Computer Scam Phone Caller Fun

I just contracted the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report one of those "Microsoft" telephone scams. Here's what I wrote to the CAFC explaining the call, which I decided to have fun with. (Which I do not recommend, as it's best not to mess with even these idiots.)

At 1:20 I got a call from a supposed Microsoft employee, claiming that my computer has been hacked and malware has been placed on my computer, and that I get on my computer to help him fix the problem. My phone was dying so I hung up and switched phones. The person called back at 1:22 and seemed upset that I hung up in his face. I actually told him the truth; that my phone had died. He assumed I was from the U.S. (which I verified; a lie) and claimed that someone from Vancouver had hacked my computer. He asked me to find the "c-t-r-l" key [yes, he spelled it out] on my keyboard and asked me what key was next to it. I replied that my space bar was next to the "c-t-r-l" [yes, I spelled it out] key (a lie). He asked what other keys there were and I replied that that the "c-t-r-l" key and the space bar were the only two keys on my keyboard. At first he thought this was odd, then he thought I was joking with him. I said it was a special keyboard. Then he said something I did not understand - aside from two words ("fuck you") - and hung up. The person's accent (from what little I know) sounded African. I then had a VERY hardy laugh. But we have had calls like this on numerous occasions in the past. Usually we just hang up but this is the first time we've reported a call. (It's impossible to get through to the CAFC via telephone.)

I truly did LLOL!* And it truly was a hardy laugh!

* ("Literally laugh-out-loud!" With misuse and overuse, "LOL" has become obsolete.)

Anyhoo...

Maple Leafs sign Jerred Smithson

New Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jerred Smithson is one of my all-time favorite former Predators, and one of the Preds I've been most disappointed to see Nashville part with. He's a great defensive forward who actually has some offensive ability (unlike too many other forwards in the NHL right now). Best of all, he's a player that truly puts in a full effort every time he's on the ice. Nobody should be disappointed by what he brings to the Maple Leafs. Definitely not their coaches and management. And hopefully not their fickle fans.

The only reason the Predators let Smithson go was because of their big shake-up via free-agency this past off-season; after which they had to make room for their new signings. In the end the team had to make the difficult decision to part with either Smithson or Nick Spaling, another great defensive forward, and an excellent penalty-killer. I assume being younger and cheaper were the deciding factors in keeping Spaling over Smithson but. whatever the case, Spaling's play this season hasn't led to any regrets.

However, why no other NHL team picked up Smithson before now, I have no idea. If he doesn't end up pushing someone else off the Leafs roster when their injured players return, Smithson at least gives Toronto a very nice asset to move in a trade to one of a number of struggling teams in the league. If he ends up moving on to one of those teams, they'll be getting a player whose dependability and consistency can only help.

Anyhoo...