[Jan A]

Extortion scam​

An email arrived today headed “Shame on you.” The content proceeded in abusive and threatening tones to say my computer had been hacked and all my contact details and other information would be placed on the internet unless I paid “1,700$” into an account specified with a very long link. There were no identifying details showing that this scammer creep had any knowledge of my online activities except my email address. Clearly this disgusting piece of filth was sending this email out randomly to frighten people in the hope someone would be so alarmed they would pay the money. If you get something like this, delete it without opening it.

 

[Gezzabel]

I got similar email. It was really frightening. It said that I was being watched, and that they knew where I lived. It was truly terrifying. Was also told to pay around $2,000 for them to go away. The email also said that they knew my browsing habits. If you get the email again, go to the police, or delete it asap. Gezabel.

 

[Jan A]

Yes, Gezabel, it is frightening to get emails like this. It is disturbing to think that low-life scum of this particularly loathsome variety have our email addresses. Of course, it is all lies calculated to extort money out of people. If they did know where you live or anything else about you, they would have included details in the email to prove their claim. They trawl the internet for email addresses and use them for these extortion attempts. Take pleasure in deleting these emails immediately if you get one.

 

[Macarj]

I don't open any email I don't know

 

[Reet]

I don't open any email I don't know

I don't download nor open any email if I don't recognise the sender. I
had a telephone call yesterday from someone overseas stating that they were an associate of Telstra and I was having trouble with my internet on the computer. I asked him how I was supposed to know he was really Telstra and he said that was a good question and gave me a short telephone number and his Telstra ID number and name which in itself was suspicious as he had a very thick Asian accent and a very western first and last names.. He asked if I h ad a mobile phone with which to check on him and also asked that I not hang up on my house phone. I told him I would do no such thing and hung up. The reason I was suspicious was that I have had phone calls like this before which I did not believe were authentic. I did get another phone call shortly after from the same number which was an international one, and ignored it completely. The content of his conversation sounded very legitimate, nevertheless I did not believe him.

 

[Liag]

I've had a similar email which stated that they had recorded me, via my web cam, using my computer for all sorts of nefarious things, and that I should pay a certain amount or it would be publicised on Facebook. My camera is covered at all times and has never been used. I have a very handy button in my junk mail folder that says 'Report', so I just click on that, and it all goes away.

 

[Jan A]

When I told my friend in Melbourne about the extortion email that I received, she said she had received one as well. It said the sender possessed videos of her looking at nasty things online and was going to upload these videos to the internet. As it was all complete rubbish, she deleted it immediately. Nevertheless, these things are disturbing.

Also be aware those MyGov scam emails about Centrelink pensions are still going around. If you see a MyGov email or text, delete it immediately. If a government agency wants to contact you, it will provide your name, address and identifying details (such as TFN or CRN number). If it doesn’t have that, it is a scam. Delete it.

I had an email recently claiming to be from an investment company saying my account was to be deleted unless I contacted them through the link provided. As I don’t engage any investment company, this was another scam. As with these scams, it contained no identifying details, just “Dear Customer” which is a clear red flag that this is a fake designed to get people to reveal their financial details. Be smart, be safe. Use that “Delete” button!

 

[Baz1960]

I've had a similar email which stated that they had recorded me, via my web cam, using my computer for all sorts of nefarious things, and that I should pay a certain amount or it would be publicised on Facebook. My camera is covered at all times and has never been used. I have a very handy button in my junk mail folder that says 'Report', so I just click on that, and it all goes away.

Agree, do what we can for privacy and safety. If someone wants to see me in my undies and picking my nose.. they have more issues than me lol. It's a crazy and disturbing world out there.

 

[BarryOliver]

I've had a similar email which stated that they had recorded me, via my web cam, using my computer for all sorts of nefarious things, and that I should pay a certain amount or it would be publicised on Facebook. My camera is covered at all times and has never been used. I have a very handy button in my junk mail folder that says 'Report', so I just click on that, and it all goes away.

The Pegasus email scam. I received one too. Thing is, I don't have a web cam, so knew it was a scam & Googled it.

 

[Tigers]

I don't download nor open any email if I don't recognise the sender. I
had a telephone call yesterday from someone overseas stating that they were an associate of Telstra and I was having trouble with my internet on the computer. I asked him how I was supposed to know he was really Telstra and he said that was a good question and gave me a short telephone number and his Telstra ID number and name which in itself was suspicious as he had a very thick Asian accent and a very western first and last names.. He asked if I h ad a mobile phone with which to check on him and also asked that I not hang up on my house phone. I told him I would do no such thing and hung up. The reason I was suspicious was that I have had phone calls like this before which I did not believe were authentic. I did get another phone call shortly after from the same number which was an international one, and ignored it completely. The content of his conversation sounded very legitimate, nevertheless I did not believe him.

I do EXACTLT the same.

 

[Mr Chips]

There is also a good way of dealing with these terrible emails. It does depend a little on what browser you use for the internet and emails. I use Telstra as they offer the best protection even though they are a touch expensive. Have a look at the top right of your email page and you will find 3 dots in a vertical line. If you click on that it will open a window that gives you two or three options with which you can hand the email to authorities to deal with. I click on "Phishing" which after a couple of seconds sends the email to the relevant authority and then deletes the email. I know some of you already do this but also some people do not know.

 

[Vaffiy]

Well get a load of this dirty email sent to my daughter. They really are the lowest of lows. This is disgusting beyond anything I know of.

 

[Iggydi]

When I told my friend in Melbourne about the extortion email that I received, she said she had received one as well. It said the sender possessed videos of her looking at nasty things online and was going to upload these videos to the internet. As it was all complete rubbish, she deleted it immediately. Nevertheless, these things are disturbing.

Also be aware those MyGov scam emails about Centrelink pensions are still going around. If you see a MyGov email or text, delete it immediately. If a government agency wants to contact you, it will provide your name, address and identifying details (such as TFN or CRN number). If it doesn’t have that, it is a scam. Delete it.

I had an email recently claiming to be from an investment company saying my account was to be deleted unless I contacted them through the link provided. As I don’t engage any investment company, this was another scam. As with these scams, it contained no identifying details, just “Dear Customer” which is a clear red flag that this is a fake designed to get people to reveal their financial details. Be smart, be safe. Use that “Delete” button!

Click on the senders name on the top of the email and it will have their email address for you to see. The ones from My Gov are usually from some idiot with a weird email address. SeniorsDiscountClub this is what you see before you click on it and as you can see it's from where it says <[email protected]>

 

[Luckyus]

The one I got I just asked them if the could pick out the pics of me on the vinegar stroke?

 

[Gezzabel]

DITTO. Next identically one I GET time to call the cops! Delete or report! End of story!!!!!!!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Well get a load of this dirty email sent to my daughter. They really are the lowest of lows. This is disgusting beyond anything I know of.

I have received numerous emails of this type over the years.

Here is the opening line of the latest from last Boxing Day.

Hello pervert, I've sent this message from your Microsoft account.

Am I worried? Not in the least!

 

[BarryOliver]

I have received numerous emails of this type over the years.

Here is the opening line of the latest from last Boxing Day.

Hello pervert, I've sent this message from your Microsoft account.

Am I worried? Not in the least!

Exactly the wording in the one I received

 

[deni67]

There is also a good way of dealing with these terrible emails. It does depend a little on what browser you use for the internet and emails. I use Telstra as they offer the best protection even though they are a touch expensive. Have a look at the top right of your email page and you will find 3 dots in a vertical line. If you click on that it will open a window that gives you two or three options with which you can hand the email to authorities to deal with. I click on "Phishing" which after a couple of seconds sends the email to the relevant authority and then deletes the email. I know some of you already do this but also some people do not know.

On most email clients all those dots do is put the email in your spam folder, which then gets deleted after a certain time.
Check out your spam folder after you've "reported one"
For them to be reported to the relevant sources you have to forward them yourself!

 

[Tervueren]

I don't download nor open any email if I don't recognise the sender. I
had a telephone call yesterday from someone overseas stating that they were an associate of Telstra and I was having trouble with my internet on the computer. I asked him how I was supposed to know he was really Telstra and he said that was a good question and gave me a short telephone number and his Telstra ID number and name which in itself was suspicious as he had a very thick Asian accent and a very western first and last names.. He asked if I h ad a mobile phone with which to check on him and also asked that I not hang up on my house phone. I told him I would do no such thing and hung up. The reason I was suspicious was that I have had phone calls like this before which I did not believe were authentic. I did get another phone call shortly after from the same number which was an international one, and ignored it completely. The content of his conversation sounded very legitimate, nevertheless I did not believe him.

Try blocking that number next time

Well get a load of this dirty email sent to my daughter. They really are the lowest of lows. This is disgusting beyond anything I know of.

I got this EXACT same email and it rattled me a bit despite being completely untrue. Reported and Blocked.

 

[Tervueren]

Yesterday I received an sms text saying Hi Mum, I lost my phone and wanted to let you know my new number. Call me back on this number so it is on your phone.
Needless to say I did not return the call.
I also do not have any children so I was rather surprised!!