Predators In Your Personal Space And How To Kick Their Butts!

Last week I posted about trust and law enforcement and the on goings of criminals who take advantage of "our" trusting nature.  Today, we are going to learn about scams that occur behind closed doors in our homes and offices that are not so easily detected such that of an idiot trying to impersonate a police officer without a holster for the gun he carries or proper identification on his person or alleged cruiser.

Let us not forget to thank those who serve with all of their heart and soul in order to protect society and our country!

In the U.S. alone, according to statistica.com, 78% of people use social media.  Are you among the millions who has a Facebook page, Twitter account, or post on Instagram?   You are probably included in the majority of people who have their cell phone in their hand when driving, in a long line, or in a Doctors' office waiting room. Yes?  No?   So what if we love social media!  A lot of us use it for business purposes and to keep in touch with those that live far away.  I am thankful for social media, Facebook and LinkedIn rock!  But, are you aware of social media scams?  Here they are and how to kick their butts!  Please share with your friends and family so they are armed with the information that may prevent them from becoming a statistic.  I will be posting more about this in the coming weeks.

1.  Hidden URL's (Uniform Resource Locator)

Bait:  Shortened URL's.

Those with bad intention will use a shorter url in order to hide the full location to where you will be directed.  You may be directed to where you hope to go or to a world where malware is installed on your computer. Malware is software that is intended to damage and, in some cases, disable your computer.  People create malware and viruses for the sake of pissing people off, people they don't know or can visually watch the struggle as it takes place, and sometimes they do it to hijack your personal information.  These people have nothing better to do than cause others' harm for absolutely no reason at all.  Sociopaths are narcissistic and function without a conscience giving them the emotional freedom to lie, cheat, and steal.  They are intelligent and manipulative.  Perhaps those creating malware and viruses are Sociopaths that have nothing else better to do.  They create adds on your Facebook page or somewhere on the internet that manipulate you into clicking on the link.  After clicking on the link they pretty much have you where they want you.

IE:  Shorter url (although safe because it's mine ;-)):  pi-speaker.com

       Full Location url:  http://www.cheryldring.com/presentations

Solution:  A good butt kicking is anti-virus and anti-spyware installed on your computer.

2.  Phishing Requests

Bait:  Personal remarks on your social media page or through an email that appear to be from people you know.

 Once you click on the link it takes you to a fake landing page created by a phisher in order to steal your log-in information.  IE: when you click on the link it directs you to a social media page that you have a sign in for.  The page seems legitimate where you type in your log-in information.

IE:  I do not have an example because that would require me to send you to a fake page that may cause harm to you or your computer.

Solution:  Kick some ass with Anti-Phishing defenses.

I do not endorse software but if you search online for the bold keywords in this posting you will find several methods that can protect you and your computers.

Next week:  More scams

Knowledge is power!  Arm yourself with information and share with your friends and family.  

Book me to speak at your next business meeting or event.  Get your wake-up call through my audience participation speaking presentations and learn through some of my most compelling cases, statistics, and facts about the art of lying, scams, and how to protect yourself in today's society at work, home, and school and much more!  Visit my website for helpful tips and free resources used by Private Investigators that you can use at home. 

Thank you for your continued support! - Cheryl D. Ring, The PI Speaker

Fun Facts: Trust And Law Enforcement

The need to know your rights when it came to law enforcement was never an issue in the past.  Why now?  The bad guys are out there finding new ways to cause havoc in society.  The criminal will never stop exploring styles or demonstrate his or her evil ways and the need to feed their compulsion to manipulate, steal, lie, and control.  One of the ways today's criminal entertain themselves is to assume the role of a uniform by use of appearance and props while taking advantage of people's trusting nature.  And, sometimes a uniform who has earned the right cannot be trusted.  Take a look at what happened to Charles Balakubak of Kingston, NY when his dash cam caught an officer in a lie. 

On the other side of the country a man in Kansas City, Mo was pulled over by someone in a vehicle with just the lights and a siren, civilian license plates and no decals or identifying markings of a police cruiser. The person driving the car was not wearing a full uniform nor had a badge, name tag or holster for the gun he held close to his body.  The impersonator approached the driver of the car he pulled over and the driver asked the "officer" if he was a real cop to which he answered "yes".  The driver who had his doubts began recording the encounter with his cell phone.  When asked what agency he worked for the "officer" got mad at which point the driver sped away and feared the police impersonator would pursue him and end badly. But, the driver got away and the impersonator did too.  The driver managed to record the license plate, make and model of the vehicle as well as the face of the "officer" and immediately contacted the police and reported the encounter only to learn he was one of a few who had been pulled over by this impersonator.  He went to social media and the local news which ultimately helped catch the perpetrator.  Fortunately, the other potential victims had used their instinct and drove away before the perp ever had a chance to cause harm.   Nobody could figure out what was his ultimate intention other than to manipulate and perhaps scare his victims although, could have ended in a robbery or worse because he was always armed.  

If you ever feel threatened by a person in uniform you have the right to video record the encounter and call 911 during the process.  If tailed by a police cruiser or any vehicle that appears to be of threat you should always drive to a public place or the nearest police station.  If you are pulled over always look for the markings of a Police Officer that include a badge, name tag, decal and proper license plate on the vehicle.  And, when asked a real officer will offer the name of their agency and Supervisor.  

In my ongoing research, 100% of the Police Officers I spoke with were aware of impersonators and stated that a good cop will not object to your inquisition and need to record the encounter.  The best way to handle it is to be nice about it.  Use your instincts and do what feels right.  

In closing, I don't want to leave a bad taste in your mouth when it comes to law enforcement.  Men and women in uniform are our hero's.  Here is one example:

Knowledge is power!  Arm yourself with information and share with your friends and family.  

Book me to speak at your next business meeting or event.  Get your wake-up call through my audience participation speaking presentations and learn through some of my most compelling cases, statistics, and facts about the art of lying, scams, and how to protect yourself in today's society at work, home, and school and much more!  Visit my website for helpful tips and free resources used by Private Investigators that you can use at home. 

Thank you for your continued support! - Cheryl, The PI Speaker