No Foolin’: Spam Emails are an Everyday Threat

April Fools’ Day is a big deal for your garden-variety jokester, but it’s just another day at the office for a scammer. Con artists don’t care whether it is April 1st, September 19th or February 3rd – they will use any opportunity on any given day to pull tricks on trusting victims and rip them off for money or personal information. And as anyone who follows consumer news knows, bulk emails (better known as “spam emails”) are one of their favorite tools.

The good news for consumers is that email scams can be easy to spot…but only if you know what to look for. In recognition of April Fools’ Day, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) wishes to share some simple tips to help spot a malicious email:

• Spam emails often include the name, logo, and color scheme of a well-known business, so the tipoff of a scam is often in the language used in the message. Watch for poor grammar, misspellings, awkward wording, and a general lack of professionalism. Legitimate corporate emails will be clear and grammatically accurate.
• Check the sender’s email address for another easy tipoff. In many spam messages, the web address (URL) referenced in the sender’s email address does not match the true URL for the business in question. For example, an email that claims to come from the U.S. Postal Service may come from “JoeSchmo @somefakecompany.com” instead of “___ @usps.com.”
• Be suspicious of any request to open an attached file or click a link (including to “view your account”). Either action could lead you to download malware onto your device.
• On a desktop or laptop computer, if you hover your mouse over a link in an email (do NOT click your mouse!), the URL that the link directs you to will typically appear in the bottom of your browser window.
• Refuse requests to reply to an email with confidential information such as user names, passwords, and personal details. If you question the validity of an email that claims to be from a major business, call the business directly to inquire about its legitimacy.
• Most of these emails end up in your “junk mail” folder if your security settings are high and your email provider is routing spam correctly, but the occasional junk email inevitably finds its way through the filters and into your inbox.

Two major spam email ploys from recent years have claimed to come from well-known retailers and shipping companies. These emails draw in potential victims through false promises of gift cards as part of a “rewards program” or they claim to have information about a delay or other issue with a (nonexistent) package delivery. Other recent email schemes have involved fake invoices and threats about past-due taxes sent using the names of government agencies.

For additional information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128, or send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov.

Japan’s Slowest Rollercoaster Derails…and Passengers Don’t Even Notice!

In most cases, being on a roller coaster that derails in the middle of its ride would be terrifying. But in this case, it was nothing more than a slight inconvenience.

According to Sky News, on Friday, the Family Coaster at Arakawa Amusement Park in Tokyo came to a halt when it disengaged from its track. However, since the ride is billed as the “slowest roller coaster in Japan,” few passengers seemed to notice that there was an issue.

“The coaster was moving so slowly, I didn’t notice it had stopped,” said a woman in her thirties who was riding with her 6-year-old son.

In fact, it wasn’t until amusement park workers started banging on the ride with hammers while attempting to push the coaster that the riders realized there was even a problem.

Eventually, rescue workers were called, and the 19 riders, who were stuck about 16 feet above the ground, were let down to safety.

 

Hunger Rage at McDonald’s

Talk about being hangry!

A man in Sutherlin, Oregon, went into an apparent hunger rage earlier this month after McDonald’s employees refused to fulfill his order of 30 double cheeseburgers, according to local paper The News-Review.

Jedediah Ezekiel Fulton, 37, didn’t react kindly to the rejected order, promptly tearing down a McDonald’s banner and then attempting to destroy the fast-food chain restaurant’s famous golden arches.

When someone tried to stop him, Fulton apparently grabbed that person’s shirt. That prompted another witness to pull out a gun in fear of the situation escalating.

Police arrived and Fulton was arrested on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct, second-degree criminal trespass, second-degree criminal mischief and harassment.

No word yet on why the McDonald’s employees refused to fill Fulton’s order. Either way, let’s just say Fulton wasn’t lovin’ it.

Favorite Easter Candy???

What’s your favorite Easter candy?

Here are 15 sweet treats topping Ranker’s list of the Best Easter Candy of All Time:

1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
2. Cadbury’s Mini Eggs
3. Cadbury Creme Egg
4. Lindt Chocolate Bunny
5. Easter Pastel M&M’s
6. Cadbury’s Caramel Egg
7. Hershey’s Solid Milk Chocolate Eggs
8. Snickers Egg
9. Jelly Bellys
10. Whoppers Robin Eggs
11. Nestle Butterfinger NestEggs
12. Marshmallow Peeps
13. Hershey’s Easter Solid Milk Chocolate Bunny
14. Russell Stover Marshmallow Eggs
15. SweeTarts Chicks, Ducks & Bunnies

White Castle in Hobart Being Investigated for Possible Meth Lab Inside

White Castle is best known to most for its sliders and crave cases. However, a Hobart, Indiana, White Castle is making headlines for a different reason, reports the NWI Times.  The fast-food restaurant was closed off to the public on Friday after police investigated a suspected “one pot” methamphetamine lab inside.

Officers responded to reports of a suspicious individual sitting at a booth in the restaurant. The man had a large duffel bag next to him under a table, police said. He claimed the bag didn’t belong to him, but gave police permission to search it.

Inside the bag, an officer found two plastic bottles. The officer loosened the top of one of the bottles and smelled a strong odor of ammonia. He then screwed the lid back on and contacted Hobart investigators and Indiana State Police’s mobile meth investigation unit. The bag contained several items commonly used to produce meth. In addition, a syringe was found during a pat down of the suspect.

The Indiana State Police responded to safely contain the hazardous chemicals from the suspected meth lab. Four Hobart police officers were sent for medical treatment for exposure to the chemicals, according to a Facebook post by the Hobart Police Department.

Meanwhile, Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle, issued a statement Friday night saying, “We are proud of our White Castle team members who quickly alerted local authorities about a suspicious customer, and thankful for the Hobart Police department’s rapid response.”

Police have since released that man who was taken into custody pending charges to be filed by the Lake County prosecutor’s office. A one pot meth lab typically contains just enough chemicals for personal use, according to police.

 

Martinsville NASCAR Snowed Out

Heavy snow blanketed southern Virginia on Saturday night, forcing the postponement of Sunday’s S-T-P 500 Monster Energy Series race … which will be run today at 1 p.m. following completion of the alpha Energy Solutions 250 Camping World Truck Series race.  Motor Racing Network on WCUB Radio – “The Voice of NASCAR” will have live coverage.

Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, said early Sunday morning that there was much more snow than anticipated, and the decision was made with track officials and local authorities to dedicate all available resources to storm response in the region … Cup Series qualifying was cancelled on Saturday and the thirty-eight-car starting field was set based on car owner points –which puts Martin Truex Junior on the pole for the third straight race.  He had qualified Number-1 in Phoenix and Fontana the two previous weeks.  Truex will share the front row with Kyle Busch.  The Team Penske trio of Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney fills the remainder of the top five … Ben Rhodes started from the pole in Saturday’s Truck Series race and was leading when “Mother Nature” intervened less than halfway through the opening stage.

Update on Manitowoc Police Department Food Drive

As we are nearing the end of the third month of the MTPD Food Drive, the outpour of support continues to amaze the support staff of the Manitowoc Police Department, who is in charge of the food drive.  As of today, we have collected 3,963 items, which means that Peter’s Pantry has received an additional 94 boxes of food to hand out to the less fortunate.

It is important to have community efforts like this food drive to help feed hungry families that are less fortunate.  The police department wishes to stress the importance of serving our neighbors in time of need.  We can make a difference in people’s lives and get them the needed help during hard times.

The police department will continue with one more week of March’s Collection “CAN”NED MANIA” (March 1 -31).  And with April right around the corner, the Manitowoc Police Department’s Food Drive will be collecting “Breakfast Bonanza” items.  This includes any breakfast items, such as Assorted Coffee/Teas, Peanut Butter, Pancake or Waffle Mix, Muffin Mixes, Jiffy Mixes/Bisquick Mixes, Cereal, Oatmeal/Oats, Honey, Carnation Breakfast Drinks, Granola Bars, Nuts/Raisins, Pie Fillings, Baking Chips/Flour/Sugar, Syrup, Water or Dry Yeast.

Food barrels are located at:

Manitowoc Police Department, 910 Jay Street, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday – Friday)

Manitowoc Public Library, 707 Quay Street, 9 AM to 3 PM (Monday – Saturday)

Manitowoc City Hall, 900 Quay Street, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday – Friday)

Manitowoc Public Utilities, 1303 S. 8^th Street, 8 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday – Friday)

Manitowoc Senior Center, 3330 Custer St., 8 AM to 4 PM (Monday – Friday)

Once again thank you to all the people, organizations and businesses that have helped stock the shelves of Peter’s Pantry in recent months.  All of these efforts truly make a difference in our community.  Because of you, we are able to supply food to those who cannot do it for themselves for one reason or another.

Let’s give this last month an even “bigger” contribution and end this food drive on a high note.  One last call for your “10” Most Wanted Breakfast Items for the month of April.  Whether it is an individual dropping off a donation, or any organization, club, school or church, helping us collect this food – we salute you taking on this challenge and making our food drive even more of a success!  Everything that is received is graciously appreciated!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayhem Ensues After a Woman Breaks Into Car Dealership to Sleep

In yet another example of why smoking is bad for your health, a Florida woman is behind bars tonight after being arrested for breaking into a vehicle at a car dealership to sleep in it, and then accidentally setting the car on fire with a lit cigarette as she was locked inside.

Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious incident at the dealership on Monday. When they arrived, they found 62-year-old Dolores Graham inside of one of the dealership’s vehicles.

According to a Facebook post and body cam video released by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, “Graham told deputies that she illegally entered the car to sleep and locked herself inside. She had tossed a cigarette underneath the front seat of the car, which caught on fire. Graham stated she was unable to unlock the doors so she attempted to smash out the front windshield with her hands and feet.”

The post continues, “Sgt. Micah Moore responded to the scene and was able to get Graham to press the correct unlocked button and he removed her from the vehicle. A fire extinguisher was then used to put the fire out. Graham was transported to the Marion County Jail.”

Graham was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure and felony criminal mischief.

Dog Waits at Bus Stop for Food

An anonymous bus driver in Canada is making the world a better place. A couple of years ago she noticed a stray dog near one of his rural bus stops. Later on, when she saw the dog on the road, she threw him some food. Since then, it has become a habit. Every day, during her tour, she stops briefly to give the stray dog a bag full of good things. The animal sits patiently on the side of the road, happily wagging its tail, waiting for the bus to arrive and its door opens. He then takes the food and leaves immediately running to enjoy his meal.

Don’t Vomit & Drive

Police arrested Michael Bello in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on St. Patrick’s Day, after he allegedly drove under the influence and vomited out the window simultaneously, WGAL reports. Bello caught the attention of police after swerving and driving on the wrong side of the road.

“The driver was to be vomiting out of the car and swerving into oncoming traffic,” police said. “The vehicle was stopped by police on Millersville Road at Charlestown Road. Bello was taken into custody and a chemical test of his breath confirmed he was Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.”

If that wasn’t enough, Bello’s mugshot is of him screaming into the camera.