Category: Computers

‘Tis the season to be scammed

I’ve had a couple more scam attempts recently, so in a bid to make the details that bit easier for people to find online, I’m posting up a transcript of one of them. Anything to stop these thieves ripping off more people.

This one pops up when you’re selling stuff. I had it yesterday on Facebook Marketplace, but I’ve read about them targeting people on other platforms as well. Screenshot attached, and transcribed below so it’s searchable.

Essentially, they say they’ll send the cash to you with a Fedex / UPS / whatever agent to collect “the item”, but the envelope needs insured which you pay for but they’ll put that money in the envelope as well to cover it. Because of course they will.

Arnaud

Arnaud Jagoua

Hello, is this still available?

You sent

Yes it is 🙂

Arnaud

Arnaud Jagoua

Ok I take but I would like to come tomorrow but I am currently busy with work, I will send a FEDEX postman to your home to give you your money in cash and collect the item.

You sent

As long as it’s cash I can work with that. I’ll be in all day tomorrow

Arnaud

Arnaud Jagoua

I explain to you, an agent FEDEX will come to your home to give you an envelope containing your money, and once you have verified your money you give him the article so he can send it to my home.

You sent

Right, and I’m assuming there will be insurance needed for the envelope that I’ll need to cover?

You sent

I’ve reported you to Facebook and will ensure as many people as I know see a transcript of this so they don’t get robbed by you as well. I’m sure your mother is proud of you.

Arnaud

Arnaud Jagoua

do not worry because the 50 £ that you will pay for the insurance costs will be donated since I have already made the addition to you so as not to penalize the transaction which means that you will have the total sum of 150£ on your envelope Don’t worry you will have your money in cash From tomorrow at your home

You sent

Hahaha no. You’re a thief.

Arnaud Jagoua left the group.

Using RSS

Sick of facebook deciding what you get to read from your favourite websites? Wish you could be informed of every single post so you don’t miss anything? Then step back in time and find out a little about RSS, a simple and reliable way to keep on top of posts.

Of course, it depends on websites supporting RSS, but a surprising number do (given that it’s trivial to set up), including The Moshville Times. And this one.

I use Feedly as my RSS reader. It’s accessible via the web or an app. The free account limits you to 100 feeds, which should be plenty to get you going.

Alternatively, there’s the Vivaldi web browser which has an RSS module built into its email client as of recently, though it’s still a little clunky. Those of you using Outlook (the full app) can also make use of its inbuilt RSS reader.

There are others, too. A quick Google turned up this article which lists another four.

Once you have your reader, it’s usually as simple as entering the URL of your chosen website into it. The reader will locate the RSS feed and add it as a subscription. Worst case you may need to locate the site’s feed yourself, but it should be a simple matter of looking down the sidebar for “RSS” or the logo seen above. Copy the link and use that.

Then just set notifications, if needs be, or check your reader when you want to catch up. You won’t miss a post from your chosen websites again! No stupid algorithm, no 2-day delay until the site decides that it’s your turn to read something.

2019 Pic 33

I may be alone in the flat, but I’m alone with two screens now that I’ve dug out the old desk and have more space to spread everything out. I do need to replace at least one of them as the image quality has deteriorated a lot but for the moment I can now get through things a little more easily. Watch my productivity soar! Or at least I’ll get through more TV while I’m working.