I got an email today. Not unusual. I get a lot of emails every day. This one was a bit different, telling me I had an outstanding parking ticket that needed to be paid right away.
I don’t think so, but it’s always possible. I followed my first rule… don’t click on anything in the email. Then, I Googled the company. They do exist. In Vancouver. Since my Christmas shopping this year has been kept as local as possible, on purpose, I haven’t done much travelling to Vancouver. Like… ever. So I figured this was not a good sign for them.
I checked the logo of the company on the email. Similar to the logo of the Vancouver company, but a different colour and a few other differences. Again, not a positive sign.
It then occurred to me that this had come to my work email. I don’t use my work email outside of work. It certainly isn’t part of any vehicle registration, so how would this company have been able to come up with that email address? Answer, they wouldn’t. Hit delete and move on.
I don’t get as many scam emails. I used to get fairly regular emails from various Nigerian prince’s. Since a former university roommate was an actual Nigerian prince, I would email them back asking if they knew him. After all, how many Nigerian prince’s can there be? Surely they know each other. No luck. I never heard back.
In spite of the fact that phone calls are far more annoying than emails, I think I prefer the phone calls. It gives you a chance to chat to people in other countries. See how their day is going, ask how the weather is. Although they do seem to get a bit upset when you don’t play along with what they want. Playing dumb is always a favourite. Although not with them. And if you ask if their mother is proud of their career choice as a thief or a scammer, well, that seems to really upset them.
Yes, it’s juvenile, but until they come up with shock collars for these people that can be activated from your phone, so you can send them screaming with a touch of the pound key, a little psychological torture is the best I can come up with. Hopefully, it makes them rethink their career path. Although I’m not holding my breath.
And for the person hoping to collect on that parking ticket, I hope they’re not holding their breath either. Although the check is in the mail. A Nigerian prince has promised me he’d send it.
