mar's Desk

marcoujor: No Fooling Music

5/15/2019

"Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway." -- Mother Teresa

On April 30th, my email account was hacked. Most of the family, friends and colleagues on my mailing list were sent a "fairly" convincing email from me asking for a favor.

Some friends contacted me with a phone call, text, email or FB message to check in "to see if I was OK". I quickly realized the breach in my cyber-security.

I then changed my password and contacted everyone on my mailing list to alert them of the scam email(s). This took a fair amount of time and caused me great embarrassment at the needless intrusion in so many people's lives.

The icing on the cake was when a dear friend texted me pictures and receipts of (3) Google Play cards - $100 each. She sincerely thought I was on vacation (in the Bahamas as the scammers emailed her) and needed this "favor" for a niece's birthday gift. Fortunately she became suspicious when "I" (aka the scammer) emailed her to scratch the backs of the cards and send "me" the numbers to a phone that my friend traced to Texas?

We are hoping that Google and VISA "do the right thing" and reverse the charge on my friend's account. She is waiting to hear back. To me, this charge should have been instantly reversed - especially as she attempted return the cards 15-minutes after purchase from a local drug store.

My friend contacted her local police department and the police department where she purchased the cards. Both departments made a report and have copies of all emails exchanged.

In the meantime, I am spreading the word every way I can think of for everyone to be on the look out for scammers - of all kinds - who invade emails, social media accounts, land lines, cell phones and inject uncertainty and vulnerability in those effected. It is, in fact, a virtual theft. If something seems "off", believe that your instincts are correct.

Spend your time rather doing what you enjoy. My dawgs have the right idea. They are happy, industrious and honestly having a doggone ball working in the Jordan Branch Office.

Although the other three songs are some of my old favorites, this "new discovery" delivers a message of warning in a clever and quirky manner. This was the ONLY part of this experience that caused me to smile (a little).

ShoutOuts

☙ Here now, and looking forward to Mother's Day, 2020! on Vicki's Spin

☙ Re-Wilding by Fireside with Rolly

Until next week, wishing you peace and a song in your heart, mar

20 Comments

Pamela Oglesby

5/15/2019 06:04:50 am

Dear Maria, I am so sorry to hear how much this hack upset you and others. Getting hacked is so frustrating. I think this is a message to all of us to change our passwords more often.

I did enjoy all of your music choices, and of course, they reflected the hack into your accounts. I pray you will have a better rest of the week. Love, Pam

Maria link

5/15/2019 04:51:17 pm

Thanks Pam. It could have been worse.

If everyone spent their time productively and positively, wouldn't it be a beautiful thing?

Have a peaceful day. Love, Maria

Paula

5/15/2019 08:12:40 am

SHAME on nasty scammers! Hacking accounts is utterly low-life!! I'm aware this has happened to many people. I had a less serious incident twice in the past.
Maria.....as awful as this is and despite the hassle......it has to be a warm feeling to have such wonderful friends! You mustn't feel too badly, honey....you're not at fault and our honorable friends all understand this.
Here's hoping these poor lost souls find something productive to do with their lives!
Hugs......Paula/Effer

Maria link

5/15/2019 04:54:29 pm

You are so right, dear Paula. I am surrounded by beautiful and loving friends.
You are a great example btw...!

Love you lots, Maria

Mike

5/15/2019 10:37:47 am

Hello mar - Again sorry you had to be put through this. I have always been convinced it was easier to work than try to gather money dishonestly. It says a lot about your friendship with the person that sent the money that she stopped everything to help you. Listening to the music now - Happy Wednesday.

Maria link

5/15/2019 04:59:34 pm

Thanks Mike. I agree with your ethical philosophy.

Yes, my friend is beautiful inside and out.

Hope all is well with you today. Hugs, mar

Verlie Burroughs

5/15/2019 12:40:03 pm

Aww Mar, that's awful! Good for your friend for trying to sort this hacker fiasco out, I hope the culprit is caught! And she gets reimbursed asap. I found your post today in my junk mail because that is where I put the fraudulent email, but looks safe now to move you back? Nice that you can ease the tension with these great tunes! Miss Fannie and Uncle Andy are adorable! Love Verlie

Maria link

5/15/2019 05:03:46 pm

Thanks, dear Verlie. I think it's safe to add me back to your address book.

My fur buds helped me keep my perspective.

Hope you are having a good week. Love, mar

Sannel link

5/15/2019 12:52:23 pm

Dear Maria,

I'm sorry that your account were hacked, along with all the frustrations and hassle that comes with. But please, you're not at fault here. Nowadays, these things happens to the most of us, at one time or another. It's such a shame that we always have to be on our guards and questioning everything and anything that could be harmful to us or our computers. :(

Your opening to this post gave me the most wonderful laugh, seeing Andy and Miss Fannie being busy doing a fine job in the Jordan Branch Office. Those two couldn't be more suited for the job, haha!

Thank you for the reminder that we are all vulnerable to nasty hackers, some giggles and for some great music, too.

Love and hugs,
Sannel

Maria link

5/15/2019 05:20:06 pm

Thank you sweet Sannel. Your comment is so true.

I believe Aunt Baby is smiling in heaven that her Branch Office work lives on.

Hope you and Freddie are having a great day. Love and hugs to you both, Maria

Cynthia link

5/15/2019 03:24:43 pm

First, I am *so sorry* that happened! The frustration and time spent undoing what those turkeys did...grrr. And second, I am so paranoid about this kind of thing that at the school where I work, I'm constantly repeating the following: monitor your accounts, change your passwords regularly and use STRONG passwords, and you can use apps or your browser (i.e. keychain) to store your passwords and have it remind you to reset your passwords every few months. Oh my lord, when I see people who's computers I work on with these simple passwords, I'm always like, oh honey...we've GOT to work on this. lol.
I wish you a wonderful week - one that is more peaceful and not tainted by smarmy hackers. I am putting out the good vibes for your friend to get her money back. What a sweet, genuine person who would have done that for you. Aww...at least you got to see the sweet actions of those who care for you.
We all care for you. I hope that doesn't happen again and I'm sending you big squishy hugs. Thank you for the reminder to go change my passwords. :)

Maria link

5/15/2019 05:25:37 pm

Sweet Cynthia,
Thank you for your comments which show lots of good judgment and practices on your part.
It was great and ironic that last week my university sent us a link for mandatory training on cyber-security.
Sending you love and hugs too, Maria

Kimmie

5/15/2019 08:41:25 pm

Dearest Maria
I am so sorry this happened to you it seems to be happening more and more as people think they are smarter and being able to hack into someone’s account. The best part is that you have a whole crew that know you and alerted you right away. The old saying it takes a village well I guess even when we are part of this CyberWorld we have to Be careful and mindful of what could happen. I hope it all got straightened out and things are back to normal. Love this post and it is a good warning for All to be diligent in keeping an eye out for trolls and other people that tend to deceive.Sending lots of love Kimmie

Maria link

5/17/2019 07:37:09 am

Wise words, dear Kimmie. Thank you for the visit and your kind support.

Wishing you a peaceful day. Love you and hugs, Maria

Shauna

5/16/2019 12:52:33 pm

Mar, I'm so sorry your friend got duped. As soon as I saw that email I knew it wasn't you.

These scammers really piss me off. They think nothing of invading strangers' lives and playing them for fools. The sad thing is, many of them get away with it.

Take care, my friend. Hugs to you and the kids.

Love,
Sha

Maria link

5/17/2019 07:39:32 am

Thanks for realizing this was a scam, dear Sha - I share your feelings 100% about these low lifes.

Love and hugs to you, mar

Martie link

5/16/2019 05:00:59 pm

Dearest Maria

These scammers are so clever. Somehow they always manage to achieve success, and therefor they continue doing what they are doing.

I am so sorry your friend fell into their trap, She has all my empathy. As you know, I have my own story.

The music says it all.

Hugs,

Martie

Maria link

5/17/2019 07:41:11 am

Dear Martie,
Sadly I know you have experience with this evil issue as well.
Glad you at least enjoyed the music.
Love you and wishing you a peaceful weekend, mar

Peg link

5/17/2019 09:20:12 am

How awful for both you and your generous friend. Hope this gets fixed soon and that the culprits are stopped. I watched a Dateline episode the other day where the scammers were unknowingly out to get $$$ from the host of the show.
"Just send me $7,000 to get the two million dollars unlocked from a secret account," etc.. It was interesting to watch their reactions when confronted with the TV cameras!
Loved seeing the photo of the newest member of your family and hoping to see many more in the future.
Listening to "Chain of Fools," now. I can't hear this one anymore without picturing the scene from "Michael" with John Travolta. Loved it and love you. Hugs.

Maria link

5/21/2019 02:40:50 pm

Thanks, dear Peg. I am also hoping this works out without any further hitches.

Glad you are enjoying the tunes. Have a peaceful day.

Love, Maria

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marcoujor: No Fooling Music

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