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Thu 18 Nov, 2021 05:54 pm
I am well aware that there are many computer gift card scams, but if this is true, it is definitely a new one on me.
There are two people, let's call them L & C. L supposedly writes an e mail to C saying that she knows that C has Amazon Prime, and would she send $150.00 worth of gift cards to a couple of her friends.
C sends the gift cards. The next time that they meet, L ignores C's request for a check for $300.00.
A 2nd time that they meet L is very nasty to C, and claims that her computer was hacked.
L refuses to have a conversation about the issue.
Now there are Gift Card Scams, and Gift card Scams. How would a hacker know to e mail a person that L knows, and would have Amazon Prime?? The only thing that I could think of is that if there indeed was a hacker, he could access L's address book.
My question: Is C the dupe of a third person, or is L stealing from her?
Have any of you heard of this scam before?
@Phoenix32890,
I haven't heard of it, but I don't think the scammer needs to know who has Amazon Prime since lots of people have Amazon Prime. You just assume they have it and if you're wrong oh well move on to the next person.
@engineer,
engineer- But how would the hacker know C's's email address on L's computer?
Do hackers get that closely involved?
@Phoenix32890,
Could be a virus copied out the contacts list. That is pretty common.
@engineer,
That might explain it. The thing that makes this issue so crazy is that L is not a likable person, and many in her circle have had issues with her. The fact that she has refused to sit down with C (whom she knows for many years)and discuss what might have happened (if it indeed did happen) is most peculiar.
@engineer,
engineer wrote:
I haven't heard of it, but I don't think the scammer needs to know who has Amazon Prime since lots of people have Amazon Prime. You just assume they have it and if you're wrong oh well move on to the next person.
I'll tell you something about that. Last time I ordered from Amazon, I had to really dig for a way to pay for it without signing up for a FREE prime trial membership.
@Phoenix32890,
If C still has the email, you could probably look at it and see if it is authentic. Also, C could contact the gift recipients and ask about it. Of course if they are Nigerian princes that might tell you something. Here is a link on seeing if an email is valid.
https://cheapsslsecurity.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-an-email-is-fake-or-real/
I will say if I was hacked, I would be very curious to see the "fake" email. To me it is curious that L does not want to see the email.
@engineer,
I don't know if that situation is actually a scam, but it's possible. Lately several of my friends from work have been hacked (we suspect Facebook) and then someone uses their name and emails requests to friends asking for favors like buying gift cards and other things. If you see requests from people you don't know asking if you will invite them to be friends on Facebook, don't do it. Once you invite them in they can review a lot of your msgs and figure out who your friends are. How they do this, I don't know......but thieves are very inventive.
@glitterbag,
That's one of the reasons I don't do FB anymore - too invasive. Our government has told the big 3 internet/phone providers they have until the end of the month to introduce software or whatever to prevent all these robocalls. The Do Not Call list seems to have broken down and we're fed up with millions of calls from fake hotels, government agencies, etc. I must get about 20 a day on my cell phone.
@Mame,
I've never done Facebook, and I also refuse to click any link with a "Facebook Click ID" in it.
@roger,
roger wrote:I'll tell you something about that. Last time I ordered from Amazon, I had to really dig for a way to pay for it without signing up for a FREE prime trial membership.
That is true. And they also have it set up so the unwary will sign themselves up for Prime without even realizing it.
On the other hand, Prime has first rate TV, on par with Netflix and Disney Plus IMO.
When I changed my computer, about three years ago, I forgot my password to Facebook, and was locked out of it. I know that I could reinstate it, but I really don't want to get involved in that site.
Oh, BTW, I am constantly getting e mails from supposedly many different stores, that offer me $90- to complete a survey. What is it about $90- that the scammers all use that figure?
@Phoenix32890,
Hackers hijack mailing lists from individual's email account.
@bobsal u1553115,
That makes sense, and would explain a lot. What is peculiar is the reaction of L to C. Over the past few years, L has been behaving rather strangely.
What we may have here is that C was scammed through L's hacked computer,
and L is displaying some mental health issues, (which we have noticed in the past).
@Phoenix32890,
Beware of scams. They are designed to take information and also leave one in a state of confusion. Spiritual faith is avoiding bad influence.
I just came across this old discussion that I started. What really shocked me is that in these few years, the "gift card" scam has become increasingly common. I would suppose that anyone who is the least bit computer savvy would know about it.
Now we have to be concerned about A.I.
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