Note: All names have been changed to protect the innocent. All party’s are presumed innocent until proven guilty. …Or until I get my money.   


So I'm checking my email this morning, performing the daily ritual of deleting all the crap that the spam blocker doesn't catch. Normal junk. But, as I'm scrolling down, one entry in particular catches my eye. "Heywood Jabloughmie has just sent you $999.00 USD with Paypal."
...Reeally.
(Read as "really?" with a big ol’ glop of homemade sarcasm; so much that it’s oozing over the edges. Mmmm…sarcasm.   )

I know. No big deal. I mean I get this phishing garbage all the time. "Click here to correct this problem immediately." But, when you click the link it takes you to Youareretardedforclickingthislink.com and *poof* bye-bye identity. However, the entry right after this one made me do a double take. It was from service(at)paypal(dot)com and read: Investigation into Recent Transaction: Case XX-000-000-000(Respond by 3/1/2007)

I had to admit, this was pretty good. This was the first time I’d seen "The Brother & The Stranger" approach tried via electronic mail. (Ref.: The Color of Money ~ "Money won is twice as sweet as money earned." …ah, but I digress.)

Upon looking at this email, however, I was somewhat taken aback. No erroneous links to click on. Just a polite and formal letter advising me that I had received a payment that I hadn’t authorized and that I should check my Paypal account. Very interesting…

So I direct my browser to Paypal.com to see what’s the hubbub. Sure enough. I had a transaction from Heywood for ne’r ten dimes. And—it seems—a hold on said transaction. Bollocks! …I mean…sure…of course. What? …No! I didn’t have my hopes up. What do you take me for?! Pfffttt.   

Now, Heywood hasn’t contacted me personally, and I will reciprocate accordingly. Though, it does make me wonder what kind of person sends a thousand samollies to the wrong email addy.    

So no pennies from heaven for me just yet, and as of this posting my account is frozen pending investigation; which in reality is no big deal, but is a bit scary. Anywho, just thought I’d share. I’ll post an update so those of you on the edge of your seat won’t aggravate your sciatica.   

Have a great day!