Yahoo IM

MrsDocMac · Post by **MrsDocMac** » July 13th, 2006, 7:07 am

Rangers, I apologize for the intrusion, if I am wrong for posting this then I"m sure you will let me know. I have many friends whose spouses or loved ones are deployed that have had this same problem and they didn't realize it until halfway through a conversation. They thought they were just "chatting with some kid in India." I'm afraid there might be other folks here that could be contacted or approached in this manner and thought it would be a good idea to throw out a warning....

I have gotten several instant messages from men in "India" that have seen my profile on yahoo and want to chat. They all start out the same with just general conversation and then eventually turn into "Your profile says your husband is deployed, where is he?" I respond with an in general "overseas" reply as is customary, but then they persist on finding out exactly where he is, what he does, when he's coming back, and all type of info that just shouldn't be asked. I've looked at all my message archives and they seem to be word for word the same. The latest is a fella with the screen name cjeetech.

The only reason I am putting this in here is because I know there are many folks on the board who's son, brother, sig other, what have you are deployed and if your profile says anything about it I'm sure you've gotten these as well. While most of you know not to elaborate on their deployment, a few of you are probably unaware that even the smallest information given to the wrong person and end up hurting your loved one or mine. So please, if you get these messages, always assume that these are the wrong people and click the little button named ignore. I assure you it will be in your best interests.

I am now gonna go to the kitchen and make sammiches and get lots and lots of beer.........

Jim · Post by **Jim** » July 13th, 2006, 7:53 am

Excellent point.

Speedracer · Post by **Speedracer** » July 13th, 2006, 10:07 am

I wouldnt tell them anything, change your profile to say not deplyoed, if they ask tell them he returned, You dont have to tell them anything.

Good point for others to watch out for. if they keep asking let them know that they are asking question that invole national security and if they keep asking they will be turned in..

You dont need them, good luck

Looon · Post by **Looon** » July 13th, 2006, 10:36 am

This should be made a sticky

rum_snuggles · Post by **rum_snuggles** » July 13th, 2006, 10:45 am

Thank you for the warning, MrsDocMac. I had no idea those kinds of people were out there!

MrsDocMac · Post by **MrsDocMac** » July 13th, 2006, 10:48 am

Ranger Speedracer, I always end the conversation abruptly with the ignore button when it turns to something I am uncomfortable with, such as questions about my husband.

I have changed my profile so hopefully this will end the annoyance. I mainly posted this as a reminder to the loved ones of deployed soldiers the enemy not only monitors soldiers' movements, but truly does try to gain knowlege from us as well.

Sometimes we forget the power of one person's actions......

MrsDocMac · Post by **MrsDocMac** » July 13th, 2006, 10:49 am

rum_snuggles wrote:Thank you for the warning, MrsDocMac. I had no idea those kinds of people were out there!

Case in point,

you're welcome Rum. :D

rgrpuck · Post by **rgrpuck** » July 13th, 2006, 10:57 am

1 why in the hell would anyone put in their Profile that their spouse is deployed ????

2 why the hell would you be willing to chat about it ...?...

People are too fucking stupid to live

MrsDocMac · Post by **MrsDocMac** » July 13th, 2006, 11:04 am

SGM RgrPuck, It didn't state it in those words, it just said in my hobbies one was "Waiting for my heart to return." Noting that I was married, they put two and two together realizing my yahoo name has an abbreviation of Ranger in it. I have since fixed my hobbies section.

As for conversating about it, I don't, when they asked I just said that he was overseas, not where or who with, then if anymore questions were asked I hit the ignore button.

I do on the other hand know of others who have taken it as innocent conversation for some reason and then it all of a sudden smack them in the face what they were doing.

I just happened to notice the IM's were becoming a more widespread thing lately as quite a few friends have mentioned it to me. I apologize for any idiocy I may have exhibited.

chkray · Post by **chkray** » July 13th, 2006, 11:06 am

Tater Nuts wrote:Tell them "He's delivering a load of boots to Uranus"

Everett Ruess · Post by **Everett Ruess** » July 13th, 2006, 12:13 pm

Or they could just tell them he is in India...

AbnRgr289 · Post by **AbnRgr289** » July 13th, 2006, 12:44 pm

Bottom line............... NEVER..... PUT..... ANYTHING..... OUT..... IN..... THE.... OPEN..... ON..... THE..... NET!

Unless you want the whole world to have that information.

Even in private, be selective of who you tell what. There are to many idiots, of to many colors running around in cyberspace, and there are to many chameleons out there!

The slightest little bit of information can go a long way. This will lead to that, that will lead to this, and it all can add up to something large.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » July 13th, 2006, 12:46 pm

Oh, and here is a little known secret: WOMEN CAN'T KEEP THE TRAPS SHUT!!!!!!

IntelToad · Post by **IntelToad** » July 13th, 2006, 1:23 pm

The Brits have a had trouble with ragheads calling spouses in England. Turns out they were able to hack into their cell phones, saying stuff like "your husband is dead etc."

Just reply "Stay put Jugdish, a cruise missile capable of sensing bad cologne is on the way."