Just thought you guys would like to share the start to my Valentine's Day weekend that I spent with a fraud detective - via phone that is. If you log in to Amazon, or any other online retailer, and see a message, with a phone number, that there has been fraud detected on your account and it has been locked/suspended; do not pass go and do not collect $200. Go directly to the page where you can contact the retailer, or have them call you back. Ask them if there really is such a problem - chances are there is NOT. DO NOT call the number made readily available on the warning screen. I discovered that "I" had spent $9100 at pornhub.com!! When it came down to buying gift cards and giving the ID numbers to the "Bank Rep", I did not pass go nor did I collect $200! Immediately, I called the police and shortly was contacted by the fraud detective. There are a bunch of parts to this fraud, so take it from me, and just call in to ascertain if there truly is a hold on your account. Don't go the route of calling the number on the warning screen. The detective said this fraud is RAMPANT right now, with an alternative twist of just calling you or leaving the hold warning on your answering machine.

Another BIGGIE right now concerns income tax. Mr. Detective said to file your income tax as early as possible, since these fraudsters are getting all your info and filing and happily accepting your refund. Later, when you file, the IRS says they already sent your refund, so what are YOU trying to pull on them!!!

Anyway, I just thought you guys could learn from my rewarding experience and avoid 2 of the scams that are proliferating on the net right now. Can't people go out and get a real job rather than ripping off their fellow countrymen!!?? Oh well, Mr. Detective was very nice and very informative, although I would rather have spent my time with you guys, or R & Ring; and that's the name of that tune!!

Lymerick