Craigslist and Online Scams Gaining Ground in Wichita

Craigslist scams are not new to the world, but they are becoming even harder to detect. Years ago, unsuspecting victims would wire money to criminals who promised to ship their newly-bought items. Presently, these types of scams rarely manifest since people are catching on to scammers’ tactics.

The newest scams were unc these overed by a warning from the Better Business Bureau. According to the BBB, Craigslist scam artists are not only intent on stealing your money, but also your identity. Residents of Wichita, Kansas were recently targeted in a slew of Craigslist scams targeting auto buyers, renters and job seekers. Their personal and financial information was compromised.

In an attempt to thwart scams, the BBB suggests you adhere to the following guidelines when using Craigslist or similar sites:

New Phone Scam Reveals Man Posing as BBB Representative

In the past, we have heard of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warning consumers about phone scams, but this incident is the first of its kind. Apparently, the Saskatchewan BBB has received reports of a scam artist calling local residents posing as an employee of the organization.

Pat Heffernan, executive director of the BBB, was contacted by a woman who took a call from a man claiming to represent the Better Business Bureau. The man on the call identified himself as “Joshua”. The man stated that he was currently involved in an investigation on prior credit card transactions and asked for the woman’s credit card information. He pressured her by threatening penalties if she did not comply.

Hackers May Have Ability to Unlock Car Doors Via SMS

From finding our car keys to helping us find our way home, smartphones have revolutionized the way we live. Sadly, new technological advances bring with them thieves who are ready to capitalize on a new opportunity.

Phone scams have taken on a new identity; tech-savvy criminals are finding ways to hack into applications from mobile phones and wireless devices. These crimes are happening right under the noses of those who own these gadgets.

The newest applications allow users to start their vehicles from a remote location. The OnStar RemoteLink app is currently used by car owners to start late-model GM, BMW and Mercedes vehicles. Recent news from computer security teams who were assembled to test the security of these devices has suggested that users are vulnerable to hacks.

Advertising Phone Scams Take Money From Local Schools

Summer and fall are the ideal times of year for scammers to devise new crimes to target back to school children and parents. Criminals are unfortunately smart and savvy and during the hardest times, they often devise the worst crimes.

Today’s warning comes from Melbourne High athletic director Fred Keeney. He is advising residents of the local area to watch their wallets due to the discovery of some phone scams.

Online Dating: Truth Comes Before Trust

When one engages in the world of online dating, a certain number of little white lies are almost always involved. After all, what’s an inch, or pound or two, among two people who are destined **cough** to become life partners? According to the majority of online daters, these slight untruths are trivial. At least, that is the logical conclusion one must draw in considering the fact that more than half of all online daters lie about their weight. Height and annual income are also squarely on the list of most-modified truths, and with details like these already on the line, can greater online treachery be just a stone’s throw away?

This, in fact, seems true as a growing number of scammers have taken to the field of online dating as the next, great cash-rich territory to conquer. After months or even years of building a trusted relationship, these significant others-slash-fraudsters will brazenly make a request for money – for a sick relative in need, to make a trip for the long awaited union, or for any other crisis or situation that is likely to tug on your heart strings and open your wallet. What’s more, online daters make even more attractive victims because they are less likely than victims of other scams to report such activity after suffering the embarrassment, heartache and emotional turmoil of having taken part in a relationship forged on fakery.

Politician Abusing Reverse 911 System for Personal Gain

Reverse 911 systems are spreading like wildfire as town and state officials are extending their hearts and budgets to safeguard the people they protect. Unfortunately, with any new technology comes the desire to use it for personal gain. For the residents of Independence, Ohio a recent call sent many into an uproar.

The Swiftreach program, the city’s reverse 911 emergency notification system, was implemented to warn residents about any potential threats to their safety such as inclement weather, natural disasters, chemical disasters, etc. The warning system not only warns residents of impending danger, but it also provides instructions about emergency shelters, proper precautions and evacuation routes.

Have you ever faked a…

PHONECALL?

If you fake it, according to new research from the Pew Research Center, you wouldn’t be alone. In fact, according to Pew’s latest research findings, approximately 30% of all the twentysomethings you see wandering around, talking on their cell phones are actually faking it (and most likely to avoid talking to you)! That’s right, cell phones not only provide us with constant connectivity to the online world, but they also provide us with a handy-excuse-in-the-pocket for people of all ages to avoid small talk or unwanted confrontations. While the twentysomethings are the biggest perps of this social phone fakery, they aren’t the only ones — overall, 13% of us fake it, admit or not!

Smart enough for everything but a phonecall

You wake up every morning, and as sure as the existence of morning breath, technology has changed. Computers are a little faster, Facebook is a little more invasive, and smartphones are a little smarter than they were just one day ago. But in the case of smartphones, are they becoming  just a little too smart and little too less phone? According to new research, this is exactly the case. Particularly in rural areas, smartphones are just not the best at the basics; 3G phones like the iPhone can give high speed access to email and the web, but they are often below par when it comes to making a traditional phone call.

‘Pretty Little Liars’ pick pretty little cell phones

Cell phones and text messages are an undeniable part of the hit ABC Family series Pretty Little Liars. After all, how could ‘A’ possibly harass Aria, Hannah, Spencer and Emily if they weren’t always carrying their beloved cell phones? Of course, we also think that our favorite foursome  have the perfect cell phones to suit their style. Read on to see what we mean!

Photo Source: ABC Family

World’s Tackiest Telephones

Eclectic, unusual or just downright tacky. Call them what you will, but there’s no doubt that if anything, they are downright unusual. Have we got your curiosity just yet? Because if you’re dying to know what we’ve chosen as the world’s tackiest phones, you don’t have to go far. A visit to ebay will do just the trick, and with just a few clicks of a mouse, you’ll find ruby red lips, watermelon green, and even a basket of apples all ready to make your next call. So, without further adieu, here are out top five picks for the world’s tackiest phones!