Hi all. I haven't been on for a few days but have had to deal with a very stressful situation. Yesterday my computer was hacked. It is my own fault I know. They conned me by saying they were from my internet provider and there was a problem with my connection. Like a dummy I logged on to my computer and they were able to access it by remote. They were able to steal one of my credit cards (thank God I only have two and use them on a limited basis) and access my PayPal account. They tried to access my bank account but I have a special account that has limited access and you have to go through hoops to log in or change the password. The person I spoke with got really nasty when I told them I didn't want them in my computer and basically held my computer hostage. He tried to get me to go toBestuy and pick up a "package" which I later found out contained gaming cards. Luckily I was able to disconnect from the internet and call BestBuy and Apple and stop him befor ehe did too much damage. I am so upset and mad, not only at him but at me for being so stupid. I worked on computers as far back as 1976 and I know better! These people are such professional con men and are really nasty and rude. Everytime I tried to stop the process he told me to shut up and stop being nasty to him. Needless to say I cussed him out good. I realize I am lucky, all this cost me was half of my day time wise to correct all that was done. I am just having a hard time calming down and forgiving myself. Anyway please send me some light if you can I would appreciate it. And thanks for letting me vent.
I’m so sorry this happened to you! And yes, I’m sending you light. The IT issues are crazy; even as a librarian, I’ve opened phishing spam links, too.
These are professionals; this isn’t just some kid in a garage hacking. These people spend their days and nights scamming people. They will meet their karma. Imagine that’s how they spend the time on Earth? How utterly sad.
@yogagirl, I've missed your wonderful posts, and am so sorry that you were faced with this. I am happy that you were able to reconcile everything.
Please don't beat yourself up over this. This kind of thing could happen to anyone. Pacosurfer is right, these people are pros at spending their days and nights scamming people. Can you imagine what good they could do if they channeled all of their smarts and energy in a different direction? It is very sad, and they will meet their karma.
I'm sending you a big hug and lots of love.
@deetoo and @Pacosurfer thankyou for the llight and kind thoughts. I just went on Yahoo News and the first story was the top four telephone scams! I wish I would have read that yesterday! I have just registerd with the no call site for both of my phones. They also gave some very good advise on what to look for and how to handle the situation. I am glad I have caller ID at least I know now which calls not to answer! Peace and Love to all.
Glad you caught on before it was too late @yogagirl !
I could use a little light and healing today too.
I am visiting family out of town for a joyful event, and have been living with/helping my brother and his family and helping them out in many ways with the arrival of their new daughter. I go home on Sunday, but I've barely made it through my visit without racing back to the airport.
My brother has some OCD, my SIL has major depression (and is on meds and is breast feeding - don't get me started). I came to help take presssure off them with their older kid, and to buffer between them and SIL's crazy (really, not using that word lightly) family. I don't mind helping, but they're giving me too many tasks to do along handyman lines. I came to cook, clean and play.
And here I find myself having a major anxiety attack, first one in years. It's not their fault, but long story short, I am always surrounded by people with significant mental illness. I'm watching it being passed on to this newborn girl already. Their behaviors are similar to what I grew up with, even so I find myself overwhelmed and sad. These are people who are good people, but should probably not have had kids given their issues. They're trying, but it won't be enough. This morning their behaviors triggered me. I'm trying to take deep breaths and maybe meditate, but it's not working.
Send some light to me and some ENlightenment to this little family...
Thanks.
I am sending you light and love; it seems that they are definitely taking advantage of you. They may need a lot of help but that doesn’t mean you have to be the one to always give the help. In fact, if it’s affecting you to a point that you are having panic attacks, it is not healthy for you.
Hang in the @Laura F. we are here for you. You will get through it. All you can do is what you can do. There are times and situations that we just can't help. I know I grew up with a crazy family too. It put a major stress on my life and it's hard not to look back and say If Only. Try not to let it distroy your peace of mind. I will light a candle for you and send you some light today.
I know. And it's not a constant situation. I volunteered to step up at this time because NONE of the grandparents are willing or able, and I knew they'd need help. It will NOT ever happen again. Two weeks out of my life, and I'm done. It just saddens me so much to see the cycle of mental illness continue to the extent it is. I had hoped to kind of put them on a better path... No good deed goes unpunished I guess.
You can still pray for them and send them love and light from afar; this has been a lifelong lesson for me as well: learning to help people without hurting me, or allowing others’ issues to cause me pain.
@laura-f, I can relate to crazy family dynamics. It looks like many in this community can. I'm sorry that the situation has caused you such anxiety. I understand how powerless you must feel, and how much this hurts you. Do you have a good connection with their older kid? I'm wondering whether you could do something with him/her for an hour or so, away from the rest of the family. But as yogagirl stated, there are times and situations that we just can't help.
More importantly, please give yourself breathing space, even if that means leaving the house for a while -- even repeatedly. Your peace of mind is more important than anything or anyone.
I'm sending you and your family love and healing light.