quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:

quote:

Originally posted by wingspar:
I got the 32 of these back in 2018. What got me going with one was that whoever sent it actually had my real password. That they had my real password freaked me out, but I don’t have any web cams, so I knew it was a scam, but what were they doing with my real password?

Stop using the same password for different sites. Period.

Legitimate sites get hacked and let your passwords get stolen ***all the time***. People buy the breached data from each other, over and over and over. Passwords, credit card numbers, etc.

Ok. That makes sense.

There are basic personal security practices that should be getting used.

A search of "personal security on the internet" might be enlightening. Much like knowing what neighborhoods or people to avoid, the internet has become a hunting ground for scammers and their duplicitious practices. It even extends to forums and I don't know of a gun forum that hasn't had someone rip off other members. 20 years on the internet and there have been hundreds. At one time ebay was so bad they were forced to revise their rules and it works, now nobody wants to sell there.

How many here can say their phone rang and before they answered it saw THEIR OWN NUMBER was calling them? I had one cell with a recycled number which resulted in over 45 credit companies being put on reject to stop all the calls. It had months of air time on it (triple minutes!), when I upgraded phones I just turned it off and started over new. It was worth it.

And no, I never answered any of them. I just surfed the numbers and they always came back to a collection agency. I don't answer calls I don't know who is calling. I don't give out my number unless they need it which really limits the robodialers getting any attention. Not the same area code? Not getting answered. I don't text "Gina" back either, regardless of what room number at the Sheraton she might be calling from. "Gina" might just be alone, or ? Much less the even worse beatdown after I get home.

Its a cold cruel world out there. Watch your six.