May 13, 2009

There were 4 posts published on May 13, 2009 (this is page 1 of 1).

Suiting up

If I thought I was busy the past few days (and I was), it’s about to get busier for me! Thursday evening I have my usual Mordecai House board meeting at 6, but will be leaving it before 6:30 on my way to the Fletcher Theater. I’ve volunteered to present awards at the Fred Fletcher volunteer awards ceremony Thursday evening, so I’ll be dressing up and introducing two award winners at the presentation. I get to stand in front of people and speak again: what could be more fun? Then next week begins my crunch week: East CAC meeting on Monday evening, Raleigh CAC meeting Wednesday, and Parks and Rec meeting Thursday evening.

Life: it doesn’t stop until it stops.

V-chip

Anyone remember the V-chip? That wondrous addition to televisions which would automatically keep televised Yucky Bad Stuff from entering our homes? Does anyone actually use it? And why does the FCC still think it needs to be a nanny now that every TV owner can automatically filter out “filth?”

Windows Live really, really cares

I reported a phishing scam that was using a Windows Live email address to Microsoft. Below is the response I got. While I feel better knowing the rep “can only imagine how inconvenient” the phishing email was, I don’t feel it rises to the “group hug” level implied by this response!

Hello Mark,

Thank you for writing to Windows Live Hotmail Customer Support. My name is Antonette and I understand that your concern about the message you received involving the customer-care-accounts-unite-dept@live.com account. I can only imagine how inconvenient this may be for you and I understand how important it is to resolve your concern as soon as possible.

Mark, I have checked the customer-care-accounts-unite-dept@live.com account and found that it has been already closed due to violation of our Terms of Use.

You can view our rules and regulations by visiting http://tou.live.com/

We appreciate your continued support as we strive to provide you with the highest quality service available. Thank you for patience and understanding on this matter.

Sincerely,

Antonette C.
Windows Live Hotmail Customer Support

NY Times visits MT.Net

This morning I noticed my work against car warranty scammers has garnered the attention of readers of the New York Times blog. Apparently, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has been getting the calls as well. Schumer is calling for a national investigation.

For Schumer and any others who may be interested, I have collected a lot of evidence regarding these calls (browse my Meddling category for examples). I have also tried to get the North Carolina Attorney General’s office interested as well as the Florida Attorney General’s office. The result has been absolutely no action. No response, nothing. It seems that no one cares. Meanwhile there are plenty of little old ladies who have been bilked $3000 for a car warranty that in some cases exceeds the worth of their cars.

Should you be visiting my site for the first time and are in a position to actually do something about these shady calls, contact me and I’ll give you enough information to gain a warrant or subpoena.