Off the Mark by Mark Parisi for January 25, 2025

It is fishy.

holy mackerel!

is that a waterproof laptop?

where can I get one?

It’s a bait and switch!

wonder if they take FiletPal

You’ll buy it, hook, line and sinker!

It’s the catch of the day!

Is shipping free?

Scams like this work otherwise they would not exist.

Back in the days when telephone signals came through a wire in the wall and TV signals came over the air, TV announcers would urge people to continue watching their channel by saying “Don’t touch that dial.”

You old folks may remember that you had to physically turn a dial to turn the set on and adjust the volume and use another dial to tune in one of the 13 channels (3 or 4 of which might be available in your area).

The modern equivalent is “Don’t click that link.” If you get a notice about any kind of account being compromised. Hang up (close the message) and contact the bank or service or whatever using their website or published phone number.

There is a catch, and you are it.

If they do this again, is that a rebait?

Can’t spell “bait” without "AI.’

Great cartoon. I love it when they say so much in such a simple way.

ooh!

this guy’s a master-

Or there could be a switch. …………………………………………………….(bait and switch)

You know what also works? Jailbait

Gone phishing…

clickbait

Another tip: keep a list of your subscriptions and memberships — magazines, newspapers, donations, Netflix, etc, particularly if they may be set to automatic renewal. And a list of how you pay different bills — by credit card, check, automatic from the bank, one of the online services, etc. — so nothing ‘accidentally’ gets paid twice or not at all. This is extremely helpful if you are incapacitated and someone else has to do the paperwork for a while.

I am very wary of using those automatic resupply options. Some things can’t be returned and others might just be very difficult or costly to return [after all, some of the things we order to be delivered are heavy, like pet food and kitty litter]. And sometimes it takes a long time for the ‘cancel service’ to kick in.

I also keep a list/spreadsheet of who has done repairs, installations, work on the house, yard, cars, doctors, dentists, vets, pet sitters, etc. [company/person, phone number, address, what and when work was done, upcoming appointments, etc.] I keep a running list on my computer and a printed copy of current and basic stuff in my desk so I can make notes, etc. as needed.

I keep these lists as well as a list of all my online and business accounts, log-ins and passwords for gizmos — anything that might need to be paid, dealt with or closed out — in my safety deposit box. It’s really amazing how long that list can be. I update it at least once a year.

It’s not that I am list-happy, but I have had to handle things after the deaths of my parents and a sibling, and the long-term medical recovery of another; and it is really, really hard, especially if you can’t access their phones or computers and don’t know where they put things or who they did business with, etc.

My Ex supposedly bought a bassoon by “accident” on line.

Auctions speak louder than words.

I can’t play. I don’t like cereal. Never did.

I recently leased a new car. It took a long time to lease via text, but we did it. I have an ear disorder (SCDS or) that makes any sound very painful for me and also makes it louder. I also get distortion and already had very loud tinnitus, among other unpleasant symptoms. I was willing to compromise a bit on personal information, but would have drawn the line at the e-signature company that clearly was grabbing up some of my personal information and would sell it. The “fine print” flat out said it, but using other words. I never give out personal information or hand over ID until I ask, “Why do you need this?” I just didn’t have a choice at that point. The salesman even brought the car to me and took back the old one. I only go places now if I have to. There is no cure except surgery, and I have already waited 8 months for that.

Click bait

all this time I thought ebait was a porn site! maybe I have it confused with ebate?