2023 storm of confusion

(8/2023) "Dorothea we have a problem." said the voice of Beloved Family Member on the phone at 8:30 p.m. on a Thursday. He and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. B, were in a state.

That morning a pulsing image appeared on Mrs. B’s computer warning that there were attacks on their network. All files, photos and identity were at risk. If you close this window all is at risk. Every word chosen for maximum urgency. You must call Our Super Duper Support Team immediately! A Toll Free phone number was displayed.

Nameless Scammer had a way to connect with their fears and pull their human strings of responsibility. Now they would Make. That. Call. Instantly, they were in conversation over the phone and internet. Recognizing a fish on the hook Nameless Scammer revealed a name. Jennifer. Jennifer would save them from certain doom, financial ruin and identity theft. If they helped her maybe they could save some other people too.

It’s us and them. I alone am on your side…believe me. Scammer explained to Mr. B that the FBI and Federal Trade Commission were working with the Scammer’s team to catch and prosecute the band of internet thieves who were threatening Internet users all over America.

But we need your help Mr. B! Our work can only succeed with personal funds. We can’t use public, government funds for this very important work.

"This is the problem, Dorothea." Mr. B said. " I sent a big cashier’s check overnight by FedEx."

Seconds pass while my dropped jaw and sunken heart get back into position.

"Do you have a tracking number?" I ask.

"Yes, it’s…" Mr. B, retired from a career as an attorney, had lifelong habits of collecting information.

My husband called FedEx on his phone, and was told the delivery could be stopped. Eureka! We all said goodnight, and I would go to Mr. and Mrs. B’s home the next morning.

I arrived by 10 checked the tracking number online, only to find that the package had been delivered at 9:41 a.m..

Another call to Fedex. While on that call, since there is always another cell phone in the room, I directed Mr. B to call his bank to stop the cashier’s check he had so diligently procured the day before. This was accomplished and confirmed by the end of that day, a Friday.

For whatever reason—a lifetime of mental discipline, trust in me, the FedEx manager who asked him if he really wanted to send that package (yes there are people with good intentions and instincts around us everyday)—the storm clouds parted just enough for Mr. B to call me on that Thursday night. Just in time to stop a check before the weekend.

This event was a near disaster that came in a series of bad turns at the right moments. Both of this couple use a computer daily, as almost everyone on planet Earth seems to do. Both of them have limited understanding of the power and connectivity of all the computers that we use. Each of them has one or more health issues that can increase the likelihood of user error at the computer. This exact fake warning message had flashed on their computer months ago, and Mr. B had stopped Mrs. B in the middle of that phone call. They hung up, called me, and we discussed such scams at length. The short version, which every tech savvy person tells to their not-tech-savvy loved ones, is don’t click on anything, and don’t call any number that pops up on your computer. Get help from someone you know. These warnings don’t make sense to some people because of the way they think/process information, or have had a change in cognitive ability.

On this day Mr. B had urinary tract infection, and didn’t know it yet. He was on the verge of going to his doctor, but scammer got his attention first. In Mr. B’s condition, he probably had enough toxins backed up in his system that he was near or actually hallucinating. Scammer got lucky because their mission became real to Mr. B.

A perfect Storm of Confusion.

Scammers depend on finding a muddled mind. When our clarity kicks in, Scammers work on our human nature, reminding us to be too embarrassed to tell anyone. Fear and embarrassment are human reactions that con artists bank on. Literally.

It’s the same when our loved ones are preyed upon by conspiracy theorists. The flimflammers and web scammers.

Our loved ones can be taken for a theory ride by anyone with an agenda and the right tone of voice. It’s hard enough for us who are mostly paying attention, most of our lives. Imagine the fog of being medicated, stressed, or in cognitive decline. The fear of what might happen is just as real as an immediate threat.

The thing about getting a hook into our brain is that the fear inspired by believable maybes is a real emotion. It can be internet danger or political rivals. There’s not a lot of distance between believing a conspiracy theory, and loving the hunt for the kernel of truth in tall tales told around a campfire. The operative word in conspiracy theory is theory, not conspiracy. A theory is just a guess that it could be true, just believable enough that you prepare for the worst. History is full of people trying to scam for money or power, nibbling away at our reason, hoping to gain our confidence with barely believable conspiracies.

My takeaway from this is gratitude for being a person that Mr. and Mrs. B trust. I’ll listen even more carefully regarding their health and online safety. Now is a great time to remember the buddy system we all learned as kids. Listen to each other, watch out for each other, and work as a team with family, friends and neighbors. A great life lesson for weathering any of life’s storms.