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All opinions and views stated on this site belong solely to Corina Lynn Becker, and do not represent or reflects the views and opinions of any organizations, unless otherwise specified.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Playing with the Scam bots

Originally posted on LJ on August 1, 2009

So I found this post on Twitter through Autisable:

"Dr. Newmark reveals the truth about autism causes, symptoms & treatments ---> http://bit.ly/bmh7H"

Followed it to http://autismsymptoms1.com, which I've checked out before. It's a total scam. It mixes standard information you can get from the library with "bio-medical" quackery, such as Thimerosal causing autism, the whole sch-bang. And of course, it comes with ALL these extras. Never mind it never tells you who these people actually are, or gives ANY sort of information into their qualifications, just a general anecdote story with a "good news! WE KNOW THE TRUTH THAT CAN HELP YOU!!!"

aka, SCAM!!!!!!

So I go to close the tab, and this lovely little "DON'T LEEEEEEEEEAVE" window pops up, as well as a "live chat" window. ha ha, riiiiiiight. First time, I watch the program run through it's dialogue, and then close. I post this post on my Twitter:

"a warning to all autism & autistic people; this site is a scam: http://autismsymptoms1.com/ DON'T TRUST IT!!!"

then I think, "let's see whether I can mess with it a little", because I'm in that kind of mood.

I go back and not even read through the page again, click to leave... window!!

okay, to be honest, my first response that I typed in was "fuck off you scam" to which it replied: "This is absolutely not any type of scam in any way shape or form. Also, this is not a "get rich quick" scheme. Simply apply yourself as instructed and you will succeed."

I leave. Then come back, half wondering whether I've been logged or something... nope. Here's the chat in it's entirety:

Scott Says: Today only, you get $10 off Autism Symptoms & Treatments Ebook. Isn't your child's future worth $9? But this is only available today, so get yours here now! Simply CLICK HERE to take advantage of this special offer. AND this offer is only available through this chat.

Scott Says: But you better hurry! This offer won't last very long. Simply CLICK HERE to get your special offer.

Scott Says: Just to let you know, we offer a full 100% money back guarantee so you can purchase with complete and total confidence. If you don't like our product, we will refund the full purchase price! Are you interested?

Scott Says: Okay, I have to move on now ... here's your last chance! CLICK HERE to get your special offer.

You: um, I think this is a scam

Scott Says: This is absolutely not any type of scam in any way shape or form. Also, this is not a "get rich quick" scheme. Simply apply yourself as instructed and you will succeed.

You: no, it's a scam since Thimerosal doesn't cause autism

Scott Says: This is absolutely not any type of scam in any way shape or form. Also, this is not a "get rich quick" scheme. Simply apply yourself as instructed and you will succeed.

You: and Thimerosal still doesn't cause autism

Scott Says: Sorry, I cannot find an answer to your question. But if you enter your name and email below and type the word "help" into the chat, I will have Scott contact you as soon, usually within an hour during business hours in EST.

You: you're a computer, aren't you?

Scott Says: Sorry, I cannot find an answer to your question. But if you enter your name and email below and type the word "help" into the chat, I will have Scott contact you as soon, usually within an hour during business hours in EST.

You: night computer!

Scott Says: Sorry, I cannot find an answer to your question. But if you enter your name and email below and type the word "help" into the chat, I will have Scott contact you as soon, usually within an hour during business hours in EST.



:D I WIN!!

4 comments:

  1. Corina,

    You asked if I have ever spoken to adults with autism. Yes I have. I am now running two groups for people with autism and Asperger's. The purspose of the groups is to help the students process their feelings about living away from home and participating in a program at UCLA Extension called "pathway". I would like to communicate more with you if you would like to. Karen

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have spoken with autistic adults, before running those groups? which adults?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karen,
    your blogs were brought to my attention by a friend of mine on twitter. He remarked that your "inability to do anything on one’s own" and "lack of attachment", in particular: "I believe that the autistic child has not benefited from a completed attachment with a caregiver",
    to be rather like Bettleheim's "refrigerator mother" theory from the 1960s.

    As autistics, some of us find it rather insulting both to ourselves and to our parents, caretakers and guardians. So, of course, we are concerned.

    ReplyDelete

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