I received an email today that looked important, but that I recogonized as a scam. The following is an email I sent to all my friends. I'm posting here for those who aren't in my address book.

 

If you got an email stating is was from MSN, Windows Live, or Hotmail and that your account would be closed if you don't fill out the form and send the information --- DON'T DO IT!!!! If you notice, there is no butterfly next to the senders name in your inbox list. This shows the email is NOT an official email from MSN or its affiliated networks. If you've already filled out the form be warned!!! You've just given someone your username and password and they now have full access to your account. My guess is they'll change the password and you won't be able to access your account. If they don't, they'll still be able to use your account to send people emails (including viruses), read you're personal information, and read any incoming emails which may contain personal information.
 
Again, DO NOT RESPOND TO THAT EMAIL!!!!

 

As an added explanation here at my blog. As far as I know, the only time Hotmail will close any account is for reported abuses or if your account sits idle for longer than about three months or so. They don't even warn you, they'll just do it. I've said it before and I'll say it again ... If you ever receive an email from any company or organization (including Hotmail) that wants you to verify you're information, go directly to the website (through your browser, not the URL provided in the email) and do the changes or additions once you're signed into your account.

     I received a message today from Rhonda so she could check up on me since I haven't posted anything or left any comments for a while. It's nice to know there are people out there who care enough about each other they do that from time to time. Rhonda sent the message, but I know my other friends have been wondering if I dropped off the face of the earth. Nope. I'm still here, but the past month or so has been full of work and other such things.

     The main thing I've been working on is all the paperwork and such associated with trying to buy a house. I know it will be worth all the hassle and aggrevation, but right now I'm not seeing the end. If you've ever bought a house, you know what I'm talking about. The owner is selling the house herself so, instead of dealing with a realtor, the main paperwork is being handled by a lawyer. A few trips to his office has finally gotten the sales agreement signed. I'll be seeing him later for other assorted paperwork. The bank needed copies of W-2s, pay stubs, and other things associated with income and debt. After getting those papers to the appropriate person, I had to go sign the loan origination papers, permission for the credit checks, etc, etc. Monday, the appraiser is coming out. Hopefully, after that, the paperwork can be processed and I'll find out soon if the loan has been approved.

     A question for previous home buyers. Why is it the bank, appraiser, and other people involved insist on doing things on their time and act as if you're causing problems when you refuse to take time off work? Oh well. I stood my ground and the appraiser is coming out on my schedule. The other thing driving me nuts is how they want me to do all the footwork and gather information which is a matter of public record (deeds, surveys, etc). Public record means, in today's world, they can get on the computer and get the information for themselves. Just why do they charge such high fees and expect someone else to do their work?

     I still haven't found an agent or publisher for my first book. I'm not going to give up. In the meantime, I'm within one chapter of having my second manuscript completed. I'll still have editing and proofreading to do, but I'll be close enough to finished to say its done. At this rate, I'll have an entire series of books written before the first one ever gets published. Even if the books never get published, I've had fun writing them and will have books I'll read many times.

     Hopefully, when things settle down a bit, I'll have more time to blog and check in on my friends. Until then, may God bless you.