Archive for the ‘Geek Tech’ Category

I Must first say thank you to Sprint. For what? For finally releasing this long awaited update. Running the application update was simple. It is not available over the air and you must download the RUU software from HTC’s website. From their following the instructions was basic straight forward and well worth it.

In a nutshell the phone is way faster, the camera has a new control menu that rocks. All the newer apps run well (so far) Google goggles is my favorite new toy. All my contacts had to be backed up to a new version of HTC sync. Which was a breeze.

Great job on getting this out finally. I look forward to discovering more ways to be productive with my phone.

If you’re wondering whether or not you should update your phone…do it. If your thinking about buying a hero but have been put off by the slow user experience. That definitely has been improved dramatically. It is not a speed demon but gone are the multiple second long delays between switching portrait to landscape or starting apps.

A friend of mine in law enforcement sent me this.  This is a slick scam…BE CAREFUL

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the
information, except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have
it… This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &
Master Card Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you’ll be better prepared
to protect yourself.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from ‘VISA’, and I was
called on Thursday from ‘Master Card’.. The scam works like this:
Caller: ‘This is (name), and I’m calling from the Security and Fraud
Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged
for an unusual purchase pattern, and I’m calling to verify. This would
be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you
purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497..99 from a Marketing
company based in ?’

When you say ‘No’, the caller continues with, ‘Then we will be issuing a
credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the
charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern
that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be
sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?’

You say ‘yes’. The caller continues – ‘I will be starting a Fraud
investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800
number listed on the back of your card (1-800 -VISA) and ask for
Security.’

You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you
a 6 digit number. ‘Do you need me to read it again?’

Here’s the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says,
‘I need to verify you are in possession of your card’. He’ll ask you to
‘turn your card over and look for some numbers’. There are 7 numbers;
the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security
Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the
numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have
the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After
you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he’ll say, ‘That is correct, I just
needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you
still have your card. Do you have any other questions?’ After you say
No, the caller then thanks you and states, ‘Don’t hesitate to call back
if you do, and hangs up.

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the
Card number.. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back
within 20 minutes to ask a question.. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA
Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a
new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.

Long story – short – we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is
the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card Don’t give it to them.
Instead, tell them you’ll call VISA or Master card directly for
verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will
never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information
since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN
Number, you think you’re receiving a credit. However, by the time you
get your statement you’ll see charges for purchases you didn’t make, and
by then it’s almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a
fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a
‘Jason Richardson of Master Card’ with a word-for-word repeat of the
VISA scam. This time I didn’t let him finish. I hung up! We filed a
police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking
several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we
know that this scam is happening.
Please pass this on to all your family, friends and neighbors. By
informing each other, we protect each other.