DROPPINGS!

I went to the CDC website and found a sample of the e-mail you may receive:

My friends, don't ever click on links like that. If you're truly concerned, go directly to the website of the CDC and look for that information. Yes, you'll find what you need to know about this e-mail. It's a scam.

When in doubt, look it up on http://www.snopes.com/. Trust me, it's there.

Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS. Lord knows there's enough stuff out there in the real world to mess up your life without being scammed here in the virtual world.

Links:
http://www.cdc.gov/hoaxes_rumors.html
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/phishing/cdcvaccination.asp

And for real information on the H1N1 virus, aka the swine flu:
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

A Free Computer!

2009-11-11T09:43:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, did you know that they're giving away free computers if you just forward this e-mail on to eight of your friends?

Yeah.

Right.

A bunch of BULL DROPPINGS! And I really can't believe one of my own co-workers was forwarding this garbage on - at work even! Fortunately, someone sent it to me, asking if it's true.

Of course it's a fake! Check out http://www.snopes.com/: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/ericsson.asp

As my Dad says, "If wishes were horses..."

Horses have their own version of BULL DROPPINGS, you know, they're just more solid and don't splat [much] when they hit the ground.

Think before you forward that e-mail on! And if you have no one to ask, shoot, e-mail it to me and I'll look it up for you. I really, really don't mind.

Beware The New Check Scam

2009-05-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well here we go again!

The latest scams involve checks.

First, the scammers are using craigslist. So you're trying to sell a car, you get an e-mail offering you full price. They send you a check and you're supposed to wire transfer the extra funds to the "shipper". (There are variations on the theme, they're all bad.)

The super bad news is that the check wasn't any good to start with, it was a fake. So your bank account will be minus the check amount AND you'll owe the bank for the money you transferred to the "shipper".

Bad.

Very bad.

The second scam claims that you've won a prize from "NSW International Lotteries" or another sweepstakes. You'll get an initial check in the mail BUT you're supposed to send in a processing fee for the rest of the prize.

Yes, you guessed right. The first check is fake, but no one will know until AFTER you sent off the "processing fee". So you're screwed again.

In both cases, the check will be from "Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co."

In both cases, the check will be fake.

Even if it's not from Nationwide, it'll still be a fake check, trust me!

If someone tries to suck you into one of these scams, call Nationwide at 1-877-On Your Side® (1-877-669-6877) or make an online report immediately.

DO NOT put the fake check in your bank account!

Don't get sucked into the BULL DROPPINGS!

The vile pool of BS is getting deeper by the day and the scammers are using modern technology against you. Don't let them take your money, be a wise consumer!

AS-IS

2009-04-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

Recently there's been a growing trend with people demanding refunds for cars and other items, especially things bought on Craigslist.

Now, Craig Newmark has carefully given many, many warning of the scams out there.

Yet, over in the Legal Forum, there's a continuous stream of posts asking for advice. People buy cars, drive them for a couple of weeks, sometimes a couple of months, and then contact the seller, demanding their money back.

Look, in most states, including California, private party sales are inherently AS-IS. There is no refund if you don't like the deal you got, you found a cheaper car, or the car broke down after you drove the wheels off of it.

There's only a couple of things to remember when selling anything.

First, make sure the buyer does a full inspection of the item. If it's a refrigerator, have it plugged in so it's cold. If it's a stereo, play it. If it's a video game system, show the buyer the whole thing, plug it in, play the game.

If it's a car, tell them whatever you know about it, don't make promises about the condition, do a test drive (bring a friend with you, don't take checks, take payment in cash only, preferably at the DMV so you can transfer the title right then and there).

And remember, in California, you MUST get the vehicle smogged. Plus, if you don't have time to meet at the DMV, you can do the "Release of Liability" form online at www.dmv.ca.gov. Be sure to print out your copy!!

And if a buyer contacts you a week, a month, a year afterward, demanding a refund on a private party sale, tell them the truth, there is NO refund.

As-is is just that, AS-IS -- and that means beware and be aware on both sides of the deal -- buyer and seller!!

Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS.

And if they threaten court, tell them, "See you there!" (99 times out of a hundred, they're blowing smoke!)

Facing Foreclosure?

2009-04-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Listen, you're going to get a lot of messages via e-mail, phone, mail, radio and TV about modifying your mortgage.

YES, you should try to modify your mortgage.

But listen up, my city newsletter says loan-modification companies CANNOT CHARGE AN ADVANCE FEE FOR THEIR SERVICES if your lender has issued a notice of default against you!!!

So that stuff you're getting from those companies is a bunch of BULL DROPPINGS!

What you need to do is contact your mortgage company and ASK for a loan modification. That generally puts the foreclosure on hold for a couple of months while they go through the process. And trust me, it's well worth it, I did it myself and IT DIDN'T COST ME A PENNY!

Don't be scammed by job loss and foreclosure, you do have options.

And listen carefully, if you do lose your house, it's not the end of the world.

I can personally tell you that three years after the discharge of your bankruptcy, you will qualify as a first time homebuyer and be able to buy again. And now that you've survived the mortgage meltdown, you'll be a better consumer and homeowner.

Remember, there is NO need for drastic measures. If you lose your job and your house, it's only a momentary setback on your road of life.

It's not the end of the world.

I can tell you this because I personally know a few people who are actually on their THIRD house, and I myself lost a house in the 90s. And three years and two months after the discharge of my bankruptcy, I bought another house.

Don't let the scammers and BSers and drama suck you down with BULL DROPPINGS! You will come out of this mess in a way better space, just give it all time to evolve, it's gonna be OK!

You Have The Right...

2009-02-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

A deep voice on the radio, warm, friendly, "The credit card companies don't want you to know that you have the right to cut your bills in half..."

Or something like that, I'm writing from memory.

Yeah, that warm and fuzzy voice is telling you to use their services to cut your bill in half.

Can't you smell the BULL DROPPINGS just oozing out of the speakers?

I can.

These guys will take your money, claim to negotiate a settlement with the credit card companies, you'll send a check to them every month and maybe they really will pay the bills. Maybe. Late if at all.

It's all a huge scam that will ruin your credit.

And they may not pay any of your bills. Some of these outfits take your money and run, leaving you with huge problems with your creditors. Trust me, collection agencies DO NOT CARE that you were scammed, they just want the money.

If you really are in trouble, call Consumer Credit Counselors. They're a "for real" non-profit that can help you make a payment plan to pay your bills within a set period of time. And if they can't help you, they'll be honest about it and tell you.

Unlike that friendly voice on the radio...