Gullible suburban mother of four regularly duped in her half-century life. Exploring hoaxes and schemes as the ExSCAMiner, she attempts answering the nagging question: Should I have fallen for that? Got scam tips, email Karin at ScamExaminer@gmail.com.

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Showing entries for Category: Email

Spam, spam, spam, eggs and spam

4 comments

October 29, 8:12 AM

by Karin Malchow, Scam Examiner

Like the famous Monty Python sketch, spam is ubiquitous. Not the kind Hormel makes that inspires haikus, but the junk in your inbox.

What to do?

As mentioned in earlier comments, prevention is the best medicine (not the stuff promoted in pharmaceutical spam.) Avoid publicly listing your e-mail or disguise it if you do (like leaving out the @ and writing "at"). Have a dedicated e-mail account for registering on websites, especially if you don't read their privacy policies. Set your spam filter on its highest setting. Mark unsolicited e-mail as junk or spam rather than opening it.

Spamhaus.org is considered the spam authority, with excellent tips like this warning that clicking the remove or unsubscribe links in spam e-mails only increases the amount of spam received:

By sending back a 'remove me' opt-out request you are confirming to the spammer that your address is live, you are confirming that your ISP doesn't use spam filters, you are confirming that you actually open and read spams, and that you follow the spammer's instructions such as "click this to be removed". You are the perfect candidate for more spam.

Another useful resource is Spamlinks.net, which lists specific agencies to report child pornography, unlawful sales of pharmaceuticals, pyramid schemes, securities fraud and more.

Spam is annoying, so just don't open it. Unless it comes from Hormel or Monty Python.

Who wins the title "King of Spam"? Read here.

Topics: E-mail , spam

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Comments

E-mail scams no October surprise

3 comments

October 20, 1:07 PM

This month, some recurring e-mail scams include newsworthy events, the promise of extra cash, and the ever-popular fear factor.Many consumers (including the Scam Examiner) feared an identity theft scam after receiving mailed letters starting in... Read More
Topics: E-mail , Identity Theft , BNY Mellon , FBI

Male enhancement matters to scammers

1 comment

October 4, 4:26 PM

MSN Health reported a preliminary Italian study suggesting an ancient Chinese herbal aphrodisiac could be a natural alternative to Viagra and other pharmaceuticals treating Erectile Dysfunction. Spamming internet scammers are likely to latch onto... Read More
Topics: E-mail

Killer text message scam hits Australia

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July 1, 11:19 PM

Old scam, new continent.Australian media reports the text messaging incarnation of the hitman scam recently moved Down Under.The e-mail stating: "Someone paid me to kill you. If you want me to spare you, I'll give you two days... Read More
Topics: E-mail , text message , hitman

Unlucky charm

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June 13, 2:50 PM

Unlucky Friday the 13th: a venerable superstition that has lost credence, possibly because many of us don't monitor any date very closely, sticking mainly with seasons and the exact day vacation starts.There's nothing wrong with knocking wood,... Read More
Topics: E-mail , Chain letter , superstition

Global cyber-scamming community

3 comments

May 21, 10:56 PM

The FBI reports a 38 person global con ring bust, with participants from Romania, Pakistan, Portugal, Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico and the U.S. Romanian phishers sent out mass e-mails, directing individuals to enter private access information... Read More
Topics: E-mail , fraud , Identity Theft , internet , phishing

Take that, Nigerian Scammer!

3 comments

April 30, 6:45 PM

A recently received e-mail from a rental property owner puts a new twist on the Nigerian (or 419) Scam. You know, where a foreign contact stranger desperately needs your help releasing funds from a) an inheritance or b) government contract. Only... Read More
Topics: Con artists , E-mail , fraud , Nigerian scam , scam baiting