Computer Repair Scam; Beware!

by Keith

Computer Repair Scam

[caption id="attachment_692" align="alignright" width="300" class=" "] Tech Time LLC
Rockport, Texas[/caption]

Julee forwarded a message which she had received from Tech Time, a computer repair shop in Rockport. Their office is at the caboose at the curve in the highway.

I personally have received two or three phone calls (out of the blue, not because I called them first) which followed the script Tech Time describes. Therefore, I know this sort of computer repair scam can happen.

I agree with every word in the message below. These computer repair scam artists are fairly persistent in their approach so be strong and don't cave in!

They want you to believe they are associated with Microsoft in some way. In all probablility, they are not!

The message below is from Tech Time in Rockport:

*********

Hello, from Tech Time!

Be advised of a virus/scam "Microsoft Technical Support" is flooding web users.

This virus comes to you in the form of popup message on your system, the PopUp Tells You :

1. They are Microsoft Technical Support

2. You could be a victim.

3. They recommend you call them at an 877, 855 or 8##.

4. When you call they ask you questions and gain access to your computer.  They tell you lies and the promise to fix your problem for $$$.

End the end you had only a virus and when you participate they are sticking victims with bills of between $50 and $450 for security smoke and mirrors, or sometimes perpetrating financial fraud that costs far more.

In Addition:

Hang up on anyone who cold-calls offering Windows technical support.

Never believe an Internet pop-up that reports your PC is infected with malware, and, above all.

Don't ever install software from an untrusted source who offers to rid your PC of viruses, perhaps for free.

If people followed those precepts, they'd avoid the hassle and expense of scammers out to make a quick buck.

Cold callers offering tech support advice are scammers.  An example of how these fraudsters operate.

 Scammers Reuse Scripts.

The con artists behind telephone repair scams often reuse the same script, which often begins: "I'm calling from Microsoft. We've had a report from your Internet service provider of serious virus problems from your computer."

******************************

I visited with the folks at Tech Time several times while I was at the park. I consider them competent and worthy of your business if you need professional help with your computer when in the area.

Thanks, Julee! Your note might save someone a lot of trouble and a lot of $$$$ by making them aware of this computer repair scam!

First Snow Hits Bulawa Ranch

by Keith

First Snow

[caption id="attachment_679" align="alignright" width="300"] Sandy's Neat Planter![/caption]

The first snow of the season always get the attention of a Winter Texan, usually because they don't want to be anywhere near a first snow!

But this year it came pretty early to Fran and Sandy's little ranch in Wyoming's Black Hills. A couple of weeks ago, they "enjoyed" six or seven inches of the white stuff. Of course it didn't last long, but certainly got their attention.

New Hip Doing Fine

During a phone conversation a few days ago, Fran told me that Sandy underwent hip replacement surgery in June. Everything went well during and following surgery.

In fact, she's so thrilled with the outcome that she's practically a door-to-door salesman for hip replacements now!

Texan Visits Bulawa Ranch

David Enman ventured as far north as Bulawa Ranch, Fran reported. He probably needed someone to play poker with is my guess; he couldn't have gone to a better place!

One of the things I really miss is the Texas Hold 'em games at the park! Playing with Bob, David, Fran, Sandy, and of course Jim, plus others, was always great fun!

Rockport Friends Get Together

[caption id="attachment_664" align="alignright" width="270" class=" "] Left: Pat & Keith Williams
Right: Dianne & Rick Carlson[/caption]

It's been a busy summer. People are so busy that little news has been posted on this site.

It's high time something is posted, so I'll kick it off with what little I know about some Rockport friends and their summer activities.

We know that Rick and Dianne spent about a month in Colorada with fellow Wilderness Oaks guests Jim and Gayle. They had a great time, including a visit with Colorado Bob! (I suspect there were fish stories galore!)

On the way back to Michigan, Rick and Dianne spent a night at the Amana RV Park, which is less than 30 miles from our house. We were thrilled that they let us know so we could get together for dinner.

If you know those two, you know I don't need to say this—but I will anyway: A good time was had by all!

This is long enough for one article, so I'll stop here and put more news of your Rockport friends in other articles.

 

 

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Our Friends are Doing What?

Keeping Track of Our Friends

At Wilderness Oaks, it's easy to keep track of our friends during the Winter, when we're all gathered on just a few acres. Then Summer comes and WOOF! we all head back to our home roosts, then branch out from there to anyplace in the country.

Facebook seems to be a better place to keep track of friends than this site, although the hope was that this site would do the trick. As I've spent more time on Facebook than I should, I'll borrow from that site and post a few things regarding our friends and neighbors.

Here we go:

Dick and Lucille have a brand new great-granddaughter. AND celebrated the 60th anniversary of their marriage!!

Linda Lou got cooled off with the ALS ice-water bucket challenge.

[caption id="attachment_633" align="alignright" width="300"] Near Lake City, Colorado
Photo by Dianne Carlson[/caption]

Rick/Dianne and Jim/Gail are enjoying a few weeks in Colorado. Rick would say he's "working" his way through the state. I bet they're never more than a mile or two from a fishing stream, as Rick hates long commutes! They've posted some gorgeous pictures! When they get back to the land of decent wi-fi coverage, I'll bet Dianne will post some here.

Tom/Dianne are also wondering around Colorado. Or maybe it's Wyoming, or even Montana?? I think it is they who plan to visit Ron and Connie in Montana, where Connie is Workamping at a KOA. And painting some beautiful pictures while Ron exercises his newly-acquired ham radio license.

Pat and I (Keith) have taken a few "long weekends" and wandered as far north as Duluth, MN. More recently, they were honored by being asked to serve as Grand Marshalls of the parade in Keith's hometown of Lime Springs, Iowa. They're planning a car trip "back East" in September.

Kathy is undergoing treatment for cancer and just celebrated her 70th birthday with a big bash at her new Minnesota home. Helen made it up there, from her summer digs near Marshalltown, Iowa.

Tom/Julee (well, Julee!) keeps us up-to-date with emails. It sounds as if fishing might have decreased this year.

That's about as much as I remember.

And what are you doing? Send me an email or Comment on this so your friends will know. Our friends are interested!

"Users" Deleted

by Keith Williams

Many, many people register as Users of this site, wildernessoaks.us. Sadly, a huge percentage of them are phony. They have no connection with the park or its people. They register because they believe it will give their business an advantage by having their email, or possibly a link, buried in this site. Or they register just because they have nothing better to do.

The site is set up so that anyone can register. We want legitimate folks (those folks who have some interest, curiosity, or connection with Wilderness Oaks) to register so they can comment on articles which appear on the site. Those people have an interest in the park and we have an interest in them. They are most welcome to register!

On the other hand, if you are not in that category please do not waste your time registering!

Each month, roughly a thousand folks try to register. Most are prevented from doing so by mechanisms I've engaged on the site. But some are allowed to register. I just deleted 66 of those registrations! I

f you've been deleted inadvertently, please send me an email requesting re-registration and I'll work to make it happen.

Fly Bys

It’s no secret that our friendly Wilderness Oaks RV Resort Park is next to Aransas County airport. There are helicopters flying every morning and evening taking men out and bringing them back from the oil rigs on the Gulf. We also have plane flyovers regularly from the student pilots getting their training and fly hours in for their licenses. This short video was taken as a Navy training plan flew over our place down on 5th street.

Some people might think this would be a deterrent from spending winters at Wilderness Oaks. Well nothing could be further from the truth. We have met so many wonderful, friendly, fun people while camping there, it brings us back year after year. Of course, the beaches are nice, the fishing is great, and everyone loves the local activities too. Each year when we come back and reconnect with our Winter Texan friends, it’s like coming home to family. We truly look forward to it and I’m sure all our Winter families feel the same.

Plane Video