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Is nothing sacred anymore? It seems as though just about everything these days is a scam that violates our privacy or security.
Scammers have gotten so good at their scamming that it’s very difficult to tell the real thing from the unreal.
Just the other day I got an email about some unpaid tolls. I was directed to click a link for information on paying the tolls, or I’d receive a fine and tickets.
Well, they may as well get in line behind the Internal Revenue Service, which is supposed to be coming out any day and arresting me over alleged unpaid taxes.
Not for nothing, I keep an attorney on retainer just in case, but as a law-abiding Christian I will probably never need to use him.
I pay my taxes, don’t owe people money, don’t skip tolls and don’t look for romance online, which sometimes is just a scam – that’s how my aunt got hooked up with my dopey Uncle Vinny.
Anyway, once in a while a scam will come along that has ya wondering if you really are guilty of something or have a true reason to be concerned.
Today’s spoofing tactics have me wondering if the incoming call on my cell phone really is a friend or family member, as indicated by their name and contact photo on my screen. The scammer will call wanting you to think so.
When you pick up, they’ll demand money if you ever want to speak with your loved one again. I guess one would have to determine whether or not to pay based on their feelings for the family member.
Last month my sitter, while watching our kid, called and told me to meet her in the park at noon. She said I could pick him up there, and she wanted her money at that time as well. I’ve been so suspicious of everything lately that I asked the sitter for “proof of life” before I paid her. This is no way for a civilized society to live.
I got pulled over by a cop the other day. When he walked up to my window and asked for my name, I asked him, “Who wants to know?”
Our time on the side of the road was spent with him asking for documents and me asking him to prove his credentials above just the patrol car, badge, ticket book, uniform and a call to his supervisor on duty.
It’s ridiculous how we no longer take folks at just their appearance or word anymore, but with all the trickery out there it’s just hard to.
When a scammer calls persistently, wanting or demanding something from me, I just tell them that I’m not interested in their product or services – but that my friend would like it. I then give them my “friend’s” number, which is really the number for the Federal Communications Commission.
I think the “Do Not Call List” is really a cry for help from the government, basically indicating they’ve lost control of the situation.
I also don’t know why when I call a company for help I get a customer service representative I can barely understand named Bob or Billy from Texas, who clearly does not possess a Southern accent.
Artificial Intelligence is not helping things, either. It’s OK to have modified robot vacuum cleaners fight it out in a ring for money, but I don’t want to fight an automated voice on the phone for a live operator.
If we don’t get a handle on all this stuff, in 50 years the world will be filled with AI and robotic people, all of whom will be trying to scam each other.
I sure hope I’m still alive then so I can sit back with a bag of Cheetos and watch the show.
Anngee Quinones-Belian lives in Murphy. She loves humor and believes the world needs more of it. Email her at anngeeq@gmail.com.