This seems to have been a thing several years ago. For the benefit of folks new to shooting hobbies and sports, let’s reiterate: if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. In this case, there is no “probably.”
Several days ago I received three junk emails about how I can get a concealed carry permit without giving the government my information. Right.
Also suspiciouis was the timing of these emails, which was a bit creepy, They arrived about a week after I had ordered two gun-related items from online sources. People are out there collecting data about you and drawing conclusions. Some of those people are looking to cheat you.
Another red flag was the various URLs I was passed through on the way to the permit website. Pay attention to the address bar when you click a link. When you see sites that don’t seem related to what you are looking for, like a sewing supply or lawn and garden site when you’re shopping for gun parts, that’s a clue.
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Anyway, the screen shots illustrate the email and the scam website. As far as I know, there is no such thing as a concealed carry permit that you can just get from a website like you can get those fake college diplomas.
Do your own research, be skeptical, don’t get swindled by this kind of trash.
wait, you clicked the hot link? Why? Now they know it’s an active e-mail address. That is an obvious phish, it would have ended up in my block and report folder.
Clicked it using duck duck go behind a vpn. Just wanted to see where it led. Already knew it was a scam, pretty obvious. I have lots of throwaway email addresses. There are even test credit card numbers (used legitimately to test your business cc reader) you can enter to get past the payment screen and see what’s next.
Exactly. And for free stuff you won, we need your credit card number but won’t charge anything to it. As for our address being outside the USA, beyond reach of law enforcement, that was just a business decision. They never give up. They should.
This is just now becoming news? I guess some news outlets are a bit behind, or need filler material. Fun thing to do with spam, click on the link and fill in an email address from one of the other junk emails you get from India. Then they can spam each other. Years ago, yahoo webmail let you block entire domains so I added *.ru, *.in, etc. to my block list. They don’t offer that anymore, I don’t think.
Yeah, I’m one of those people who used to reply to the people saying I”ve inherited a bunch of money. I would yank their chains for a while and eventually give them my fax number for more info, except the fax number would for the FBI or similar. I doubt anything really happens but it seemed funny at the time.
Another fun trick to get past a web page, that needs your contact before you can continue, is to look up the phone number and address for the website you are visiting and use that. Their computers don’t seem to catch this.
I’ve been Inundated with spam-texts from the DNC/Obiden and GOP/Trumpitosis campaigns in the last three months - I NEVER Respond to them, just block the number(s) and Delete. I’m probably underestimating when I say I’ve blocked easily 450+.
They finally appear to be running out of phone numbers to plague me.
As far as I’m concerned, they can ALL Die in a Fire.
I NEVER give out my phone number anywhere for this exact reason. Websites, I give a fake one. Stores, I just straight up say no. Nothing infuriates me more than getting spam calls/texts.
If it’s not in my contacts I just don’t answer unless I’m feeling funny, in which case I’ll answer “K-19 radio, you’re on the air, go ahead”. After which they hang up.
“Fraud Unit, Agent Kelso speaking. Yes sir, I’d be happy to help you with that. I’ve got my credit card right here. Let me just finish tracing this call first. (shouts to imaginary partner in background) “Hey Jim, tell the team to go ahead and arrest this guy. Yeah I’m pretty sure I can get his family deported by tonight.”
This reminds me of another whole subject that really makes me angry: stores that insist on having an email address, phone number, or discount card in order to get the advertised price. Same goes for Walmart, Target, et al, with their web only price that is lower than in the store. We’re supposed to give up our privacy in order to get the correct price? No thanks, I don’t need the item that much, or will buy it somewhere else. Have a nice day. Ever leave merchandise on the belt because at checkout you had to give up personal info to get the right pricing? We should all do that. People need to start getting militant about this privacy stuff.
I’ve never left stuff on the belt, but I have had cashiers look at me like I’m speaking Latin when I say “no” in response to them asking for my phone or E-mail. It’s usually followed by a continued stare, a bit of hesitation, and a “oh, uh…okay…” before the transaction continues. Tells you how often they run into people who don’t give up their info right on the spot.
The only way I will ever donate to anything political is a movement to remove any and all politicians from power. That’s a movement I can get behind.
