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Computer newbies: Credit Card Duped???
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by wannalearn - 11/26/04 6:26 PM In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearnHere I am, back again. I just discovered among the "All Programs" on this computer, that it also has an MSN Instant Messenger. (This is a computer that my son left when he moved away, I'm using it to explore and learn). I went through the whole sign in drill again on the MSN messenger. It's basically the same procedure as Windows -- yep, it asks for a credit card number also. I'm beginning to think that all of this is probably actually legitimate. How could a hacker tune in on a domain featured by Windows and MSN? But why they would need a credit card number is still a big mystery.
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by roddy32
- 11/26/04 6:49 PM
In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearn
Maybe it is legitimate, like you said, I have no idea why they would ask for a credit card but in all the years when I WAS using Messenger, I was never asked for a credit card and I lost my password more than once LOL. I guess it's another one of those mysteries of life, The important thing(S) are that you have not lost anything in this whole experience and also, under these same circumstances, if it were me, I would NEVER give out the kind of info unless I was absolutely positive who I was giving it to and it was completely secure.
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by MarkFlax - 11/27/04 4:48 AM
In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by roddy32
Stranger and stranger.
I still agree with roddy that you did best wannalearn.
You were immediately concerned that you had given out your credit card details and sought advice, and you contacted your credit card company.
You may be disadvantaged for a while without a credit card whilst your card company sends you a new one, but I have heard of so many people who have done similar things and lost thousands of dollars or pounds, or whatever, in similar circumstances.
You did good, 
I notice you said this was a PC your son left you. I wonder if he has any idea what this icon on the desktop is?
Mark
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by Paedil - 12/3/04 9:45 AM In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by MarkFlax
About the only reason I've ever heard of any messenger service requiring a credit card was for age verification.
Even then the only instance I've seen of it was when my little cousin had to get me to help her register for Yahoo Messenger.
It's easy to replicate. Just attempt to create a user account for someone under 14, it gives you a 'Please get your mom or dad!' message. Then use a user account that hasn't been verified (With a credit card, heh.) anywhere on Yahoo before. It'll give you a page to create the account and at the bottom it'll have a credit card field.
It doesn't bill to the card, simply uses it to prove that you're an adult.
Sometimes the stuff really is genuine.
Sadly enough, these days the only way to be safe is to assume fraud until you can prove otherwise, though. 
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by chephy - 12/3/04 2:10 PM In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by Paedil> Even then the only instance I've seen of it was when
> my little cousin had to get me to help her register
> for Yahoo Messenger. It's easy to replicate. Just
> attempt to create a user account for someone under
> 14, it gives you a 'Please get your mom or dad!'
> message. Then use a user account that hasn't been
> verified (With a credit card, heh.) anywhere on
> Yahoo before. It'll give you a page to create the
> account and at the bottom it'll have a credit card
> field.
> It doesn't bill to the card, simply uses it to prove
> that you're an adult.
Wow! I know about these age verification schemes, but I never met a kid in my life who actually entered a correct date of birth if that meant all this extra trouble. I also don't know any kids who wouldn't click on "Yes, I am 18!" when asked to confirm this before entering a porn site. Interesting to hear such kids still exist.
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by keyhoti - 12/3/04 2:09 PM In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearnHi wanna, I noticed tbat you mentioned having "wallpaper" and I haven't yet noticed anyone else picking up this point, so ....
What wallpaper and where did you get it from?
Maybe it includes spyware.
Try running Spybot S&D if you have it - get it anyway, it's free - but don't use advanced mode until you are more familiar with things, just let it run.
Maybe just delete that wallpaper anyway.
Hope everything works out for you.
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by keyhoti - 12/4/04 2:42 PM In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearnHi wannalearn,
I am in Australia and don't know where you are and if Microsoft/MSN services are more or less the same everywhere, but here goes ... but first:
I previously asked about the wallpaper I think you said you have ... it could contain spyware, or some other nasty.
As for Microsoft/MSN:
Yes, here at least, one can be subscribed as we are to "ninemsn Premium" (for instance), but we are NEVER asked up-front for any financial details, but we can access our account when we log-in using the username, password and so on ... you should only be asked a "secret question" if you make a mistake logging on and need to retrieve some details.
I don't recall the question you got asked, but you say it is your son's computer (I think),so check with him if he has a Microsoft/MSN account.
If he does and if you are not logging on correctly, then that is why you are being asked the question.
In short: this could all be legit in fact. And your inability to get into the account/services could be due to a layer of defence which Microsoft/MSN uses to prevent fraud.
Hope this might help resolve the confusion ... pending anyone adding to and/or modifying what I have suggested.
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by SumerBrez - 11/26/04 8:46 PM In reply to: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearnCurious..Ive never used that service before..But dont you have to have a "username or login name" already established before applying a "password" for messenger services?? Just wondering,,In the Past,i have used MSN messenger,ICQ,and Yahoo.. always had to establish a "username" first then choose a password.
Possible this messenger service just uses your "Email" as the "UserName"??
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by vandermeer - 11/26/04 10:52 PM In reply to: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearnIf you get an paypal message(ebay).
Start with dear paypal member and they wanted more information to update your account and your cr.card #.This is a scam also.
Paypal start always with your name they have your cr card # they never ask you again.
And you can always seen if the side is o.k.look at http: it have to be https: the s is for secure side.
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by frontier - 12/3/04 4:12 AM In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by vandermeerThere is a new software file you can download that tells you if you are on a real website or a fake one. It is called Spoofstick. It is for IE and Firefox and it is free. you can get it here. http://www.corestreet.com/spoofstick/ it is very useful if you get one of those suspect emails from Pay Pal, CitiBank, Ebay etc.
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by jeff_j_black - 12/3/04 4:27 AM In reply to: Re: Credit Card Duped??? by frontierIt sounds more and more like you are trying to sign up for MSN? If MSN internet service is installed and MSN Messenger was activated it would certainly try to connect to the internet and verify your credentials to use the service. Perhaps you could send us a screen shot of the page where you are prompted for credentials?
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by dargonbill - 12/3/04 5:42 AM In reply to: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearnFor general information, I use msn messenger and have never had to use a credit card number. If you're signing into the messenger services, there has never been any such thing as a paid subscription. Now, that icon might be MSN internet access. Read closely. If not, then you best make sure you scan with antivirus, spybot S&D, and Adaware, right click the icon, click properties, record the info on paper and let us know what it says. Trojans are common and could send your info anywhere(including Russia). MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger are free. Good luck.
Re: Credit Card Duped???
by thepan123 - 12/3/04 6:34 AM In reply to: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearnCommon sense needs to be applied to ALL activities on the Internet. Everyone needs to be ever careful when receiving e-mails or cummunications asking for your name, ssan, account numbers and even your address and phone numbers.
There are so many people trying to make a buck on you out there. This can be a VERY damageing experience for you, one that could ruin your financial status. I often get asked for my SSAN when trying to access my banking account by phone. Flat NO! I tell them that is not going to happen over the phone. Hardly ever do I ever give out any account numbers over the Internet.
I limit my Internet buying. I figure that if they wish to sell me their product, they, the seller will provide an anternate way for this purchase to happen, like a phone transaction. Look for a contact number on that site. Call them and inquire. Recently there has been reported a scam from Citibank asking person to verify their account number, name and other information. Well, Citibank NEVER placed that ad or sent the e-mail.
I suggest you cancel that account and withdraw your funds if any and reestablish another account just for your own personal safety. Always ask yourself questions about these kind of sites or e-mails. If you don't know the sender or the Institution, don't open the mail or delete it without taking action.
More phishing info..
by rskowron - 12/3/04 9:19 AM In reply to: Credit Card Duped??? by wannalearnI have done a substantial amount of research and checking on received phishing emails. I thought I would pass on some of the things I've found and some of the steps you can take to help stop it.
First, pay attention to the comments made elsewhere in this post. Your financial institutions, on-line services AKA ebay), etc., and all do not ask for you to "confirm" your information via an email and link.
There's a pretty fast way to check it's authenticity if you are an Outlook or Outlook Express email user. When you place your cursor over the link which is supposedly to take you to the site of the institution for the verification, even though the link may actually say www.suntrust.com, etc., an actual link comes up at the bottom of the email program frame. In a phishing email, that link will usually bear no resemblance to the link in the email. Even if the link is the same as in the email, if it looks different than the real institution, i.e., real address is www.suntrust.com but the email address reads www.internet.suntrust.com is a whole different URL and is a scam location.
You can aid the affected institutions by forwarding the email to abuse@"institution".com where institution is the identified company such as suntrust, ebay, USBank, etc. In the forwarded email you should include the email header information which you can copy and paste from the properties menu entry under "Files" in your menu bar.
I'll be happy to answer any other questions including how to locate the actual servers responsible for these and other information. Remember never follow one of these links, forward the email and header info to the company's abuse group and then delete. Never give your credit card, Social Security # or financial information to anyone you yourself did not initiate.
Re: More phishing info..
by Cronos - 12/3/04 1:40 PM In reply to: More phishing info.. by rskowronBesides, your bank/company will always adress you by your name.
I've received many mails supposedly from Pay-pal, but they always start as "Dear customer". Those mails obviously are not from Pay-pal.
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