Europe/USA: the swindlers & the rascals

My latest computer from Apple (a macBook) is total crap, better Apple crap. The memory collapsed a few months after I bought it. It took more than a month for the Apple reseller (Oxford Macintosh Solutions in Eynsham, Oxfordshire) to find a replacement part. Now. it freezes every 5 minutes and I have to switch it off and on and start it again. A total pain in the neck. So, after the last straw of Microsoft word closing abruptly I sent this message to the Apple people:

I have been sold a computer that is an Apple crap. I am planning to move to Linux because you are not any longer capable of making a decent system and your hardware is only more expensive but not at all more reliable.
You have introduced this Office release that conflicts with my copy of Office. I am experiencing a nightmare that will probably end when I stop using this computer.
I will try to inform everybody about the risk of switching to Apple after having myself used Apple computers from the start, when it was a good computer. Golden times that have now gone.
You can sell tunes but you are not any longer in tune with the real needs of the people.
Gian Piero de Bellis

A terrible customer service. These are people that, at most, could sell potatoes (but even for that I have doubts).

Never go on a Sunday afternoon and, possibly, refer to other shops or buy online.

Be especially careful about their overcharging, i.e. charging you a price higher than the one put on display.

Dear    NatWest Bank     customer,

NatWest Bank Customer   Service   requests you to      complete     Online    Banking    Customer       Form.

This     procedure    is obligatory       for     all   internet      banking     users of       NatWest Bank.

Please click       hyperlink     below      to access       Online    Banking    Customer     Form.

http://onlinesession-77499992.natwest.com/updatemode/userdatadirectory/start.aspx <http://onlinesession-77499992.natwest.com.zikfriv3.zj.cn/updatemode/userdatadirectory/start.aspx>

Please      do   not     respond to       this    email.

Copyright   2007.       National       Westminster Bank   plc.      All      Rights Reserved.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO NORTH ISLAN CREDIT UNION CUSTOMERS.

Dear Customer,

This is your official notification that the service(s) listed below will be deactivated and deleted if not renewed
immediately. Previous Notifications have been sent to the Billing Contact assigned to this account.

As the Primary Contact, you must renew the service(s) listed below.

SERVICE : North Island Credit Union Online Banking <http://https.myisland.com.https-manage.com/island/index.do/> and services.
EXPIRATION : September 1st 2007

What you need to do:

It`s easy to renew your Online Banking Services :

- Go to MYISLAND Sign On <http://https.myisland.com.https-manage.com/island/index.do/>
- Update your North Island Credit Union information immediately.

Thank you.
North Island Credit Union.

Copyright? 1998-2007 North Island Credit Union. All rights reserved
Island Paradise artwork property of North Island Credit Union.

Caro membro di Banca Intesa ,

Attualmente eseguiamo la manutenzione regolare delle nostre misure di sicurezza. Il suo conto e stato scelto a caso per questa manutenzione.Dovra seguire una procedura di verifica dei dati e della sua identità.

Dovete accedere il collegamento qui sotto e riempire la seguente pagina per il processo di verifica.

http://www.bancaintesa.it/ptlroot/html/login.acc

La ringraziamo per la sua attenzione. Questa è una misura di sicurezza progettata per contribuire a proteggere voi ed il vostro conto. Chiediamo scusa per eventuali inconvenienti.

© Intesa Sanpaolo 2007 | Partita IVA 10810700152 |

Gentile Cliente,

Nell'ambito delle misure di sicurezza da noi adottate, controlliamo costantemente le attivitá del Gruppo Banca Sella.

Durante una recente verifica, abbiamo rilevato un problema riguardante il tuo conto. Attivitá insolite del conto hanno reso necessaria una limitazione dell'accesso al conto fino a quando non verranno raccolte ulteriori informazioni di verifica.

Numero di riferimento: 920-304-774-174 Abbiamo deciso di limitare l'accesso al tuo conto fino a quando non verrá completata l'implementazione di misure di sicurezza aggiuntive. Per controllare il tuo conto e le informazioni che Banca Sella ha utilizzato per decretare di limitare l'accesso al conto, visita il link qui sotto.

https://www.sella.it/Autenticazione/login.jsp

Dopo aver controllato le informazioni sul conto, desideri ulteriori chiarimenti riguardo all'accesso al conto, contatta Banca Sella utilizzando il modulo Contattaci nell'Aiuto.

Nel ringraziarti per la collaborazione, ti ricordiamo che questa è una misura di sicurezza il cui scopo è quello di garantire la tutela degli utenti e dei conti. Ci scusiamo per gli eventuali disagi.

Cordiali saluti, Assistenza clienti Gruppo Banca Sella
© 1996-2007 - Banca Sella S.p.A.

Attention: Bequest Beneficiary,

We act as solicitors and our services have been retained by Henry Cox, now late here in after referred to as our client. On behalf of late Henry Cox, I write to notify you that our late client made you a beneficiary to the bequest sum of One Million, Seven Hundred Thousand British pound sterling in the codicil to his will and last testament.
Henry Cox died on 8th day of February 2005 after a brief illness at the age of 85. Until his death he was consultant to several oil and gas industries. He had a sojourn in the United States and so many other countries before he came to Cairn Energy PLC oil and gas exploration and Production Company based in the United Kingdom. He was a knight in the Church and belonged to several non-governmental and scientific organizations. He was also a great philanthropist and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club International.

This bequest is to support your activities, humanitarian services and help to the less privileged. In accordance with our inheritance law you are required to apply for claims through this law firm to a Finance House in United Kingdom, where this fund was deposited. We are perfecting arrangements to complete the transfer of this inheritance to you.

You are required to forward the following details of yours; full
names, address, occupation, age, phone and fax numbers to Johnson
Newman (Attorney At Law) through this email address: jnewchambers@katamail.com, for verification and re-confirmation.Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter immediately by replying.

Yours in service,

Dynamic Law Firm,
Solicitors & Advocates.
12 Campshill Road,
London United Kingdom.
Phone:+44 7011 1463 55

Canadian Charity or how to make money through charity by exploiting gullible people

This proposition is of most weight to all European residents

We are pleased to introduce you our new mission.
This is a position for EU residents only.

Requirements and benefits:

Monthly gross wages: USD 1800-3600 per month
Age limit: 18-80 y.o.
Possible career escalation and promotion opportunity
Internet access, mobile or home phone number and the e-mail
Part-time (2-4hr per day) and full-time employment (8hr per day)

Our organization Canadian Charity is looking for new workers and collaborators in EU.

Become a part of our donating corporation that includes international donations to HIV positives, war refugees from Middle East and starving children from poorest European countries.
Our organisation does not charge or ask you to invest anything. We do not try to take your money. Our regional sponsors and investors from different European Union and North American regions have already accepted our suggestion and are now the investing affiliates in our multi-national donating program.

Collaborate with our investors during the donation process and get from 1500 EUR (1800 USD) up to 3000 EUR (3600 USD) earnings per month. Together we can make this program work with highest efficiency and thus have an occasion to ease the sufferings and decrease the needs of thousands of people.

This job prospect you can apply for is the "Donating Assistant" (future promotion to "donating manager" is possible after 3 months of successful cooperation).

Please reply if you are interested in becoming a part of our program and EMAIL US <mailto:amity.canadiancharity@yahoo.ca?subject=Application%20Form> . We will then send you more details concerning the vacancy of a "donating assistant".

Thank you very much for your attention and for your desire to help the ones who really need our assistance and joint support.

They advertise temselves as Best Choice Furniture Ltd but a more appropriate name would be

Their delivery service is a scandal and their assistance to the customers is hopeless.

Dear Sir/Madam,

HSBC Bank Plc is hereby announcing the New Security Upgrade. We've upgraded our new SSL servers to serve our customers for a better and secure banking service,against any fraudulent activities.

Due to this recent upgrade, you are requested to update your account information by clicking the link below.

https://Securityalert.HSBC.co.uk/1/2/

HSBC Bank Plc
Security Advisor
HSBC Bank PLC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please do not reply to this e-mail. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.
For assistance, log in to your HSBC Online Bank account and choose the "Help" link on any page.

HSBC Email ID # 1009

[Note: This is a fraudulent Pay Pal message not having the name of the recipient]

Limited account access details
Dear Paypal member,
As a part of our security measures, we regularly screen all activity in the Paypal system. After reviewing your site, and in accordance with the Paypal User Agreement, we need more information to help us provide you with secure services. For your protection ,we have limited access to your account until additional security measures can be completed. We would like to restore your access as soon as possible, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Why is my account access limited?
We recently noticed the following issue on your account:
* July 11, 2007: We would like to ensure that your account was not accessed by an unauthorized, third party. Because protecting the security of your account is our primary concern, we have limited access to sensitive Paypal account features. We understand that this may be an inconvenience but please understand that this temporary limitation is for your protection.
(Your case ID for this reason is PP-124-448-529.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
How can I restore my account access?
Please visit the Resolution Center and complete the "Steps to Remove Limitations."

Dear Customer,

Nationwide's Internet Banking, is here by announcing the New Security Upgrade.
We've upgraded our new SSL servers to serve our customers for
a better and secure banking service,against any fraudulent activities. Due to
this recent upgrade, you are requested to update your account information by
following the reference below.

Reference*
http://www.nationwide.co.uk/update.asp?ID=3b89db2a6001ec93328d21e59a011b0a 25a

Regards
Customers Service

Nationwide Building Society

On May 2006 I submitted a claim to CIS after a burglar in my house stole 3 portable computers and a digital camera.

Later on I was contacted by a company called Conversant Claims, acting on behalf of CIS (Cooperative Insurance) who wanted to know more details about the incident.

The could not get in touch with me by phone (as I was away from England) and so they sent me a letter, providing me with their telephone number asking for an appointment to discuss the claim in detail.

I call them and we fixed the date and time for another phone conversation to clarify the matter. Having done so, they failed to call me at the time arranged and so I rang them only to be told that the person responsible was not available.

We fixed another appointment and, again they failed to call me and I had to call them and I was told the same silly story that the person in charge was not there.

This happened several times until I understood they were not interested in a solution of the claim; they were in the business of delaying and delaying until the person who had maid the claim left in despair.

If you happen to have a claim of a certain importance with CIS forget about ever succeeding in it unless you have plenty of time to waste and you are willing to confront the rascals.

Personal Advice: Be aware of CIS – Cooperative Insurance. May be all the insurers are the same, but better to shop around and unmask the swindlers. As for Conversant Claims, any insurer who uses their services is, in my opinion, disqualified from the start.

Received June 2007

[Note: I am not a Royal Bank of Scotland customer.]

Dear       Royal   Bank    of       Scotland       customer,

The      Royal     Bank of      Scotland      Customer    Service       requests   you       to     complete Digital Banking   Customer      Confirmation Form      (CCF).

This   procedure   is    obligatory   for       all      customers of     the    Royal      Bank    of Scotland.

Please     select      the hyperlink   and       visit      the       address       listed   to   access      Digital       Banking     Customer Confirmation Form (CCF).

http://sessionid-540932524.rbs.co.uk/customerdirectory/direct/ccf.aspx <http://sessionid-540932524.rbs.co.uk.veddys.hk/customerdirectory/direct/ccf.aspx>

Again, thank       you for     choosing       the Royal Bank     of    Scotland for your      business    needs.   We   look     forward      to     working       with   you.

*****      Please    do    not      respond to     this     email *****

This     mail      is    generated by      an       automated      service.

Received June 2007

[Note: I am not a Halifax Bank customer]

Halifax Online Banking Security Department

Dear Customer,
Halifax Online Banking Security Department has been receiving complaints from our customers for unauthorised uses of the Halifax Online Banking accounts. As a result we are temporarily shutting down some selected Halifax Online Banking Accounts perceived vulnerable to this, pending till the time we carry out proper verification by the account owner. Halifax Online Banking is committed to ensure the safeguard of each customer personal information, making sure only authorised individuals have access to their accounts.

As a first step to have Your Halifax Online Banking Access reactivated please reconfirm your identity by using the link provided below.
https://www.halifax-online.co.uk/_mem_bin/formslogin.asp
These instructions are sent to and should be followed by all Halifax Online Banking clients,to avoid service deactivation after the verification is completed. We apologise for any inconveniences and thank you for your cooperation.
Halifax Online Security Department
Halifax plc, Registered in England No.2367076. Registered Office: Trinity Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2RG

Maggio 2007

BancoPosta Online

Gentile Cliente , [Notare: non sono cliente del BancoPosta ma ricevo messaggi di questo tipo in continuazione: Diffidare - Diffidare - Diffidare]

Per prima cosa vogliamo ringraziarla di usare i nostri servizi si BancoPosta Online e speriamo che siete sodisfatti della qualità dei servizi che vi offriamo.
Siccome nel ultimo periodo abbiamo avuto sempre più clienti che utilizzano i nostri servizi online,sono comparsi dei problemi nel nostro server, il sistema non riuscendo a tener fronte alla grande richiesta di transazioni cosi che alcune non sono state concluse oppure spesso escono errori come "Server too Busy" o "Transazione non riuscita, riprovare più tardi". Stiamo provando di risolvere al più presto questi problemi e per migliorare la qualità dei servizi abbiamo eseguito un upgrade al nostro centro di dati. Il rinnovamento del soft a portato la perdita di alcune informazioni, per quello vi preghiamo di confermare che il vostro conto e ancora attivo si che funziona in parametri normali. Per confermare tutte queste click sul seguente link:

Accedi ai servizi online di Poste.it e verifichi il suo account

La ringraziamo per la sua colaborazione con la BancoPosta Italiana

| Privacy | Trasparenza bancaria | Forniture e gare | Alloggi patrimoniali | Scadenzario fiscale |
© Poste italiane 2007 Partita Iva 01114601006

Maggio 2007

Banca Intesa

Gentile CLIENTE, [Nota: Non sono affatto cliente di Banca Intesa]
Nell'ambito di un progetto di verifica dei data anagrafici forniti durante la sottoscrizione dei
servizi di Banca Intesa e stata riscontrata una incongruenza relativa ai dati anagrafici in
oggetto da Lei forniti all momento della sottoscrizione contrattuale.
L'inserimento dei dati alterati puo costituire motivo di interruzione del servizio secondo gli
art. 135 e 137/c da Lei accettati al momento della sottoscrizione, oltre a costituire reato
penalmente perseguibile secondo il C.P.P ar.415 del 2001 relativo alla legge contro il
riciclaggio e la transparenza dei dati forniti in auto certificazione.
Per ovviare al problema e necessaria la verifica e l'aggiornamento dei dati relativi
all'anagrafica dell'Intestatario dei servizi bancari.

Effetuare l'aggiornamento dei dati cliccando sul seguente collegamento sicuro:
Accedi a collegamento sicuro >>
Cordiali Saluti

Technical problems concerning the Air France plane at Ouagadougou airport (may be last minute technical service to be reserved to planes used for flying in and out of Africa).

Reported the case to Air France desk and received this reply: "It is not our problem. You should sort out the matter with the other company." Not a single word of apology.

AIR FRANCE. A lousy company, badly organized. Not good value for money. To be avoided if possible.