Sunday, August 2, 2009

Burnt badly!

I've thought a lot about whether to share this story or not. It doesn't paint me as being particularly clever, in fact I feel rather stupid! but maybe just maybe it may stop it happening to someone else! This week hasn't been the best, we have been the victim of 'phishing'. I have been well aware that there are numerous email / internet scams out there and I am always so careful and lucky that our security software is so good. Unfortunately I was caught!!! I applied online for American visas for our upcoming trip (the new process since January this year is to apply online), however I used a google search to find the appropriate website. It had the right name, it stated it was the official website, it asked the right questions and charged for the privilege of applying for the visas. I had processed Mums, my own and the two kids before SH sat down to do his and first accessed the Australian government website 'Smart traveller' to find something else out and there written clear as day was a warning about bogus websites charging for American visas which are actually -FREE!!!! After a major and then minor panic and many tears our credit cards were cancelled and we have begun the process of applying for new passports which hopefully will arrive in plenty of time for our trip. This process has been made more difficult as the 'horsey ones' full birth certificate seems to have grown legs and vanished!!!! I am feeling better about it all now but it just proves what scoundrels are out there and how easily it can happen.
Back tomorrow with news of our day, a bit of excitement (and some good news!!) happening!!

10 comments:

Gina said...

I'm so sorry that you got caught. Thankfully you realised before any major damage was done. these scammers are just plain evil in my opinion

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Cardygirl said...

You poor thing...it is awful that so many unscrupulous people are out there...takes the shine off your preparations. It will be fogotten though when you get there...the birth certificate will turn up!

rachelmp said...

How frightening Lise. I'm glad you found out quickly though

Sylvia said...

How awful for you, Lise. There are such nasty people out there!

Chookyblue...... said...

good to post I think as it a reminder how careful we have to be they are getting smarter and sneakier.........

BB said...

Darn... that sounds like an easy mistake to make (one that I would do!).

Stumbled over here from A Country Girl's place.. saw your reference to Vegemite!! I made almost the identical comment before going back and seeing what everyone else had said!

Have a great trip to the states (am jealous!)
:-)
BB

Missie Krissie said...

Bloody hell! Some mongrels are so pathetic that they can't work for their money- they have to steal everyone else's! Grrr...
And it doesn't make u look stupid, I would have trusted it too!

Calidore said...

I bet there are plenty of people who have been caught. It sounds so good "apply online" unfortuantely sometimes the fact there are scammers aren't taken into account. Don't feel silly - you thought you were doing the right thing and these days anyone can get caught. Hope the crisis has passed and you're feeling much better now.

Anne Heidi said...

Oh no, that is just awful! Thanks for the heads up, we all need to be reminded that there are some people out there not as nice as the rest!
Klem!

Anita said...

Don't feel to bad. No matter how hard you try to be careful it is so easy to be taken in. Hopefully everything will fall into place so you can have an enjoyable holiday in spite of the crooks.