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?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
VanGOghEar said 8:02PM on 1-02-2008
phhh..I misplace mine weeks at a time. Not a big deal. I email or message people online.
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fordsarebest said 8:22PM on 1-02-2008
Like many military wives my cell phone is my life line. I sleep with it, eat with it, even shower with it well within reach. Kudos to those of you who can do it, but with how little I get to hear from my husband as it is, being limited to less means of communication is impossible.
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Wolfster said 8:56PM on 1-02-2008
Fords, you've got a special case. Most people aren't in that situation. It amazes me that this woman is giving up her cell phone because she doesn't want to talk on it during dinner with another person (which is rude not only to your companion, but everyone in the place). Can't she find the "off" button?
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G J said 10:22PM on 1-02-2008
Has any one else seen the report about the phone companies discontinuing pay phones because so many people carry cell phones.
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Will Safer said 10:27PM on 1-02-2008
See the Switched story "AT&T to Phase Out Pay Phones By 2009" at http://www.switched.com/2007/12/04/atandt-to-phase-out-pay-phones-by-2009/
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Kathleen Stum said 12:17AM on 1-03-2008
I LIKED IT BETTER WHEN ONLY DOCTORS AND DRUG DEALERS HAD CELL PHONES. YOU COULD ALWAYS TELL WHICH WAS WHICH.
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Amy said 12:26AM on 1-03-2008
I've been without a cell for eight years. I realized that if I need to call, I ust my land line. I think my husband and I Are the only people on earth who don't need or own one. I don't call gobs of people....and bad news always finds you. I do have ON Star for any road emergencies
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Donna said 12:36AM on 1-03-2008
I could give up my cell phone easily. I do carry it everywhere I go, but use it sparingly. It is mostly a security thing for me, in case of emergency - like car breaking down, etc. I'm not one of those people who like to gab constantly, so it is no big deal if I had to give it up. But if I did have to give it up, I would like pay phones to still be available (just in case of emergency). So I certainly don't like the idea of getting rid of pay phones.
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Diva Tyler said 1:59AM on 1-03-2008
I really feel that you are onto something awesome
we live in such an addictive society, we seem to believe that each time a new technology is developed, because of the convenience it provides
we can no longer live without it, we become obsessed with something that at one time, we in fact,did live without; if cell phones were crack, we'd all be crackheads(just an analogy)yes they are a convenience, yes they do help to make us feel safer, but the level of noise pollution has skyrocketed beyond measure. people have become so discourteous in their use of the cell phone. I am so tired of standing in line while someone is laughing like a hyena and discussing the details of "whatever". people visit you to your home and sit at your home while talking to someone else, because it's their phone and they have a right to talk on it, well not in my home! stay in the car and finish your conversation, then ring my doorbell! again yes they are convenient, but with that comes a price, which may be more than any of us are willing to pay. Do your research, studies report,cell phones have radical side effects. I am absolutely proud to know that someone has the fortitude and wisdom to free herself from this matrix, even if it is only for 60 days. how many of you can say the same? So don't try "judging Amy" judge yourself, then see how you measure up. in other words "Don't hate her, imitate her! Kudos to you Amy!!!!!
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Lillian said 3:36AM on 1-03-2008
Except for emergencies wish they were never invented
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Jackie said 10:47AM on 1-03-2008
I think it is a great idea to give it up. I think when I have been with friends and fam, which some Irarely see /spend time with... and they have to tect/talk with people while I am there, makes me feel really like I am not important.
I think more people should find their off button, or if they expect an important call... or have to be available for kids etc... they ought to at least screen and not answer each call. I think it is really something that needs to be highlighted... I dont gab on mine all the time, who are all these people talking to all the time. It is hazardous on the road, and rude rude rude most of the time!
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Lisa said 11:04AM on 1-03-2008
Cell phones can be so distracting and just plain rude. I am not a big gabber on it. I find that people that spend that much time on it are hiding from themselves. Your mind isn't working if your lips are yacking. I don't use it while driving and would only answer one during a dinner with a friend if it was family. Unless it's an emergency I just say I'll call you back. I had dinner at a diner last week. The cook's cell phone went off constantly. I finally said I have to hear the damn things from other patrons but I don't have to listen to the cooks. I adore it when someone pipes up and tells someone in public to shut up that's on one. Most people on them have no manners so why should I care if they get insulted. Take that cell phone and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.
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Lisa said 11:10AM on 1-03-2008
Oh yeah and buy the way those of you that say using your cell phone while driving does not hurt your driving is full of crapola. You are the worst ones because you won't even admit it. Someone that admits that it's distracting to use one while driving is a better driver because they are not in denial and take more care. I've been in the car with several people that had no clue how close to accidents they were almost in because they were on the phone. If you asked them how they drove while on the phone they would say no problems. Cell phone addicts need a reality break!
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tponischil said 11:12AM on 1-03-2008
I've been cell phone free for YEARS! I hate them, people give them to me and I just don't ever answer when it rings. I don't like being so accessible to everyone. One can not even make a case for emergencies, as everyone else has one to be used.
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Lisa said 11:13AM on 1-03-2008
I had the $@#&ing things. Don't get me started you know how I get! If I pissed you off then you are the one I meant to!
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mysty said 11:53AM on 1-03-2008
AS A MOM OF 4 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 10 I NEED MY CELL PHONE AS A LIFE LINE TO MY KIDS. THEY KNOW HOE TO REACH ME ONIT AND I NEED IT FOR THE SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO CONTACT ME, DOCTORS, ETC. AND I HAVE DIRECT CONNECT TO MY HUSBAND AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. BUT I DO TRY TO BE POLITE AND KEEP IT ON SILENT WHEN I AM OUT. BUT IS ALWAYS ON FOR MY KIDS.SO NO I COULD NOT GIVE UP MY CELL PHONE I WOULD BE AFRAID TO LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.
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mysty said 12:09PM on 1-03-2008
I ALSO FEEL IT IS RUDE TO TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE, WHILE WITH FRIENDS,IN PUBLIC PLACES,I I NEED TO ANSWER THE CALL I SIMPLY EXCUSE MY SELF FOR A MOMENT, AND EXPLAIN TO MY FRIENDS WHY I HAD TO TAKE THE CALL. AND I DO NOT TALK AND DRIVE. IF I HAVE TO ANSWER, I PULL INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT.
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G J said 9:16PM on 1-03-2008
I read the artical. No on is supose to use a land phone at work except to call supervision or the police. I work alone most of the night. After heart surgery they wanted me to bring a note from my Dr. every 3 months to carry a phone. Finally I said what are they going to do fire me for not dieing?
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David said 6:39PM on 1-04-2008
Kathleen Stum says:
I LIKED IT BETTER WHEN ONLY DOCTORS AND DRUG DEALERS HAD CELL PHONES. YOU COULD ALWAYS TELL WHICH WAS WHICH.
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That was pagers, not cell phones. But anyways, too many people are in love with their cell phones. Today, the worst drivers are ones that are talking on their cell phones!
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Lane said 7:23PM on 1-04-2008
Hey! Sure I could carry around a bunch of quarters for pay phones...BUT the last time I forgot my cell and needed a pay phone, not a none could be found. Anyway who wants to catch a nasty virus off a payphone receiver and be charged at least 50 cents for your trouble!?
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