Right now – I’m really pissed off. The reason I am really pissed off is simple…

…I really hate people.

The reason I am really pissed off and the reason I really hate people is because when you deal with companies for the first time, when you get promised things by businesses you frequent – and when you simply log on to your computer like you do every day – you get scammed, lied to – and infected.

Let me give you some examples:

• About a year-and-a-half ago, I went to Big Bucks Auto (a company who’s name I have altered – but only to the second word – which I added an “F” to the first letter instead of a “B.”) I inquired about how much they would give me for my car, to which they said – over the phone – $1,000 “guaranteed.” Knowing full well that I was being scammed, I still foolishly drove to their location anyway – only to be told, as expected, that they would pay me a whopping $200 for my vehicle. Ironically, in their ad on television, they say, “No ‘Bait and Switch’ trade-ins – and not really knowing what you’re getting for your car.”
o I beg to differ…

• A few days ago, I got a “Pre-Approved” (and we all know what that means, don’t we) offer from a major bank that I am a very good and loyal customer of, that offered me a “guaranteed” credit card with a $15,000 limit. Knowing full well that I was being lied to, I called the number and spoke to a representative. Before we got started, I asked her if this offer was a “guarantee” – at which time she assured me that it was. After spending a half-hour on the phone answering her over two dozen questions and giving her every piece of my personal information, she put me on hold to begin the “approval” process – only to tell me ten minutes later that they would not be able to approve me at this time.
o So why did they waste a total of 40 minutes of my time when I asked her off the bat if this was a “guarantee” – a question that she answered with a resounding “yes.”

• On Tuesday, I got home and logged on to my computer as I always do. Suddenly, I got a virus notification and kept being sent to a website that offered me an anti-virus software that would get rid of the “problem.” Each time I closed the virus warning window – it would pop up again seconds later. Giving up and leaving the window open, the number of notifications would increase – to the point where in one hour – I got over 1,000. Knowing full well that I was infected, I called Julie’s father who works for a “Geek Squad” type company. He told me that certain companies will purposely infect your computer – only to “sell” you their anti-virus software – which, ironically – is the only cure for the virus. So in other words, it’s not a cure – it’s ransom.
o So I have to pay complete strangers in order to get back the control and rights to my own computer? How is this allowed? And why are these companies not closed down by the Government and these people not in jail?

I may not be the greatest person in the world, or the most in shape, attractive – or intelligent person ever created – but I know, I know – that I am a good person. For example, at work, when my colleagues threw a baby shower for one of my friends – I was the one who volunteered to present her with the gifts, clean up – and bring the gifts to her car. When a friend and colleague of mine was getting married last Sunday – I was the one who volunteered to coordinate her bridal shower – and raised a substantial amount of money for her gift. And now that my friend and colleague I mentioned first is about to give birth – I came up with the idea today of starting a “baby pool” – and donating all the winnings to her and her newborn child. In no way am I mentioning these things to invite praise – I am mentioning them because – unlike most people I have recently encountered – I care about my fellow human beings – with no expectation of reward…

…how I wish others would do the same.

Working for the Army has taught me that “Army speak” is full of acronyms. Well, I have an acronym of my own – and it is one that I will follow from now on…

…DTA – Don’t Trust Anybody.