Category Archives: Mystery

Scams, Scams Everywhere Scams

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A Gila Woodpecker in our backyard. This photo has nothing to do with my story today, but I thought you might enjoy it.

I received a strange envelope in the mail with a black and white flyer inside. It said, “Thank you! Thank you so much for your purchase! We truly appreciate your support and hope you enjoy your product.” Then there was a logo and the company name, which I didn’t recognize.

I looked through my Amazon orders to see if I purchased anything from them. I did not.

I went to their website and didn’t recognize it. It had a variety of tabs across the top for products, shopping, etc. I wanted to know what products they sold, so I clicked a tab and nothing happened. Then I clicked on another. A scary thought dawned on me. Maybe they sent me the strange envelope and flyer to get me to visit their website and click! I used my map app to look at their address. It didn’t exist.

I called my brilliant son and thankfully he answered in the middle of his work day. I explained, while freaking out, what I had done. He googled the company and said it came up as a known hacker site.

I told my son I had purchased Malwarebytes to scan for malware. He said I also needed to use a password manager, which he has been telling me for years. He did set one up for me years ago but I must have made a typo in the master password and I was never able to use it.

By using Facetime, my son accessed my computer and took over. We spent the next three hours on my computer updating passwords. He had me practice the last hour and I’ve spent the better part of the weekend working on this tedious but well-needed project. Next, he’s going to take over hubby’s computer and help him through the same project.

I read a page on USPS.com about scams. Usually the scammer mails merchandise to the unsuspecting victim. The person who receives the package knows they didn’t order whatever is in the package and wants to return it to the sender. The scammer uses the recipient’s name and address to create a fake “verified buyer” account, posting glowing reviews to boost their product ratings. USPS says to throw the stuff away or keep it. Buy do not engage with the sender. They call this scam “brushing.”

My husband said he’s so thankful he’s not the one to click on a potential dangerous site, but that it was me. That’s because we’ve always been wary that he would click on an email or link that he shouldn’t. It’s been a running joke in the family.

My son says AI is going to bring scams to a new level and that as boomers we are targets.

Needless to say, I’m behind in my reading and commenting on blogs. But as this project winds down, I’ll catch up!

Have you heard of my scam or been scammed yourself? If so, what did you do?

The Curve-Billed Thrasher at the bird bath.

I thought of this song when I wrote my title for today.

Merry Christmas!

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To get into the Christmas spirit this year, I downloaded a religious app on my phone. On my walks I listen to a Bible in a Year podcast and an Advent Challenge.

In the Advent Challenge, some of the days end with a prayer which is more like a meditation.
It’s called the Litany of Let Love.

Have a wonderful holiday this week and enjoy the Litany of Let Love:

The Plumbing Parts Mystery

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Our saguaros are wearing flower crowns.

Friday I got a package, which isn’t unusual because I use Amazon a lot. However it’s what was in the package that was odd. It was a diverter cartridge for a Danze faucet from a “Plumbing Repair Parts Specialist” in Ohio.

Note: we do not have any faucets with that brand.

I have never heard of the company. I have never been to their website. I did not order any plumbing parts. The part is $108.47. I doubled checked my Amazon orders and no I didn’t accidentally click on the part.

I emailed them asking how they got my name and number — and why they decided to mail me a part I don’t want and didn’t order.

I checked through all our various banking accounts and credit card. We have not been charged for the part.

Then I noticed a charge for $600 to PNP billpayments. I have never heard of PNP billpayments. I freaked out, called the bank and disputed the charge. I considered closing our account but decided to discuss with my husband. He told me to make a list of ACH’s and see if there was anything coming out soon — like the electric bill.

I called back to the bank to close our account. I was on hold for 20 minutes and gave up.

I googled PNP payments:

The PNP Bill Payment bank charge typically signifies an automated payment made to several municipalities nationwide in the United States. These payments are commonly utilized to cover various services, such as utilities, taxes, or other municipal expenses.
https://cashvapour.com/what-is-pnp-bill-payment-on-a-bank-statement/

I had an “AHA” moment. The $600 was for property tax in Washington for our family’s riverfront lots that I had made several weeks ago. It hit my account on Friday, but under a weird name.

Back on the phone with the bank to tell them I was an idiot. I asked to cancel my payment dispute. That took 45 minutes.

Saturday, I got another strange package. More plumbing parts that I did not order. This time it was two parts from a plumbing fixture company in Illinois. It was a pull-out faucet spray head and a Roman tub diverter assembly. At least that’s what the packaging says. There’s no invoice or paperwork. So, I don’t know how much this order cost.

I got on the company’s website and filled out an online form wondering what the heck is up with all of this?

I hope to get an answer from both plumbing companies today. Hopefully no more plumbing parts arrive in the mail.

The mysterious plumbing parts I got in the mail, one still wrapped because I’ll most likely have to mail them back. I don’t want to pay for the postage! Would you?

Why do you think I’m getting random plumbing parts in the mail?

Have you ever received items you never ordered? If so, what were they?

After I wrote this, I talked to my millennial son and he told me this sounds like a scam called “brushing.” Ever heard of that before? Be safe. Stay Aware. Change your passwords.