Don’t let the wicked thieves win.

This isn’t the post I’d intended for today but I wanted to share this experience instead.
Most of you know I care for my Mom full time. The other stuff I do is meant to keep me functioning as an adult human. Some of it works.
There are times in the day when Mom is settled and happy watching TV, where I can  make a twenty minute dash to the local shops. This is simply so we have food on the table and all the other necessities .
Yesterday, as I got to the car I realized I’d forgotten something so came back. Mom was talking on the phone to someone. I guessed either the GP or perhaps the local pharmacy had called, both are very good at dealing with Mom, but as I listened to Mom’s repeated answers while the call continued that wasn’t it. I got close enough for Mom to see me. She waved the phone and said, “I can’t understand this woman. What does she want?”
After listening  on the phone for a moment or two, to a woman who told me she was a registered Microsoft member of staff, I grew horrified. This was a Phishing call; someone trying to get information for nefarious reasons regarding my computer—not only that, the wicked individual in her quest for details had tried to interrogate my eighty-two year old mother.
Incandescent doesn’t quite hit the mark.
I hope you understand when I say I am proud of myself that I didn’t swear and give the person a savage blast of the best curse words I know. I explained I couldn’t understand her well, said thank you, and put the phone down.
I know the people who get lured to work in this ugly and negative industry, one that simply causes pain for those abused, are poorly paid and work hours that should be banned. They have my sympathy and I hope soon their work environment improves their life opportunities. However, my disgust at any human being prodding a geriatric woman to try to get details of a computer is beyond calculation.
After few minutes to calm down I reported the call to the appropriate bodies. Not because I lost anything other than my cool, but just to let them know these people are currently targeting the area I live in. Will reporting the call do any good? I don’t know, but if it stops one other elderly person being abused in the way Mom was, then the report wasn’t wasted.
No graphics in this post as I simply couldn’t find one that might show you how I felt. All I can say is; if you fear any of your loved ones might be targeted by these people, try to teach them to be wary and cautious, explain they don’t have give any information and that the best thing they can do is to put the phone down. That way these wicked thieves can’t win.
Thanks for reading.
Daisy Banks