(SCAM ALERT!) IF YOU GET A CALL FROM “APPLE INC”
SCAM ALERT WARNING (2017)
This post is a “public service message”
If you received a phone call which says “Apple Inc” on the Caller ID, be aware that this is a SCAM phone call scheme. Apple is not really calling you. These type of calls are done by crooks and scammers looking for a gullible “sucker” and a pay day. They especially target the elderly and/or unsophisticated computer owners! So be alert, and cautious. Don’t let yourself get scammed by these bad guys! Don’t even talk to them, just hang up. If it says, “your iCloud account” was compromised…ditto. Its fake. Hang up.
Here’s one story: Two days ago a client of mine called to tell me he had received a phone call from “Apple”. He said the Caller ID on his phone said “Apple Inc” so he assumed it was Apple. The caller left multiple messages on his answering machine informing him that “there was a breach in his iCloud account and to contact them immediately”. Ultimately he called them, thinking it was really Apple calling him.
The people he spoke with got him to allow Screen Sharing and he gave them access to his computer remotely. They told him his computer “was infected” and long story short, they convinced him they would “fix it”. He was then instructed to pay them with iTunes Gift Cards in the total amount of $600 (!) Oh, did I forget to mention he told me the guys he spoke with, had very strong Indian accents? Feeling uneasy, the next day he contacted me with a feeling that something was off. After he described everything to me, I immediately told him this sounded like a total scam, he didn’t really speak to Apple, he spoke with scammers in an Indian call center posing as “Apple”. I told him to contact his credit card company (American Express) ASAP and report this suspected fraud to them. He called Amex and they immediately put a hold on the transaction, cancelled the card, and sent him a new one. Unfortunately my client had even given the “fake Apple” guy his passwords to all kinds of accounts! Naturally I helped him change them all.
What is interesting is the very next day, I got the same phony call with the caller ID on my phone saying “Apple Inc” with a local 212 (NYC) number. I didn’t answer the call. I immediately called back the number on my phone’s caller ID (which did say “Apple Inc”!) to see what would happen. It actually was the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in NYC. Meaning these scammers were able, as is not uncommon nowadays – to actually change their Caller ID number to display someone else’s Caller ID to make it look like a legitimate number that you might recognize, and therefore let your guard down. This is called SPOOFING. Meaning this is a fairly sophisticated phone Scam. Seeing “Apple Inc.” on your phone would obviously lead most people to think it was really an important phone call from (real) Apple.
In reality Apple never calls you, unless you call them!
The scam artists called my phone again and again. They left a message which had a female “robot” type voice saying that “Your Apple iCloud account has been compromised. We strongly recommend you talk to a Support Advisor. Call us at (844) 759-5143, or press 1 to to talk to a Support Advisor now ”
To get any info I could on the scam, I called the number they left (844) 759-514. I acted like an old geezer barely able to use a computer, and really strung it out as long as I could. I spoke with some guy with a very strong Indian accent, who told me his name was “Harry” and that he was an Apple Support tech. I asked where he was located and he actually said, “Cupertino”. See, he was prepared for this question. In the background I could hear lots of voices talking at the same time, meaning this call was from a typical “call center” operation with a few dozen people on the phone, many operating from India, though they may be in other countries. But what freaked me out a bit is this guy actually had my full name and address on file which he read to me ! Again this is a sophisticated operation, and clearly they have a database of actual Apple owners they are working from.
“Harry” told me I should open my computer and go to a web address: www.support12345.com
The address is a login for remote access.
If you go to the address you would see this:
Establish Support Connection
DON’T BE SCAMMED. DON’T TALK TO THEM. DON’T CALL THEM BACK (unless like me you want to piss them off).
MOST OF ALL DO NOT ALLOW REMOTE ACCESS OR DIVULGE YOUR COMPUTER PASSWORD, APPLE ID INFO / PASSWORD or anything else for that matter unless you really know who you are talking with (like my clients who know me and work remotely with me in 100% safety)
I called Apple (the real one!) to report this as a serious issue, which they are aware of and trying to do something about. Just in case they suggested to me that I change my Apple ID password, which I did.
I am documenting this incident and posting this here for others who are looking for info on this phone number and website and scam operation. If you get this type of call, DO NOT allow remote access to your computer! Block the Caller ID of the number. Inform the FCC, FBI, Apple, or anyone you can think of, that might stop this internet crime.
HOW DO YOU CALL APPLE (real Apple)? In the U.S – technical support: (800) APL–CARE (800–275–2273)
INFO FROM APPLE (click link ->): https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht204759
(REAL) APPLE PHONE NUMBER is 800-MY-APPLE (800-692-7753).
(please don’t call my number to reach Apple as I am NOT Apple, I’m a private computer consultant in NYC)
FBI – REPORT SCAMS (<-click the link)
UPDATE #1: NOVEMBER 2017
They are at it again: I’ve been getting calls all day from (fake) “APPLE INC” – this time the Caller ID number is 212-226-3126
They left voice messages on my machine and called back about 8-10 times. They will keep looking for a sucker till they find someone gullible enough to fall for the scam and pay them, so don’t be a victim. If your phone allows “Call Blocking”, you can just block the number.
UPDATE #2: APRIL 2018
Another call from (fake) APPLE INC; this time the number is 212-284-1800. I looked up the phone number and it is the real number for the Apple Store at Grand Central station in NYC. This time the recording was not even from a human, it was a computerized robot call…with a “message about “your iCloud account” again”. So they have realized the Indian accents are a tip-off!
This post is a only a “public service message”: KINDLY DO NOT CALL ME ABOUT THIS UNLESS YOU”RE A CLIENT OF MINE – IF YOU WANT TO REPORT THIS YOU MIGHT CALL THE FBI
How to format an external hard drive for use with a Mac
How to format an external hard drive for use with a Mac
Most external hard drives you buy will come out of the box pre-formatted for a Windows computer (NTFS).
If you have a Mac you should format the drive for your Mac first thing, before you start using it. This is not hard to do, and will take you only about a minute’s effort. Don’t bypass this, if you will use the drive with your Mac only.
I’ve found many of my customers didn’t do this, or didnt even know they should have performed this important step (and just maybe might save from drive problems and even potentially a lot of money spent on expensive data recovery in the future*.)
We’ll cover why formatting for Mac is important later, so for now just follow these simple steps to prepare a new hard drive to use with your Mac (and prevent some potential headaches in future).
HOW TO FORMAT A NEW EXTERNAL DRIVE FOR USE WITH A MAC
- Connect the hard drive to your Mac, with the supplied cable to a your Mac (USB port most likely) If your drive has a separate power supply plug that in too of course.
- Launch Disk Utility (Located in APPLICATIONS> UTILITIES).
- Locate the drive’s name from the left hand side of Disk Utility and Select it. For example, if its a 2TB Seagate it might say “SEAGATE 2TB” or something like that) Here you can name the drive what you would like (ie, “Backup”)
- For type of format: OS X EXTENDED / JOURNALED
- Click on the “Erase” tab across the top. It will say something like “Erasing the drive will erase all data” as a last chance against accidently erasing it. Say “Yes”. After about 20 seconds generally it will be done and now is ready for Mac.
You will be warned that “Formatting a drive will erase everything on the drive”. In our case we know its a new drive and you have nothing you care about on it yet, so you can be sure you won’t lose data. Click OK, wait a 30 seconds or so while its working, and when its done, you are ready with a nice Mac Formatted Hard Drive.
Just be sure not to select your System Drive (likely says, Macintosh HD!)
The reason to prepare a PC formatted hard drive to use with a Mac is pretty simple but not obvious to many people. It will work best that way. If you just purchased an external hard drive that you will use exclusively with your Mac, its best to prepare it for Mac OS’s file system. Between PC, Linux, and Mac there are a number of different file systems. Windows uses NTFS and FAT. Mac uses HFS+. PC’s can not read Mac drives. However Mac’s (being better!) – CAN read most PC drives and even write to them. But not Vice-Versa. PC’s can’t read Mac drives normally. Still though we should format for Mac if you are ONLY using it with the Mac. Your files will be safer and more stable this way (with Apple’s file system).
While a PC Disk will theoretically work on your Mac, by not making it a Mac HFS+ formatted drive there is a increased possibility of having file problems at some point down the road. If you will be swapping the external drive on a Mac AND also a PC — well thats different, you would need to use PC formatting, so keep the drive As-Is. PC’s can’t read a Mac drive.
I’ve had a number of clients who have used a drive for years with their Mac, didn’t realize that the drive was a “Windows drive”, and just kept putting files on it like that. One day perhaps they don’t properly disconnect it and bang – suddenly the drive is not being recognized and now they need to rescue data off it, and possibly need Data Recovery, which tends to be either of two things: kinda expensive or very expensive. Long story short, just prep the drive following the steps above so you are never in that boat. Also see Apple’s instructions (it doesn’t matter that this says “for Aperture”. Its universal).
You can buy a drive that says specifically “For Mac” but a) they always charge more for the same drive and b) this is really not needed as the steps to format are as you see really easy and simple. Be sure to think about this before you start putting files on your new drive.
If you intend to use the drive as a TIME MACHINE drive, it’s even easier. As soon as you plug a new drive into your Mac for the first time, it generally will ask if you “Want to make this a Time Machine drive” . If you answer YES it will format it for automatically.
The above formatting instructions are for when you just want to use an external drive on your Mac (say for “extra storage” for files).
I strongly recommend every Mac user have a Time Machine backup drive for their computer. It is the best backup tool for most people to prevent data loss!
How to clean up your iPhone when it has run out of space
A lot of people find out that their iPhone or iPad has run of of space and they have no idea why this is, or what to do about it.
Simply put, your iPhone or iPad is not something with infinite space. When you got it, it came with a certain amount of storage space (16GB or 32GB or 64GB, etc) and that is what you have to work with. All the stuff you have -apps you’ve installed, the photos you’ve taken, songs, podcasts, etc, etc – They all add up, and over time you may find you filled your device right up to the brim.
So what to do when your iPhone has run out of room? Just like a closet that has run out of room, you have to do some CLEAN UP. Clean it out and make some space. OK, how?
Watch this very useful video on BUSINESS INSIDER which describes what you can do to fix this and clean out your device to make some room, fast. Follow it carefully. Then you’ll be good to go and have some more empty space on your device!
TIP – Before you do anything be sure to backup your device to your computer (via iTunes) -or- at the very least to iCloud from the phone or iTunes!!
Safari 7.1 Update: Now where are my Extensions in the Toolbar?
I just did an update in Mavericks for Safari 7.1.
After installation all of a sudden my toolbar looks so naked. WHERE THE HELL ARE MY EXTENSIONS I HAD IN THERE?
I looked all over the Menu, checked customize Toolbar and didn’t see anything about Extensions.
A bit of searching on Google and I found what’s needed. Oh so now one needs to actually “enable” each extension all over again in PREFERENCES / EXTENSIONS.
There is a Check Box for each extension to “Enable” the extension. Do that and voila, once again they appear on the Toolbar.
This is a bit of a pain but I imagine Apple decided this would force users to know if any extensions have been installed they are not aware of?
Things everyone should know for word processing: Keyboard Shortcuts
This is a very useful Post via Macworld
THE #1 THING I AGREE WITH 100% – YOU SHOULD LEARN AND USE AT LEAST A FEW KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS!
Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts?
When I’m in the flow of writing, there’s nothing worse than having to lift my fingers from the keyboard, grab the mouse, and click to select, copy, cut, paste, or format text, or to save or print a document. But in most cases, my hands never actually need to leave the keys to take care of these things. I use keyboard shortcuts instead.
Every Mac application offers some keyboard shortcuts. The beauty of word processing apps is that these shortcuts are usually (but not always) consistent from app to app. You don’t have to memorize all these commands, but it’s smart to memorize the ones you use most often. Following are a few you’re likely to use every day, and they almost all work in Word, Pages, and Google Docs:
If you do nothing else, just memorize a few of these especially CUT & PASTE…. (C & V) in red
- Command-A selects all the text in your document.
- Command-B bolds text.
- Command-I italicizes text.
- Command-N creates a new document (not in Google Docs).
- Command-P prints your document.
- Command-S saves your document.
- Command-U underlines text.
- Command-C copies selected text.
- Command-V pastes text.
- Command-X cuts selected text.
MACWORLD’S – 10 Most Useful Keyboard Shortcuts
https://www.macworld.com/article/3411557/10-most-useful-macos-keyboard-shortcuts.html
Fake Emails: Phishing campaign targets Google Docs, Drive users
I’ve been seeing this a few times now where I get an email with a Client’s name or someone I know with subject heading like: “”I’ve Shared A Document” or “Important Doc File”.
The body of the email has a link to click on. It looks legit – BUT ITS NOT! DON’T CLICK ON IT.
They are trying to get you to divulge your Account Info (name and password) aka “Phishing
Best thing for you to do is change your password ASAP and make sure its a Strong Password
I see this especially from people I know who use AOL (I think AOL’s security is pretty sucky, or maybe its because the people who use it have weak passwords they created 20 years ago and still use)
Details here:
and here
Advice on Safely Updating to OS X Mavericks (Mac OS 10.9)
I’ve gotten some calls from a few people about issues arising after they’ve updated to Apple’s new OS, Mac OS X Mavericks (10.9). As it might benefit some readers here I am putting up this relevant entry in the NY Time’s Personal Tech section recently which can be found at the URL below and the text of which I have reprinted below:
Safely Updating to OS X Mavericks
Published: October 31, 2013 (NY TIMES, PERSONAL TECH COLUMN; all rights; original authors)
Q. I got a Software Update notice on my Mac saying I could update to OS X Mavericks, but how can I find out if my most-necessary programs will work with it before I update?
A. Apple’s latest version of OS X, version 10.9 and nicknamed Mavericks, was released last week. The new system is free for Mac users running OS X 10.6.8 and later. The download is more than five gigabytes and is available in the Mac App Store.
In the past, operating-system updates have been known to cause problems with existing applications on the computer, often because of changes in the ways the new system handles the old programs. Frequent crashes, erratic behavior or a refusal to start are signs of a now-incompatible program trying to run on a new operating system.
If you are thinking about upgrading, make a list of the critical programs you cannot be without and check the manufacturer’s website for any Mavericks-related updates. (Some companies may also have other support information concerting product interactions with Mavericks.) The Roaring Apps site has a compatibility table that shows crowd-sourced information about programs that work (or do not work) with Apple’s operating systems, and is a good place to get informa
tion and links to manufacturer sites.
You should also go to the Apple menu and run the Mac’s own Software Update feature to make sure you have the latest versions of everything you have gotten from the Mac App Store. Mavericks needs at least two gigabytes of memory and eight gigabytes of available hard drive space, so make sure your Mac can handle the requirements.
Before you update your Mac’s operating system, you should do one more important thing. Back up your entire computer before you start — so you have a copy of your Mac’s contents safely tucked away. (emphasis added)
ORIGINAL POST HERE:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/01/technology/personaltech/starting-windows-8-1-in-desktop-mode.html
I can not strongly emphasize enough the final paragraph as regards to being sure about doing a Backup before you engage in any OS Upgrade!
Backup with Time Machine. Optionally, also do a clone your drive using Superduper.
Also when you are about to do a Major Software Upgrade, its a good time for you to examine and review all the data on your computer and decide if you can do some Spring Cleaning and pruning of things you no longer need or want or can move off to an external drive.
About RAM – Despite what Apple says about 2GB of RAM being what is requireed I think Mavericks needs at least 4GB of RAM ‘minimum’ but actually really could use at least 6-8GB or more to run well. Of course your mileage may vary. Generally I hold off major upgrades until at least at .1 update comes out when they’ve quashed a few more bugs (ie, wait until at least 10.9.1…)
Fix for Java Web Plug-In problem with Mountain Lion
The verizon site I use to check my Verizon Voice Mail no longer seemed to work. I remembered I had done a Software Update about Java 7; afterwards I could no longer listen to my voice messages on my Verizon voice mail! Argh! I knew the Verizon site was always funky and barely worked. Safari never liked it, I had to use Chrome to listed to my voice messages. But now it was useless. People were leaving me messages and I cant get them! I tried 2 browsers (Safari and Chrome) and they both did the same thing: the Verizon site said my Java was out of date – it wasnt’ it was 7, the latest version. I tried their link to ‘update Java’ and the browsers gave a “are you sure?” type security message. Long story short, it still didn’t work. I googled around for an answer and finally found the solution. I had to
“Re-enable the Apple-provided Java SE 6 web plug-in and Web Start functionality.”
I did what Apple said to do using Terminal to go back to Java 6 web plugin in Support Article (link below). http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5559?viewlocale=en_US
Java for OS X 2014-001: How to re-enable the Apple-provided Java SE 6 web plug-in and Web Start features
Learn how to re-enable the Apple-provided Java SE 6 Java SE 6 web plug-in and Web Start features in OS X Lion and later.
Voila! It worked Thankfully I could hear my Verizon voice messages again! This site tests Java functionality; It indicated my Java plug-in now working; you can test yours and see if working. https://java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp 
IOS 7 Installation Tips
Today, IOS 7 is being released. Here are a few tips on installing IOS 7.
The most important tip:
Back everything up
BEFORE you install any major software revision, do a backup of your IOS device (iPhone, iPad, etc)
(Parenthetically I’m kind of shocked when I ask a new customer when was the last time they connected their iPhone or iPad to their computer and did a Backup (Sync) and they say, “last year” or worse…”never”)
Use iTunes or iCloud to backup all of your data just in case you run into a problem. You don’t want to risk losing any contacts, messages, photos, or any other data.
Another tip is to try to avoid problems is be sure that you are running the latest version of iTunes (and the current IOS. if you haven’t noticed already update IOS 6 to the latest version). If you haven’t updated iTunes, do it now.
HOW TO BACKUP IPHONE or IPAD
- Connect your IOS device to your computer via the cable that came with it
- If iTunes didn’t open automatically, Open iTunes.
- After a few seconds you should see your iPhone, iPad, etc. on the left Sidebar (If you don’t see the Sidebar, go up to View in the menu and select “Show Sidebar“)
- On the “Summary” tab you should see Backups: Select “This Computer” and click the button “Backup Now“. Your IOS device and its data will be backed up. Just wait till its finished before you disconnect. It can’t hurt to also to Backup Now to iCloud too (I always do both)
(another way: Open the File menu and choose Devices > Back up. You can check when you did your last backup via the Preferences in iTunes under the Devices tab)
Prior to the IOS 7 update, this might be a good time to do some “clean up” of old junk (any old media files you don’t use, photos you don’t want, apps you don’t use…etc)
Next thing is: Update your Apps.
Apps Done?
When you are ready, here’s how to install IOS 7
Rather than download a big new OS like IOS7 on your iPhone or other IOS device via WiFi, it is probably better (meaning faster) to use iTunes. Connect your device to your Mac or PC via your sync cable, and select it under Devices in iTunes and then select Check for Update. You can choose Download Only, (to install it later) but you’ll probably want to opt for Download and Update (install now).
If you don’t have/use a computer, you can also download right to your IOS device but this may take more time (update: on the day of release, people are reporting it can take hours and hour to download, probably due to the heavy volume of users at the same time)
If you are doing it that way make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi (and might as well plug into your charger to be safe). Open Settings > General > Software Update and then tap Download when prompted. When it’s ready tap Install and you’ll be moments away from iOS 7.
IOS 7.0 will probably be soon updated to 7.01 in the next few weeks (Some more cautious users sometimes wait past the first 1.0 version)
More Info:
Apple’s Support document on Backup
TIP: How to Fix Missing iTunes Album Art
Here’s a TIP on How to Fix Missing iTunes Album Art:
Sometimes iTunes “Get Artwork” function does not get the right album cover artwork, or even worse, sometimes it doesn’t get any. One can fix this pretty easily via this nifty (free!) Dashboard Widget:
“Amazon Album Art widget makes filling in the gaps in your iTunes album art collection a breeze. Search for album art from Amazon’s comprehensive catalogue, then import it into iTunes with the click of a button.”
Whenever iTunes doesn’t get the right album artwork, I just select the song and open this widget in DASHBOARD. It checks Amazon for images and you just choose the Album Artwork you want and “Set as Album Art in iTunes”. Easy. And Brilliant.
This is definitely one of the most useful Dashboard Widgets I use. Try it whenever you find just black in iTunes where your nice album cover should be.
