OT - AOL Snailmail I.D. Theft Scam
Guys,
I don't know how many of you are fellow AOL members and pay for your account with direct electronic bank account monthly deductions, but I received an unusual letter in my mail yesterday that I am warning other members about.
The letter came in what looked like a legit AOL envelope. I almost threw it out, thinking it was an advertisement, but I noticed it said "important account information" on the outside. I then thought it might be a notice that AOL was raising their monthly rates, so I opened it.
Inside the envelope is a letter allegedly from AOL's billing department, claiming that, due to an accounting/computer error, AOL MAY have inadvertently withdrawn $1,800.00 out of many members' accounts instead of $18.00. Enclosed also is a form to complete and return to AOL asking that any refund due be given by (1) paper check or (2) put on a credit card (different types mentioned). Supposedly AOL cannot credit your account using the method of payment originally set up, so that's why they require the account info. requested in the form. The form is to be sent to a p.o. box on VA, but NOT the city in VA where AOL is actually located. A fax # is also provided where it can be faxed, but no phone #. Also, no mention of any email addresses on it.
Apparently the hoaxers are just mass mailing these spoof letters out at random, hoping some gullible AOLers wil open the mail and just automatically fill the form out and mail or fax it in w. their credit card info. w/o even checking with the real AOL to see if it is legit.
I have a hunch it may be just a local scam, since I have not located any other members that have gotten the letter. (btw, I tried to call AOL to alert them, but it's almost impossible to find a phone # for them! 
)
Be careful out there!
I don't know how many of you are fellow AOL members and pay for your account with direct electronic bank account monthly deductions, but I received an unusual letter in my mail yesterday that I am warning other members about.
The letter came in what looked like a legit AOL envelope. I almost threw it out, thinking it was an advertisement, but I noticed it said "important account information" on the outside. I then thought it might be a notice that AOL was raising their monthly rates, so I opened it.
Inside the envelope is a letter allegedly from AOL's billing department, claiming that, due to an accounting/computer error, AOL MAY have inadvertently withdrawn $1,800.00 out of many members' accounts instead of $18.00. Enclosed also is a form to complete and return to AOL asking that any refund due be given by (1) paper check or (2) put on a credit card (different types mentioned). Supposedly AOL cannot credit your account using the method of payment originally set up, so that's why they require the account info. requested in the form. The form is to be sent to a p.o. box on VA, but NOT the city in VA where AOL is actually located. A fax # is also provided where it can be faxed, but no phone #. Also, no mention of any email addresses on it.
Apparently the hoaxers are just mass mailing these spoof letters out at random, hoping some gullible AOLers wil open the mail and just automatically fill the form out and mail or fax it in w. their credit card info. w/o even checking with the real AOL to see if it is legit.
I have a hunch it may be just a local scam, since I have not located any other members that have gotten the letter. (btw, I tried to call AOL to alert them, but it's almost impossible to find a phone # for them! )Be careful out there!
Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "
HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )
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