I got an email from my friend that lives in Utah. In the subject line it said EMERGENCY. I read the email and this is what it said. ( I have changed her name to Jane Customer so that I didn't use her real name)
Quoting Jane Customer :
I am sorry I didn't inform you about my traveling to Europe for a program called Empowering Youth to FightRacism,HIV/AIDS,and Lack of Education,the program is taking place in three major countries in Europe which areDublin,Scotland and England,I am presently in England.I misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money,and other valuable things were kept.I will like you to assist me with a soft loan urgently with the sum of $950 US Dollars to sort-out my hotel bills and get myself back home.I will appreciate whatever you can afford,i'll pay you back as soon as i return,Let me know if you can assist?so that i can send you the details to use when sending the money through WESTERN UNION or MONEY GRAM.Please do send the payment informations as for me to get the money in minutes.Regards,Name: Jane Customer COUNTRY -UNITED KINGDOMCITY -- LONDONADDRESS--Poppyland Norman Rd, St Margarets Bay, Dover, CT15 6DA.UK
I knew this was a scam, so I just erased the email. I was confused on why her name was on the email because I knew that she didn't write it. I hadn't heard from my friend in a while and I was worried about her... Well today I got a call from her and she said that her email had been stolen. A few days ago she got an email from Hotmail Tech Support( the email had all the logos and it looked legitimate) saying that they were updating some files and they needed her account login and her password.It said that if she didn't provide the info that her account would be closed or something of that nature. She was so worried about not having her email account she gave the info that was requested. That is how someone stole her email account, and now they are sending scamming emails using her name to everyone on her email list. The scammers have all her incoming emails, which included her ss# and other personal items. I am letting all of you know what happened to my friend so it doesn't happen to you! If you get an email requesting your Log in ID and Password, don't give out that information!