General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAnyone else get a "DemocraticUnderground.com" award scam?
I have to assume it was a hack or malware attempt. Otherwise I missed out on my new iPhone 6 or iPad or Macbook Pro.
I checked DU while at lunch, from my iPhone. It immediately took me to a pop-up screen (although pop-ups are blocked) which congratulated me; as a frequent DU user, I've been selected to win either an iPhone, iPad or Macbook. The actual DU page was greyed out behind the pop-up...it looked like DU, but the favicon (the little icon in the menu bar) was a Facebook icon, and the address ended in the same "com-1" address as the pop-up. The only option was to click OK. No cancel, no way to back out.
I turned off my phone and waited a few minutes before restarting. I relaunched Safari, clicked on DU and there it was again. Could not get rid of it. So I went to Settings and cleared all Safari date and cookies, and once again restarted the iPhone. The message went away.
Be careful out there my friends...or enjoy the Macbook Pro which should have been mine.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I seriously doubted I had won anything either.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Friendly reminder for the day-
Atman
(31,464 posts)Obviously, there are things I cannot control. Same with my desktop. I don't use my phone for anything but the basics. As I said, I got every blocker and filter enabled, plus some add-ons. That's why I as surprised to see this scam. Very obvious when they don't even allow you to say "no." The only way to end it was to completely shut down my phone and re-set data.
I don't for a minute believe that my tracker blockers and other safe-ware are fully protecting me. But this was a first on my iPhone. I've never seen anything as insidious as this.
padfun
(1,787 posts)Thats why they cost upwards of $600. If it was just a phone, then you shouldn't pay more than $10 for it.
Sleeping under a tree for 20 years can make one fall far behind the times.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)There are very few things I can't do on my phone that I would need a computer for.
merrily
(45,251 posts)Aerows
(39,961 posts)is not being trapped in the ocean with thousands of strangers and not being able to get away from them.
That just does not sound like my idea of fun.
merrily
(45,251 posts)If you are romantically involved with your travel partner and the food is marvelous, a few days is probably fine.
But, of course, the winning a cruise letters and calls are bs.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)says my gmail.
All I have to do is give them my bank details, and it will be deposited immeidately.
merrily
(45,251 posts)I guess I'm lucky
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)SO, you're right. No Macbook for me.
I have seen it a few times now... if i shut the tab, then re-open, it goes away.
Several times. Click ok, close the tab and open a new tab in safari.
Atman
(31,464 posts)And you're happy that it "went away?" Wow. You have more faith in scammers than do.
When the ONLY option you're presented with is to click OK, with no way to cancel or back out, I'd sooner throw my phone in the trash can.
2naSalit
(86,775 posts)I turned off my phone and waited a few minutes before restarting.
Iggo
(47,565 posts)Assumed it was a scam and moved on.
GeorgeGist
(25,323 posts)My Macbook arrived today.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)Never on other sites I visit.
JimDandy
(7,318 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)I closed it right away
pintobean
(18,101 posts)rpannier
(24,338 posts)Your cynicism is appreciated
Fuddnik
(8,846 posts)Can I give it back?
2naSalit
(86,775 posts)to Ask the Admins. page.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1259
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)I'm tired of cheaters, scammers, crooks and the like.
Aldo Leopold
(685 posts)about two weeks ago. I also re-started my phone to get rid of it. Hasn't happened on any other sites, just DU.
Side complaint: This site has become so ad heavy it doesn't run very well with Safari on my iPhone any longer. The Google app seems to work better.
Fla Dem
(23,741 posts)JesterCS
(1,827 posts)They make adblock browser for android as well
Atman
(31,464 posts)This ain't my first day at the rodeo, kids. I see no ads on DU, not even since I stopped "donating." I have ad blockers, I have tracker blockers, you name it. That's why I was so surprised to see something like pop up on DU.
greiner3
(5,214 posts)I use Firefox and can control settings so much more than Safari
Atman
(31,464 posts)Sometimes things will simply not function in Firefox, but work just fine in Safari. Rarely the other way around. I'm not saying that's a good thing, I'm just saying that I use them both for different reasons.
gordyfl
(598 posts)I thought it was legit, but wasn't interested.
It took me a few tries to get rid of it. I think I "restarted" my phone, although I can't recall exactly how I did it. I know I did not hit "accept". That I know.
LiberalArkie
(15,728 posts)strategery blunder
(4,225 posts)I was tempted to alert on this post to bring it to some kind of review but I'm not sure a jury could really do anything about it. I wouldn't be reporting you so much as the fact that this post contains information relevant to the interests of our admins.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)It's FRA-GEE-LAY.
sarge43
(28,945 posts)Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)progressoid
(49,999 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)shanine
(354 posts)Fla Dem
(23,741 posts)Go to the tab at the top of the screen. Click on My Account. On that screen click on the tab that say "Star Membership". You pay what you can afford.
Atman
(31,464 posts)I finally stopped paying last year. I got my money's worth, as did Skinner.
Fla Dem
(23,741 posts)I've been a member as long as you.
And my "daddy" didn't buy me any Atari.
LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)I got to the point of looking at the "gifts" which also had hefty price tags - the iphones and the ipad and something else. I was tempted but really didn't believe it. I figured I'd somehow end up losing money on my "gift." So, I let it go both times. Wondering how to block future spam hoaxes now.