Scammers operating on all fronts, including text messaging

Scammers operating on all fronts, including text messaging

Posted online Palm Beach Post (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/) Sat, Jan. 26, 2013, Scammers operating on all fronts, including text messaging,  By Susan Salisbury, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer.

Read up on some of the scams that every day thousands of people fall.

There are the emails claiming they’ve won a prize.

There are advertisements on Craigslist for rental apartments which don’t exist.

Bogus lotteries seeking payment upfront, that have been around for years.

With technology such as text messaging on the rise, scammers have more ways than ever to do their dirty work.

So take some time and read this article.  The elderly especially are being targeted by scammers, who are estimated to be taking around $3 billion a year from people age 65 or over.
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After reading the online article, tell me whether or not either of the e-mails I have posted below are scams:


On Sat, 1/26/13, Market Strategies International <mremail@msisurvey.com> wrote:

    From: Market Strategies International <mremail@msisurvey.com>

    Subject: AT&T Wants Your Feedback - Chance to Win $100 Gift card

    To: EUGENEFLINN@BELLSOUTH.NET

    Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013, 11:08 AM

    Dear AT&T Valued Customer,

    AT&T needs input from customers like you, to provide the best experience it can to its customers.

    For your participation in this important study, you will be entered into a drawing for 1 of 10 $100 Visa Gift cards.

    Please click on the link below to take the survey. You will be asked questions about your experience as an AT&T cell phone customer.

    The survey is being conducted by Market Strategies International, a professional research firm, on behalf of AT&T. Your answers will be used for research purposes only. You will not receive any marketing or sales calls as a direct result of your participation in this research study. To review Market Strategies privacy agreement, please click on the following link: Privacy Policy

    To participate in the survey:

    1. Take note of your unique survey ID:  ( I DELETED )

    2. Go to http://www.msisurvey.com/E13119 and enter your survey ID in the space provided.

    NOTE: If you are unable to click on the link directly, please copy the URL information and paste it into the address or location field at the top of your web browser, and press the ENTER key on your keyboard to access the survey.

    Thank you in advance for your assistance.

    If you require technical assistance with the survey, please access our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for answers to common questions or you may click here to Contact Support.

    P.S. If you do not want to participate in this survey, please click on this link: Remove Me.

    If you wish to enter the sweepstakes without completing the survey, please review the drawing rules for an alternative method of entering. Drawing Rules

    ***Please do not reply to this email as this mailbox is not monitored. If you need technical support, please use the Contact Support link listed above.***
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-- On Tue, 1/29/13, Bellsouth© <a.aplin007@btinternet.com> wrote:

From: Bellsouth© <a.aplin007@btinternet.com>
Subject: WARNING!!!
To: eugeneflinn@bellsouth.net
Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2013, 10:52 AM

Verify this email address

Dear Bellsouth Member,

Due to congestion in all Bellsouth Mail users account, there shall be a removal exercise of all used and unused Bellsouth Accounts. 

Bellsouth required you Click Here to validate your account immediately. 

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