This past week, I received an email from both Dan Brown (famous author of The DaVinci Code and others) and James Patterson (famous author of Along Came a Spider and others). Both said they had seen my books and were impressed. I was very flattered.
Dan was the first one and I responded with a thank you message. He replied asking for links to my books and other stuff. It seemed silly to me since my website is part of my signature block on the email, making it easy to click the link and go there. I responded that he needed to do that and resisted the urge to say “duh”. A return email asked about “the book” and how much time I spent on it. That set the alarms in my head to ringing. I asked which one and got some strange answer back. That’s when I knew it was a scam. Not that I didn’t already have suspicions about it, but I knew for sure. I responded that whoever was sending the emails needed to find an honest line of work.
The next day, I got a similar letter from James Patterson. Without going through all the responses, I wrote back that I knew it was a scam and to find honest work instead of bothering me. Some emailing robot was sending me junk mail, fishing for stuff, and I wasn’t going to allow it.
Not long after that, a woman (I assumed by her name) emailed me about one of my books and said she left me a 5-star review. She wanted her book club to read it and asked questions about it. Still leery, I answered some of her questions. When she asked for links, I told her to google it or click the link below. She asked me to let her know when I had something new coming out, and I told her to sign up for my newsletter to get that information. I’m not sure if this exchange was legit or not. If it was, I’m sorry I was terse. On the other hand, it was so unusual that I couldn’t help but keep her at arm’s length.
My experience was a good reminder that the holidays are fast approaching, and the scammers are out in force. It’s time to refresh our memories about ways to not let them separate us from our money. They love preying on old folks. Shame on them!
Remember to never give out numbers or information needed to get into your accounts. Every unknown person who calls you or emails you is a scam suspect until you know for certain they are legitimately reaching out to you. Exercise caution and give as little information as you can. Use as few words as possible when you suspect something’s wrong (one-word answers if you can). The best advice is to hang up as quickly as possible. My phone shows “scam alert” if an unknown number calls me. Let them leave a voice mail if it’s important.
With AI able to reproduce your voice or your family’s voices, be careful if one of them calls and says they’re in trouble. Hang up and call them on their direct number to check if it’s true. In all likelihood, it’s not.
Don’t utter the word yes. That’s old advice, but if a stranger on your phone asks you if you’re you and you say yes, they can record it and use it against you. With AI, that may no longer apply, but it’s still best to beware.
I wish those scammers would put as much effort into honest work as they do trying to steal your money. The world would be a much better place if they did. Until they do, use caution and beware of everyone.
For the commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You hall not bear false witness, You shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:9-10