Watch Out For This Text Scam!

News Flash

I’ve received two of these texts so far. Since I don’t live in the Bay Area, I knew it was fake and deleted it. But for those who may have travelled to the area or live there, it’s easy to think this text is legit.

Every day, it seems we’re assaulted by yet another phone scam created by clever people who make their living ripping people off. It’s not that the world has suddenly become fully evil or immoral. It’s been a slow slide down as the wealth gap has continued to inch upward.

In 2017, a study on wealth by Oxfam International revealed that 8 men own 50% of the world’s wealth. Since corporate tax laws favor the very wealthy, these men and their business entities pay very little tax. The 9 billion of us who share the other 50% of wealth must carry a heavier tax burden to replenish their deficit—meaning most of the world's population now struggles to get by. Naturally, people will do what they must to survive, legal or not.

Instead of focusing narrowly on one candidate or another, assailing one (or both) as being the root of all evil in this world, shouldn’t we try to unite around the common cause of restoring a just economy that doesn’t just favor the rich?

In any case, you can read more about this scam here: https://news.trendmicro.com/2024/06/26/bay-area-fastrak-scam-text/

Present Valley

Thank you for the heads up. It's hard to keep up with all the scams these days.

I support just about anything that unites us around a common cause and restores what has become obsolete in most systems in place today.

Sanatana

Thank you for letting us know. Scams are going on all the time and everywhere! What's wrong with people?

Evangel

There's a basic lack of morality or awareness that ripping off others isn't part of living a good life. I guess they assume that if the guys at the top are doing it and getting away with it, it's acceptable for them to get into the game as well.

Evangel

So very true. Well said, and thank you.

Slipstream

Crime at the top flows down to those below. If it's tolerated for the very rich, it sets the standard for everyone else. Except the thieves at the top get rewarded while thieves at the bottom go to jail.

Evangel

That's a very good observation. There's a clear and disturbing double standard. Jail for the poor, accolades and slaps on the back for the rich.

Well Street

I've had three texts in one week from "recruiters" offering me well-paying positions that require little time and effort on my part. I learned the recruiting companies they claim to represent are all legitimate.

Preying on the financially desperate is infuriating.