The apraxia/overpayment scam continues

Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, Owner
An American Editor

I hate to start off a new week with anything negative, but such is life: The apraxia/overpayment-with-counterfeit-check scam is alive and reaching more colleagues every day. Today, it came to me as an inquiry using the Contact form at my website, from a new domain and sender name: a so-called Rosemarie Scott from something called mailfence says: “… Can you research and write an article on a specific topic for an upcoming workshop? The article is to be given as a handbook to the attendees of the workshop. I have a speech distorting condition called Apraxia …”

For what this really involves, see:

https://americaneditor.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/on-the-basics-scams-are-always-with-us/

It includes a phone number, which I was tempted to use to cuss ’em out, but that might not be worth the effort.

With the holiday season already upon us, the scams will increase, whether aimed at us professionally or personally. Be very, very careful out there, friends, and warn everyone you know to do the same!

On the Basics: Yet another scam warning

By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, Owner

An American Editor

Sigh … the creeps of the world just keep on trying. If only they’d apply all that energy, effort and — yes — occasional creativity to something productive, maybe we’d achieve world peace.

There’s a new version of the scam pretending to offer editing, proofreading or writing jobs with major pharmaceutical or publishing companies. This one is supposedly from Grifols Pharmaceuticals and refers to something called Telegram for interviewing instead of Google Hangout. Like previous versions, it claims to have found you through the EFA member directory, which many colleagues have found convincing; there probably are versions citing other professional associations as well. Delete, delete, delete! If you’ve received this and responded, do not engage any longer, block the supposed sender to whom you responded and change your e-mail password.

And while I’m on the subject, here are some protection tips from AARP, via “Dear Heloise,” in case you (or someone you know) receive one of the increasingly common blackmail attempts from scammers claiming they have access to your e-mail program, Internet accounts or computer camera, and will release embarrassing photos, videos or social media posts if you don’t pay them, usually via bitcoin or buying gift cards:

Do not respond.

Change your password(s) immediately.

Make sure your anti-virus software is current.

Delete messages from any senders you don’t know or recognize.

If you have friends or relatives whose cognitive functions or access to information like this might be a bit compromised, please warn them about these and other common scams directed at older people. Let’s do our best to thwart these jerks and keep each other safe.