Really shocking Summer    About time something was done about this! 

as of your bank would give any information about you to anyone! Thank goodness you didn't fall for it I heard on the news recently that a woman from the north east got scammed out of £27,000- she was told by the "inland revenue" that they owed her £50,000 but they needed admin fees to process it, over 3 or 6 months she sent them £27,000! That's shocking isn't it!

I've had two emails claiming to be from the Inland Revenue, telling me I'm due a refund.

I reported both to the Inland Revenue email address for phishing scams (thanks to El)

Skylark, you did the right thing - although most of these PPI calls seem to be from ambulance chasers they are probably just about legal. The one you got sounds as if this was a real scam, trying to get your bank details and you could find that instead of £700 going into your account, £700 would come out. 6305295537 is a strange number and doesn't look like a real number.

I had a phone call this morning from an outfit claiming to be doing a magazine for the police wanting me to put in an advert in it, and thanking me for my supporting them last year. This type of call is one that private people won't get. It is some years since I've had this type of call but I know that there is this group of people in the Merseyside area who ring businesses up asking them to support your local police or hospital or school whrough an advert in normally a diary or a calendar. Just how much of the money actually lands up with the police or whatever is an unknown, but I doubt if it's very much. I always get suspicious of this type of call as they typically thank me for past support, and I know perfectly well that I haven't. They seem to try to catch people unawares and don't know that as I'm the only person answering the phone I know that they are telling fibs.

As I said earlier it's been some time since these people rang me. Last time they rang I spoke to someone called Ron. During the conversation which was quite friendly I said that I knew this was a bit of a scam. And I will never forget his answer:

"Yes, in the office I'm known as Ron the Con"

Originally Posted by ~Sweet Summer~:

as of your bank would give any information about you to anyone! Thank goodness you didn't fall for it I heard on the news recently that a woman from the north east got scammed out of £27,000- she was told by the "inland revenue" that they owed her £50,000 but they needed admin fees to process it, over 3 or 6 months she sent them £27,000! That's shocking isn't it!

I've had two emails claiming to be from the Inland Revenue, telling me I'm due a refund.

I reported both to the Inland Revenue email address for phishing scams (thanks to El)

Good.

Me too , Yogi. The best of it is i am waiting for a refund, thank goodness we have the sense not to take all the scams in. Some people dont have computers and forums such as this to give advice and warnings to each other, and unfortunately get pulled in. At this time of year, i imagine these scams will get worse 

Yes El, when i see these strange numbers i am dubious now  

Cheeky devil! Some people have no shame.

Reminds me of the cold caller who arrived at my door, selling insulation of some sort.

When I politely asked if he hadn't noticed the sign on my door (issued by our local council and approved by the police) stating NO Cold Callers, he scowled and said, "Yes I saw it, but if I didn't knock on doors displaying that sign, I wouldn't eat".

Needless to say, I sent him on his way.

With a flea in his ear I hope, how can people like Ron The Con live with themselves, I would really rather clean toilets.

Unfortunately, I think you are right.

No morals and no conscience, I think, Squiggle.

Me too squiggle xx

I did ask Ron the Con how he could live with himself - he replied that he drank Horlicks before going to bed

It's disgusting that someone should be so lacking in conscience.

I'd just like to say that I consider myself very fortunate to have access to the Internet and be forewarned about such scams, so thank you all

I agree Summer, I saw something on TV earlier, might have been the news I can't remember, about elderly people being taken in by mail scams.  Someone's mum had sent off thousands of pounds convinced she would get a load of money And the more she replied to them the more scams they sent her - I think they were selling on the information. There were pictures (by her daughter) of her mum's living room covered with these scam letters.  She said she felt it had contributed to her mum's death.

On that sad note I am signing off, take care lovely peeps and sleep well.

I am also grateful for the warnings we have received about scams, it certainly helps to be aware of the conmen and women who are out there.

Wishing everyone a good night's sleep and sweet dreams.

Hugs for the night owls.

good morning Guess what?! 40 sleeps til --> It looks like I'll get 4 days off this year, instead of the usual 2 *sprinkles morning porridge with Xmas spirit*

Summer, you brighten my days, you really do.

Good morning everyone. Cold and dry morning. I like days like this. You can wrap up warmly against the cold but have no rain to contend with.

Good morning everyone

Summer, we'll have to rename you Wonderful Winter

It's quite a cold morning, but no rain expected so similar to yours.

Cold but bright describes this morning.  I am glad you have the extra holiday Summer it will make your Christmas break even more special.  Time to look through the Christmas card box and see how many I need to buy I think.  I send cards which are full of the 'reason for the season' ie the great gift that we have been sent, so I mostly have to order online as those sort of cards are difficult to come by locally.

Hope everyone has a good day.

We can't edit our names ourselves any more

I think you have to contact Lori to request a name change now, Summer.

Have you managed to source some online, Squiggle?

I haven't looked yet Yogi but I usually go for a charity card.  Last year I found some good ones on the Leprosy Mission website.  I like ones that really convey the true meaning of Christmas, its so easy to forget in the excitement of presents and food and family get-togethers isn't it?

Thanks yogi, I wonder why that is, I'll contact Lori Are you using moonpig etc squiggle? I should do that for mr summer's card!

I don't use moonpig Summer because I have some brilliant software that enables me to make such cards at home, really personalised ones with personalised envelopes too.   I have been making them now for about 20 years and they go down really well with many people saying they will keep them as they are so special.  Perhaps the name change thing is one of those bugs that Lori can iron out.

Good morning 
Got booted off yesterday and couldnt get back on, gave up in the end. Computer running better today (touch wood) 
Very cold here today, but nice and fresh 

I use Creatacard, 2 versions Creatacard 3 (which stores all your birthdays, names and addresses etc and remind you of the dates) and Creatacard 5 which has the most wonderful selection of graphics for adding to your cards.  I also use Hallmark Card Studio. They have cards which cover everything from birthdays, sympathy cards, thinking of you, just a friendly note, to new baby, anniversary, congratulations on passing your driving test etc etc etc.  But unfortunately having just done a quick check I think these are all so old that they are unobtainable now   I am perfectly happy to burn you copies of my disks if you would like just let me know.

I've requested a name edit I think it's bedtime in Seattle though isn't it..? I may have to wait..

I hadn't realised that you could no longer change your name on here yourself. I suppose that's understandable to stop lots of people all claiming to be Lori for instance (or even worse lots of El Loros)

I've just started work on a client's accounts. Her income is a bit down from the previous year as she was away on a sabbatical (a break from working).

She went to China for a few weeks looking after some

What a fabulous pic of the pandas, El. Your client is a lucky lady to be looking after those gorgeous animal. As I child, my teddy bear was a panda (not technically a bear), and I had him for years.

Welcome back Skylark, hope the computer is now behaving itself.

Squiggle, your friends are lucky to receive such personal cards. The lovely one you sent to me with the cookbook, is still on display in my bedroom.

Yogi, when my client who went to look after the pandas told me, I congratulated her on what she had done. She then said that I was the only person who had complimented her- her friends and familiy hadn't understood her. I suppose they thought she was taking a bit of a risk but the whole point of a sabbatical is rather like a gap year - to take a break from work and to do something which you normally would never do. It's similar to the couple of people from our church - they were in their mid teens - who with people from other schools went with a team of adults during their summer holidays in 2010 to India to a small school there to help paint and decorate the school.

That's lovely Yogi, I always take great care with them.  I am a perfectionist and everything has to be just right.  A little secret (I don't tend to tell people much) there is always a couple on the back, its always my hubby and me in my mind, my way of including him.