Open Thread Weekend 2/28/09

I don’t usually make unsolicited recommendations in this space, but for those interested in learning the language of a country that is a major trading partner of the U.S. as well as financer of our government debt, or for adoptive parents of Chinese children who want to allow them to keep their native language, Xiaoping Walters provides excellent tutoring in Mandarin. If interested, please contact her at 646-203-9601.

I agree with JW above…that ad is really offensive. It is also an affront to the President’s efforts to straighten out the economy. I hope that most readers of the BHB are too savvy to fall for it. If it is a legitimate offer, let us know so we can sign up. If I got a check for $26,383 out of the blue, I’d be happy to agree to spend every penny as quickly as possible.

The FBI has issued a press release warning of “phishing” scams concerning stimulus payments. Apparently these are implemented through direct e-mails purporting to be from the IRS, which ask the recipients to supply SSNs, bank account numbers, etc.

I’ve seen “stimulus check” ads like the one that shows up in our “sponsored links” on sites like AOL News and Slate Magazine (owned by the Washington Post). This isn’t to say the ads are necessarily legit. I tried following the link from the ad on BHB and got to where it offered to sell me, for $2.99, a CD with instructions on how to apply for a “government grant”. That, in turn, may be legit insofar as the government does in some circumstances make grants to individuals, though these are, to my knowledge, limited to supporting scholarly research on topics related to national defense, public health or the like. A grant application that had as its stated purpose “pay off my mortgage” would get tossed in the round file. If the ad is a scam (as I think it likely is) its worst effect may be to make you part with three hard-earned bucks for a CD that will prove useless.

I’ve also looked at Snopes.com, but didn’t find anything relevant.

Ben Bankson has a B&B at 14 Willow Place. He can be reached at BBank12960@aol.com, or 718-237-0339.