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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford glares at electronic signs Since You Asked: ZIP code determines address for Postal Service Get Up & Go: Nov. 19 Emergency services Family files $5 million suit in son's death Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Victims' families recount pain, loss as drunken driver sentenced to 15 years Mexican man pleads guilty to growing pot in forest near Ashland Emergency Services Medford police shoot bear near Jefferson Elementary Politics and Elections Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Education Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Environment Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em Since You Asked: Biomass One makes steam-generated power Organic squash creates a bountiful harvest for ACCESS Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill State News Police shoot robbery suspect in Klamath Falls Nation - World Obituaries Jason Lee Manthe Perry Charles Card Robert E. Johnson Tennie Lee Sutton Cletta Marie Yocham Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Top-ranked Kentucky rips No. 5 Kansas Bryant's 28 carries Lakers to second victory Payton leads Beavers past Corban, 86-62 Steelers release unhappy running back Blount Gray on center stage with Patriots Varsity 541 College Sports Top-ranked Kentucky rips No. 5 Kansas Payton leads Beavers past Corban, 86-62 Balanced Raiders roll past Simpson LEADING THE WAY 'Bama leapfrogs Oregon to No. 1 in poll Pro Sports Bryant's 28 carries Lakers to second victory Steelers release unhappy running back Blount Gray on center stage with Patriots Love thinks Ryder Cup is too crowded Woods irked by Jenkins parody Community Sports Results / Standings Business Latest Stories Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Medford Center up for a makeover by new buyer Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Demand from LNG terminals would likely boost natural gas prices Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Agriculture Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Opinion Latest Letters to the editor, Nov. 19 Court ruling may envelope Cover Oregon Granlund cartoon: Adrian Peterson suspended Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Our View: Kicking the can down the road Editorials Court ruling may envelope Cover Oregon Our View: Kicking the can down the road Our View: Wyden's O&C bill may be the answer, or not Other Views: A chastened Kitzhaber must tend to business Our View: Cheers and Jeers Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor, Nov. 19 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 18 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 17 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 16 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 14 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Fix health care reform, don't scrap it Reflections on the election in Oregon and beyond Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Lifestyle Latest stories Kitchen Call: Corn pudding is perfect for Thanksgiving Dave Says: Mother-in-law needs a push toward financial independence Lost in Suburbia: Revenge of the turkey Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Keep it simple with Thanksgiving wines Food Kitchen Call: Corn pudding is perfect for Thanksgiving Keep it simple with Thanksgiving wines Homes for the holidays Community blog: Bourbon-bacon pie crust perfect with pumpkin Food for Thought: Embark on a culinary trip around the world Home and Garden Home Help: Spruce up your home with quick DIY painting projects Beyond curb appeal: When it pays to stand out Use the hidden meaning of color to enhance your home 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home Health Community blog: Lazy Able-Bodied People Could Live Here Here's a hand up you can use Community blog: Happy Holidays? Surviving and Even Thriving in the Dark Times Dr. Murray Feingold: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’ Health Watch: Tips for post-workout recovery Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Christ Unity Church shows 'Gen Silent' Milestones and Achievements Local farmers need more products in grocery stores Ashland honey festival draws swarm of visitors Fundraiser to benefit Medford Senior Center New Arrivals The meaning behind Veterans Day Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon to perform two shows 'Alice in Wonderland' opens at Theatre Convivio 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Makana plays the Unitarian Theater 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' The power of human spirit Music Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon to perform two shows The Farr Side: CMA telecast was a disappointment Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Makana plays the Unitarian Rogue World Ensemble presents 'Gather 'Round' Focus on Tanya Gabrielian as Rogue Valley Symphony evokes the Baroque Community Events Review: Randall Theatre's 'Secret Garden' still enchanting Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Dining Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Back Porch Bar & Grill Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Victims' families recount pain, loss as drunken driver sentenced to 15 years ... Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms ... Mexican man pleads guilty to growing pot in forest near Ashland ... Victims' families recount pain, loss as drunken driver sentenced to 15 years ... Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms ... Mexican man pleads guilty to growing pot in forest near Ashland ... A terrifying story about buying online Acellphone beeps, and the conversation goes like this. By Bill Varble MailTribune.com By Bill Varble Posted Jun. 30, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated Jun 30, 2013 at 2:50 AM By Bill Varble Posted Jun. 30, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated Jun 30, 2013 at 2:50 AM » Social News Acellphone beeps, and the conversation goes like this. "Mr. Wilson, this is Agent William Wright with the DEA in Washington, D.C. I'm calling about the Viagra you bought online last year. It was purchased from a company in Canada and imported into the U.S. without a prescription. Do you remember that?" "Um, I did buy some Viagra online." "Did you know that's a felony?" "A felony?" "You're facing federal drug charges. A warrant is going out for your arrest this afternoon." "I didn't know I was breaking any law." "You'll be taken into custody, your home will be searched, and you're going to jail." (silence) "It's federal. You probably won't have a bail hearing for a month." (long pause) "OK, there might be a way out. Look, Mr. Wilson, we know you're not a drug dealer. The fine is $1,950. If you take care of it right now, I think I can hold up the warrant. Do you have a pen handy?" "Yes." "Write this down. It's $1,950. It has to be sent by MoneyGram. Use a credit or debit card, otherwise it won't get there in time." Send it to (an address in the Dominican Republic) for pickup by Manny Hernandez. It has to be there by 4 p.m., or you'll be arrested. Do it now. "I know you're not a drug cartel, Mr. Wilson, you're a good guy. So don't let me down or federal agents will be at your door today, and you'll be in jail tonight." The Central Point man who took the call, who asked that his name not be used, was stunned. It was hard to believe that the DEA would be bothering somebody over this. But a few years ago, it was hard to believe anybody would go after people downloading Napster tunes, too. This scam has been around for more than a year. Posing as DEA agents, sometimes using actual agents' names, the crooks make threatening calls to scare their marks, then offer a lifeline. Pay up, and the charges will go away. Medford Police Sgt. Brent Mak, a fraud investigation specialist, says it doesn't have to involve Viagra. "We've seen this where one gal purchased a weight-loss drug," he says. The caller talks tough. He has your cellphone number and your address. The call comes in the afternoon, leaving only a sliver of a window for action. Some of the names scammers have used are Special Agent William Wright, or Rice, Lt. Lynn Taylor, Agent Curtis Jackson, Special Agent Mark Trouville (badge number ASNL9975), Robert Castillo, Harry Sommers. Sometimes the person who takes the call can hear a police scanner in the background, or even what seems to be somebody dispatching agents to your home over another phone. If you say you didn't buy meds online, the scammer might claim the DEA intercepted a shipment of illegal drugs addressed to you, and you're in a lot of trouble. Local authorities will take your kids as wards of the court. You'll do time in a federal prison. Or worse, a prison in the Dominican Republic. If he doesn't get the money in an hour or two, the scammer calls back, angry and threatening. The caller may be part of a gang that sold the drugs online and then used the customers' information for extortion. Mak says scammers also can buy data from crooks who compile the profiles of ID theft victims and sell them to other crooks. He says the scam is pretty transparent, if somebody has time to think about it. "If the DEA were going to take action, they'd come to your door," he says. The DEA cannot levy fines, and its agents won't demand money. Mak says anybody receiving a call from somebody claiming to be from a law enforcement agency should hang up and call the agency's nearest office to check it out. "In almost all cases, there are two main red flags with these scams," he says. "One, a sense of urgency. It has to be today. Two, they require that the money be sent a certain way, like Western Union. "These people cause a lot of trauma. The victims are often elderly, and they're embarrassed. They don't want their family to know." In addition to exposing yourself to the DEA scam, to buy drugs online is to risk getting bogus drugs. At the very least, you're giving your address and credit card number to people whose business model is illegal. Impersonating a federal agent is a violation of federal law. If you're contacted by these lowlifes, the number to report the scam to the real DEA is 877-792-2873. For more, Google "DEA scam" or check out these sites: http://tinyurl.com/nbwutf4 and http://tinyurl.com/p3tlugk Bill Varble is a freelance writer living in Medford. If you have comments or suggested topics for the column, please send them to [email protected]. By Bill Varble MailTribune.com By Bill Varble Posted Jun. 30, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated Jun 30, 2013 at 2:50 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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