Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.
Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.
Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.
Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.
17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.
Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."
Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?
Most of the major computer manufacturers offer a recycling program for their own systems -- as well as their competitor's systems -- through their Web sites. At ComputerTakeBack.com, you can see each plan spelled out alongside any sweet trade-in incentives that manufacturers, and even some retailers, are offering. Just be sure to thoroughly erase the data on your hard drive, though.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Smokey said 8:51PM on 4-19-2007
Great info we all can use. Good article with great links.
Thanks
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lori said 9:08PM on 4-19-2007
That was great info...!!Stuff we NEED to know.
Lori
www.lalalips.com
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Fonya said 9:37PM on 4-19-2007
HOW do I "thoroughly erase the data on (my) hard drive", when it has crashed?
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Lauren said 10:26PM on 4-19-2007
How do you actually thoroughly erase the data in your hard drive to be sure no one can retrieve it. I have everything on my computer from shopping lists to social security number, bank accounts, credit card numbers, passcodes, etc. Thanks
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Dan said 11:22PM on 4-19-2007
Popular Mechanics just had an artical on that last month. They said to take the drive out, drill holes in it and then sandpaper the face.
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Ilene said 11:23PM on 4-19-2007
All the old discarded cell phones are on e-bay
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Kristina said 11:41PM on 4-19-2007
I checked out the return policy for my old computer. The company expected it to be more intact. I had upgraded some of the hardware and would need to put back the old stuff to return it. I also had gutted it pretty good when I bought a new one. Keeping the hard drive. Taking what is left of the old one to a thrift store. it will be up to them to do what they want with it.Read the recycle policy carefully and don't throw out any parts in case you might need them later.
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Jennifer said 12:12AM on 4-20-2007
Good one Fonya! I have always wondered that as well...!!!!!!!
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Mindy said 12:12AM on 4-20-2007
If you live near Lane County in Oregon, you can give ANY electronics to NextStep Recycling (2101 W. 10th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402). They have a zero waste model for reusing and recycling. If computers can be refurbished, they are gifted to underserved community members or sold very cheaply (with a warranty) in their thrift store. They are a nonprofit organization that is committed to bridging the digital divide and protecting the environment.
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judi said 12:45AM on 4-20-2007
ummmmmmmm...........airhead that i am, i gave my pc to friend(?) and less than a month later someone tried to get into my checking account! thank heavens for their security!
(i had paid him once by check!)
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crystal said 12:56AM on 4-20-2007
I seen a recycling bin at my local verizon dealer for old cell phones. The sign said the cell phones go towards helping battered women. I didn't find out just how, but I am going to definitly going to!
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justme said 5:45PM on 4-14-2009
The cellphones are activated for emergency use (911) and distributed to battered women for added security. That way they can contact the police immediately if necessary.
bybeecrystal said 1:07AM on 4-20-2007
I seen at my local verizon store a recycling bin set up for cell phones that got towards helping battered women. I am not exactly sure how but it seems worth checking out.
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Darlene said 1:12AM on 4-20-2007
TO CRYSTAL--- ITS NOT SEEN ITS SAW THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS USE PROPER ENGLISH
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rwm said 1:45AM on 4-20-2007
Darlene - Your point would be stronger if you didn't shout at poor Crystal, and if you yourself did not make a punctuation error.
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xyla said 1:50AM on 4-20-2007
I accidently erased everything on my hard drive by pressing f10. I believe that would work when wanting to recycle a computer.
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xyla said 1:54AM on 4-20-2007
When I used f10 to erase the hard drive it brought the computer back the way it was the day I bought it. All the icons that was on then were back on the computer.
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Allen said 3:01AM on 4-20-2007
The easiest way to get rid of data on any hard drive is to take it out on the driveway and run it over a few times with the car you drive. That makes it lots of fun too as you start to think you are running yourself over to get rid of information!
Peace
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steve said 5:09AM on 4-20-2007
old cell phones can be donated to the local abused womens shelters---here in virgina
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Phil said 7:53AM on 4-20-2007
Darlen would seem to be a brick-thrower who really does live in a glass house. In answer to the question about erasing hard drives, one can also use an electromagnetic video tape eraser if one is available. The magnetic field will scramble the tracks on the drive quite well.
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