Scams and Sellers

It is no secret that Chris and I are downsizing and selling many of our possessions in advance of our permanent relocation to Florida. I have principally been using Facebook Marketplace and have generally been successful. 

Yesterday I experienced something new and sinister. Scammers! Two very different scams, one that I successfully defended against and one which I didn't understand and got scammed--but was able to quickly repair the damage with no loss of money.

Very quickly after I posted and antique on line for sale I received two quick offers. Of course I was ecstatic and that clouded my view. I have a bias that scams involve money, but I learned yesterday that there are other valuable things, like my phone number, that scammers desire to control.  

Both scams were running simultaneously using Facebook Messenger. The first scammer told me that they needed to verify that I was real and that sent me a verification code to send back to them. I totally missed that it was a Google verification code and it allowed them to disconnect my phone from my account and gave them control, briefly. The scam continued as we conversed about payment and they reported they could not verify my phone and did I have another number. At that point I began to suspect something and did not give them another number. The email from Google confirmed the scam by indicating my phone was no longer in my account. I quickly followed the instructions to regain control of my phone in my Google account and closed the scam. I reported it to the FTC and to Facebook.

While this was going on I was also managing another scam. The person was allegedly sending me payment for the item using Zelle. I checked out Zelle, which I did not have, and uploaded the app on my phone. I think this is where I was able to determine quickly that I was the victim of a scam. The scammer sent me an email, using an address that looked like it was coming form Zellepay, but upon inspection was from a gmail account, saying they had sent me the money. The scammer was trying to convince me that the money had been sent to my account, but that it was being held up because I needed to upgrade my account to a business account by having them send more money to the account, which I would then refund to them. Problem is, my Zelle account app showed nothing of this and did not register that any money had been sent. I had Chris call Zelle while I was online with the scammer to confirm the scam. Amazingly, the scammer contacted me via Messenger audio and was trying to convince me that it was all legit. I finally had to block the Messenger account. I reported a phishing attempt to Gmail. 

The old adage about "Buyer beware" is now definitely "Buyer and Seller Beware."

Scammers are out there, lurking to get something for nothing.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 16, 2022

 

1. Happy Monday and greetings. Welcome to the third Monday of May! There are two Mondays remaining in May and 32 remaining in the year. 

2. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins for another great season which ended last night with a game 7 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. The loss eliminates the Penguins from this year's Stanley Cup Finals. The Penguins held a commanding 3-1 lead in the series before getting swept the last three games to lose to the Rangers.

3. Rain! Yup, it is in the forecast for today. I wish we could readdress the rain and send it to the dry and parched regions of the country. 

4. Inflation. OK, so I am neither an economist nor a financial wizard, but I am concerned that the Federal Reserve (FED) is approaching the inflation crisis using outdated formulae. The current inflation crisis, unlike those of the past, is being fueled principally by outside forces: COVID, China lockdowns, Ukraine, and supply line disruptions. Our dependence upon the global economy, which is normally good, is underpinning the inflationary cycle. My view: instead of tightening the money supply to reduce demand, the Fed should provide inexpensive money to assist industry to research to overcome the problems. This should lead to greater U.S. economic independence and resilence. 

5. The Severn Seminoles 14U Baseball Team played a tournament in Delaware this weekend and posted a 1-1 record. Unfortunately the tournament was cut short by rain which thwarted their quest to win the Championship.

6. Don't miss the headlines that I have curated this morning. See below. 

7. Today in History. On May 16, 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out its first awards, at a dinner party for around 250 people held in the Blossom Room of the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California.

The brainchild of Louis B. Mayer, head of the powerful MGM film studio, the Academy was organized in May 1927 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the film industry. Its first president and the host of the May 1929 ceremony was the actor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. Unlike today, the winners of the first Oscars—as the coveted gold-plated statuettes later became known—were announced before the awards ceremony itself.

Ukrainian forces reach border near Kharkiv: 'We made it!' - CNN

China's harsh lockdowns could exacerbate population crisis - CNN

Kim Jong Un mobilizes North Korea's military in response to Covid-19 outbreak - CNN

McDonald’s to Exit From Russia After Three Decades - The Wall Street Journal

Buffalo Shooting Suspect Wrote in School About Wanting to Carry Out an Attack - The Wall Street Journal

America Leans on Aging Power Plants to Keep the Lights On - The Wall Street Journal

Ruling parties in Sweden, Finland back NATO membership in historic shifts - The Washington Post

Russian oligarchs loved luxe Sardinia. Now they’re frozen out of paradise. - The Washington Post

Suspected gunman allegedly inspired by racist theory underpinning global carnage - The Washington Post

Russia will not 'simply put up with' NATO's Nordic expansion - Reuters

Analysis: Neutral Switzerland leans closer to NATO in response to Russia - Reuters

China's economy skids as lockdowns hit factories, retailers - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Around the Firepit

Chris Around the Fire
Elkridge, MD
May 11, 2022

Between the rainstorms of the past week, Chris and I found time and a dry spell to enjoy time around the fire pit. I believe it was our second fire of 2022 as we were lucky enough to have one during January.

I was surprised that the wood we used was dry and made such a fantastic fire, but we sat and enjoyed the crackling of the fire for some time. 

Unlike many other fire pit evenings, we did not remain out until after dark, but rather went inside to enjoy dinner. It was Wednesday and the middle of a very busy week. But we enjoyed the respite from the bad weather. It was at least warm!

Sadly, we will miss the joys of the fire pit during the time we spend in Florida. Our condo association and the Tequesta Fire Department do not allow open flames in our community. Not that there is really anywhere for a fire pit in the condo area. And no, no open flames are allowed on the beaches, either. The light from the fire is a detriment to the turtles when they are laying eggs and then to the hatchlings as they race to the sea. 

We will, however, survive and leave the joy of fire pits to our visits back to Maryland.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

I Have to Brag

Ethan
Odenton, MD
May 13, 2022

I'm writing a brag blog today.

I have the best looking grandson in the world!

Last evening was prom night and my grandson was lucky enough to attend the event. He is a junior and his date is a senior. Chris and I were lucky enough to attend the pre-prom picture sessions. Yes, plural! We did three sessions as it turned out. One at home and two at the local community center which has some very nice bridges crossing a small brook which provide for very scenic settings. 

Chris and I with Ethan
Odenton, MD
May 13, 2022

The couple coordinated his vest with her dress and they were stunning together. The picture taking went a bit long, but I have it on good authority that the couple made it to dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the prom arriving safely back at their homes, compliments of her parents, during the wee hours of the morning. 

Chris and I had our picture taken with Ethan, on more than one occasion, and he made the scene look good.

I remember high school and prom. I have to admit, I did not look nearly so good, but Chris, I remember, was stunning in a very pink gown. Maybe that is why I grew to love flamingos!

But wait, last evening was about Ethan enjoying his post-COVID high school experience and I am very happy that life is resuming and those major milestones of life, which so many kids missed, have returned. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Smell of Springtime

Spring 2022 Lilac 
Elkridge, MD
May 12, 2022

The lilac bush next to my porch is in full bloom. It is a late bloomer due to our location at the bottom of the street where it stays a bit colder longer. But when it blooms, it is fabulous.

And the bush is in full bloom. I enjoy walking out the front door into the air filled with the aroma I most associate with Spring. During a brief break in the clouds yesterday, I was able to get a good image of the flowers which are producing the sweet aroma. Set against the newly mown lawn they are the image of Springtime enjoyment for me.

Growing up in Upstate New York there was a large lilac bush right outside on my second story bedroom window. It was one of those huge, unkept bushes which get larger until they begin to take over the yard. I remember enjoying the sweet smell of the lilacs during the Spring and then remembering that sweet fragrance as I mowed around the bush during the remainder of the growing season until the winter. I lamented that the two weeks or so of enjoyment were so short in comparison to the remainder of the year. I believe that in why I have grown to enjoy Crepe Myrtle. Although Crepe Myrtle does not have the fragrance of lilac, its flowers remind me of lilac flowers and their fragrance. Of course, I say that now until I have to skim the Crepe Myrtle flowers out of the pool once they bloom.

Springtime! Something new to enjoy every day!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Fighting for a Spot

When the sun comes out everyone, it seems, becomes excited. 

Louis, Finnegan, Riordin in a Sunbeam
Elkridge, MD
May 10, 2022

It happened the other day when the sun created a warm ray shining through the window onto the floor. Two cats and one dog found a way to share the space and soak up some warmth. Louis, who is back visiting, Finnegan and Riordin all managed to find space--and they were close to each other. 

For a while, all was calm in the house as the three slept together. Sadly, the sunbeam soon moved away and the three animals scattered.

I wish the sun would shine more often. Since the afternoon yesterday the skies have been overcast again and are expected to remain gray until next week. Rain and thunderstorms are the forecast for tomorrow making Happy Hour a potential washout. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Three Game Winning Streak?

 This is just shocking and exciting. 

American League East Standings
May 11, 2022

The Orioles just won their first game of a road trip against the Cardinals with a rookie pitcher on the mound that threw 11 strikeouts and completed 7 innings. 

That win gives them three wins in a row. 

The win also propelled them into 10th among the 15 American League teams. They are also in 4th place in the AL East with Boston below them. 

Just a note--they are also now tied for 19th among the 30 MLB teams.

This is so different!

I have become accustomed to the team being 28th, 29th, or 30th among the MLB teams and at the bottom of the division. 

This is exciting and different; I am happy that I have already been able to attend two games this season. My game attendance record if 1-1.

Let's Go O's!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Was that number really 70?

 

Springtime Flowers Alongside the House
Elkridge, MD
May 10, 2022

Officially, at BWI airport the temperature yesterday never reached 70. But at my house it did! Yay!

I never believed that I would be excited about temperatures in the 70s, but I changed out of my jeans and put on shorts to celebrate the more moderate and seasonal temperatures. 

I was almost giddy with excitement as Chris and I took Finnegan for a walk. It was actually warm. The sun felt good, almost like Florida, on my exposed skin.

The warm afternoon temperature also encouraged the lilac bush alongside the house to burst into bloom and its sweet fragrance filled the afternoon air on my porch. The image actually shows the bleeding hearts, lily of the valley, and the lilac bush all in bloom--although, in different stages of blooming. 

Hopefully, the days ahead will be warmer and Spring can finally take hold.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 9, 2022

 

1. Amazingly, its is already the second Monday of May. There are 33 Mondays remaining in the year!

2. I am hopeful that warmer weather arrives soon. Morning temperatures of 45 degrees and afternoons of 53, as yesterday was, are too cold to motivate me to open the pool and enjoy outdoors activities like baseball. 

Fly on the Deck
Elkridge, MD
May 8, 2022

3. Even though the weather has been cold, the flies have arrived to begin the Spring season. I imaged this on on my deck yesterday. It was cold enough that it didn't to move very quickly. Flies, why did it have to be flies?

4. It was a somber Russian Victory Day celebration according to the news reporting.

5. A busy week begins. At least the morning is bright and clear, unlike the past few days. Its is cold, 45 degrees when I awakened, but supposed to at least climb into the 60s. 

6. Today in History. On May 9, 1960, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the world’s first commercially produced birth-control pill—Enovid-10, made by the G.D. Searle Company of Chicago, Illinois.

Development of “the pill,” as it became popularly known, was initially commissioned by birth-control pioneer Margaret Sanger and funded by heiress Katherine McCormick. Sanger, who opened the first birth-control clinic in the United States in 1916, hoped to encourage the development of a more practical and effective alternative to contraceptives that were in use at the time.

Putin tries to defend Ukraine war in Victory Day speech - CNN

What overturning Roe v. Wade could mean for decades-old abortion bans - CNN

Ukrainians report fierce fighting as Russia marks Soviet WW2 victory - Reuters

China's two biggest cities tighten COVID curbs - Reuters

Alabama ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth takes effect - Reuters

'We will win': Ukraine defiant on anniversary of World War Two victory - Reuters

Ukraine is rebuilding cities as fast as Russia destroyed them - The Washington Post

Mississippi governor doesn’t rule out banning contraception if Roe falls - The Washington Post

IRS Pays Billions in Interest on Delayed Tax Returns - The Wall Street Journal

Truckers Want More Trucks Than Industry Can Build at the Moment - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, ELkridge, MD

Mother's Day 2022

 

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers.

With the passing of Mom this past December, the day is a bit different. Chris and I did not buy a Mother's Day gift for her for the first time, ever. I know my entire family is grappling with reality of life without her, but there is joy. The Celebration of Life that was held for her during late-April provided an inspiration of a life well lived and she was a model for us all. She was special because her inclusive definition of family was evident in everything she did. She truly believed that we all are brothers and sisters and integral parts of a larger family. She lived her faith everyday and was a genuine believer.

So, for my family and friends here is the video that was used at Mom's Celebration of Life as a way to remember a great Mom to everyone Mother's Day. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom. We miss you.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD