http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php Copyright 2010, Lucille Lucille en-US SPHPBLOG 0.4.8 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100310-101755
Yes, much to my embarrassment, that was the next step in my journey into Idiotland. After the first phone call that promised that I could make $50,000.00 in 6 months with the on-line training I was about to receive, I got two more calls with equally outlandish promises.

1. "Well, you must have visitors to your web site. We'll send you 20,000.00 for $."

2. "You'll be so rich if you follow our program that you're bound to have tax problems."

I have given a lot of thought to whether I should tell this story. I wonder if I should have taken the classic route and imputed my less than intelligent actions to "a friend of mine once". But, one of the things that seems to get me, and a lot of folks like me in trouble is our tendency to be honest, no matter what the cost in personal financial well being or dignity. In short, I couldn't attribute my less than brilliant actions to a hapless figment of my imagination any more than I could impose on said figment to pay my credit card bill.

"Why do I want people to visit my site now when I don't know what the heck to put on it?"

"Oh we'll help you with that. Besides, there is a 10% click through rate, and this is the quickest way for you to make back your investment."

"You mean people will buy your program from me even if there is nothing on my site to give them a reason to do it?"

"Yes. We only send you targeted visitors."

"Okay, sign me up. I could use making some of my investment back."

and about a week later:

"This new business is going to cause you a lot of tax issues."

"How could it? I haven't made a dime."

"Yes, but you will, and you need to have your protections in place so the IRS doesn't get all your money."

"But, I HAVEN'T made any money."

"You will, though. Why, in as little as one month, you could be making thousands of dollars, and it could all go to the gov'ment. You wouldn't like that, would you?"

We'll draw the curtains of charity on my response, and subsequent credit card bill. I'm not quite done with this saga, as much as I wish I were. So, please stay tuned.
]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100310-101755 Lucille Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:17:55 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100310-101755 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100308-171936
Don't answer that. I'm embarrassed enough. My father was a salesman. He said that salesman were the easiest people to sell to because they were sympathetic to their peers. It makes me wonder if lawyers are more sympathetic to criminals because -- maybe I don't want to go there.

In any event, the guy convinced me that his program would unlock all of the secrets of Internet marketing. I would be able to make a satisfactory income on line if I just followed his directions. "Sure, sign me up," I said. "I believe anyone who tells me a good enough story."

The guy assured me that if his program didn't meet all of my expectations, I would get my money back. I gave him my credit card number, and excitedly waited for my first coaching session. I figured a program about selling on the net would take place -- on the net. Well, some of it did. But the first thing I got was a big box of post cards. I was supposed to send them out, and all the 750 people who received them were supposed to call the magic number, buy the same program I just bought, and make me a millionaire overnight.

I was supposed to pay the postage for this privilege. I couldn't bring myself to do this for two reasons. I thought that I didn't know enough about the program to sell it to my fellow man. I think it is unethical to ask someone to invest a lot of hard earned turnips in something I couldn't personally recommend. My other objection is I couldn't bring myself to send junk mail. It just goes against everything I believe. I hate to get it, so I can't bring myself to send it.
]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100308-171936 Lucille Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:19:36 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100308-171936 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100307-131710
Unfortunately, she was gullible, because of actions engaged in by her maternal parent involving gravity and her head. Shortly after she fell for the "type yourself to wealth in 45 minutes or less" scam, she got a phone call:

Lucille: "If you want money, go to the

---"Caller: "Now, Now. I am here to help. I'll show you how to make money, but you'll have to work for it."

Lucille: "I'll work my Hoosier asteroid off if it means I can support myself. A few luxuries like food, shelter and clothing would be nice."

Caller" "Right! Wouldn't you also like to sit on the beach all day doing nothing? Don't you have dreams that don't include chocolate and sleeping all day?"

Lucille: "Sure, but remember the first thing I said. You know, when i answered the phone?"

Caller: "Ha! Ha! Yeah, that was cute. You do know it takes money to make money?"

Lucille: "Yes, weren't they popular about the same time as the Beatles?"

Caller: "You are so funny! Tell you what, just because you're such a smart Alec, and you sound like the kind of person who eats turnips, we'll give you a discount. Why, before the end of the day, you'll have what you need to make all the money you'll ever need."

Lucille: "Okay, I'll bite. How much?"




]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100307-131710 Lucille Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:17:10 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100307-131710 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100306-120250 DragonLaffs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

In my defense, he didn't have that address in the article I used, but I've seen his subscription address at least a million times. I guess it's that being dropped on my head thing. ]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100306-120250 Lucille Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:02:50 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100306-120250 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100305-140632 click Bank is a legitimate source of affiliate programs, and I don't get paid for telling you that. I had to pay to be told myself, but back to the issue at hand. I logged in, and started to sign up for the free for all sites. I read their policies and requirements, as I had done for the site that got me there. The difference is that the owners of those sites were a little more honest about what they were offering, and made it very clear that they would under no circumstances accept ads from product affiliates. Oh, well. I figured I had learned my lesson, and hadn't paid as much as I could have for a useless life time membership. However, the original thief wasn't done with me yet. A couple of months later, my secretary asked me what the monthly $9.00 charges on my card were for. I said I didn't know, but I got to the bottom of it as quickly as I could. Apparently, the $50.00 life time membership only lasted a month. After that, it was $9.00 per month. I'll give her credit. The charges were small enough that a lot of us wouldn't notice, and would pay it. The lesson from this experience? ALWAYS read your statement. The $9.00 continuing charge was mentioned on another page of the site. It was under the headline, "More Information". I guess she was going to define "life time" for me. It apparently didn't mean what I thought it did. But, hang on. I'm embarrassed to admit we're just warming up. The turnip truck has barely left the farm. ]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100305-140632 Lucille Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:06:32 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100305-140632 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100304-174918
Have you ever called to take advantage of a money back offer? I had heard this stuff advertised for months that was supposed to be helpful for people with arthritis. My mother suffers with that disorder, and I would do about anything I could to get her relief.

I called the place, nervous credit card in hand. I ordered the stuff, and was ready to hang up. However, the rep was better trained than to let me go, and I am too polite, -- I mean stupid to just hang up on someone.

Rep: "Wouldn't you also like to join our homeowner's club?"

Lucille: Thanks, but I don't want to spend the money."

Rep: "It is free for the first 30 days. After that, you can continue your membership for the low price of $65.00 per month."

Of course, something came up in the office, or maybe my bladder was full. Free for 30 days was all right. It sounded like an interesting program. I took the offer, got off the phone, and promptly forgot about it. What I should have remembered is that I already had given my credit card number, and that my acceptance of their offer apparently gave them permission to charge my card after a month was up. Radar was paying my bills about 3 months later when she asked about the charge.

Lucille: "What charge? I don't remember making that charge."

5 or 6 phone calls later, and I got the rep, or one of his clones.

Rep: "We can cancel for next month, but it's too late in the billing cycle to cancel for the last 60 days."

Lucille: But I never used it, and sure don't remember ordering it."

Rep: Would you like me to play the tape?"

Yes, it was my own damn fault. These scam artists rely on the fact that (1) you have other things to do and get to a point that you will do anything to get them off the phone and (2) you will forget that you ordered something you didn't need, and should have cancelled after 30 days and (3() probably wouldn't check your credit card statement and be reminded.

It is easy to blame me for carelessness, and I would plead guilty. I'd plead the fifth, but after that experience I'd rather drink it. Anyway, these shysters got $200.00 out of me for a product I ended up not using because it gave Mom heartburn, and a "club" membership that was about as useful to me as a Botox injection to make my butt bigger.

]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100304-174918 Lucille Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:49:18 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100304-174918 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100303-211015
Instead, I am reprinting a warning that was published in an ezine I get every day called Dragon Laughs. I have become friends with the list owner over the years, even though we never met. I can recommend his offering without reservations. It is a joke ezine, but Bob does provide public service information when he thinks it's important.

I thought this was worth reprinting here, because although it doesn't address violence, it does tell of a scam that sounds like one that would be easy enough to fall for, and forewarned is forearmed.

After 9-11, I tried to contribute $25 to the effort to dig under the rubble by providing paw protection for rescue dogs. When I got my credit card statement, there was a $79 charge for some bozo's insurance policy. There was no charge for dog protecting gear, and I was, to say the least, steamed.

I'm just reiterating why I think this kind of information is so important. It is just so easy to be duped.

With Mother Nature's recent temper tantrums in Haiti and Chile, we are even more in need for protection of our better angels. The desire to contribute to help our fellow man buy food and shelter too often puts him in a mansion with a new SUV.
]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100303-211015 Lucille Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:10:15 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100303-211015 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100303-210658 *
*
**This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information,
Except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it...
This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & Master
Card Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect
Yourself.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA', and I was called
On Thursday from 'Master Card'.. The scam works like this: Caller: 'This is
(name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My
Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase
Pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which
Was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device
For $497..99 from a Marketing company based in ?'

When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a
Credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the
Charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that
Flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to
(gives you your address), is that correct?'

You say 'yes'. The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud
Investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number
Listed on the back of your card (1-800 -VISA) and ask for Security.'
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6
Digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works.** The caller then says, 'I
Need to verify you are in possession of your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn
Your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4
Are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers that
Verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you
Sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.

The Caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller
The 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the
Card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you
Have any other questions?'

After you say No, the caller then thanks you and
States, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do, and hangs up.
**You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card
Number.. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20
Minutes to ask a question.. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security
Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase
Of $497.99 was charged to our card.

Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
Account. VISA is reissuing us a new number.** What the scammers want is the
3-digit PIN number on the back of the card** Don't give it to them. Instead,
Tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their
Conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on
The card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If
you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a
credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for
purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more
difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a
'Jason Richardson of Master Card' with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA
scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police
report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of
these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this
scam is happening.**

**Please pass this on to all your family, friends and neighbors. By
informing each other, we protect each other.** *
To subscribe to Dragon Laughs, write to Bob at dragonlaughs@global.net]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100303-210658 Lucille Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:06:58 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100303-210658 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100302-171533
My uncle was an alcoholic. He ran a bar in the downtown of a large city. He had the habit of flashing his money around. I don't know if he did that in public, but my family does accept his habit as a possible reason for his death.

My brother-in-law's aunt was strangled in her home. She was an older lady, and I don't know that they ever figured out a motive for her slaying.

Finally, my niece was shot a number of years ago. I thank God every day that she wasn't killed. However, a rash of killings of young women were occurring in her town. She was walking her dog in a gated community when she was shot.

In none of these cases was the shooter ever discovered. In the case of both my niece and my brother-in-law's aunt, they couldn't have been in a lower risk situation, at least as far as stranger violence is concerned. Tomorrow, we'll talk about the safety measures our parents taught us when we were growing up. They may be familiar, but it never hurts to bear them in mind as we go about our lives.]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100302-171533 Lucille Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:15:33 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100302-171533 http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100301-150456 Dating Game Killer?
This is very creepy. This guy appeared on the Dating Game or some such in the 70s. He represented himself in court, which is perfectly legal, if somewhat stupid. He is suspected of killing 30 women back in the 70s, before, thank g-d he was put in jail.


It is amazing how trusting we ladies can be. This guy lured women by promising to take their pictures. He did take their pictures after they were dead. He used all sorts of methods, including claw hammers and a variety of other hand tools particularly suited to his task. He liked to nearly suffocate his victims, revive them, and smother them again, just to make the fun last longer.


I wish our fellow humans were all trustworthy. The problem is that the few of them who aren't make the world dangerous for the rest of us. It is easy to trust someone who is charming and good looking. However, unless you are a master at marshall arts, or are in the habit of carrying concealed, you should never, never put yourself in a position where you are alone in a car with a stranger.


I think we'll spend the next few columns on self defense.




]]> http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100301-150456 Lucille Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:04:56 GMT http://www.couple-or-not.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100301-150456