Microsoft
800-642-7676
Is this a real telephone number for Microsoft?
I called it, got the help I needed, and received a case reference number for my issue. I hung up. Next, I went to the Microsoft website, microsoft.com, and used the virtual Contact Microsoft Support. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/ I requested they call me back. They called back minutes later from 425-635-2970, another number being reported as a scam. But, they were able to locate the case reference number that I had acquired from the first technician I spoke with.
It was a simple investigation that may have confirmed this telephone number as a legit number.
During my investigation, I found hundreds of postings from computer users reporting these numbers as scams claiming to have received phone calls from these number being identified by the caller as a Microsoft technician.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/threats/support-scams
The caller would claim that the recipient was experiencing problems with their computer. They would claim to have the answer to all of your problems. They would try to sell you software that would clean your computer and all the bugs would go away. Wait, but first, you have to give them remote access to your computer. WARNING, WARNING, WARNING.
Maybe not.
Microsoft technicians also ask to have remote access to your computer in order to quickly fix the problem. You can see what they are doing as they are doing it the entire time. What they will not do is go into your personal files like the scammers do. You will see them only utilize the Microsoft website for the proper software that will fix your computer FOR FREE.
After, you will receive an email from Microsoft confirming your communication with them. The scammers do not do this.
So, why does a legitimate phone number for Microsoft show up on your caller id when it's really a scam? The scammers can program any number they want to show up on your caller id screen. They are ready for the challenging question of, "are you really with Microsoft?" In their perhaps best American English accent and with confidence, they reply, "why yes ma'am. I am calling from Microsoft. You can call it if you like. You will see it is a Microsoft number I am calling from." Most people don't second guess and will move on with the call but, more and more people these days will hang up and call the number to find out the call was a scam. Better yet, they will look it up online to check for other complaints. But, what can you believe these days?
Based on my findings, these numbers are legit when you call them yourself.
To protect yourself, first, go to your settings and look for Microsoft updates. Go to the website, microsoft.com, and look for the support you need. Do not google Microsoft in order to get a telephone number. This is where most peoples' problems begin.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Saturday, February 10, 2018
A private investigator walks into a phlebotomy class....
A private investigator walks into a phlebotomy class... It sounds like the beginning of a good joke, doesn't it? These two words don't go together, investigator and phlebotomy, unless someone at the school or the school itself was being investigated. Or, there is a very good explanation that involves the investigator herself, yours truly.
After almost 30 years of putting puzzles together as the investigator, I decided to use my skills in the healthcare field and under the microscope. My reason is very personal along with the desire to work in the healthcare industry. Phlebotomy is the first step to go to where I want to be.
Phlebotomists are people who draw blood and they make their jobs look easy but, until you have been behind the scenes as I have, it is anything but easy. I have a new respect for phlebotomists who have the responsibility for the well being of the patient whom they stick. They have to know where to stick, how to stick, and everything there is to do after the stick. They must know precisely how to get the best batch of blood in the right tubes in the right order because every tube has a different purpose most containing additives. The tubes must be inverted a certain amount of times in order for the blood to be at its best when the lab technicians run their tests.
In order to become a state certified phlebotomist, one must understand how the body functions including where blood comes from, the different kinds of blood and their function, as well as all about the circulatory system, internal organs, and HIPAA.
I give credit to my fellow classmates whom I had the pleasure of sharing a wonderful six weeks with. We learned together, experimented on, and learned from one another. Hats off to Keisha Randle who was an extraordinary instructor with the patience to get us through the program.
CONGRATS PHLEBOTOMY CLASS OF 2018!!!
After almost 30 years of putting puzzles together as the investigator, I decided to use my skills in the healthcare field and under the microscope. My reason is very personal along with the desire to work in the healthcare industry. Phlebotomy is the first step to go to where I want to be.
Phlebotomists are people who draw blood and they make their jobs look easy but, until you have been behind the scenes as I have, it is anything but easy. I have a new respect for phlebotomists who have the responsibility for the well being of the patient whom they stick. They have to know where to stick, how to stick, and everything there is to do after the stick. They must know precisely how to get the best batch of blood in the right tubes in the right order because every tube has a different purpose most containing additives. The tubes must be inverted a certain amount of times in order for the blood to be at its best when the lab technicians run their tests.
In order to become a state certified phlebotomist, one must understand how the body functions including where blood comes from, the different kinds of blood and their function, as well as all about the circulatory system, internal organs, and HIPAA.
I give credit to my fellow classmates whom I had the pleasure of sharing a wonderful six weeks with. We learned together, experimented on, and learned from one another. Hats off to Keisha Randle who was an extraordinary instructor with the patience to get us through the program.
CONGRATS PHLEBOTOMY CLASS OF 2018!!!
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Madman in the Library
It was mid October and the kids were elsewhere as I was running my Saturday errands. It was a
good time to pick up the books that my friendly librarian held for me. I
had no idea what I would find in the cluster of books that she recommended I
read in pursuant of the research for my non fiction book proposal. It's a
tedious job but had to be done.
As I examined the books including "I Will Find You" by Joanna Connors and The "Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating" by Steven Kerry Brown, there was a sudden sound you would never expect to hear in a public library where children are taught to keep their voices down and people go to get away from the many annoying sounds of society. It was a man’s voice that propagated throughout. He was clearly mad. Was he a madman?
I stood up to see what the commotion was. At the checkout desk where the librarians congregate to help consumers there stood an older man, balding with grey hair, I am guessing in his early to mid 70’s, wearing a heavy winter coat yelling callously at the cluster of women librarians. “How can I read this paper if there is a staple in it!” And, “You need to get this straightened out. You people don’t know what you’re doing!” But, it didn’t stop there. He was clearly very angry. He was angry enough to cause himself a great deal of embarrassment. But, did he care about embarrassing himself? Did he care what the patrons around him may have been feeling especially after the recent Las Vegas shooting on October 1st? He continued to antagonize the innocent ladies behind the counter who appeared to not know what to do or how to handle this situation.
I grew angry for the verbal abuse and concerned for innocent bystanders, many of them males, who didn’t budge but sat in their chairs and kept their faces in their books and newspapers. The managing librarian asked the old man to step out to the lobby. He obliged but continued to yell with conviction. He grew louder and louder. He repeated himself many times about how upset he was that there was a staple in the newspaper he wanted to read. I asked myself, “is it really all over a staple or is it something bigger than that?” I approached the front desk and asked one of the ladies if they had called the Police. She said “no”. I requested they call the Police immediately. She responded with “he is a regular but we have never seen him like this. He is hard of hearing and is a loud talker. But, he has never displayed anger towards us.” I insisted she call the Police, but she didn’t budge. I placed my books in front of her and kindly asked her if she would watch my books and then self-assuredly told her “I am going to take care of this myself.”
I stepped away from the counter and into what could have been the line of fire. Someone had to step in and help these gentle ladies including the manager who insisted that she could handle the situation without calling the Police, I believe, to keep the occurance on the down low and not bring attention to this public place. Nobody was taking a firm hand with this old man. He continued to belittle the managing librarian and anybody else who tried to calm him down. The librarians used their inside voices asking him to stop yelling. They asked him to leave with sweet sparkles of sugar in their voices. He was not going to calm down. He was growing more confrontational and provoking. He started throwing his arms around and hit one of the librarians with the newspaper he was holding in his hand, the one he was complaining had a staple in it.
“Please leave now”, I firmly said as I held my hand out pointing to the door that was only a few steps away. He got in my face and said, “I don’t care what you want me to do.” I continued to tell him to leave. He threw words in my face daring me to touch him. I made a remark about how he will find himself behind bars if he does not do as he is told at this very moment and that he didn’t have a choice. The choice would be made for him. He continued to throw words in my face that I eventually ignored. I did what I was trained to do in situations like this. Despite feeling uneasy I stood my ground and remained poised. I continued to use my somewhat large stature as a shield between the old man and the librarians and sort of guided him towards the door without touching him. I continued to speak over him telling him to “please leave” shuffling him out the door. He could have had a weapon in his pocket despite the sign NO GUNS ALLOWED posted on the front door.
Everybody was safe. The old man left and everybody returned to their original spaces. The managing librarian called the Police and banned the old man from returning to the library. They thanked me for my patronage but I didn’t know what to say. I was more disappointed in the men who just sat back in their chairs acting as if they were minding their own business. There was a scene, clearly. We were loud and demanding. Everybody in the library saw what was occurring. It would have been nice if there was an off duty cop or military person or a man in the building rather than a mom of two young children stepping in to overrule a madman.
I asked myself, was I was at the right place at the right time? What would have happened had I not stepped in? His anger was escalating with every syllable that came out of the managing librarians’ mouth. He was clearly agitated, but over a staple? I don’t think so.
What would you have done in this situation? Despite my training I would have done the same thing because I witnessed my grandfather in a similar situation. He took me and my siblings out for ice cream where there was a man violently holding a woman by her collar from across the ice cream counter. My grandfather stepped in and saved the woman from whatever was to come.
I felt I did the right thing. I left the library feeling shaken and went on with my day.
As I examined the books including "I Will Find You" by Joanna Connors and The "Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating" by Steven Kerry Brown, there was a sudden sound you would never expect to hear in a public library where children are taught to keep their voices down and people go to get away from the many annoying sounds of society. It was a man’s voice that propagated throughout. He was clearly mad. Was he a madman?
I stood up to see what the commotion was. At the checkout desk where the librarians congregate to help consumers there stood an older man, balding with grey hair, I am guessing in his early to mid 70’s, wearing a heavy winter coat yelling callously at the cluster of women librarians. “How can I read this paper if there is a staple in it!” And, “You need to get this straightened out. You people don’t know what you’re doing!” But, it didn’t stop there. He was clearly very angry. He was angry enough to cause himself a great deal of embarrassment. But, did he care about embarrassing himself? Did he care what the patrons around him may have been feeling especially after the recent Las Vegas shooting on October 1st? He continued to antagonize the innocent ladies behind the counter who appeared to not know what to do or how to handle this situation.
I grew angry for the verbal abuse and concerned for innocent bystanders, many of them males, who didn’t budge but sat in their chairs and kept their faces in their books and newspapers. The managing librarian asked the old man to step out to the lobby. He obliged but continued to yell with conviction. He grew louder and louder. He repeated himself many times about how upset he was that there was a staple in the newspaper he wanted to read. I asked myself, “is it really all over a staple or is it something bigger than that?” I approached the front desk and asked one of the ladies if they had called the Police. She said “no”. I requested they call the Police immediately. She responded with “he is a regular but we have never seen him like this. He is hard of hearing and is a loud talker. But, he has never displayed anger towards us.” I insisted she call the Police, but she didn’t budge. I placed my books in front of her and kindly asked her if she would watch my books and then self-assuredly told her “I am going to take care of this myself.”
I stepped away from the counter and into what could have been the line of fire. Someone had to step in and help these gentle ladies including the manager who insisted that she could handle the situation without calling the Police, I believe, to keep the occurance on the down low and not bring attention to this public place. Nobody was taking a firm hand with this old man. He continued to belittle the managing librarian and anybody else who tried to calm him down. The librarians used their inside voices asking him to stop yelling. They asked him to leave with sweet sparkles of sugar in their voices. He was not going to calm down. He was growing more confrontational and provoking. He started throwing his arms around and hit one of the librarians with the newspaper he was holding in his hand, the one he was complaining had a staple in it.
“Please leave now”, I firmly said as I held my hand out pointing to the door that was only a few steps away. He got in my face and said, “I don’t care what you want me to do.” I continued to tell him to leave. He threw words in my face daring me to touch him. I made a remark about how he will find himself behind bars if he does not do as he is told at this very moment and that he didn’t have a choice. The choice would be made for him. He continued to throw words in my face that I eventually ignored. I did what I was trained to do in situations like this. Despite feeling uneasy I stood my ground and remained poised. I continued to use my somewhat large stature as a shield between the old man and the librarians and sort of guided him towards the door without touching him. I continued to speak over him telling him to “please leave” shuffling him out the door. He could have had a weapon in his pocket despite the sign NO GUNS ALLOWED posted on the front door.
Everybody was safe. The old man left and everybody returned to their original spaces. The managing librarian called the Police and banned the old man from returning to the library. They thanked me for my patronage but I didn’t know what to say. I was more disappointed in the men who just sat back in their chairs acting as if they were minding their own business. There was a scene, clearly. We were loud and demanding. Everybody in the library saw what was occurring. It would have been nice if there was an off duty cop or military person or a man in the building rather than a mom of two young children stepping in to overrule a madman.
I asked myself, was I was at the right place at the right time? What would have happened had I not stepped in? His anger was escalating with every syllable that came out of the managing librarians’ mouth. He was clearly agitated, but over a staple? I don’t think so.
What would you have done in this situation? Despite my training I would have done the same thing because I witnessed my grandfather in a similar situation. He took me and my siblings out for ice cream where there was a man violently holding a woman by her collar from across the ice cream counter. My grandfather stepped in and saved the woman from whatever was to come.
I felt I did the right thing. I left the library feeling shaken and went on with my day.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
What would you do if......
If you were the manager of a business that serviced a local community whether a restaurant or gift shop, would you consider hiring an ex-convict?
Would you hire an ex-convict who was incarcerated for murder?
For theft?
For a drug-related crime? (most drug-related offenses get a longer sentence than murderers.)
Would you hire an ex-convict who was incarcerated for murder?
For theft?
For a drug-related crime? (most drug-related offenses get a longer sentence than murderers.)
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
You Never Know Who May Be Listening
Happy Halloween!
I thought it was a good day to go for a pumpkin spice latte at my local
Starbucks and while there I would get some work done. I found a small table near the few comfy
chairs and love seat in a corner of the café.
As I was doing research for my nonfiction book proposal entailing my
infidelity case log I couldn’t help but overhear a meeting that was taking
place behind me. The woman, seated in a comfy chair, sounded as if she was on an interview as the man she was with, seated on the love seat, sat and listened. She was talking about her history as an Investigator
on infidelity cases and the various attorneys she has worked for. What would she have thought if she knew there was an Investigator eavesdropping in on her conversation? She moved on to describing her job as a Process Server and how the spouses almost never expected to be served with divorce
papers. She mentioned the name of
one attorney who I happen to know and then proceeded to complain about his high fees,
in the thousands, to his clients demanding payment in advance of his services, and
how he would not always pay for her services, what little she received, until
services were rendered. She was loud
enough for me to hear her in the busy café and only an earshot away I
couldn’t help but listen to her as I kept my face in the book I was reading, Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write
by Elizabeth Lyon.
I was intrigued with what she was telling her possible
potential employer. I almost got up and
handed her my card. The thoughts as to
what I would say to her, in front of the man she was allegedly interviewing for,
was, here, give me a call sometime. Or, be
careful who you talk about in public places.
I know (so and so), and to not give her my card.
In the end I decided the best move would be to do
nothing. To mind my own business. I didn’t want to embarrass her
but, handing her my card and asking her to contact me, in front of a potential employer, could have made her look
good. Perhaps I was a potential employer
who was interested in hiring her. I would have clearly posed as a mild threat, as a competitor, to the alleged interviewer she was with.
Be careful what you say in a public places. You never
know who may be sitting an earshot away.
Have a safe Halloween!
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Las Vegas Caught In Hurricane
Everybody thinks about the recent tragedy when "Las Vegas" is heard. The question we all have is "Why?".
No matter by water or bullet Americans are being hit everywhere Las Vegas, in the middle of the desert, being no exception. But, why? There is a whole lot of bad happening to us.
While the media dissects details about the perpetrator to learn the answers to why it happened the rest of us are questioning our own next moves. We all know it can happen anywhere, at anytime, and to anybody. In fact, I recall hearing one victim say "This only happens to other people. I never imagined it would happen to us!" Unfortunately, this could only be said after the fact.
I was in Las Vegas over the Labor Weekend and being shot was the last thing on my mind. I could count on two hands the amount of times I have been to Vegas and never in the history of my travels have I heard of anything remotely close to this having had occurred in Vegas. After the fact I realized this could have happened to us in our travels over the Labor Day weekend as the gunman was allegedly planning a more recent attack. We would have been no exception.
The point is that it could happen to anybody at anytime. You are not the exception.
The airports only take further security measures after an incident has occurred. It's too late!
The concert and sports venues only take further security measures after an incident has occurred at a similar venue somewhere else in the country. The same with schools.
Malls only add security after an incident has occurred only at that particular mall.
You get the point.
Today we live in a society that requires our intuition/sixth sense/gut feeling be at the forefront. We cannot rely on other people to alert us of such dangers ahead of time otherwise terrorism wouldn't exist and the concern in Vegas would have been canceled. Now would be a good time for self proclaimed psychics to use their alleged powers.
What we can do to help ourselves:
What say you Donald Trump aka President Trump?
No matter by water or bullet Americans are being hit everywhere Las Vegas, in the middle of the desert, being no exception. But, why? There is a whole lot of bad happening to us.
While the media dissects details about the perpetrator to learn the answers to why it happened the rest of us are questioning our own next moves. We all know it can happen anywhere, at anytime, and to anybody. In fact, I recall hearing one victim say "This only happens to other people. I never imagined it would happen to us!" Unfortunately, this could only be said after the fact.
I was in Las Vegas over the Labor Weekend and being shot was the last thing on my mind. I could count on two hands the amount of times I have been to Vegas and never in the history of my travels have I heard of anything remotely close to this having had occurred in Vegas. After the fact I realized this could have happened to us in our travels over the Labor Day weekend as the gunman was allegedly planning a more recent attack. We would have been no exception.
The point is that it could happen to anybody at anytime. You are not the exception.
The airports only take further security measures after an incident has occurred. It's too late!
The concert and sports venues only take further security measures after an incident has occurred at a similar venue somewhere else in the country. The same with schools.
Malls only add security after an incident has occurred only at that particular mall.
You get the point.
Today we live in a society that requires our intuition/sixth sense/gut feeling be at the forefront. We cannot rely on other people to alert us of such dangers ahead of time otherwise terrorism wouldn't exist and the concern in Vegas would have been canceled. Now would be a good time for self proclaimed psychics to use their alleged powers.
What we can do to help ourselves:
- ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings including exit doors, windows, balconies, etc.
- Be aware of the people around you. Is someone's behavior unusual? In other words, is someone active nervous in an environment that does not warrant such behavior? Are they carrying an oversized bag that is not fitting for the venue they are attending? Are there unusual bulges?
- If you feel someone is acting suspicious then alert a staff member who should alert security. Let the professionals make the final determination. Do what you feel is necessary to protect yourself
- Take a self defense class. These days they also teach you what to do if faced with danger in today's world.
- Let your instinct be your guide. It's the feeling you get that something doesn't feel right. in 9 out of 10 cases it's right on target.
- Always listen to your instincts because it's the first thing that will alert you to danger if there are no external resources.
What say you Donald Trump aka President Trump?
Friday, September 22, 2017
Equifax Breach
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/09/21/552681357/after-massive-data-breach-equifax-directed-customers-to-fake-site
Pay attention to the links you click on.
Example of a real site: www.PI-Speaker.com
Example of fake site: www.PI~Speaker.com
See the difference?
In other words, if you are provided a link directly by a trusted source then you are in good hands.
If you are provided a link that is not directly provided by a trusted source then watch out!
The idiots of the world, namely the crooks and trouble makers, will continue to find ways to beat the systems that are set up to protect consumers. Though, there are ways to control some of what the crooks get.
1. Never give out your social security number. Use your drivers license number in it's place.
2. Always shred paperwork and envelops that have personal information on them.
3. Change your passwords often and make sure they are nice and secure.
4. Screen anybody that you do not know that may enter your home including contractors.
5. Keep your valuables including your passwords in a safe or safe place.
6. Invest in a Identity Theft Monitoring System, ie: All Clear, Experian, or Lifelock.
For more information please visit my website at www.PI-Speaker.com. This is a safe link. ;-)
Learn all about the identity underworld through my presentation The Wake-Up Call: Identity Theft. See my website for details.
If you read my blog please like my Facebook Page. Thank you for your support!
Pay attention to the links you click on.
Example of a real site: www.PI-Speaker.com
Example of fake site: www.PI~Speaker.com
See the difference?
In other words, if you are provided a link directly by a trusted source then you are in good hands.
If you are provided a link that is not directly provided by a trusted source then watch out!
The idiots of the world, namely the crooks and trouble makers, will continue to find ways to beat the systems that are set up to protect consumers. Though, there are ways to control some of what the crooks get.
1. Never give out your social security number. Use your drivers license number in it's place.
2. Always shred paperwork and envelops that have personal information on them.
3. Change your passwords often and make sure they are nice and secure.
4. Screen anybody that you do not know that may enter your home including contractors.
5. Keep your valuables including your passwords in a safe or safe place.
6. Invest in a Identity Theft Monitoring System, ie: All Clear, Experian, or Lifelock.
For more information please visit my website at www.PI-Speaker.com. This is a safe link. ;-)
Learn all about the identity underworld through my presentation The Wake-Up Call: Identity Theft. See my website for details.
If you read my blog please like my Facebook Page. Thank you for your support!
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