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Exchange rates 30 Jul 07

The prices of DVDs, books, games, etc. in Canada is unfair. I’ve heard a publisher try to defend this by saying that [tag]exchange rates[/tag] were unpredictable, so that’s why they haven’t updated their Canadian prices. That’s BS, and they’re just trying to grab money from Canadians.

A $29.99 game in the US should not be $39.99 Canadian.

A $9.99 book in the US should not be $18.99 Canadian.

This ClashBang.com article was written by Chris Chu. Tired of privately venting his frustration in vain, Chris decided to share his discontent with the rest of the world.

The first rule of Fight Club is… 19 Jul 07

Lately, there’s quite a media stir both online and on TV about the next [tag]Harry Potter[/tag] book being leaked to BitTorrrent sites. On CBC news, they interviewed some fat computer nerd from Vancouver about how he was such a master of the Internet and “hacked” it to get a leaked copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

First of all, the self-described “Internet junkie” didn’t hack anything, as it was just a simple torrent search that any half-competent Internet user could’ve done themselves, and he probably read about it somewhere in his anime web message boards.

Second of all, they failed to mention that the “leak” was just some low-quality photos, complete with photographer’s hand, that isn’t even guaranteed to be the real thing. Certainly, Harry Potter fans have flooded the web with fan fiction and other phenomenon.

Finally, if it’s the real deal, why would you be a fame-seeker and tell the whole world about it? The whole point of piracy on the web is that people stay anonymous and the corporations don’t crush file-sharers. You just ruined it for others who want to read the book early and spoil the story for their classmates.

PS - Harry dies, and gets resurrected. JK Rowling makes billions.

This ClashBang.com article was written by Chris Chu. Tired of privately venting his frustration in vain, Chris decided to share his discontent with the rest of the world.

More renting scam goodness! 11 Jul 07

Refer to the previous post for a description of renting scams common today. With that knowledge in mind, it’s time to play the “Can You Spot the Problems?” game!

Name: Mary Erdman
Age: 24
sex: female
Country: United Kingdom
Education: MSCE
Religion: Christianity
Marital Status: Single
Kids: No Kids
Languages spoken: English
my annual income is $55.000 USD

Who gives out their annual income that easily? And for someone in the UK, why are they giving it in US dollars?

My personality traits are: serious, confident, calm,
purposeful, persistent, smart, responsible, honest,
modest, kind, sociable, sensitive, gentle, cheerful,
optimistic, romantic, considered, responsible

What do you know, ME TOO! Wow, you list so many things here it’s like one of them HAS to match!

I like these kinds of music: Dance/Electronica, Disco,
Easy Listening, Pop/Top 40, Rap/Hip Hop, Soul/R&B and
Soundtracks.

Once again, the selection is wide enough to appeal to just about everyone

I usually read: classics, novels, newspapers and
magazines

My favorite physical activities: Basketball, Working
Out, Dancing, Swiming and Hiking/Walking
My favorite cuisines: Barbecue, Chinese/Dim Sum, Deli,
Eastern-European, Fast Food/Pizza, French, Greek,
Indian, Italian, Japanese/Sushi, Mexican, Seafood,
Soul Food, Thai, Vietnamese

My favorite cuisine: no preferences
I like these physical activities: dancing, swimming,
billiard

“She” just listed her preferences twice, and in the case of favourite food, there’s a contradiction!

More about me: serious girl, searches for loved
Age group of a partner: 20-50 My perception of an
ideal relationship: Understanding, respect, love.

Wow, that’s a pretty broad age range. Anyone can apply!

ALSO

I’m a quiet and easy going person to live with. I
have no friends in canada except you lol.

Then why are you coming?

I am currently working on contract for my company
CleverLink Internet Technology Services here in UK
and hope to end my current assignment soon and will
love to come down as soon as possible to explore my
talent and hope to have a more profitable job. I do
not have a pic presently on my system but will try to
attach one to my next mail.

Ah, I see you’re trying to entice me with a picture.

My company will be making a payment for my move in and
also for my shipping fee. The company would
like to make the payment for the first month ahead of
my arrival, and then i
will make subsequent payment thereafter as i plan to
stay for more than 12months.

There’s the money incentive.

The things i will be shipping in are as follow;
my Mercedes (C-class 2005 model) metalic green.
suite case containing my books
my 26′ JVC PLASMA TV and DVD Home theatre
my clothes in three luggages
my desk top computer (COMPAQ) and pieces of
furnitures.

She’s rich enough to get that car on her salary? Also, I didn’t know they made plasma TVs in 26 feet. Finally, here’s where grammar starts breaking down…

Moreso, my company will require the following contact
details as to where the payment will be sent to. That
is;

1. Contact name

2. Contact address ( not p.o box)

3. Telephone number ( Home and Mobile)

Once the information above is sent, the company will
mail out a certified cheque to you for the first month
rent and also for shipping of my things. Really…., i
look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards
Mary.

Once they have this information, they can empty out your bank account.

This ClashBang.com article was written by Chris Chu. Tired of privately venting his frustration in vain, Chris decided to share his discontent with the rest of the world.

Renting scams 06 Jul 07

I get a few of these messages every day:

Hello ……
I need a place to rent……is any available?
I like a house that will be a home because a home is a place where you find peace, understanding,joy and happiness.A home far away from home is what i want so i can say home sweet home. And remember a place without love is a house but a place with love is a home.
If you finds this great and you feel that we could get along well feel free to ask me your question.
About me:
I am an easy going person who prefers people with a good sense of humor and are general friendly people and positive. I am generally a caring person, but do not get into people’s business unless when asked to. I usually become friends with my roommates .
I do not drink, but do not mind people who do unless they get violent when they drink. Or if they are drunk 24/7….lol.
I will be glad to hear from you soonest.
God bless and Thanks

Seems like a fair enough question; it sounds like someone is looking for a place to stay. The grammar and sentence structure is a bit suspicious, but in this day and age, that’s not rare.

Look a little bit closer, though, and you’ll realize that this is one of those “renting scams”.

I’ve seen enough of them to recognize the pattern:

1. Someone sends you an email saying they saw your ad looking for a roommate or they heard through the grapevine that you have a place to rent out. They usually describe themselves with a salvo of adjectives, ranging from “outgoing”, “quiet”, or even both at the same time. They’re looking for a place ASAP, since they’re moving from abroad.
2. You tell them there’s still a place available.
3. They offer to pay you upfront, and send you a wire transfer or a bank note.
4. You rush to the bank to cash it in. C’mon, it’s money upfront!
5. A few days later, the bank phones you to let you know that the money didn’t go through.
6. You check your bank account to find that the scammer has taken your account number and took your money. You cry.

So, what can you do to make sure you don’t fall victim to this scam?

• Hit the “Report Spam” button in your email client.
• Only deal with people in your area after you’ve met them in person. Nobody should rent out a place to someone they haven’t seen. Best case scenario: they’re drug dealers.

This ClashBang.com article was written by Chris Chu. Tired of privately venting his frustration in vain, Chris decided to share his discontent with the rest of the world.