How do YOU define a "Scam"?

A scam is a term used to describe any business or scheme that takes money or other things of value from an unsuspecting person....a scheme performed by an individual, group, or company in an effort to obtain money or something else of value. Scams traditionally existed in the form of con games and tricks, where individuals would misrepresent themselves as someone with skills or authority, such as a real estate investment broker, lawyer, doctor, banker, government representative, etc.   

While many scams still happen face-to-face, the Internet has become a widely used tool of fraudulent attempts to steal your assets. Most folks are now aware of the more blatant schemes...Identity theft, romance, fake lotteries, and such. But do we even notice how much of our PRIVACY we have willingly given away to "legitimate" social media groups? 

What limits exist to restrict the collection and use of our private, often very personal data? Data Mining and Content Marketing are industries which have exploded and shields to your privacy. I recently received a note from a friend through Facebook Messenger warning of abuses. Following is an excerpt from a Snopes report (not labeled as "True", or "False", but as "Mixed") on a similar warning from 2014.....

 (a similar story can be found in the Huffington Post at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-fiorella/the-insidiousness-of-face_b_4365645.html# )

"Facebook's Messenger App, which boasts over 1,000,000,000 downloads, requires the acceptance of an alarming amount of personal data and even more startling, direct control over your mobile device. I'm willing to bet that few, if any, of those who downloaded this app read the full Terms of Service before accepting them and downloading the app.  

If you’re one of those 1,000,000,000 people who have downloaded this app, take a moment to read the following. I’ve posted, word for word, a few of the most aggressive app permission you’ve accepted.

Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity

Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.

Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.

Allows the app to record audio with microphone. This permission allows the app to record audio at any time without your confirmation.

Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.

Allows the app to read you phone’s call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. This permission allows apps to save your call log data, and malicious apps may share call log data without your knowledge.

Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone, including the frequency with which you’ve called, emailed, or communicated in other ways with specific individuals.

Allows the app to read personal profile information stored on your device, such as your name and contact information. This means the app can identify you and may send your profile information to others.

Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.

Allows the app to get a list of accounts known by the phone. This may include any accounts created by applications you have installed."

Whether completely true, or "mixed" with some exaggeration, is this the price of a "FREE" app for the pleasure of visiting friends and family via social media? Operations such as Twitter,  Skype, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Instagram, Pintrest, YouTube, and innumerable others, collect billions of dollars in revenue from the sale of your privacy....and you agreed to it!

Each of these organizations seem to deny that an issue even exists. But, from my own experience over two decades of Internet usage, I have demonstrate to myself that Content Marketing happens to an ever increasing and intrusive level. Twenty years ago I began to notice with my Yahoo email, that their ads seemed "catered" to me. So, I sent a few notes to myself at another email account, these notes containing comments about beers and wines. Now, I've never consumed beer or wine. However, the ads in my Yahoo emails included such products. I've tested the theory with other products as well with similar results. 


A more recent example is noticeable in my Facebook page. As a single man, I signed up for a couple of "matchmaker" sites. Now I receive "newsfeed" articles about finding women....some on the edge of pornographic. 

If we desire the convenience of these "free" services, there must be a legitimate income for them to offer you the connection. So, expect there to be a cost. But, be aware what that cost really is! In this case, your DUE DILIGENCE is to read the "TERMS OF SERVICE" agreement that you are accepting!