@@@@@@@@@@ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx @@@@@@@@@@ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$ xxxxxx $$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$ FROM NEW YORK STATE, U. S. A. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$ - June, 1993 - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@ xxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$ SCAM! MAGAZINE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$ VOL 1 * NO 1 xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx $$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$ YOUR TRUE ON-LINE SCAM SOURCE! $$$$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$ SCAM! is xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx @@@@@@@@@@ published by xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx @@@@@@@@@@ THE PRODUCER xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VOL 1 NO 1 SCAM! MAGAZINE June 1993 FREE ONLINE! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LEGALITIES AND DISCLAIMER "SCAM!" MAGAZINE is published solely for informational and entertainment purposes. The publishers and authors in no way wish to encourage or promote unlawful and/or criminal activities of any nature or sort, but merely wish to furnish the materials contained herein in accordance with the practices and policies established by the IIRG and pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Local, State and Federal laws provide severe civil and criminal penalties for unlawful and/or criminal activity which may include fines and/ or imprisonment. The publisher and authors absolve themselves from all actions, direct or indirect, consequential or inconsequential, resulting from the readers of this publication. SEE, READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL WARNINGS CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE FOR AND ONLY TO BE READ BY PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS. ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE 1. "SCAM!", the Latest Magazine by The Producer 2. Turn Stamps into Cash! by The Producer ____________________________________________________________________________ "SCAM!": THE LATEST MAGAZINE! by The Producer You've read them all -- on-line magazines purporting to solve the world's problems, offering you the "latest" techniques in pulling a fast one, etc. Only problem is, the guy who's telling you how to solve the world's problems is having a problem paying his rent, and his "latest" techniques were probably developed and tested while watching "Sonny & Cher" on CBS. Fed up, I was, reading these antiquated, useless offerings. The time has come, I cried, to at last furnish the outside world with something new, something refreshing. Sure, I can't solve the world's problems (and wouldn't want to even if I could; I seek wealth, not fame), and sure, I can't come up with some of those complex configurations and schematics like others have done. Yet, how about offering some very simple, basic suggestions -- for purely informational purposes only -- to those friendly BBSers? That's when the idea came: "SCAM!", a fresh magazine not purporting to offer mind-blowing philosophies, not purporting to change your life from rags to riches, but merely offering foolproof and proven tips and tricks which are generally simple to understand, simple to implement, easy to use and fun to try -- I mean, fun to read about. Anyway, unlike other on-liner mags who give the glory and the beauty, read a few issues of "SCAM!" and you just might find yourself doing better off here than with those glamour guys. Please enjoy "SCAM!" and pass it along to others, as the information contained in "SCAM!" is for the millions to know. Post-Script: What if, I thought, you are downloading this sometime in the year 1997 or 1998 and, being that this issue is brand new as of 1993, just read my whole speech about magazines being obsolete? Well, that's your fault, babe -- you should have been smart enough to know where to find this magazine back in 1993! If you weren't, what the hell can I do about it??!! Anyway, chances are most of what you'll find in "SCAM!" will be just as applicable now in 1993 as it will be in the next five or six years, maybe more. There are so many fools in the country that it will likely take quite some time for them to "get wise" to some of the "SCAMs" in "SCAM!" _____________________________________________________________________________ TURN STAMPS INTO CASH! by The Producer June, 1993. -- Though the rewards are generally minimal, this little scheme can, if really done properly, generate thousands of dollars in extra income just in your spare time. Generally, people think of stamps as something to lick and paste on envelopes. However, these small square beauties can be obtained and converted into cash easier than you thought. First we will discuss how to obtain small quantities of stamps and turn them into cash. Then, implementing this technique, the discussion shall transcend into larger quantities of stamps and higher post-conversion revenues. Getting Small Quantities of Stamps The best place to find small quantities of stamps is where you work. Even if your employer uses a Pitney Bowes machine (that's the little gizmo that imprints in pink the precise amount of the stamp directly on the right upper corner of the envelope), chances are that he or she STILL has need for regular stamps. Why? First, they're useful to mail out "self-addressed stamped envelopes" to business clients, because the Pitney Bowes inkstamps must have a date pre-written on them and there's no sure way of knowing on what day the clients will return that envelope. Second, they're a necessity if the Pitney Bowes malfunctions, or if letters are needed to be mailed at a time the Pitney Bowes is being brought to the post office for overhaul or postage add-on. Third, most employers are older and, since you "can't teach an old dog new tricks", rely on having stamps just because that's what they're used to relying on. For whatever the reason, these stamps are most likely available where you work. Take the time to subtly question fellow employees as to the whereabouts of the stamps, if you do not already know where they are. When the opportunity arises, do the necessary and remove them from their whereabouts, casually tucking them inside your shirt sleeve or jeans pocket, and bring them home with you. Your employer will never know they're missing if you remember one thing: *** SCAM RULE #1: DON'T BE A PIG!! *** This is EVER so important, and this rule will be quoted many more times in "SCAM!" One of the most important keys to not being discovered is to not be greedy. If you want it all, you'll wind up with nothing. The successful takers are those who take 75% and leave 25% behind. Thus, should you find $100 worth of stamps in someone's drawer, leave $25.00 and take $75.00. The 75-25 rule, by the way, is a good one to generally go by. Now, you're saying, "what if I only find $10.00 worth of stamps, what then? Is all this shit worth it for just $10.00?" No, of course it's not! What you must then do is go directly to your employer and tell your employer, "Did you know we only have $10.00 worth of stamps left in the whole office? We'd better get some more, fast!" Believe me, it won't take long for your employer to get more in. You might also suggest volunteering to go to the post office on your lunchhour to pick some more stamps up, taking a business check with you to do it (we'll discuss more on that later -- be patient!) Whether your employer gets more stamps himself, sends someone else to the post office to get them or sends you (the last being the most ideal situation), either way you'll soon have most likely at least $100 worth of stamps for the taking. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION: *** Find friends who have access to stamps where they work, and tell them you can get them 50 cents for every dollar's worth of stamps they get you. Most persons will jump at that offer, and you can obtain slightly larger quantities that way. NOTE: First try doing this whole thing on your own, alone, until you get the hang of it and feel comfortable. You've Got the Stamps, Now What? Now, you're pretty much home free with easy cash in your pocket, that's what!! Here's the deal: You sell them back to the post office. The U. S. Post Office currently has a regulation that prohibits acceptance of loose stamps, for health reasons. The theory is that the original purchaser of the stamps might have placed their tongue on them, or placed the stamps in some unsanitary area. That being the case, the stamps being returned would then be headed for re-sale and would pose a "health risk" to potential buyers. Somewhat farfetched, I know, but that IS the law. The loophole is this: the Post Office CAN, however, accept for refund stamps that are in a SEALED CONTAINER. Have you ever gone to the post office to buy 29- cent stamps in a roll of 100? You will note that these stamp rolls are sealed in plastic. Were you to purchase a roll of 100 stamps for $29.00 and go back to the post office saying you really didn't need it and could you get the money back, since the stamps were in a sealed container they WILL give you back $29.00 in cash for the roll. This loophole is very important, and is the crux of how to turn stamps back into cash. The loophole, however, is a generally objective one; that is, the post office is compelled by law to conform with these Federal regulations, but doesn't always. The post office is afforded a great deal of lattitude even though the regulations very specifically state what to do and what not to do. Here is a brief summary of what is meant by this: 1. The post office will GENERALLY take back stamps in sealed, plastic containers for refund. 2. The post office will GENERALLY refund you the full face value of the returned, sealed stamps. 3. The post office is NOT OBLIGATED BY LAW to take back stamps in sealed, plastic containers for refund. 4. The post office is NOT OBLIGATED BY LAW to refund you for ANY stamps at ANY time. 5. The post office will almost NEVER refund you cash for ANY stamps that are not in sealed containers. Changing Loose Stamps into Sealed Rolls The only slightly irritating part in this -- and it's not hard, it only requires you making about 15-20 telephone calls or so: Find a post office that will convert the loose stamps you have into sealed rolls of 29- cent stamps. Remember, you can ONLY get refunds on sealed stamps and, to the author's knowledge, the only stamps that are sealed are 29-cent stamps. Thus, regardless what denomination stamps you have, be they 23-cent stamps, 2-cent stamps or $1-stamps, you must try to convert them all into 29-cent stamps, preferably 29-cent sealed rolls. The sealed rolls come in quantities of 100 and 500, costing $29.00 and $145.00 respectively at the post office window. By trial and error -- and believe me, this is NOT difficult --you must call post offices and say the following: "Excuse me, but I have about ($50.00 worth of 23-cent stamps) and they're really useless to me. I need 29-cent stamps. Could I possibly come down sometime tomorrow afternoon and could you exchange them for me?" Mention nothing about rolls, sealed or unsealed. Generally, you will hear something like the following: "I'm sorry, but by Federal law we are prohibited from taking back any loose stamps. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do." To this, you merely say, "Thank you for your help," hang up, and call the next post office. I can ASSURE you that you will eventually find some post office that will do this for you; it is NOT difficult to do, but don't get discouraged by unsuccessful attempts and TOTALLY disregard statements from any post office worker that this cannot be done; remember, these are post office workers you're talking to, not brain surgeons! Also remember SCAM! rule #2: *** SCAM! RULE #2: 99% of people in ANY line of business have NO idea what the fuck they're doing! *** *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** Small post offices in rural areas will generally be more willing to accomodate you; large post offices in big cities will be more apt to enforce the no-exchange policy and will be useless to you. One VERY important point is: after you've located a post office willing to do the exchange, be CERTAIN to ask for the first name of the person you spoke with (don't ask their last name, because this is too formal and looks too conspicuous; remember, you want to be on a friendly level with this person, who's doing you a nice favor). Also, make CERTAIN that this person will be working at the time you actually go down for the conversion. If you do not do this, you may be very disappointed to find that another clerk in the same post office will deny your request, which can be quite irritating if you've driven ten or twenty extra miles to that out-of-town post office. Merely inquire of this person if he or she will be in on the day you expect to drop by; if not, merely ask when he or she will be working next. This is not an unusual question to ask, and you won't be looked at twice for asking it, so don't worry; just ask. 20-Quantity Booklets for $5.80 Now, suppose you have $105.00 worth of stamps. $105.00 doesn't mathematically divide evenly into $29.00, so then what? Simple: Take the $105.00 worth of stamps into the found post office with you. Ask your contact (the post office employee who promised he or she would do the exchange) to give you three 100 rolls of 29-cent stamps (that's 300 29-cent stamps, but in sealed rolls, mind you), which of course is worth $87.00 ($29 X 3). However, you brought them $105 worth of stamps and now have $18 left. What do you do with the remaining $18 worth of stamps? Well, the post office also puts out booklets/packets of twenty 29-cent stamps, running 20 X $0.29 or $5.80 each. You would request three of these booklets, or $17.40 worth ($5.80 X 3 = $17.40). So, with your $105.00 in loose stamps you now have three 100- quantity, sealed rolls of 29-cent stamps and three 20-quantity booklets of 29- cent stamps, and 60 cents left over ($105.00 - $87.00 - $17.40 = $0.60). Take the 60 cents worth of stamps and just use it to mail something out; there's nothing you can do with it, unless you want to accumulate these small remainders for the next time you try to pull this off. Anyway, the 60 cents isn't important because, remember: *** SCAM RULE #1: DON'T BE A PIG! *** What To Do With Loose 29-Cent Stamps What if the stamps you have are loose, 29-cent stamps? Then, what? What logical reason could you give the post office for exchanging these loose stamps into sealed 29-cent stamps? Simple: The sealed stamps come in rolls ... that's the whole key! There are small plastic holders you can buy that these stamp rolls fit into, which dispense the stamps one by one. Tell the post office you have these extra loose stamps which are a pain-in-the-ass to use because you have a stamp dispenser at work and you can't load them into it; tell them that you need the sealed rolls instead. Converting the Rolls into Cash You're only one short step away from cash-in-your-pocket now. You have come into the post office with useless, loose stamps, most likely in varying denominations, and have now left the post office with fresh, sealed, 29-cent rolls and possibly some 29-cent booklets too. Simply now go home and call up some more post offices, telling them the following if, for example, you have three sealed rolls ready to be "cashed in": "Excuse me, but a few days ago I purchased six rolls of 29-cent stamps, but I think I bought too many and I was wondering if I could bring back two or three rolls." What you generally will hear is this: "I'm sorry, but the post office cannot give you money back for stamps you bought." Try just a few more times, and you'll find a post office GLAD to accomodate you. Some things to note: Rest easy, for it is more time-consuming to find a post office willing to exchange loose stamps for sealed stamps than it is to find a post office willing to refund you; again, this part is MUCH easier, and it will probably take you only four or five phone calls to find an accomodating post office. Secondly, if a post office tells you they'll only refund you 80 cents on the dollar or something like that, tell them to SCREW OFF and take your precious business elsewhere!! This scheme is belittling and insulting, and there is NO NEED for you to settle on anything less than the FULL face value of your sealed rolls. Remember, again, to get only the first name of the person you spoke to and make sure he or she is working at the time you go in to give the sealed stamp rolls and get the cash. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** You will have a much better chance of finding a post office to give you a refund if, when calling, you tell the post office that you live in the city the post office serves; that you purchased the stamps for business purposes (if asked, say you do business out of your home); and that you actually purchased the stamps from that very post office. If asked by whom or what the clerk looked like, merely state that you personally didn't purchase them but rather had one of your employees go down to buy them. Don't be squeamish about producing your drivers license for the refund; 95% of the time it's not required and, on the 5% of the time it is required, the license is generally just glanced at by the flea-brained postal clerk and nothing is jotted down. Even if your license number were to be taken down, it STILL is garbage because remember, you're simply providing real stamps to the post office for real money. You're breaking no laws, and there's nothing to be concerned or scared about. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** When going down to the post office for exchange or refund (step 1 or step 2 as set forth above), use your brain: If you're in a big-city post office where most office workers would be dressed with a shirt and tie, wear a shirt and tie when you go down. If you're in a rural area, dress rurally. That is, make sure to blend in and give the necessary appearance. Though this not essential, it will certainly make your goings-on easier. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** If you go down to the post office and they give you a hard time about anything, BE INSULTED!! After all, you are a post office customer who was promised something over the phone and is now being denied it. Of course, don't go haywire and get crazy; just act offended in a slightly above-average way and this will sometimes assist you in getting what you want. Remember, even if you must leave with nothing accomplished, there exists an alternate post office that WILL accomodate you. What to Do With the $5.80 Booklets You've now converted the sealed rolls back into cash, and have no doubt pocketed maybe $100 or $200, more even if you work for a large company or get friends to get you stamps. But what about those $5.80 packets? Generally, these will not be accepted for cash refund by the post office because they are not sealed and to do so would be in violation of the health code provision (see above). However, these packets are still of value. For example, locate a pharmacy or convenience store near you that sells packets of stamps as a courtesy to customers. Develop a rapport with the owner or cashier at the store, and ask if it would be alright to give him or her a few packets of stamps in return for something in the store, telling this person that you had gone to the post office and bought more stamps than you really needed. For example, if you wanted to purchase a carton of cigarettes for $20.00, you might instead offer three packets of stamps ($17.40) and $2.60 in cash for the cigs. You would be surprised, but many storeowners are willing to accomodate because their policy of selling stamps was initialized solely to make their customers feel more at home. By doing a "barter trade" with you, which this essentially is, they're making you feel at home and thus accomplishing their very goal; in a different sort of way, mind you, but they're still accomplishing it. To them, that's all that matters. Summary of Key Points So Far I. Get loose stamps from work and have friends you know do the same, offering them 50 cents on the dollar for their acquisitions. II. Find a post office to do the conversion from loose stamps to sealed ones, as described above. Get (1) the maximum number of $29.00 sealed rolls you can, and then (2) get the maximum number of $5.80 packets you can, and then (3) use any remainder (35 cents, 41 cents, 60 cents, etc.) as regular stamps for yourself. III. Find another post office to convert sealed rolls into cash, and do not accept anything less than full face value of the rolls. IV. Find a store to barter the packets away for convenience items such as food, cigarettes, etc. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** If you are dealing with a quantity of $300 or more worth of stamps for conversion, find out if the post office has sealed 500- quantity rolls instead of the traditional 100-quantity. When you call up the post office and say you bought "one roll too many", the clerk will think it's just a 100-quantity roll by default, not anticipating the larger, 500-quantity roll. Thus, you might be able to obtain a larger amount of cash more easily. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** If you have 20 sealed rolls to convert into cash, don't barge into one post office and claim you bought 20 rolls too many! Rather, go to six or seven post offices and tell each of them you bought three or four rolls too many. Be real, NO ONE in their right mind would actually believe you overbought TWENTY rolls of stamps (that's 2,000 stamps!) Larger Quantities of Stamps: Deriving Potentially Unlimited Profits So far, I've elaborated the basics when dealing with stamps from work, stamps from friends, etc. All well and good, but we're only talking about $100, $200, maybe $500 tops in all likelihood, right? (although it must be said that once a small envelope containing a mere $638 in stamps was found!) Anyway, it's still little-league stuff. You do want the thousands of dollars, don't you? You do want to play in the majors, don't you? Well, some good news and some bad news, my fellos SCAM!mers: The good news is, you can do it! The bad news is, it's riskier -- VERY riskier. Whether you want to attempt it or not is up to you. Personally, I strongly advise against it unless there is some life-threatening emergency such as mother in the hospital, imminent eviction, car radio not working right, etc. For information purposes, there are two techniques, as follows: Method I: Company Checks for Stamps Please remember earlier that I mentioned the best scenario is for you to get your employer to give you a company check and have you go down to the post office and purchase stamps yourself. This is true because you will get the experience of going down and buying stamps for a company, namely, the company you work for. This experience will make you less apprehensive when you do it for a NON-EXISTANT company!! Essentially, the post office treats business checks like gold. If you were to go to a post office and give them your personal check and ask for $5 worth of stamps, you can best believe you will be asked to produce identification up to your ass. But, give the post office a business check and ask for $150 worth of stamps, and they won't bat an eyelid. Knowing this, you must create checks that have a fictitious company name and address. Choose an address that is in a small city that has many neighboring cities, not necessarily small ones. You will essentially make the rounds from post office to post office within a 10- or 20-mile radius of the address you've printed on the check, purchasing sealed rolls at each post office. In elementary-school-like handwriting, make each business check out in advance, payable to the postmaster. For example: if you were producing a business check at a post office in Cleveland, Ohio (which for the life of me I don't know why anyone would go to Cleveland, even to do this!), you would use your poorest handwriting and, in pen, make the check payable to "POSTMASTER -CLEVELAND POST OFFICE" --exactly like that. Then, in a completely different, barely legible handwriting and preferably with a different-colored, medium- point "Flare" or something like that, sign a fictitious name on the signature line. Why the two handwriting styles? Simple: Most corporate officers have their secretaries fill out the checks; then, the officers sign them. The secretaries' handwriting is generally poor; the corporate officers' signatures are usually barely legible and often are written on medium-point Flare's, or the equivalent. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** If you're ambidextrous, use one hand to make out the check and use the other hand to sign it. If you're not ambidextrous, you should make it a practice of learning how to be. It IS possible to become ambidextrous in ONE MONTH. Make each check out for not more than $200, as eyebrows may be raised. In fact, since you now know that sealed rolls will make your life easier, I would suggest making each check out for exactly $145, or 5 sealed 29-cent rolls of 100. Five is an even, inconspicuous number. You could of course try for six rolls, which would be $174 and still under $200, but remember: *** SCAM! RULE #1: DON'T BE A PIG!! *** By producing, say, 20 checks from the same fictitious business at 20 different post offices (and, with the proper road maps you can EASILY cover 20 post offices in one day), you would receive $145 in stamps from each post office, or $2,900 in stamps!! Not bad, huh? Now, applying the techniques set forth in the small-scale operation above, find different post offices to do the conversion from sealed rolls to cash. This simple operation can net you almost THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS in TWO working days. NOTE: First read and understand ALL warnings below pertaining to BOTH large-scale methods. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** In the large-scale operation, when choosing post offices to convert the sealed rolls into cash, choose post offices in a different State. WARNING: DO NOT produce phony business checks unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure how to do so! [What? You don't know how to make phony business checks? I'm SHOCKED! It's SO easy! Sorry, but we have to keep you on your toes guessing somehow ... if you don't know how to do this, the technique will be described in a forthcoming edition of SCAM! Again, sorry about this, but if all the cards were laid out on the table now, there'd be no reason for future issues of this magazine!!!] Method II: Ordering Stamps by Mail The post office has a great new gimmick whereby you can order stamps right in the mail, without ever having to go to the post office to pick them up. Essentially tailor-made for this scam, it works like this: You can obtain a form at ANY post office to do this. Merely ask your postal clerk for an ordering-stamps-by-mail form or locate the form at the post office desk and take one or two (or fifty) home with you. They're free. On the form you will find various denominations of stamps you can order (10- cent, 23-cent, 29-cent, $1 stamps, etc.), and you can fill out exactly how many you want of each. You enclose your personal OR business check payable to the Postmaster of that branch (as described above) and receive the stamps very shortly thereafter. Here, no ID is needed regardless of whether you furnish an individual OR a business check, however duplicated real business checks are preferred (how to make duplicated real business checks will also be discussed in forthcoming issues, if you don't know how to do this). In this method, issue 50 duplicated real business checks to 50 post offices, for example (I say 50 for simplicity purposes and because there's no legwork; unlike Method I, you don't have to do any travelling; the post office just mails them in to you). On the form, request five, 29-cent rolls of 100 stamps each, as these sealed rolls are most convenient for refund purposes. Do NOT request more than $200 worth of stamps on each form for, if you do, the stamps will be delivered to you certified mail return receipt requested at the address you provide. You do not want this. If something is sent to you certified mail RRR, you must present identification to receive it; you must sign for it; and you must be physically present to collect the stamps. So, if you again order $145 from each post office, it will be under the $200 threshold and the stamps will be mailed to you via regular mail, bypassing the certified entanglements. I won't quote SCAM! Rule #1 again, I think you have the gist by now; you would still net over SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS with 50 mailings, certainly a far cry from the $100 worth of stamps you took from work. Where to have the stamps mailed to, you ask? Clearly, do not give your home address! Also do not give the address of any friends or employers or anyone you've ever known in your lifetime or any past lifetime; rather, use a known abandoned house or a private mailbox facility. Readers of "SCAM!" will find, in forthcoming issues, a detailed discussion on the theory of private mailbox facilities and how they can be used to generate goods, services and liquid assets from a vast array of sources. WARNING: Do NOT attempt to use one of these mailbox facilities under a fictitious individual or company name if you do not now know precisely how to do so. This topic will be covered at length in future "SCAM!" issues, so please be patient. WARNING: Do NOT attempt to furnish duplicate real business checks if you do not know precisely how to do so. This topic will be covered at length in future "SCAM!" issues, so please be patient. WARNING: When doing large-scale conversions, it is most wise to travel by car to distant sections of the U. S. to obtain the refunds. Do NOT attempt to obtain refunds in the city or State that you chose to obtain the stamps! Do NOT attempt to obtain refunds after more than TWO WEEKS from the time you obtain the stamps, simply because the business checks you issued will eventually clear and be deemed fraudulent by the business. *** SCAM SUGGESTION *** If travelling throughout the U. S. by car with large quantities of stamps in your vehicle, or for that matter ANYTHING in your vehicle which really shouldn't be there, it is INSANE to drive any faster than FIVE MPH over the posted speed limit and it is INSANE to purposefully violate any local traffic laws, codes or ordinances no matter HOW sure you are that you can get away with it. *** SCAM SUGGESTION ** NEVER bring large quantities of stamps aboard a commercial aircraft, into an airline terminal, aboard a bus or in a bus station. NEVER bring large quantities of stamps through customs. Re-sale of U. S. stamps in Canada is possible, but should only be attempted by placing all of the stamps into one sturdy envelope and MAILING them into Canada, preferably via Federal Express Overnight Delivery. The cost of such a mailing is only about $25, which is well worth it. WARNING: Do NOT mail U. S. stamps abroad to a location you have not thoroughly investigated. Know what you intend to do with the stamps when they arrive, plan ahead and avoid last-minute decisionmaking at ALL costs. If ANYTHING unforeseen occurs, abandon the project post haste. Epilogue Well, hopefully now you have discovered the potentially unlimited rewards of "stamp collecting"!!????!! Happy exchanges, happy conversions, etc., but remember: don't do the crime if you can't do the time! Happy Scams! * WARNING: THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS THEORIZED ON PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, ROBBERY, PURPOSEFUL ISSUANCE OF FRAUDULENT CHECKS AND/OR THE UNLAWFUL OBTAINMENT OF U. S. POSTAGE STAMPS. TO ACTUALLY ENGAGE IN SUCH BEHAVIOR WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW(S) AND/OR PENAL CODE(S) OF YOUR STATE OF RESIDENCE IN TERMS OF CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, ROBBERY AND THE ISSUANCE OF "BAD" CHECKS AND, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WOULD VIOLATE A VARIETY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS CONTAINED IN AND MADE A PART OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, WHICH CODE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND WHICH RULES AND REGULATIONS CAN BE VIEWED MORE FULLY SET FORTH AT YOUR LOCAL LAW LIBRARY. ISSUANCE OF FRAUDULENT CHECKS IS A FELONY PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM OF 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT IF CONVICTED, AND FEDERAL LAWS GENERALLY PROVIDE STIFFER PENALTIES. THIS INFORMATION IS BEING FURNISHED PURELY FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ACTING UPON IT SHOULD NEVER BE ATTEMPTED AT ANY TIME OR FOR ANY REASON. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDES NUMEROUS PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOU IF YOU ARE IN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, AS DOES YOUR STATE OF RESIDENCE. THE AUTHOR OF THIS PUBLICATION IN NO WAY CONDONES ANY TYPE OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY OR BEHAVIOR AND HAS NEVER ENGAGED IN ANY TYPE OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY OR BEHAVIOR AT ANY TIME OR FOR ANY REASON OR AS MAY BE SUGGESTED, INFERRED OR OTHERWISE IMPLIED FROM THE CONTENTS OF THIS PUBLICATION. _____________________________________________________________________________ @@@@@@@@@@ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx @@@@@@@@@@ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$ xxxxxx $$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$$ FROM NEW YORK STATE, U. S. A. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$$ - July, 1993 - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@ xxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$ SCAM! MAGAZINE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$ VOL 1 * NO 2 xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx $$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$ YOUR TRUE ON-LINE SCAM SOURCE! $$$$$$$$$$$$ @@@@@@@@@@ $$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx $$$$$$$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$$$$ xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx $$$$$@@@@@@@@@@$$$$$$ SCAM! is xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx @@@@@@@@@@ published by xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx @@@@@@@@@@ THE PRODUCER xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VOL 1 NO 2 SCAM! MAGAZINE July 1993 FREE ONLINE! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LEGALITIES AND DISCLAIMER "SCAM!" MAGAZINE is published solely for informational and entertainment purposes. The publishers and authors in no way wish to encourage or promote unlawful and/or criminal activities of any nature or sort, but merely wish to furnish the materials contained herein in accordance with the practices and policies established by the IIRG and pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Local, State and Federal laws provide severe civil and criminal penalties for unlawful and/or criminal activity which may include fines and/ or imprisonment. The publisher and authors absolve themselves from any and all actions, direct or indirect, consequential or inconsequential, resulting from the readers of this publication. The publisher and authors are not and at no time have been affiliated in any manner with any law enforcement agency in any State or Territory of the United States of America. This magazine and its contents may be reproduced and uploaded without the permission of the publisher and authors, but may not be modified in any manner. The publisher and authors assume no responsibility or liability for such unauthorized modifications, and shall seek appropriate restitution. SEE, READ AND UNDERSTAND ANY AND ALL WARNINGS CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE FOR AND ONLY TO BE READ BY PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE 1. Transferring Sensitive Materials BBS-to-BBS Without Liability by The Producer 2. CBI Social Security Guide by CBI (who else!) reprinted without permission by The Producer 3. The Social Security Number by Barbara Bennett (whoever the hell she is) reprinted without permission by The Producer 4. Using Daniel J. Karnes' "Credit Card Verifier" article by The Producer executable program by Daniel J. Karnes [COMPLETE EXECUTABLE PROGRAM ANNEXED!] 5. The Right to Privacy by The Producer 6. Police Interrogation Techniques by ??? 7. "SCAM!" CLASSIFIED ADS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx SCAM! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx EDITOR'S NOTE: Just before getting this edition ready for press, THE PRODUCER received a particular phone call which, for reasons that cannot now be disclosed, has essentially required omitting the article which originally was scheduled to appear as No. 6 in this issue; "Police Interrogation Techniques", not scheduled to appear yet, will now be No. 6. Hopefully the original No. 6 article will appear in some later issue, however it can't now. Such is life in the democratic paradise we live in. _____________________________________________________________________________ "TRANSFERRING SENSITIVE MATERIALS BBS-TO-BBS WITHOUT LIABILITY" by The Producer July, 1993. -- Hey, dudes, it's July! ... the '4th, fireworks, beaches, naked women, etc. ENJOY! Meanwhile, here's what I hope is a great new idea on how to get certain files where you want them when you want them, without stepping on anyone's toes. Permit me to elaborate, will you? ... Let's say you just hacked a valid account number and password code on a particular system, and want to trade it for something your confidant in Seattle has available. What are your choices? (1) hop the earliest flight to Seattle, meet him and exchange the info (cost: about $750; with coffee and donuts at the airport, add $50); OR, (2) use the "SCAM!" in this article -- it's SURE to work every time!! Here's how it goes: Encrypting the Sensitive Data Say your "meeting place", or favorite "e-mail" sending-and-receiving zone, is a BBS that won't permit stuff like passwords, codes, etc. to be posted or uploaded -- yet, you have to get the exchange made! So what to do? First, place the data in a file of your choice, and then "zip" the file USING PKZIP ENCRYPTION. Here is an example of how to zip all the files in your directory c:\work into an encrypted zip file called "TEST.ZIP": pkzip -s test.zip c:\work\*.* *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** Personally, I always prefer to also use PKZip's "extra compression" feature. Simply put, it takes just a BIT longer, but produces a zip file that is CONSIDERABLY smaller. To make a regular, unencrypted (traditional) zip file, you would use the command: pkzip -ex test.zip c:\work\*.* Now to make an ENCRYPTED file with extra compression, just add the "s", as follows: pkzip -exs test.zip c:\work\*.* You don't HAVE to use the extra compression feature, but it's there for the taking and it CERTAINLY would be appreciated by those who download your file. (By the way, you unzip regular and extra-compressed zip files in precisely the same manner.) Sysops on "fine-line" BBS's, which do not permit posting of passwords and/or codes, will blatantly not allow unencrypted zip files containing such data to be uploaded and, as it IS their board, their requests must be respected. Clearly these Sysops do not wish to become entangled with the law and, simply put, they would be indirectly liable for having such files uploaded and available for download on their BBS. However, here is the whole catch: were an ENCRYPTED zip file to be uploaded, would the Sysop be responsible for knowing its contents? NO WAY! Get Sysop's Permission! Be sure to get on a PRIVATE chat with the Sysop and tell him what you plan on doing; it's not nice to do it without asking permission first, plus chances are you won't be able to get any further without his permission anyway. The Sysop will generally allow you to upload encrypted files because, as said above, he is not legally liable for the contents. Additionally, it is IMPOSSIBLE to decipher the contents of an encrypted zip file without knowing the "key" (more on that later, be patient!) Since the Sysop will NOT have the key (just the file), he would have no way of knowing what the contents of the encrypted zip file was; thus, he is legally AND morally FREE AND CLEAR. But, again ... you must STILL get his permission first. So, do so. Once you have obtained the Sysop's consent, upload the encrypted file onto his BBS. You're half-way home since the data is now available for modem download, even if it is in encrypted form. Now, all that's left is figuring out how only YOU and YOUR SEATTLE FRIEND can decrypt that file, without ANYONE else being able to. Relax, that's a piece of cake, my fellow "SCAM!"mers ... Making the Key When you encrypt the file using the command line set forth above, the PKZip program will prompt you for a key ("Password"). This key can be anything you want it to be; any combination of letters, numbers, symbols, etc. Note that the key IS case sensitive; thus, 161abb and 161aBb are NOT the same keys. When encrypting a file using PKZIP encryption techniques, I strongly suggest using ONLY keys that are TEN CHARACTERS LONG, composed of one or more of a combination of any of the following: abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1234567890!@#$%^&*()-+=\/?<>.,:;"[]{} Such encryption is HACK-PROOF. Decrypting a PKZIP file with a case-sensitive, 10-character encryption key of the type set forth above, where the key is not known, would require over 2,000,000 CENTURIES on a 486 (this estimate was given by PKWare, the makers of PKZIP, so I really don't think you have much to worry about!) Note that the fewer characters in your key, the less time it will take for the key to be hacked; so, use TEN-CHARACTER KEYS! Note also that you MAY use keys that contain ANSI symbols not found on the ordinary keyboard, but WHY DO THIS? It's generally a pain in the ass, and it is MUCH easier to unlock encrypted files when keys are composed of the traditional choices set forth above. Again, with TEN-CHARACTER KEYS, do NOT worry about anyone hacking it; it WON'T HAPPEN! *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** Please do NOT use keys that form words; e.g. the key "UNZIP123" is TERRIBLE to use; rather, the key 5tY@@pxA\ would be EXCELLENT! *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** Keep a hidden written copy of the key for yourself because, if you lose it, believe me you'll NEVER gain access to the file again for as long as you live ... and neither will your great-grandchildren! Depositing the Key Since the only way to decrypt the file is with the key, and since up to this point the only one with the key is you, it is now necessary to get this key to your friend in Seattle so that he can call the BBS on which you uploaded the encrypted file, download the file, and decrypt it with the key. To get the key to your friend, do the following: While in chat mode with your friend in Seattle, arbitrarily choose a SECOND BBS that both of you call. The beauty here is that this second BBS may be a conservative BBS that only has shareware stuff, games, etc. -- a BBS that would NEVER be suspected for transmitting illegal data! Be sure that this second BBS, however, has a PRIVATE message base. Merely tell your friend in Seattle that you will leave him a private message on this second BBS; the only thing is, the message IS the key!!! What could be easier? Telling the Sysop of the Second BBS It's up to you whether you want to let the Sysop of the second BBS know what you're up to. Personally, I would not suggest it. Firstly, Sysops of BBS's that have shareware and games generally don't want ANYTHING to do with such activities, and would not permit such messages to be posted even if they were private messages. Secondly, here is a way to post the "key" message without it looking like a key: For example, say the key to the decrypted file was: Idtr2t@tst Instead of posting a private message stating merely "Idtr2t@tst", which would really look VERY conspicuous (!!), why not try the following instead: "It's difficult to read 2 things @ the same time." Have you caught on yet? The FIRST letter in each word of the message is a character in the key!: "It's difficult to read 2 things @ the same time." ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ = Idtr2t@tst Thus, the message LOOKS legit; the Sysop of the second BBS will THINK it's legit; but in reality, IT'S THE KEY!! Who would ever dream it?!! Summary The Sysop of the BBS on which you uploaded the encrypted file will not be legally liable for anything because he has no possible way of knowing what the contents of the encrypted file could be, because he does not have the key to decrypt it. Other people can download the file, but it will be useless to them without the key. Hacking the key, if it is 10 characters long, is futile. The Sysop of the second BBS, on which the key is posted in a private message base, will not be legally liable for anything because the key itself, even if written directly, has no meaning. It is clearly not unlawful for anyone to post any combination of characters, lacking meaning, onto a message base. Especially if the message were to be transferred into a simple sentence, as in the technique described above, the Sysop would suffer no legal consequence. Thus you have now seen the procedure for transferring sensitive data from your modem to another's modem, without permitting anyone else to access the file. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** This technique works great when transferring registered software, too. Use the exact same methodology described above; however, instead of the encrypted zip file containing passwords, codes or other data, it will actually contain an encrypted version of the program. *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** For ARJ die-hards, it IS possible to use this same methodology using ARJ encryption (it's "G" on the command line for "arble With Password"). However, note that I have no stats on how long it takes to hack an ARJ key and so, if you really want to use ARJ instead of ZIP, you're on your own! _____________________________________________________________________________ "CBI SOCIAL SECURITY GUIDE" by CBI and The Producer July, 1993. -- CBI, as you probably know, is one of the country's largest credit reporting bureaus with nationwide dial-in capability just like TRW, Trans Union, etc. Providing the name, address, date of birth etc. is generally sufficient to get information on the individual's credit history. Many articles have been published regarding techniques to obtain accounts and passwords to this system, and I will not comment on their validity here. However, this article will merely focus on something called "DTEC", which I believe most readers are not aware of. "DTEC" is an extremely powerful social security number search tool which resides on CBI systems. When properly accessed, it can provide a wealth of information on any individual solely based upon his or her social security number alone. The number is merely entered, and the information is spewed out. "DTEC" is only available to those CBI'ers who qualify and subscribe for the service. If you are fortunate enough to be able to access CBI -- and I'll discuss that next -- you may also gain "DTEC" capability too. Obtaining a CBI Account from CBI CBI has its New England base located in Connecticut. If you call about obtaining an account from them, you will be happy to learn that the charge is minimal (about $50 per month); however, there are two catches: First, you must have a legitimate reason for running credit reports. This is easily solved: just tell them you are a mortgage broker and, if they ask for a copy of your license, do the following: (1) go to some real mortgage broker's office, say you're interested in a loan and ask for a copy of their license; then (2) go to your nearest copy store, use the necessary White-Out and do the necessary other things to alter this document to fit your fictitious company. CBI will accept a COPY of your broker's license, so don't worry if you wind up printing your pseudo-license on regular 8 1/2 x 11, it won't matter. As I said, this first part is easily solved. However, CBI's second requirement isn't so easy: they require an ON-SITE INSPECTION of your "office"!! Whoa! Many mortgage brokers DO operate out of their home, but of course you don't want to give your real name or address EVER! I guess the only way to get around this is to use one of those "office-for-a-day" places that rent office space, an imitation secretary, etc. This can, of course, be quite costly ($100's). *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** Should you actually wind up seeking a direct account from CBI (can't imagine why you'd want to, $-wise), and should CBI ask to see an ORIGINAL copy of your mortgage broker's license, just tell them your attorney told you it's on file with the Secretary of State. They'll buy it. You most likely won't want to get a direct account from CBI and will, instead, find yourself perusing amongst the potpourri of offerings on how to hack such accounts and passwords. Sorry, my friends, but so it goes. More on "DTEC" Anyway, once you've obtained an account and password somehow, you will want to know how to use "DTEC", which CBI won't tell you about! What I will now include are the complete, unedited texts of two (2) actual CBI user guides on "DTEC". NOTE: These guides were designed for CBI users in South Florida, however the principles are just as applicable here up north. As to references to "Dade" and "Broward" within the text, Dade and Broward are county names in South Florida; for example, Miami is in Dade County and Ft. Lauderdale is in Broward, if you didn't know. Now, here are the unedited "DTEC" texts, pieced together: DTEC * Sign on as usual * After "PROCEED" appears, enter: DTEC-Social Security Number Example: DTEC-123-45-6789 * Output appears: either up 4 ID-only multiples or a NO RECORD message. EXAMPLES: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A. DTEC-123-45-6789 M1 of 2 NM-SMITH,DAN CA-123,MAIN,ST,ATL,GA FA-321, N1AM, ST, ATL, GA SS-123-45-6789 AGE 40 M2 of 2 NM-BRYANT,JIM CA-789,GRAD,ST,MIA,FL ES-TIRE MAN, TIRE CO. SS-123-45-6789 AGE 50 END OF REPORT CBI AND AFFILIATES - 2/2/87 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- B. DTEC-123-45-6789 ****************************************************************** IS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER A TYPO ERROR? IF NOT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OUT OF RANGE ****************************************************************** M1 of 1 NM-RANGE,SOCIAL CA-111,NORTH,RD,ATL,GA SS-123-45-6789 END OF REPORT CBI AND AFFILIATES - 2/2/87 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- C. DTEC-123-45-6789 ****************************************************************** IS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER A TYPO ERROR? IF NOT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER REPORTED MISUSED ****************************************************************** M1 of 1 NM-SOCIAL,DON CA-2355,SINGLE,RD,ATL,GA SS-123-45-6789& M2 of 2 NM-SOCIAL,ALICE CA-166,PINES,DR,ATL,GA SS-123-45-6789& M3 of 3 NM-SOCIAL,DON CA-534,VALLEYS,RD,ATL,GA SS-123-45-6789& END OF REPORT CBI AND AFFILIATES - 2/2/87 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MESSAGE MEANING IS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER A TYPO Social security number invalid ERROR? SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER because number in question has OUT OF RANGE never been issued. IS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER A TYPO Social security number invalid ERROR? SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER because it was assigned to a NUMBER REPORTED RETIRED person who is now deceased. IS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER A TYPO The social security number in ERROR? SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER question has been reported REPORTED MISUSED misused. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DTEC MB 2000 DIRECT OR COUPLER 1. HIT THE CREATE BUTTON 2. HIT "C" FOR CBI 3. TYPE IN 1 FOR ACCESS CODE - IF YOUR TERMINAL DOES NOT HAVE THIS GO ON TO NEXT STEP 4. TERMINAL WILL RESPOND REPORT TYPE 5. HIT "X" AND HIT RETURN 6. TERMINAL WILL RESPOND OTHER INFO- 7. TYPE DTEC-000-00-0000 (MAKE SURE TO PUT DASHES IN - DO NOT PUT A PERIOD AT THE END OF THE LINE) 8. HIT RETURN - TERMINAL WILL RESPOND TRANSACTION 2 - IF YOU HAVE MORE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS TO RUN - GO AHEAD AND DO SO - IF YOU ARE FINISHED *9. HIT HELP/QUIT BUTTON - TERMINAL WILL RESPOND ? *10. HIT XMIT BUTTON - TERMINAL WILL RESPOND - TRANSMIT ALL REQUESTS *11. HIT "N" FOR NO - TERMINAL WILL RESPOND (C)BI (T)RW ETC. ... 12. HIT "C" FOR CBI - TERMINAL WILL RESPOND WITH USERS INITIALS **13. TYPE IN YOUR INITIALS AND HIT RETURN - TERMINAL WILL RESPOND TRANSMITTING CBI PHONE NUMBER 14. TYPE IN PHONE NUMBER FOR CBI 937-0232 OR 739-7600 BROWARD (IF YOU ARE USING AN OUTSIDE LINE YOU MAY NEED TO TYPE IN 9D BEFORE THE NUMBER) 15. HIT RETURN 16. TERMINAL WILL RESPOND CONNECTED AND AUTOMATICALLY SIGN YOU ON AND GIVE YOU THE NAME, ADDRESS AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF YOUR SUBJECT ********************************************************************** *OMIT STEP 9, STEP 10 AND STEP 11 IF YOU HAVE A CBI ONLY MB 2000 **IF YOU ARE USING A COUPLER AT THIS TIME YOU WILL DIAL CBI - 937-0232 DADE OR 736-7600 BROWARD PUT PHONE ON THE COUPLER AFTER COMPUTER TONE IS HEARD - WHEN GREEN CARRIER LIGHT COMES ON - HIT RETURN ONCE - TERMINAL WILL SAY CONNECTED AND AUTOMATICALLY SIGN YOU ON AND GIVE YOU THE NAME, ADDRESS AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF YOUR SUBJECT. UP TO 4 RECORDS MAY BE DELIVERED. FORMER ADDRESS, EMPLOYMENT AND AGE INFORMATION PROVIDED WHEN AVAILABLE. IF NO RECORD FOUND OUTPUT WILL BE: 51 NO RECORD FOUND CBI/EQUIFAX CONFIDENTIAL _____________________________________________________________________________ "THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER" by Barbara Bennett and The Producer July, 1993. -- I have NO idea where the hell I downloaded this one from, but it's an EXTREMELY useful text, by some whore named Barbara Bennett, which discusses the significance of the Social Security Number. This, as I said, is VERY useful information to have -- especially when engaging in scams which require that you reside, have resided or were born in a particular part of the United States. Please refer to this text for all applicable future SCAM!s. Her unedited words follow: * "The Social Security Number" SSA has continually emphasized the fact that the SSN identifies a particular record only and the Social Security Card indicates the person whose record is identified by that number. In no way can the Social Security Card identify the bearer. From 1946 to 1972 the legend "Not for Identification" was printed on the face of the card. However, many people ignored the message and the legend was eventually dropped. The social security number is the most widely used and carefully controlled number in the country, which makes it an attractive identifier. With the exception of the restrictions imposed on Federal and some State and local organizations by the Privacy Act of 1974, organizations requiring a unique identifier for purposes of controlling their records are not prohibited from using (with the consent of the holder) the SSN. SSA records are confidential and knowledge of a person's SSN does not give the user access to information in SSA files which is confidential by law. Many commercial enterprises have used the SSN in various promotional efforts. These uses are not authorized by SSA, but SSA has no authority to prohibit such activities as most are not illegal. Some of these unauthorized uses are: SSN contests; skip-tracers; sale or distribution of plastic or metal cards; pocketbook numbers (the numbers used on sample social security cards in wallets); misleading advertising, commercial enterprises charging fees for SSN services; identification of personal property. The Social Security Number (SSN) is composed of 3 parts, XXX-XX-XXXX, called the Area, Group, and Serial. For the most part, (there are exceptions), the Area is determined by where the individual APPLIED for the SSN (before 1972) or RESIDED at time of application (after 1972). The areas are assigned as follows: /----------------------------------------------------------------------------\ | 000 unused 387-399 WI 528-529 UT | | 001-003 NH 400-407 KY 530 NV | | 004-007 ME 408-415 TN 531-539 WA | | 008-009 VT 416-424 AL 540-544 OR | | 010-034 MA 425-428 MS 545-573 CA | | 035-039 RI 429-432 AR 574 AK | | 040-049 CT 433-439 LA 575-576 HI | | 050-134 NY 440-448 OK 577-579 DC | | 135-158 NJ 449-467 TX 580 VI Virgin Islands | | 159-211 PA 468-477 MN 581-584 PR Puerto Rico | | 212-220 MD 478-485 IA 585 NM | | 221-222 DE 486-500 MO 586 PI Pacific Islands* | | 223-231 VA 501-502 ND 587-588 MS | | 232-236 WV 503-504 SD 589-595 FL | | 237-246 NC 505-508 NE 596-599 PR Puerto Rico | | 247-251 SC 509-515 KS 600-601 AZ | | 252-260 GA 516-517 MT 602-626 CA | | 261-267 FL 518-519 ID *Guam, American Samoa, | | 268-302 OH 520 WY Northern Mariana Islands, | | 303-317 IN 521-524 CO Philippine Islands | | 318-361 IL 525 NM | | 362-386 MI 526-527 AZ | | | | 627-699 unassigned, for future use | | | | 700-728 Railroad workers through 1963, then discontinued | | | | 729-899 unassigned, for future use | | | | 900-999 not valid SSNs, but were used for program purposes when State | | aid to the aged, blind and disabled was converted to a Federal | | program administered by SSA. | \----------------------------------------------------------------------------/ As the Areas assigned to a locality are exhausted, new areas from the pool are assigned. This is why some states have non-contiguous groups of Areas. The Group portion of the SSN has no meaning other than to determine whether or not a number has been assigned. SSA publishes a list every month of the highest group assigned for each SSN Area. The order of assignment for the Groups is: odd numbers under 10, even numbers over 9, even numbers under 9 except for 00 which is never used, and odd numbers over 10. For example, if the highest group assigned for area 999 is 72, then we know that the number 999-04- 1234 is an invalid number because even Groups under 9 have not yet been assigned. The Serial portion of the SSN has no meaning. The Serial is not assigned in strictly numerical order. The Serial 0000 is never assigned. Before 1973, Social Security Cards with pre-printed numbers were issued to each local SSA office. The numbers were assigned by the local office. In 1973, SSN assignment was automated and outstanding stocks of pre-printed cards were destroyed. All SSNs are now assigned by computer from headquarters. There are rare cases in which the computer system can be forced to accept a manual assignment such as a person refusing a number with 666 in it. A pamphlet entitled "The Social Security Number" (Pub. No. 05-10633) provides an explanation of the SSN's structure and the method of assigning and validating Social Security numbers. _____________________________________________________________________________ "USING DANIEL J. KARNES' CREDIT CARD VERIFIER" by Daniel J. Karnes and The Producer July, 1993. -- Have you ever had a time when you needed a credit card number quickly? Well, my fellow SCAM!mers, there are of course numerous ways to get REAL credit card numbers, along with their expiration dates, but I'll leave that topic for a future edition of "SCAM!" (sorry, but, as you know, I just LOVE leaving these little teasers so you'll download my next issue!) In this article, however, I'm going to discuss something that, for its usefulness, it equally important: the method of obtaining credit card numbers that an UNSOPHISTICATED user (e.g. a BBS or other organization which either has no need or means to verify), will deem as mathematically VALID credit card numbers. The Importance of Numerical Progression Visa, American Express, Discover and MasterCard all have specific arrangements of numbers. You seem them in their "groups" of three and four, of course, but you probably don't know the significance of the numbers within each group. To make life simple, let me just state that the numbers that appear in each group -- and the ORDER they appear -- will mathematically define valid credit cards. If you knew what numbers were mathematically valid, you would be in a more powerful position because, if such a number were to be needed, it could be readily and easily supplied without the necessity of enduring the procedures of obtaining actual credit card numbers. Take heart: as of today, you can do this! Why? The program for doing this has been enclosed, right here and right now, with this edition of "SCAM!" and it is available for you, my loyal "SCAM!" friends, to use immediately! Daniel J. Karnes' Credit Card Verifier If you downloaded this edition of "SCAM!" properly, you have already seen an additional file in SCAM2.ZIP called VC.EXE. This is a very small and very handy little program by a man named Daniel J. Karnes who, for the life of me, I have no idea who he is. Anyway, my fellow SCAM!mers, this little gem can be of great value to you. Using this utility is as easy as jerking off to a photo of Cindy Crawford ... First, just move the file into the directory where you want the program to reside. There's no self-extracting garbage, no nothing; the only file in the program is VC.EXE, nothing more. It's so small, it'll take up NO space really, and it's well worth having. Simply type VC at the prompt, then RETURN. The utility will prompt you to enter a credit card number. Do so. Then, hit RETURN. The program will then tell you whether the number you entered is a mathematically valid Visa, American Express, Discover or MasterCard number. If the number you entered is mathematically incorrect for any of these four types of cards, the program will also tell you so. Have you figured out the value of this yet? Here's a scenario: You need a credit card number for some local BBS that wants to have it for their records. But, if you just give them an arbitrary number, their computer might have a program to recognize that it's "a fake, a phony and a fraud" (quoting one of my favorite radio personalities, WABC's Bob Grant!) So, merely play with this utility by entering different credit card numbers until you hit. Then, when you get a valid number, write it down and start all over again. Eventually you will get hundreds of valid credit card numbers of all types; keep these altogether on one sheet of paper and, if the need ever arises for you to furnish a credit card number, you've got one! What could be easier? *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** You'll have an easier time of getting valid credit card numbers on this utility if you enter variations of known real credit card numbers. For example: Suppose you wanted to try to get a valid VISA number. You open your wallet, take out your VISA card, and note that it's number is 4408 9104 0001 1234. So, in the utility you might want to try 4408 9205 0001 1237 -- a slight variation on a known REAL number. This way, your likelihood of achieving success is GREATLY increased*. (*Yes, those #'s were just EXAMPLES!!) *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** It is unknown to the author whether you need to put spaces in between when entering a credit card number on this utility. I can only tell you that I have always put spaces in, and it works. So, put spaces in! The author has personally tried this utility many times with known credit card numbers and, surprisingly enough, it works every time! Similarly, it knows when bogus numbers are entered. So fear not ... if this program can deem your credit card number valid, then so will the user's program. *** "SCAM!" WARNING: *** DON'T rely on this program as a substitute for REAL credit card numbers! There are times when you must absolutely need to enter a real, actual credit card number. If you're presented with such an occasion, this program will NOT suffice! If you don't know when you need actual credit card numbers and when numbers supplied by this program will suffice, then BE PATIENT and wait for an upcoming edition of "SCAM!" to tell you when to use what! A final note on this: You can get the mathematically correct credit card numbers using this utility, as I said above. But what about expiration dates? Simple: Just choose a month and year at random, and you're set! *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** When choosing an expiration date, choose one that's about 18 to 22 months from now. Why? Most credit cards have maximum terms of TWO YEARS. If you choose an expiration over 24 months, it will look suspicious and may not even be accepted. If you choose an expiration of, say 1 month, you may be faced with the possibility of re-entering your credit card number and supplying a new expiration date when that month is up. When the month is up, you may very well have forgotten the credit card number or expiration date you supplied! Wouldn't that be a shame??!!! So, if you choose an expiration of 18, 19 months, etc. (but NOT more than 24!), you know you'll have the freedom of usage of that number for at least that period of time. _____________________________________________________________________________ "THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY" by The Producer July, 1993. -- I intend to demonstrate the absolute continuing need for a new callers' right to privacy, and how this privilege is being taken away. Newuser Guidelines on "Mr.X"'s BBS Upon recently logging on as a newuser on the BBS of "Mr. X", as I'll call him here, I was confronted with the usual stuff about the terms and conditions of the BBS, etc. Then, I was asked to give my name, address and telephone number --to which I responded "CONFIDENTIAL". Then, I was brought to the "questionnaire" area, where I was asked the usual droll fare like, "What is '2600'?", "What does IIRG stand for?", "Do you phreak?", etc. The appropriate responses were supplied. Finally, I was brought into the message area to leave a message to the Sysop stating specifically why I want access. Subsequently, I was told that if after 24 hours I call back and find that my handle is not recognized, "Don't call back again" (how rude!) The BBS states that the message must meet with the satisfaction of "Mr. X", and I presumed this was to weed out nerds and Secret Service agents. Quite understandable, I thought ... and so I proceeded to leave my message. Privacy Invasion Attempted from Response to Message [Excerpt of THE PRODUCER's original message to obtain access]: THE PRODUCER: "You guys protect yourselves by using handles only and keeping your numbers private because of the fine-line of what you have online; I also wish to remain private, to protect myself just in case. If I'm paranoid, sorry, but as I said, I'm new. I can't learn anything unless others help me." [Excerpt of "MR. X"'s response]: "MR. X": "Well, we all go by handles and such, but, we still need real info. Why? Otherwise our records get all cluttered. You won't see any of us using this info at all. But, it is very essential. Everything here IS legal, so there is NOTHING to worry about. Nevertheless, we do require things such as this. So, before you can be granted access, you will need to give us [your] real name, address, city/state, zip, and phone number. If you don't wish to do this, please tell me so I can delete your account." * Gimme a break! Do you really believe he wants my real name, etc. just to make sure his "records" don't get "cluttered"? Come on, jack! Phellow readers, take note that in my opening message I told this gentleman about "SCAM!" and, if he had any questions about The Producer's intentions or integrity, suggested he call The Rune Stone BBS, download SCAM1.ZIP, and see what I'm all about. I even offered to regularly download the latest issues of "SCAM!" on HIS board, too! But this was The Producer's reward for courtesy and generousity, my friends. Well, you know I just had to call back and leave a reply ... [Excerpt of reply]: THE PRODUCER: "As to anonymity, I take offense at someone who INSISTS that I reveal my true name, address and phone number -- from which you very well know you could learn everything else about me -- when you yourself BLATANTLY refuse to reveal who you are and where you are. For all I know, your BBS's number could be call-forwarded to Peru! If everything is SO legal and there's NOTHING to worry about, as you say, then WHY DON'T YOU COME FORWARD FIRST??!" Not bad, if I do say so myself! What do you think? I was unimpressed by the tiresome reiterations of how "legal" the BBS is; my feeling is, alright, you said it once and I got the message, you're legit, OK. Sure. But, another very important point is this: For what purpose should one's identity, especially on a "fine-line" BBS of this type, be revealed? Pitfalls of Revealing True Identity Clearly, "Mr. X" wishes to have the one-way power; however, The Producer stands firm and refuses to yield. My suggestion to fellow readers is to steadfastly do the same. Think about it -- we have no idea who these Sysops are. For all we know, they could be 12-year-olds who havn't a clue what they're getting themselves into. Would you want to have your name, address, phone number, etc. amongst a group of others and written on a list somewhere that was taken as part of an undercover RAID some acne-faced teenager inadvertently got himself targeted for? I WOULDN'T! Privacy in the U. S. is a RIGHT, not a privilege. Granted, it's being slowly taken away from us by the government, but let's at least try to keep what little we have left, without letting unknown Sysops take it away! Weeding Out The Undercover Guys Something else to remember here: it seems this man was either really on a power trip, in a really cruddy mood, or was otherwise suspect of The Producer. Let's clearly, unquestionably, unequivocally, fully and completely eliminate the latter: The Producer is not a member of ANY law enforcement agency, and never was! Do you get the gist? Do you know what that means, and what it implies? Simple (and remember this, in case you don't know): If anyone, anywhere at anytime is a member of any law enforcement agency of any kind, and if this person is operating in an "undercover" fashion, he or she MUST, when asked, confirm the fact that he or she is a member of a law enforcement agency. If a policeman or Secret Service man were to deny his involvement, that's called "entrapment". It doesn't matter if you're charged with jaywalking or murder, the fact remains that if you were entrapped in any way, shape or form, you will NEVER be convicted; this is why law enforcement personnel MUST reveal their true selves when asked. Thus, The Producer cannot understand why, if the simple question is asked and answered "No", should this not be sufficient to gain access onto "Mr. X"'s BBS, or any other BBS for that matter? Why should a person's real name be required? Everyone knows what the Sysop is looking for -- unwanted outsiders. The Producer says: Weed them out with the simple question, "Are you now or have you ever been a member of any law enforcement agency in any State or Territory of The United States of America?" If they answer "No", then, as Paul McCartney & Wings said (I think around 1976?), "LET HIM IN, OH YEAH!" What Can We Do? I respectfully suggest the following to all "SCAM!" readers: if you find yourself logging on to a "fine-line" BBS, and if this BBS requires verifiable personal ID as discussed above, simply disconnect and don't call again! True, you might be missing out on some files, but you might also be saving yourself from some unnecessary detention at the local police station (and remember, even if the police let you go, once your name is on record it's ALWAYS on record -- REGARDLESS of what they tell you!) Don't just say, "Oh yeah, sure," and take this helpful tip lightly! -- ONLY logon to BBS's with your handle and NOTHING more, and reveal NO verifiable personals about yourself or your whereabouts. If everyone with a modem were to follow these rules, you can be certain that no BBS in America would ever again require real names and addresses -- or else they'd find themselves with no callers! So, let's start a trend! Epilogue One final note to this: The Producer wishes to make NO unnecessary enemies in the BBS world. "Mr. X" gave his opinion and, right or wrong, it's his board and he's entitled to it ... that's a principle our country was founded on, which too many of us seem to be forgetting nowadays. This article was written not to dissuade future callers to "Mr. X"'s BBS, which may very well contain valuable files. It is merely offered as an illustration of the need for continued privacy for all -- both Sysops AND callers. And may I also note that the ad for his BBS, which is downloadable, is quite cool! And for those of you who are probably saying, "The Producer accused "Mr. X" of being on a power trip, but The Producer has used the power of his OWN magazine, "SCAM!", to publish this article AGAINST "Mr. X"! Doesn't that put The Producer on a power trip, too?" To this I respond, well, maybe, but hell ... what the fuck! ______________________________________________________________________________ "POLICE INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES" by ??? July, 1993. -- EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was obtained by an anonymous donor and represents some of the tools used by the police in obtaining statements of confession during interrogation. Upon information and belief, the materials contained in this article are fully accurate as of the date of this publication. My thanx to the donor for his contrib'! The unedited text follows: * Why Suspects Confess Many criminal cases, even when investigated by the most experienced and best qualified investigators, are ultimately solved by an admission or confession from the person responsible for committing the crime. Oftentimes, investigators are able to secure only a minimal amount of evidence, be it physical or circumstantial, that points directly to a suspect, and in many instances, this evidence is not considered strong enough by prosecutors to obtain a conviction. In such cases, the interrogation of the suspects and their subsequent confessions are of prime importance. This article addresses the question of why suspects speak freely to investigators, and ultimately, sign full confessions. The physical and psychological aspects of confession and how they relate to successful interrogations of suspects are also discussed, as is the "breakthrough," the point in the interrogation when suspects make an admission, no matter how minuscule, that begins the process of obtaining a full confession. Defining "Interrogation" Interrogation is the questioning of a person suspected of having committed a crime. It is designed to match acquired information to a particular suspect in order to secure a confession. The goals of interrogation include: * To learn the truth of the crime and how it happened * To obtain an admission of guilt from the suspect * To obtain all the facts to determine the method of operation and the circumstances of the crime in question * To gather information that enables investigators to arrive at logical conclusions * To provide information for use by the prosecutor in possible court action. Knowing the definition and objectives of the interrogation, the question then asked is, "Why do suspects confess?" Self-condemnation and self- destruction are not normal human behavioral characteristics. Human beings ordinarily do not utter unsolicited, spontaneous confessions. It is logical to conclude, therefore, that when suspects are taken to police stations to be questioned concerning their involvement in a particular crime, their immediate reaction will be a refusal to answer any questions. With the deluge of television programs that present a clear picture of the Miranda warning and its application to suspects, one would conclude that no one questioned about a crime would surrender incriminating information, much less supply investigators with a signed, full confession. It would also seem that once suspects sense the direction in which the investigators are heading, the conversation would immediately end. However, for various psychological reasons, suspects continue to speak with investigators. Suspect Paranoia Suspects are never quite sure of exactly what information investigators possess. They know that the police are investigating the crime, and in all likelihood, suspects have followed media accounts of their crimes to determine what leads the police have. Uppermost in their minds, however, is how to escape detection and obtain firsthand information about the investigation and where it is heading. Such "paranoia" motivates suspects to accompany the police voluntarily for questioning. Coupled with curiosity, this paranoia motivates suspects to appear at police headquarters as "concerned citizens" who have information pertinent to the case. By doing this, suspects may attempt to supply false or noncorroborative information in order to lead investigators astray, gain inside information concerning the case from investigators, and remove suspicion from themselves by offering information on the case so investigators will not suspect their involvement. For example, in one case, a 22-year-old woman was discovered in a stairwell outside of a public building. The woman had been raped and was found naked and bludgeoned. Investigators interviewed numerous people during the next several days but were unable to identify any suspects. Media coverage on the case was extremely high. Several days into the investigation, a 23-year-old man appeared at police headquarters with two infants in tow and informed investigators that he believed he may have some information regarding the woman's death. The man revealed that when he was walking home late one evening, he passed the area where the woman was found and observed a "strange individual" lurking near an adjacent phone booth. The man said that because he was frightened of the stranger, he ran back to his home. After reading the media accounts of the girl's death, he believed that he should tell the police what he had observed. The man gave police a physical description of the "stranger" and then helped an artist to compose a sketch of the individual. After he left, investigators discovered that the sketch bore a strong resemblance to the "witness" who provided the information. After further investigation, the witness was asked to return to the police station to answer more questions, which he did gladly. Some 15 hours into the interrogation, he confessed to one of his "multiple personalities" having killed the woman, who was unknown to him, simply because the victim was a woman, which is what the suspect had always wanted to be. This case clearly illustrates the need for some suspects to know exactly what is happening in an investigation. In their minds, they honestly believe that by hiding behind the guise of "trying to help," they will, without incriminating themselves, learn more about the case from the investigators. The Interrogation Setting In any discussion concerning interrogation, it is necessary to include a review of the surroundings where a suspect is to be interrogated. Because there is a general desire to maintain personal integrity before family members and peer groups, suspects should be removed from familiar surroundings and taken to a location that has an atmosphere more conducive to cooperativeness and truthfulness. The primary psychological factor contributing to successful interrogations is privacy -- being totally alone with suspects. This privacy prompts suspects to feel willing to unload the burden of guilt. The interrogation site should isolate the suspect so that only the interrogator is present. The suspect's thoughts and responses should be free from all outside distractions or stimuli. The interrogation setting also plays an important part in obtaining confessions. The surroundings should reduce suspect fears and contribute to the inclination to discuss the crime. Because fear is a direct reinforcement for defensive mechanisms (resistance), it is important to erase as many fears as possible. Therefore, the interrogation room should establish a business atmosphere as opposed to a police-like atmosphere. While drab, barren interrogation rooms increase fear in suspects, a location that displays an open, you-have-nothing-to fear quality about it can do much to break down interrogation defensiveness, thereby eliminating a major barrier. The interrogators tend to disarm the suspects psychologically by placing them in surroundings that are free from any fear-inducing distractions. Psychological Factors More than likely, suspects voluntarily accompany investigators, either in response to a police request to answer questions or in an attempt to learn information about the investigation. Once settled in the interrogation room, the interrogators should treat suspects in a civilized manner, no matter how vicious or serious the crime might have been. While they may have feelings of disgust for the suspects, the goal is to obtain a confession, and it is important that personal emotions not be revealed. Investigators should also adopt a compassionate attitude and attempt to establish a rapport with suspects. In most cases, suspects commit crimes because they believe that it offers the best solution to their needs at the moment. Two rules of thumb to remember are: (1) "There but for the grace of God go I"; and (2) it is important to establish a common level of understanding with the suspects. These rules are critical to persuading suspects to be open, forthright, and honest. Suspects should be persuaded to look beyond the investigators' badges and see, instead, officers who listen without judging. If investigators are able to convince suspects that the key issue is not the crime itself, but what motivated them to commit the crime, they will begin to rationalize or explain their motivating factors. At this stage of the interrogation, investigators are on the brink of having suspects break through remaining defensive barriers to admit involvement in the crime. This is the critical stage of the interrogation process known as the "breakthrough". The "Breakthrough" The "breakthrough" is the point in the interrogation when suspects make an admission, no matter how small. In spite of having been advised of certain protections guaranteed by the Constitution, most suspects feel a need to confess. Both hardcore criminals and first-time offenders suffer from the same pangs of conscience. This is an indication that their defense mechanisms are diminished, and at this point, the investigators may push through to elicit the remaining elements of confession. In order for interrogators to pursue a successful breakthrough, they must recognize and understand certain background factors that are unique to a particular suspect. Many times, criminals exhibit psychological problems that are the result of having come from homes torn by conflict and dissension. Also frequently found in the backgrounds of criminals are parental rejection and inconsistent and severe punishment. It is important that investigators see beyond the person sitting before them and realize that past experiences can impact on current behavior. Once interrogators realize that the fear of possible punishment, coupled with the loss of pride in having to admit to committing mistakes, is the basic inhibitor they must overcome in suspects, they will quickly be able to formulate questions and analyze responses that will break through the inhibitors. Successful Interrogations Investigators must conduct every interrogation with the belief that suspects, when presented with the proper avenue, will use it to confess their crimes. Research indicates that most guilty persons who confess are, from the outset, looking for the proper opening during the interrogation to communicate their guilt to the interrogators. Suspects confess when the internal anxiety caused by their deception outweighs their perceptions of the crime's consequences. In most instances, suspects have magnified, in their minds, both the severity of the crime and the possible repercussions. Interrogators should allay suspect anxiety by putting these fears into perspective. Suspects also make admissions or confessions when they believe that cooperation is the best course of action. If they are convinced that officers are prepared to listen to all of the circumstances surrounding the crimes, they will begin to talk. The psychological and physiological pressures that build in a person who has committed a crime are best alleviated by communicating. In order to relieve these suppressed pressures, suspects explain the circumstances of their crimes they confess. And, finally, suspects confess when interrogators are able to speculate correctly on why the crimes were committed. Suspects want to know ahead of time that interrogators will believe what they have to say and will understand what motivated them to commit the crime. Conclusion It is natural for suspects to want to preserve their privacy, civil rights, and liberties. It is also natural for suspects to resist discussing their criminal acts. For these very reasons, however, investigators must develop the skills that enable them to disarm defensive resistors established by suspects during interrogation. Before suspects will confess, they must feel comfortable in their surroundings, and they must have confidence in the interrogators, who should attempt to gain this confidence by listening intently to them and by allowing them to verbalize their accounts of the crimes. Interrogators who understand what motivates suspects to confess will be better able to formulate effective questions and analyze suspect responses. Obviously, more goes into gaining a confession than is contained in this article. However, if the interrogator fails to understand the motivations of the suspect, other factors impacting on obtaining the confession will be less effective. * _____________________________________________________________________________ qpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq THE pqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq *********************************|********************************** SCAM!/---/--------///-----////----////---///----////---///---/////--//// oooo/ @ ooo/ oooo oooo ooo oooo ooo oooo oooo @/ @/ @/ /@/ @/ // @/ // @/ @ / @/ @ // / @/ @ @/ @/ @ooo@/ @oooo/ @oooo/ @/ @oo/ @/ @oooo @/ @ @ / // @ / // @/ @/ /// @/ /// @/ /@/ @/ /@/ @ / // @//@ _oooo/ _oooo /_@/ @/ _oooo/ _oooo/ _ooo/ _@/ _ooo/ _oooo _oooo/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ SCAM! *********************************|********************************** dbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdb "THE RUNE STONE BBS" is open and is available to ALL inquisitive modemers! This is an IIRG-oriented, Connecticut-based BBS which features a VERY knowledgeable, helpful and friendly Sysop; NO ratios(!); and a WEALTH of informational philes to explore. This BBS is also the place to find the latest editions of "SCAM!" magazine! Even if you're an out-of-state caller, this BBS is well worth the extra dime. So why not call today? The fone number is (203) 832-8441. Logon with newuser password "CONSPIRACY", and say you heard about 'em from "SCAM!" _________________________________________________________________________ WANTED: VALID CBI, TRW, EQUIFAX AND TRANS UNION ACCOUNTS, PASSWORDS AND LOGON HELP. If you have enjoyed reading "SCAM!" magazine and have found it of any value to you, which hopefully you have, please be advised that NO idiotic money contributions are requested. Rather, I seek the above. If you have any of the above, or would like to refer a BBS number and newuser logon password where the above information can be obtained, please leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS (see above). NOTE: The Rune Stone BBS is a legitimate BBS and does NOT wish information of this type publicly posted. Therefore, please obey the wishes and respect the rules of the Sysops on this BBS and do NOT post this info publicly. Each message will be treated with the UTMOST in confidentiality and will be sincerely appreciated. _________________________________________________________________________ ARE YOU SICK AND TIRED OF CALLING "611" to get repair service, only to find out that the line is busy or you're being put on hold for about an hour?? Fret no more ... if you're a New York Telephone customer, try 890-0091. This is an UNLISTED New York Telephone trunk number that will automatically connect you to the first available operator for repair. The repair centers, by the way, are in White Plains and Garden City, and there's another in Queens somewhere. You won't find yourself calling back or left on hold again! SIDE NOTE: This number works in MOST area codes serviced by New York Telephone, but it might not work in yours. Try it anyway, you have nothing to lose! THIS HELPFUL HINT FURNISHED COURTESY OF THE PRODUCER ON "SCAM!" MAGAZINE _________________________________________________________________________ FOR SALE: VALID SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, together with (1) the name of the person the number belongs to; (2) his or her most current address; and (3) his or her most current telephone number. HUNDREDS OF NUMBERS AVAILABLE, most also including the person's date of birth! Many also include the person's current occupation, place of employment AND salary. These numbers, which are available for REAL, LIVING persons, can in many cases be tailored to your needs for specific age, race and/or nationality. NO MONEY DESIRED FOR THIS INFORMATION; USE YOUR BRAIN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WANTED IN RETURN! DISCLAIMER: The authors and publishers of this magazine shall act merely as liaison to any parties responding to this advertisement, for informational and entertainment purposes only. RESPOND, PLEASE, IN THE APPROPRIATE FASHION. _________________________________________________________________________ FIND OUT INFO ON THAT AMEX CARD! If you know the number of an American Express Card AND the social security number of the cardholder, just dial the following number: 1-800-292-2639. A computer-generated program will permit you to find out lots of valuable information on the card such as last payment, available limits, etc. You do NOT need to know the expiration date of the card! Works for greens, golds and platinums. CALL (from a payphone) TODAY! *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** If the computer attempts to transfer you to a live operator, this means some of the information you gave them didn't jive. DISCONNECT IMMEDIATELY! *** SCAM! SUGGESTION *** Have more AMEX inquiries? Call 1-800-528-4800 for a live person ... but know what you're doing!! Calls are answered M-F 9:30-5:30 EST. _________________________________________________________________________ WANTED: VALID WDIA ACCOUNTS, PASSWORDS AND LOGON HELP. WDIA is (or was) one of the nation's largest electronic databases that acts (or did act) as a gateway to DMV, credit card bureaus and courthouse records nationwide. Its function is (or was) to provide private investigators with the necessary tools for tracing, tracking, etc. private individuals and/or businesses and, upon entering the proper search requests, can offer credit card histories, criminal background checks, business investigations etc. nationwide, if not worldwide. If you have enjoyed reading "SCAM!" magazine and have found it of any value to you, please leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS (see above), or furnish a BBS number where the above information can be obtained. Again, please respect the rules of The Rune Stone and do NOT post public ANY info of this type. Each message will be treated with the UTMOST confidentiality and will be sincerely appreciated. *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** For total anonymity, use the PKZIP encryption technique described above. Especially when dealing with WDIA, I would suggest it. _____________________________________________________________________________ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD IN "SCAM!" MAGAZINE: Leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS (see above). Your real name, address, etc. are NOT needed to place classified ads. You may leave your handle, e-mail address and/or BBS message area where others can respond to your ad. NO FEE IS REQUIRED! Classified ads MUST conform to the general content of "SCAM!" magazine. Classified ads for "conservative" BBS's (e.g. BBS's containing shareware programs, games, etc.) will NOT be posted, so please don't waste my time! Classified ads containing actual credit card numbers, passwords, etc. will NOT be posted, simply because the posting of such information would be clearly illegal; however, classified ads that contain SOURCES to obtain this information are acceptable and, in fact, are encouraged. Classified ads will be posted based upon their content and at the sole and exclusive discretion of THE PRODUCER. In your request, please don't forget to specifically state that you wish a classified ad, or else your info will simply be treated confidentially and I will not know to post it. Please help make "SCAM!" magazine grow by submitting your classified ad today! _____________________________________________________________________________ IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN "SCAM!" MAGAZINE: "SCAM!" magazine is searching for new "Field Researchers"! If you have something you feel is valuable to the readers of "SCAM!" and would like to submit it for consideration, please do so! Here's how: Leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS (see above). In this message, state the following: (1) your handle; (2) a brief (please!) description of your offering; (3) about how many pages is it?; (4) a BBS that you belong to, other than The Rune Stone BBS; and (5) newuser password and logon info for that other BBS. Generally only articles, in ASCII form, will be accepted; executable programs, unless VERY useful and VERY small, cannot be considered simply due to the forum. Please post your proposed article in ZIP, ARJ or LHA on that other BBS (not the Rune Stone!) If your article seems really worthwhile, it will be downloaded, reviewed and ultimately published. In your request, please don't forget to specifically state that you wish an article published, or else your info will simply be treated confidentially and I will not know to consider it. Please help make "SCAM!" magazine grow by submitting your articles for consideration today! *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** If you would like to keep your article confidential prior to its appearance in "SCAM!", do the following: Place the article in "ZIP" form on the other BBS, but add PKZIP encryption to the file. In your private message, leave the key. That way, no one else can read the article. _____________________________________________________________________________ EDITORIALS AND SUGGESTION BOX. All articles in "SCAM!" magazine are subject to EDITORIAL REPLY by my readers. This is a free country and you're entitled to respond, so PLEASE DO SO! I welcome your thoughts and ideas. Do you have any suggestions on how to make "SCAM!" better, or what you'd like to see in "SCAM!"?? Was there something in "SCAM!" you disagree with, or would like to have clarified?? Is there a particular scam you'd like to pull off, but don't know how?? Leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS and let your editorial replies be heard for future publications of this magazine! _____________________________________________________________________________ ÖÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÄÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÄÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÒÄÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÄÒ· ÌÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÊÊÊÊÊ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÈÊÊÊÊÊÊÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎι ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ Ì¹ ÌÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÊʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÈÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎι ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÉËËËËËËËËËËËËËËËËËËι ÌÎÎÎÎÎʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÊÊÊÊÎÎÎÎÎι ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÈÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊι ÌÎÎÊʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÈÎÎÎÎÎÎ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ Ì¹ ÌʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ËË»ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÉË»ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÎÎÎʼ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ È¹ ºÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÍÎιÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÌÎλÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÌι FROM NEW YORK STATE, U. S. A.º ºÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÌÎιÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÎÎËËËËËË» - August, 1993 - ÉËËË˹ ºÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÎÎÎËËÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÈÊÊÊÊÎÎÊÊ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÍÊÎÎÎι ÌË» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÊÊʼ SCAM! MAGAZINE ʼ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÊÊʹ ÌÎλɻɻÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ VOL 1 * NO 3 ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ÌÎÎÎÎÎÎÎË» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÍÍËËËËËËËËË» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ÌÎÎÎÎι̹ÌËË»ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÈÊÊÎÎÎÎÎι ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ºÈÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÎËËË»ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÉË»ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÈÊÊÎÎι ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÉËËËËËËËËË»ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ºÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÎÎιÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÌÎÎË»ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÌÎʼ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ºÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÈÎιÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÌÎÎμÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ Ì¹ YOUR TRUE ON-LINE SCAM SOURCE! ºÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÈʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÊʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÉÎÎË» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÉËËËËË» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ÌË» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÉËËÎÎÎι ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÎÎÎÎμÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ÌÎÎËË» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÍÍÍÊÊÊÊÊÊι ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈÎÎμÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ÌÎÎÎÎÎËËËËË»ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÍÍ SCAM! is ȹ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÈʼÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ÌÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎËËË» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÉËËËË» published by ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ º ÓÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÄÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÄÐÐÐÐÐÐÄTHEÄPRODUCERÄÄÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÄÄÛÛÛÛÛÛÄÄÄÛÛÛÛÛÛÛĽ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³VOL 1 NO 3 SCAM! MAGAZINE August 1993 FREE ONLINE!³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ LEGALITIES AND DISCLAIMER "SCAM!" MAGAZINE is published solely for informational and entertainment purposes. The publishers and authors in no way wish to encourage or promote unlawful and/or criminal activities of any nature or sort, but merely wish to furnish the materials contained herein in accordance with the practices and policies established by the IIRG and pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Local, State and Federal laws provide severe civil and criminal penalties for unlawful and/or criminal activity which may include fines and/ or imprisonment. The publisher and authors absolve themselves from any and all actions, direct or indirect, consequential or inconsequential, resulting from the readers of this publication. The publisher and authors are not and at no time have been affiliated in any manner with any law enforcement agency in any State or Territory of the United States of America. This magazine and its contents may be reproduced and uploaded without the permission of the publisher and authors, but may not be modified in any manner. The publisher and authors assume no responsibility or liability for such unauthorized modifications, and shall seek appropriate restitution. SEE, READ AND UNDERSTAND ANY AND ALL WARNINGS CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE FOR AND ONLY TO BE READ BY PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS. ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE º º º º 1. The Non-Existance of AIDS º º by The Producer º º º º 2. "SCAM!" CLASSIFIED ADS º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ EDITOR'S NOTE: Read on with the knowledge that all materials contained in the article "The Non-Existance of AIDS" are, to the author's knowledge, 100% accurate. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ³SCAM #3³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ "THE NON-EXISTANCE OF AIDS" by The Producer August, 1993. -- "... and I stood at my window and I watched them, people who looked just like they always had except they seemed tired, frustrated, afraid, and I wondered, 'What of?' And they said, 'AIDS', and they told me it had been so long since their last sexual encounter that they felt ashamed to admit it, and some said they lost all true pleasure in life by not having as many partners as they once had. And they said they wished they were born in the late 1940's so that they could have experienced the sexual freedom of the late '60's and '70's which they felt cheated out of. And then they said it's hopeless, that there's nothing I could do ..." This entire issue is devoted to one of the biggest scams of all time ÄÄ the AIDS hype that has been pulled off by the government of the United States of America ÄÄ for reasons still unknown. The author has noted a variety of other publications discussing AIDS, however the faceless and fictitious epidemic continues to plague society. Omit the title page of this magazine and omit this paragraph, and you should have no trouble getting someone to sleep with you after they've fully read this article. Sure, I know, you meet someone and get her to your apartment at 3:17 A. M. and she says no, so what do you do, whip out this article?? ÄÄ no, I guess not!; but, it will certainly help the process of turning relationships from non-sexual to sexual. Preface Please show this article to someone you know and love who will either not sleep with you unless you wear a condom or, out of fear of contracting AIDS, will not sleep with you at all. * Introduction What are the real truths and untruths about AIDS, HIV and your odds of actually dieing from them? So much has been said, it is now finally the time to clear up fact from fiction and explain away all the myths that have sadly captured and inhibited the U. S. population. The following is a list of 12 statements that were once made to me regarding AIDS and the use of condoms. If you agree with them, by the end of this report your opinion will hopefully drastically differ: 1Û AIDS is a horrible, lethal disease which has spread throughout the American population. 2Û It is a delusion to think AIDS is confined to homosexual men and intravenous drug users. The heterosexual community is alarmingly at risk. 3Û Even if you have led a promiscuous life with partners out of the "high-risk" category, you still have a reasonable chance of contracting AIDS because you never know who your partners have slept with. 4Û People who are educated should be smart enough to acknowledge AIDS and should act accordingly to prevent themselves from becoming victims. 5Û It is reasonable for a single woman to expect a man she has been dating and knows well to voluntarily submit to an AIDS test so that she may have peace of mind. 6Û Even if a person submits to an AIDS test and has negative results, this is no assurance the person is not infected. You have to wait at least 6 months without sexual contact and then take the test for it to be fairly accurate. And even then, there's always still some risk. 7Û If I knew a man who was not in a "high-risk group" for AIDS, and if he promised to submit to an AIDS test in 6 months, I would still not have sex with him until that time, even if he wore a condom. 8Û Because of AIDS, I would insist my partner use a condom, even if his AIDS test result after 6 months was negative, because there's always risk. 9Û Any man who engages in sexual encounters with strangers without wearing a condom is a stupid and ignorant man. He is alarmingly increasing his chances of being infected with AIDS. He is not the type of man I would like to know, much less marry someday. 10Û AIDS has overwhelmed our society and government should clearly devote more financial resources to find a cure right away, as more people are dieing and more people are at risk than ever before. 11Û I've read articles which state the possibility exists that you can get AIDS from french kissing and oral sex. Though there are a limited number of statistics available, the fact that I have read of the possibility is alone enough reason to make me that much more wary of french kissing strangers or engaging in oral sex with a non-tested partner. 12Û The articles I have read about AIDS come from well- known, reputable sources. What I read from one source is confirmed by five others. Even if one publication contained misstatements, they can't all contain misstatements. Therefore, I generally accept what I read as true. To properly support the contention that AIDS is a virtually insignificant disease for persons like you and I, two separate questions must be addressed. First, what really are our odds of becoming infected with HIV, the virus that is AIDS? And secondly, if it be true that our chances are infinitely small, why are so many articles published warning and cautioning us against a violently threatening disease? Consideration must be made of the actual public opinion of AIDS ÄÄ not the opinion penned by questionable magazine authors, but rather the actual opinion. Finally, an argument must be offered to illustrate why a person such as yourself might succom to excessive fear of this disease. Usage of condoms in the face of AIDS must similarly be treated. The Mathematical Probability of Contracting AIDS Let's first look at some hard statistics and apply some everyday mathematics. If you need to use your calculator, go ahead. I used mine. Eighty-nine percent of AIDS cases in the U. S. involve gay or bisexual men, who acquired the disease sexually, and users of intravenous drugs who acquired the disease through infected needles. The actual breakdown is 62% gay/bisexual, 27% addicts. Other high-risk groups include people with hemophilia, who became infected through contaminated, blood-derived clotting agents, and recent immigrants from certain African countries and Haiti. Let's be generous and say that 95% of all AIDS cases involve, directly or indirectly, persons from one or more categories of this entire above referenced segment of the population (collectively hereinafter "the high-risk group"). Remember this 95% figure, for it will be cited soon again. Norman Hearst and Stephen Hulley of The Center for AIDS Prevention Studies at The University of California in San Francisco recently performed a series of calculations. In "The Journal of the American Medical Association", the two researchers tabulated a heterosexual's chances of getting infected with the AIDS virus during one episode of penile-vaginal intercourse. Not surprisingly, the risk is extremely low. For instance, the chance of becoming infected with the HIV after one sexual encounter with someone who has both tested negative for HIV and who has no history of high-risk behavior is 1 in 500 million. If the same couple uses a condom, the risk plummets to 1 in 5 billion. Even having sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown, but who does not belong to any high-risk group, yields a calculated risk of 1 in 5 million or 1 in 50 million per sexual episode, depending on whether or not a condom is used. And having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive still exposes a person to only a 1 in 500 chance of getting infected after one sexual encounter. After 500 such encounters, still only 2 out of 3 unprotected partners would become infected. "This advice is substantially different from the message that the public has so far received regarding AIDS prevention," the researchers say. Since we now know that 95% of all AIDS cases involve persons from the high risk group, let us assume that if a person is not in the high risk group then this person is not infected (don't worry, this will be accounted for later, but let's assume it now). For simplicity, let us state that I am a typical American male. I have had 10 sexual partners in my lifetime; only 1 of these partners did I know very well and the other 9 were promiscuous, "one-night stands". The partner I knew well tells me, and I verily believe, that she had been with only one other partner in her lifetime, the last sexual encounter with this partner, who was not a member of the high-risk group, having taken place years before anyone in the U. S. even knew what AIDS was. With this information, we rule out this well-known partner as being a carrier and must mathematically investigate the 10 unknown females. First, we narrow down the AIDS pool by sex and race based on personal knowledge. Statistically, 92% of all AIDS victims in the U. S. are male and 70% of all female victims are black or hispanic. I know that none of the 9 unknown females were black or hispanic. Certainly, none were male (if there is a God!) Combining the above statistics, it can be mathematically shown that 1 in 42 AIDS victims are non-black, non-hispanic females. Thus if we do not yet begin to consider the sexual histories or personal habits and morals of these individuals and naturally assume the worst, and if we do not yet consider the small probability of contracting AIDS in the general population, each still has only a 1 in 42 chance of being a carrier and I am mathematically left with a 97.6% safety net. Next we consider the high-risk factor. A consensus of opinion is that gays represent approximately 10% of the U. S. population. A recent Kinsey Institute estimate, however, more properly places the correct breakdown at 4%. Let us be generous, assume the worst, and go at 10%. Let us further be exceedingly generous and claim that 5% of the U. S. population are intravenous drug users and thus similarly fall into the high-risk AIDS group as defined above. Let us continue to be mathematically generous and say that people who are gay don't do drugs, and vice versa. Under these extremely generous figures a total of 15%, or about 1 in 6.5 people in our country, would fall into the group. Since we do not now know, nor will we ever know, if these 9 unknown females were members of the high-risk group, although we believe them all not to be, we are destined to use this "generous statistic" that 1 in 6.5 of them were high-risk group members. Recall now the figure of 95% we cited earlier as that which represents the percentage of AIDS victims in the high risk group. We account for the 1 in 20 AIDS victims who are not high-risk (that leftover 5%), combine all statistics heretofore set forth and arrive at a now 1 in 208 chance of any of these 9 unknown females to have been a carrier ... again still not considering the likelihood of contracting AIDS in the general population. Now considering the AIDS pool versus the entire U. S. population of 250 million, we begin by noting statistics of The U. S. Centers for Disease Control (hereinafter "CDC"), which inflates the number of infected Americans at 1.5 million, thus overestimating that 1 in 160 Americans are infected! If we use this generous figure, and if we know the odds for each of these 9 unknown females to fall into this 1-in-160 pool are 1 in 208, we now further diminish the odds for any one of these 9 unknowns to actually be infected with AIDS to be 1 in 33,280. (Here is something peculiar ... consider the AIDS pool versus the entire U. S. population. The U. S. Centers for Disease Control (hereinafter "CDC") has placed the number of infected Americans at 1.5 million; as the entire population is approximately 250 million, the CDC is thus implying that 1 in 160 Americans are infected. Yet we just showed, mathematically, that the odds of any of those 9 women to fall into the high risk group ÄÄ not be infected, just fall into the group ÄÄ would be 1 in 208. Thus, if what the CDC has said is really true and 1 in 160 really are infected, that would mean that if you're in the high risk group, you're pretty much automatically infected; 1 in 160 and 1 in 208 are about the same odds. Something sounds wrong, doesn't it? You bet! Now, let's continue ...) Recall earlier we stated that having one sexual encounter with a person who is HIV-positive results in a 1 in 500 chance of becoming infected. If we know the likelihood for each of the 9 unknown females to be HIV positive is 1 in 33,280, it can be mathematically shown that the actual odds of any one of these 9 females being HIV positive AND of my becoming infected after that one sexual encounter with them to be 1 in 16,640,000. Finally, to do some real-world adjustments, recall we used a calculation of 1 in 6.5 for females to fall into the group, based upon the inflated assumption that a majority of the 10% of the unknowns are lesbians (gay); if they were, of course, chances are very high that they would not have been my sexual partner in the first place, for to do so would mean they are bisexual also. Thus, considering an ever so slight adjustment for our previous statistical generosity coupled with my judgment that none of the 9 females were bisexual/lesbians, or drug users for that matter, a rough and still extremely generous final estimate would more appropriately be that the likelihood for me to have become infected from any of the 9 women I have slept with, whose past histories are virtually unknown, would be 1 IN 17 MILLION!!! This 1-in-17,000,000 statistic, by the way, will not waver upon the past sexual histories of any of the 9 unknown partners ÄÄ or 90 or 900 unknown partners ÄÄ because the figures used to calculate the statistic are based on the present and have already incorporated the consequences of the past. And yes, this 1-in-17,000,000 statistic also assumes unprotected sex. Does this 1-in-17,000,000 figure seem right? Yes. Why? Because we began with the statistic that the odds of becoming infected with a person whose HIV status is unknown, while unprotected, is 1 in 5 million. But we then filtered out a high percentage of the AIDS population because, in my particular case, we do know certain things. We know all the partners were female; we know none were black or hispanic. Naturally, we can expect to statistically improve the odds through these specifics and so it is that 1 in 17 million might very well be a realistic ballpark guess, were it not for the lengthy mathematical calculations heretofore performed to arrive at the figure. The Truth About Condoms The next question arising is, if I am a typical male and if my odds of contracting AIDS while unprotected, with total strangers, is really only 1 in 17 million per sexual encounter, then why are so many men turning to condoms to protect themselves against AIDS? The answer is very simple: they aren't. "Consumer Reports" devoted an entire issue to condoms. Not surprisingly, they discovered that 87% of all males polled did not feel it necessary to wear a condom to protect themselves against AIDS; 95% of those over 30 years of age similarly did not feel it necessary to wear a condom. It should thus come as no surprise that there is not one, single college-educated male friend I know who has worn a condom for the specific purpose of guarding against AIDS. And how about sex with an hispanic, Haitian hemophiliac homo who's on heroin? Fifty-five percent of the males polled in "Consumer Reports" said it doesn't matter; their sexual practices have remained unchanged in the face of AIDS. The only 3 possible advantages that condoms can provide to some men are: (1) eliminating the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy; (2) providing justifiably sought peace of mind when engaging in repetitive sexual encounters with a known member of the high risk group; and (3) enabling those who reach orgasm easily to prolong the sexual episode. In these instances, and only in these instances, condoms are a worthwhile solution not only for men, but also for their partners. However, for those men who customarily engage in sexual activity with a non-high risk, protected partner and who do not reach orgasm quickly or easily, condoms can prove to be a nightmare. Statistics show that almost 60% of males polled have experienced reduced sensation when wearing a condom. Over 70% stated that condom usage interfered sporadically with the natural art of lovemaking, and almost 40% said they felt uncomfortable because they were constantly aware of its presence. One-fifth of the males noted that sex cannot be as vigorous, for fear of breakage or slippage. Other negative cites included the requirement of prompt withdrawal (40%); general embarrassment (15%); and friction (about 5%). Men were, on the average, about twice as critical as women. However, almost 70% of women shared their counterpart's view that condom usage does create unwanted interruptions during sex. "Parents" magazine recently conducted a poll to compute the overall, present-day reaction to AIDS. They found 87% of those polled, both men and women, to be "slightly worried" or "not at all worried" about personally contracting AIDS; in fact, of this 87%, 21% were "slightly worried" and a significantly larger 66% were "not at all worried". How many were "very worried"? Only 5%. The Statistical Insignificance of AIDS The reason most persons never think twice about AIDS is because it is truly a statistically irrelevant disease plaguing a strictly confined group of individuals. Let us take the generous government estimate of 600,000 persons expected to contract AIDS in the next 4 years; well, that's an average of 150,000 new AIDS victims per year. That seems like a lot of people, right? Not really. This figure is dwarfed by the number of persons who will die of cancer and heart disease. Over 2.1 million of us are in car accidents each year, yet no one thinks twice about getting behind the wheel; and New York City parkways, being in the condition they are in, should make it that much more apparent that absolutely no measures are really being taken to ensure safer roadways. What about the number of babies that are born prematurely each year and who will die each year because modern medicine, in its infinite wisdom, has not yet found a way to artificially keep them alive until they are strong enough to survive? No woman would avoid pregnancy out of fear of being the mother of a child such as this ÄÄ despite the statistic that there are 40,000 such cases each year! That's 40,000 non-restrictive deaths ÄÄ about 27% as many real death as projected, confined AIDS deaths! And yet every newly-expectant mother announces her condition with an ear-to-ear smile. The world is chock full of 100,000-deaths-a-year causal factors; these death figures are so insignificant when combined with the aggregate population, however, and the number of causal factors are so very high, that medical research grants totalling the national debt probably would not come even close to scratching the surface for the innumerably required cures. To avoid the chance of falling victim to driving on one of those flooky roads to death, one might just as well live in a bomb shelter with purified air and water. Getting emphezyma from the air we breathe; having a heart attack from the caffeine in the coffee we drink; becoming HIV-positive after an unprotected encounter with a stranger ... these are all mathematical possibilities, yes, but we cannot live our lives in fear of these infinitely unlikely, 1-in-17-million-odds occurrences causing us serious harm or death. To do so would be tantamount to living the rest of our natural lives in a coffin with a glass lid. It's Legal to Lie So why is it, then, that so many persons you may know are concerned with AIDS, you ask? Why does it seem like a lot of people view it as a serious threat? And why, if all that you have read up to now is true, are you faced with a multitude of articles and news stories in all forms of media, in newspapers, magazines, journals, on radio and on television, proclaiming AIDS to be one of America's biggest challenges and tragedies? The reason is sad and simple: Sex sells! Combining greed, money, power and the desired attention by special- interest groups, we have created an overwhelming onslaught of bogus editorials and hyped newscasts which make AIDS out to be the present-day polio, out to kill us all. Thus, we must now examine the ethics of journalism as a whole and answer the question, "Can we truly trust what we read?" ÄÄ and, if not, why not? Nearly 80% of the American workforce is in the sphere of information and communication sectors. These range from media, advertising, public relations, consulting, telecommunications and computer industries to such institutions as banking, insurance, education, transportation, bureaucracy and the legal system. The perceptions, attitudes, values and opinions of the public at large are shaped by the quantity and quality of information circulated in our society. Media consultants, communications experts, informational specialists and political advisors have been hired not to seek information from the public but rather to use all the available techniques, methodologies, strategies and resources to manipulate and control it. Their goal has been to change trends and opinions, not to seek information from the public. The only time that the matter of information and communication came to be a national debate was in the 1940's, when the Commission on Freedom of the Press issued a report which cited, among other things, the decrease in the proportion of the people who could express their opinion through the media adequately, and the engagement of the press "from time to time in practice which ... will inevitably undertake to regulate or control [society]". It was the Commission's opinion that the media should provide the citizenry with an "intelligent account of the day's events". No report or debate of this magnitude has since been conducted in the U. S., where we must unpleasantly face the fact, some fifty years later, that information in the media is being treated mainly as a marked commodity rather than a social commodity. "The New Yorker" recently published a two-part article by Janet Malcolm who, in her piece, files a sort of ethical class-action suit against all reporters. She states: "[They are all] incorrigible bullies who would dump their mothers for a decent story. Every journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself to notice what is going on knows that what he does is morally indefensible. He is a kind of confidence man, preying on people's vanity, ignorance or loneliness, gaining their trust and betraying them without remorse." Says Fred Bruning, staff writer with "Newsday": "Let's be frank. Do reporters have their tricks? They do indeed. There is [definite] doubt as to the rules of ethics and civility in the weightless atmosphere of hardback publishing and influential periodicals." The right to deceive the public got a major boost in August, 1989 after a Federal appeals court upheld a ruling that publications could legally publish fabricated quotations. In their final 2-1 vote, the majority concluded: "Malice will not be inferred from evidence showing that the quoted language does not contain the exact words used ... provided that the fabricated quotations are either rational interpretations or do not alter the substantive content of [actual remarks]." The single dissenting judge, Alex Kozinski, wrote: "This rationale is explosive. What the Court is saying, in effect, is that if you make statements that could be reasonably construed as boastful or arrogant, or callous or stupid or reflecting any other trait or character or intellect, the reporter may attribute to you any other statement reflecting that same trait." Masquerading fiction as news or history is thusly becoming increasingly common; and fiction, among its other characteristics, can have a most considerable influence on cultural attitudes. Producers and editors can often be as story-crazy as publicists, who not only play competitors against each other but often try to control assignment of the interviewer. Deals involve setting conditions for interviews, or where quotes can be changed "as a favor". One "Wall Street Journal" reporter estimated that 25% of all interviews at his paper involve such deals, which are usually negotiated in secret and deprive readers and viewers of knowing how certain stories get hyped. "Why should otherwise respectable publications and TV programs allow themselves to become cogs in the 'rave machine' of modern public relations? Sometimes a deal is the only way ..." The practice of checking ostensible facts with the story's subject is also rapidly declining. "Washingtonian", a prosperous monthly, does an annual salary survey. Fall, 1989's survey, for example, which lists hundreds of names linked to specific monetary figures, appears to be based on serious research. Eight "Time" staffers were cited; says Laurence I. Barrett of "Time": "Mystified, several of us agreed that the figures were wrong, by 30% in one case, and that none of us had been consulted by 'Washingtonian'. The writer, Robert Pack, explained: 'You don't call hundreds of people and ask them what they make because they won't tell you.' Pack insisted that he had knowledgeable sources for his numbers. An editor of the 'Washingtonian', however, acknowledged that such stories are 'ball-park estimates'. If 'Washingtonian' didn't get MY pay right, how many other numbers in that story were wrong? More broadly, if too many news organizations neglect to check their facts, how long become this becomes [everyone's problem]? In a business whose cardinal asset is credibility, that notion should be unsettling." In his "Time" article "Is it Right to Publish Rumors?", author Walter Shapiro states as follows: "Public more may have changed over the past three decades, but the press still finds itself trapped by the rituals that govern its coverage of scabrous gossip. Today the journalistic rules of righteous rumourmongering have been liberalized. Leading newspapers and the television networks write and broadcast artificially crafted stories about the rumors themselves, thereby spreading calumny while piously decrying it." When one journalist starts a rumor, others are quick to "jump on the bandwagon", despite the true facts and possible consequences. Shapiro continues: "How sad and sordid ... is the current rule of rumor on Capitol Hill. Perhaps the nadir was reached with the recent press coverage of the baseless charge that House Speaker Thomas Foley is a homosexual. Syndicated columnists Roland Evans and Robert Novak initially helped stir the muck by referring to rumors about the 'alleged homosexuality of one Democrat who might move up the succession ladder'. As the gossip oozed along the halls of Congress, 'New York Daily News' columnist Lars-Erik Nelson published the details of the whispering campaign against Foley in order to finger the staff of Congressman Newt Gingrich as one of its sources. Never mind that the Foley rumors were completely false. Once the Republican National Committee launched its own smear campaign against the new Speaker, using sniggering language like 'out of the liberal closet', virtually every news organization felt compelled to repeat the slur, regardless of the damage it would cause ... [H]ow tempting it must be for armchair analysts to decree that henceforth no responsible publication or newscast should disseminate unsubstantiated rumors. But ... would such a high-minded standard also serve the public interest?" The public interest, indeed; catching it is what the authors want, as the more interest there is the higher the publication sales will be. Leonore Fleishcer or "Publishers Weekly" deems the AIDS crisis nothing more than "a plague of blame and fear". She cites Monroe E. Price, Dean of the Benjamin N. Cordozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, who published a work entitled "Shattered Mirrors: Our Search for Identity and Community in the AIDS Era". Mr. Price examines the frightening changes in the influential media to present a message of sexual caution rather than sexual freedom. He states that television news has become " ... an electronic pulpit ... a tool with which public health officials instruct people in how to think and how to behave during the AIDS crisis. [It tells us what individuals'] values are and should be, what conduct will be deemed worthy of imitation and, as a result, how behavior will be shaped." So there you have it: a society whose media preys on the weaknesses and fears of the general public and divinely deems what "acceptable" responses to these fears should be. The panic has a ceiling, however, and can only spread so far; let it be known, fortunately for our society, that there are still many wise Americans who will have rummaged their way through the inescapable heap of media hype thrown at them and happily emerge with a personal interpretation of their own, one which comes about only after examining the manipulative, sadistic greed overpowering the heartless, insensitive liars behind the frightening, doomsday words. The Bogus "Masters and Johnson" Report One of the most respected research teams in the field of sexual behavior, Masters and Johnson, joined the ranks of the money-hungry, word- twisting fear-injectors when it published "Crisis: Heterosexual Behavior in the Age of AIDS". Criticized for failing to submit their results to scientific review, the medical research community deemed Masters and Johnson's claim that the AIDS epidemic is "running rampant in the heterosexual community" bad science, if slick marketing. An elaborate press conference, a cover story in "Newsweek" and distribution by "The Los Angeles Times Syndicate" were timed to coincide with the book's publication. Noted for their innovative studies in human sexual physiology and pioneering work in sex therapy, most readers in fact do not know that they have rarely submitted their studies to scientific journals, where the work is supposed to pass the scrutiny of experts before being published. Says University of California sex researcher Bernard Zilbergeld, "Their primary aim is to sell themselves and their books." Aside from preposterous claims that AIDS can be contracted, "theoretically at least", via mosquito bites, french kissing, toilet seats and sliding into second base ("if, by chance, an infected player has bled into it ..."), experts say that the main problem with Masters and Johnson's alarming AIDS data is, similarly, that their sample is drastically skewed, that is, not representative of the nation as a whole. The sex researchers, with co-author Dr. Robert Koldony, studied 800 people in New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Atlanta. One-half claimed to be monogamous and one-half claimed to have had 6 sex partners per year for the previous 5 years. The participants further stated in questionnaires that they had not engaged in homosexual activity or used drugs. Only one of the monogamous subjects was found injected with the AIDS virus, compared with 24 or 6% in the sexually active group, a rate 5 to 10 times higher than that found in patients at clinics for sexually transmitted diseases, a very high risk population. "This is just plain bad science," says Dr. John Bailar, a biostatistician at McGill University in Montreal and consultant to the U. S. government and "The New England Journal of Medicine". She continues: "The sample of people they chose, or who chose themselves, is totally biased. You can't come to any broad conclusions from this, even if you assume that the subjects told them the truth about their sexual habits." The study participants were volunteers who responded to notices placed at churches, childbirth classes, colleges and singles gathering spots. Masters and Johnson apparently inserted a disclaimer in the book stating that their results "cannot be easily generalized", but critics say Masters and Johnson and Kolodny did just that: they used their data to assert that AIDS is spreading rapidly and that 200,000 heterosexuals in the U. S. are now infected, not the 30,000 estimated by the CDC, which figures place the number of heterosexuals with AIDS at 2% of the entire AIDS population. Says Dr. James Curran of CDC: "The problem has become more exaggerated in coverage of AIDS because of the severe life-and-death implications. This life-and-death journalistic rollercoaster leaves the public wondering what to believe." U. S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop promptly called the work "irresponsible" and accused Masters and Johnson of "scare tactics". New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Stephen Joseph stated: "They pile their statements, each holding a thin layer of established fact, on top of one another like slices of bologna." A "Chicago Tribune" editorial blasted the "panic-peddling book" and "The New York Times" decried its "false alarms about AIDS", all while frightened readers jammed AIDS hotlines seeking clarification and comfort. Perhaps some consolation was received by their being warmly reassured that "The Journal of the American Medical Association" has scientifically disproven the theory that "deep kissing" can lead to death. Not one single case has ever been attributed to infection brought on by french kissing. Explains Jay Levy of The University of California at San Francisco: "The AIDS virus is not present in saliva. Saliva is a hostile environment for the AIDS virus. In fact, it will kill half the viruses exposed to it within 30 minutes." In their defense, Masters and Johnson argue that it is up to the medical community to prove them wrong. As a practical matter, however, scientists cannot prove that something will never happen. Even so, in a dozen studies conducted on some 500 persons living with AIDS-infected relatives, not one single case of casual transmission has occurred, even though they shared toothbrushes, toilets, cups, plates, toys and bed linens. "They've created a straw man," says CDC's Curran, "Let THEM prove it's true!" Says Joanne Silbernerer in her recent work in "U. S. News & World Report": "Science is a gradual process; journalism isn't. Why do we fall for it? The media reports the latest discoveries, which are all too often taken as gospel. Even when studies are reported in reputable journals, they can be misconstrued." At least with Masters and Johnson, some publications evidently saw warning flags. "Time" and "The Boston Globe" were invited to bid for rights to excerpt the book, and declined. "We felt it was determinedly alarming," said "Time" senior editor Russ Hoyle. The book, published by Grove Press after several other publishers reportedly turned it down, didn't lack buyers. "The Los Angeles Times Syndicate", the German magazine "Stern" and France's "Paris Match" bought rights. As one editor precisely observed, and as hereinbefore stated, "Sex sells." You Don't Get Heard It does not pay to be the bearer of good news. Since 1987, Michael Fumento has been trying to spread the reassuring word that AIDS is not going to carry off millions of Americans, that AIDS will not devastate the heterosexual population, that AIDS is not the late 20th Century version of the black death. As a result, Fumento lost his job as AIDS expert at the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights, had a generous fellowship offer rescinded, and has been told that he is not a nice person. Fumento, author of the recently published book "The Myth of Heterosexual AIDS", argues that AIDS is not a disease that is easily transmitted, meaning the universe of Americans likely to be infected by it is clearly circumscribed. Arguing that monogamy buffs in the Reagan administration were using AIDS as a tool to terrify sexually adventurous Americans with a "chastity or death" message, Fumento did not get in trouble for offending the gay liberals ... he got in trouble for offending the conservatives. Essentially, Fumento denounces as "worthless" and "garbage" most of the projections about the size of the AIDS epidemic, noting that most information disseminated in the press has been provided by crackpots, while a great deal of the statistical data generated by the CDC is high-class guesswork. In his work "The Incredible Shrinking AIDS Epidemic", Fumento argues that new infections among homosexuals have dropped dramatically because word about AIDS is out, while the number of drug users left to be exposed has topped out because there are only so many drug users and partners left to contaminate. In his "Forbes" article, author Joseph Quinnan states: "Fumento feels that alarming projections about the spread of AIDS into the heterosexual population served the interests of several groups. One group was journalists, who revel in nightmarish stories and are willing to cite the most dire statistics, even when the numbers are supplied by 'experts' with dubious credentials, or by certain organizations whose epidemiological prowess is in question. 'It's a bumper sticker disease,' he remarks, suggesting that scaring the daylights out of white, middle-class suburbanites may have been the only way AIDS activists could have corralled the dollars needed to combat a disease whose principal victims are socially unfashionable black females and homosexuals." Says Fumento: "AIDS will go down from an epidemic to an endemic level within just a few years. If someone had come up with a 'cure' a couple of years ago, he would have been hailed as the new Jonas Salk. But now, when AIDS vaccine is discovered, people will say, 'Oh, that's good, that's great, that's a good thing ..." When "Newsweek" jumped on the bogus Masters and Johnson survey in support of its alleged validity, Michael Fumento joined those who criticized the survey in an article in "The New Republic". Alas, the circulation of "The New Republic" is 92,500, while the circulation of "Newsweek" is 3,198,000! So, the mass of the public will hear what they want to believe ... another frightening statistic ... regardless of sociological implications. "No wonder we're hysterical, from denial or paranoia," states author John Leonard in his recent "Ms." article as he vehemently lashes out against a world of publications deliberately outpouring misinformation. "It depends on the magazine that's messing with our minds." He further states: "[W]hat we think we know is determined entirely by the information environment. It's as if they're screaming at us from transistors in the cavities of our teeth, and they don't care if they're telling the truth or not. We haven't the tuners and amplifiers to steer through this static. No historical bifocals for a close reading of the facts. No previous experience nor any guru to help us feel our way. As perhaps never before, we are dependent on the conscienceless, retina-eating media for all the weather in our heads. What this amounts to is a shameful unknowingness, a crime." Psychiatric Delusions in Some In its article "The AIDS Delusion", the magazine "Science News" set forth an example of one of the terrifying consequences that twisted, tattered words can have on some of us who are not strong enough to properly distinguish fact from fiction: "Here's a new twist in the controversy over AIDS testing. A small but increasing number of people with psychiatric disorders are demanding to be tested for the AIDS virus as a result of delusions that they have contracted the deadly disease. In three cases described in 'The American Journal of Psychiatry', this erroneous belief that AIDS has been contracted disappeared with successful treatment of the person's severe depression or manic depression. The patients have no symptoms of AIDS, are not intravenous drug users and report no homosexual experiences. If testing for the AIDS virus is nonetheless conducted, the researchers note, these patients usually find a way to explain away negative results and hang on to their delusion until the underlying psychiatric disorder is addressed. As AIDS becomes a fixture in the media in public consciousness, it may increasingly affect the delusions of people with psychiatric disorders, the investigators conclude." Conclusion In summary, AIDS is a frightening disease and AIDS is a deadly disease ... but AIDS is a distant disease, light years away from people like you and I in the realistic world of mathematical probability and true facts. My personal likelihood of contracting it, while unprotected and from a stranger, has been calculated at 1 in 17 million; yours, equally minute. It is not disputed that there is justifiable reason to be cautious, however there is certainly no cause for exaggerated and unnecessary fear and preoccupation. Almost all males do not feel it necessary to wear condoms as a guard against AIDS; condoms are primarily reluctantly used as a method of birth control, and evoke widespread criticism for the reduction of sensation they produce. Almost all men and women polled state they are "slightly" or "not at all" worried about contracting aids, thus the ideals of the minority can be attributed to the great influx of bogus, hype articles about AIDS that plague the American media and frighten the American public. A California court, in 1989, upheld a law permitting publications to legally publish fabricated quotes, and reported news continues to become reported fiction. Even Masters and Johnson, one of the most noteworthy and respected teams of sex researchers in the U. S., published a totally fictitious book based on non-scientific data and was blasted by the U. S. Surgeon General. Yet, countless other fabricated AIDS books by less well-known authors have been bought, read and believed by hundreds of thousands of persons, not surprisingly accounting for the creation of a group of people who have delusions of having AIDS or getting AIDS, even after negative HIV test results. What to Do If you plan on having sex with someone who is in the high risk group, use protection. If you plan on having sex with someone on a regular basis and do not want children, use protection regardless of the person's group status. But if you meet someone who is not in the high risk group and would like to have sex with this person without having a relationship, be free, live free, remove all inhibitions, relax and enjoy, for there truly is nothing to fear ... unless you've already slept with 17 million or so other persons, at which point yes, I'd definitely be careful! * ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÚÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ THE ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÀÄÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÄÙ ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÏÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º SCAM! ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ///ÍÍÍÍÍ////ÍÍÍÍ/ //ÍÍÍ///ÍÍÍÍ////ÍÍÍ///ÍÍÍ/////ÍÍ//// º º ÛÛÛÛ/ Û ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ º º Û/ Û/ Û/ /Û/ Û/ // Û/ // Û Û / Û/ Û // / Û/ Û º º Û/ Û/ ÛÛÛÛÛ/ ÛÛÛÛÛ/ ÛÛÛÛÛ/ Û/ ÛÛÛ/ Û/ ÛÛÛÛÛ Û/ Û º º Û / // Û / // Û/ Û/ /// Û/ /// Û/ /Û/ Û/ /Û/ Û / // Û//Û º º _ÛÛÛÛ/ _ÛÛÛÛ /_Û/ Û/ _ÛÛÛÛ/ _ÛÛÛÛ/ _ÛÛÛ _Û/ _ÛÛÛ/ _ÛÛÛÛ _ÛÛÛÛ/ º º ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ SCAM! º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ ÚÄÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÄ¿ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ "THE RUNE STONE BBS" is open and available to ALL inquisitive modemers! This is an IIRG-oriented, Connecticut-based BBS which features a VERY knowledgeable, helpful and friendly Sysop; NO ratios(!); and a WEALTH of informational philes to explore. This BBS is also the place to find the latest editions of "SCAM!" magazine! Even if you're an out-of-state caller, this BBS is well worth the extra dime. So why not call today? The fone number is (203) 832-8441. Logon with newuser password "CONSPIRACY", and say you heard about 'em from "SCAM!" ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ FIND THE LATEST AND THE GREATEST 0-30'S! STARGATE ASYLUM (516) YOU-WISH ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ WANTED: VALID CBI, TRW, EQUIFAX AND TRANS UNION ACCOUNTS, PASSWORDS AND LOGON HELP. If you have enjoyed reading "SCAM!" magazine and have found it of any value to you, which hopefully you have, please be advised that NO idiotic money contributions are requested. Rather, I seek the above. If you have any of the above, or would like to refer a BBS number and newuser logon password where the above information can be obtained, please leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS (see above). NOTE: The Rune Stone BBS is a legitimate BBS and does NOT wish information of this type publicly posted. Therefore, please obey the wishes and respect the rules of the Sysops on this BBS and do NOT post this info publicly. Each message will be treated with the UTMOST in confidentiality and will be sincerely appreciated. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ MERCENARY, GIMME MORE POINTS FOR AREA 27! I LIVE TO LEECH! -- The Prod. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ HELLO, GERMANY! ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ARE YOU SICK AND TIRED OF CALLING "611" to get repair service, only to find out that the line is busy or you're being put on hold for about an hour?? Fret no more ... if you're a New York Telephone customer, try 890-0091. This is an UNLISTED New York Telephone trunk number that will automatically connect you to the first available operator for repair. The repair centers, by the way, are in White Plains and Garden City, and there's another in Queens somewhere. You won't find yourself calling back or left on hold again! (Note this number works in MOST area codes serviced by New York Telephone, but might not work in yours. Try it anyway, you have nothing to lose!) * * * * * THIS HELPFUL HINT FURNISHED COURTESY OF THE PRODUCER & "SCAM!" MAGAZINE ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ FOR SALE: VALID SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, together with (1) the name of the person the number belongs to; (2) his or her most current address; and (3) his or her most current telephone number. HUNDREDS OF NUMBERS AVAILABLE, most also including the person's date of birth! Many also include the person's current occupation, place of employment AND salary. These numbers, which are available for REAL, LIVING persons, can in many cases be tailored to your needs for specific age, race and/or nationality. NO MONEY DESIRED FOR THIS INFORMATION; USE YOUR BRAIN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WANTED IN RETURN! DISCLAIMER: The authors and publishers of this magazine shall act merely as liaison to any parties responding to this advertisement, for informational and entertainment purposes only. RESPOND, PLEASE, IN THE APPROPRIATE FASHION. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ FIND OUT INFO ON THAT AMEX CARD! If you know the number of an American Express Card AND the social security number of the cardholder, just dial the following number: 1-800-292-2639. A computer-generated program will permit you to find out lots of valuable information on the card such as last payment, available limits, etc. You do NOT need to know the expiration date of the card! Works for greens, golds and platinums. If the computer attempts to transfer you to a live operator, this means some of the info you gave didn't jive ... so disconnect! Have more AMEX inquiries? Call 1-800-528-4800 for a live person ... but know what you're doing! Calls answered M-F 9:30-5:30 EST. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ PIRACY RULES ... AND THE DWELLING RETURNS! ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ WANTED!! ÛÛ ÛÛ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÛÛ ÛÛ VALID WDIA ACCOUNTS, PASSWORDS ÛÛ ÛÛ AND LOGON HELP ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ WDIA is (or was) one of the nation's largest electronic databases that acts (or did act) as a gateway to DMV, credit card bureaus and courthouse records nationwide. Its function is (or was) to provide private investigators with the necessary tools for tracing, tracking, etc. private individuals and/or businesses and, upon entering the proper search requests, can offer credit card histories, criminal background checks, business investigations etc. nationwide, if not worldwide. If you have enjoyed reading "SCAM!" magazine and have found it of any value to you, please leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS (see above), or furnish a BBS number where the above information can be obtained. Again, please respect the rules of The Rune Stone and do NOT post public ANY info of this type. Each message will be treated with the UTMOST confidentiality and will be sincerely appreciated. *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** For total anonymity, use PKZIP encryption. Especially when dealing with WDIA, I would suggest it. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 0-30'S WITH MINT MESSAGE BASE AND SUPER-MINT SYSOP THE TACK ROOM (516) 4U2-KNOW ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD IN "SCAM!" MAGAZINE: Leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS (see above). Your real name, address, etc. are NOT needed to place classified ads. You may leave your handle, e-mail address and/or BBS message area where others can respond to your ad. NO FEE IS REQUIRED! Classified ads MUST conform to the general content of "SCAM!" magazine. Classified ads for "conservative" BBS's (e.g. BBS's containing shareware programs, games, etc.) will NOT be posted, so please don't waste my time! Classified ads containing actual credit card numbers, passwords, etc. will NOT be posted, simply because the posting of such information would be clearly illegal; however, classified ads that contain SOURCES to obtain this information are acceptable and, in fact, are encouraged. Classified ads will be posted based upon their content and at the sole and exclusive discretion of THE PRODUCER. In your request, please don't forget to specifically state that you wish a classified ad, or else your info will simply be treated confidentially and I will not know to post it. Please help make "SCAM!" magazine grow by submitting your classified ad today! ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ THE DWELLING RETURNS ... ELITENESS UP TO YOUR ASS! (516) GO2-HELL ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN "SCAM!" MAGAZINE: "SCAM!" magazine is searching for new "Field Researchers"! If you have something you feel is valuable to the readers of "SCAM!" and would like to submit it for consideration, please do so! Here's how: Leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS (see above). In this message, state the following: (1) your handle; (2) a brief (please!) description of your offering; (3) about how many pages is it?; (4) a BBS that you belong to, other than The Rune Stone BBS; and (5) newuser password and logon info for that other BBS. Generally only articles, in ASCII form, will be accepted; executable programs, unless VERY useful and VERY small, cannot be considered simply due to the forum. Please post your proposed article in ZIP, ARJ or LHA on that other BBS (not the Rune Stone!) If your article seems really worthwhile, it will be downloaded, reviewed and ultimately published. In your request, please don't forget to specifically state that you wish an article published, or else your info will simply be treated confidentially and I will not know to consider it. Please help make "SCAM!" magazine grow by submitting your articles for consideration today! *** "SCAM!" SUGGESTION: *** If you would like to keep your article confidential prior to its appearance in "SCAM!", do the following: Place the article in "ZIP" form on the other BBS, but add PKZIP encryption to the file. In your private message, leave the key. That way, no one else can read the article. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ EDITORIALS AND SUGGESTION BOX. All articles in "SCAM!" magazine are subject to EDITORIAL REPLY by my readers. This is a free country and you're entitled to respond, so PLEASE DO SO! I welcome your thoughts and ideas. Do you have any suggestions on how to make "SCAM!" better, or what you'd like to see in "SCAM!"?? Was there something in "SCAM!" you disagree with, or would like to have clarified?? Is there a particular scam you'd like to pull off, but don't know how?? Leave a PRIVATE message for THE PRODUCER on The Rune Stone BBS and let your editorial replies be heard for future publications of this magazine! ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍËËËËËÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» ÉÊÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÊÊÊÊÊÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÊ» º UNTIL NEXT TIME, HAPPY "SCAM!"S & BE WELL!! º º º ÌË» É˹ ÌιÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ T H E P R O D U C E R ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÌι Ìʼ Èʹ º SNEEZING, COUGHING, CHOKING AND GASPING FOR º º UNPOLLUTED AIR IN GOD'S COUNTRY ... º º NEW YORK STATE, U. S. A.! º ÈËÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍËËËËËÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͹ ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÊÊÊÊÊÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ The End