Scamming season! Be on your toes!
http://randolphbeck.com/blog/2013/12/theyre-always-out-there-2/
They’re always out there but now is the time of year when you’re more likely to assume that a message from FedEx is really from FedEx.
It may really be a virus.
You should always look closely at the web links attached to your email before you click them.
When it looks like this: http://www.fedex.com@ajax11a.cz/arrival/ it may look like it’s at fedex.com, but it’s really at ajax11a.cz. That “@†instead of a “/†makes all the difference. (BTW: I made up that URL, and am assuming there’s nobody there.)
Scammers may also have a correct-looking link with the “/†displayed in the message, but have the “@†in the actual link.
It pays to be extra careful. (Thanks to Chas Pyle for this warning)
Another friend warns that
Amazon Order Details Invoice 87710 from amazonreportx.com
is a scam email. don’t open it – plants a trojan horse.
I have tried to confirm this at Snopes.com, but could not. I have asked a geek friend about it, but he is on vacation till January 6. So it may be OK, but erring on the side of caution is to be recommended.
In case I don’t write again before Christmas, is wish you the happiest times for anything you like to celebrate, whether linked to a religion or not. And let’s all try to make our planet a happier one in 2014 (and 2015 2016, etc.)
Peace –
Haj
Here’s a lovely piece that my daughter sent to me. I don’t know who wrote it, but I sure agree with its philosophy.
I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I’m not “saving” anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary; if it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I’m not sure what others would’ve done had they known they wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted.
I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles.
I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.
I’m guessing; I’ll never know.
It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.
And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every
day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
If you received this, it is because someone cares for you.
If you’re too busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this, would it be the first time you didn’t do the little thing that would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it certainly won’t be the last.
Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that you’re thinking of them.
“People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don’t need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there.”
I don’t believe in miracles. I rely on them.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
[A present from Pip]