interesting scam email... vocabulary question

[blume357]

So, I get what I figure is an email wanting me to click on the link and sign in to a fake place... but here is the text with the word I don't know, I guess I could look it up, but I just didn't think it looked right in an email like this:
actually, it sounds familiar and I kind of feel like I know what it means but still it is a weird word to put in an email like this scam or not.....

"

Dear AT&T User, Your five incoming messages have been held because the AT&T network cable server malfunctioned. On AUGUST 20TH, 2024, we will be closing all previous iterations of our mailbox soon. we can't find your login information in our system database. We urge you to update your account so it can be updated to our system​

 

[contender]

You always have to be careful & cautious in just about anything you do nowadays.

 

[Don Lovel]

So, I get what I figure is an email wanting me to click on the link and sign in to a fake place... but here is the text with the word I don't know, I guess I could look it up, but I just didn't think it looked right in an email like this:
actually, it sounds familiar and I kind of feel like I know what it means but still it is a weird word to put in an email like this scam or not.....

"

Dear AT&T User, Your five incoming messages have been held because the AT&T network cable server malfunctioned. On AUGUST 20TH, 2024, we will be closing all previous iterations of our mailbox soon. we can't find your login information in our system database. We urge you to update your account so it can be updated to our system​

AT&T never cared about any customer problems for decades anyway. Real AT&T or fake AT&T apparently doesnt matter what "iteration" you are dealing with.

 

[jimbo1096]

It means to repeat a process. I don’t think it’s applicable in this situation.

 

[NikA]

Seems possible that it could be a legitimate message if you're an AT&T customer. 'Iteration' is a correct word, in this case equivalent to 'version'.

Did you look at the email header to determine if the sender is actually AT&T? Look at the link to see if the site is actually AT&T? Most basic scams don't even attempt to hide these things.

 

[eveled]

Mathematically @jimbo1096 is correct to repeat a process getting closer to the answer each time.

Iteration is also a synonym for version.

It’s similar to how “difference” has a specific mathematical definition. But also a different non math meaning.

 

[blume357]

the email address it came from is an AT&T one which kind of concerned me.... these are never from the actually place they say...
here it is: [email protected]. but if the email message just means they aren't going to try and send me the 5 messages that got stuck because their 'cable broke'... I'm not really worried about it. Since I get around 3-400 junk emails a day out of probably 10-20 that are actually real what are the chances that I missed something important? But that word iteration kind of tells me some person who is well versed in English got over zealous translating the original email that was in a different language.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I use that word.

eveled has the spot on answer here.

 

[Jeepnik]

Email addresses like phone numbers are easily spoofed these days.

 

[thinckley]

AT&T emails come from a .com address, not a .net.

Depending on the purpose of the email the domain is different i.e.:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected] (an employee I work with)

But as for iteration, in this context it does mean version.

 

[Rat76]

Bottom line. Don't click on any link in an email or text. Go to the website & log in to your account. If it's real there will be something in your account's message area.

 

[blume357]

The junk emails I've been getting inundated with as of late (there's you's guys a word) is to improve my web site for my business.. they all say they like my website but can get it higher or number one on the google search engine... I've actually responded in various ways to a few but have yet to get one response for the sender.... the bottom line is my business does not have a web site...

edit: I just thought about doing something.. I did a google search of my business name....
"The Merry Sweep".
boy howdy, it seems I'm all over the infernal net.... and I have not advertised in close on to 20 years.
You can even find me this way....

 

[crstrode]

So, I get what I figure is an email wanting me to click on the link and sign in to a fake place... but here is the text with the word I don't know, I guess I could look it up, but I just didn't think it looked right in an email like this:
actually, it sounds familiar and I kind of feel like I know what it means but still it is a weird word to put in an email like this scam or not.....

"

Dear AT&T User, Your five incoming messages have been held because the AT&T network cable server malfunctioned. On AUGUST 20TH, 2024, we will be closing all previous iterations of our mailbox soon. we can't find your login information in our system database. We urge you to update your account so it can be updated to our system​

I just now learned that word myself . . .
No! Wait - it was several years ago. In public school, in the middle part of the last century.

 

[jimbo1096]

Blume- I was curious so did the web search. Enjoyed reading you description and your “0 Certified Staff”

 

[Johnnu2]

I got your iteration right here............. :unsure:

J.

 

[blume357]

Blume- I was curious so did the web search. Enjoyed reading you description and your "0 Certified Staff"

Now I'm going to have to look me up and figure that out.... did you go to CSIA's or NCSG's websites?
I was certified by the Chimney Safety Instituted of America for almost 4 decades... at first it was by The National Chimney Sweep Guild... then CSIA. took the test for the first time in 1983. I took the test 13 or 14 times.... my issue now is I'm for sure on the down hill side of this whole chimney sweep industry and they want me to take the test again and go to the same seminars for the 4th or more times..... I mean what has changed in the last 40+ years.... The newer gas direct vent fireplaces are a bit of a challenge, if you don't. have the "special tool"*, but most of what 'they' are teaching is for training employees and growing your business by just writing up the chimney as unsafe.

I'll post a picture of the special tool later, if I can remember to.

 

[jimbo1096]

Blume

https://search.csia.org/company_profile/blume-the-merry-swee

 

[blume357]

It took me a few moments to figure out what you were relating to. They used to just only have those certified listed. Unfortunately the politics and personal promotion got in the way of them doing the right thing. I'm one of the very few loan wolf chimney sweeps left out there.

 

[Mobuck]

sounds like the term a military or ex-military individual might use. :unsure:

 

[jimbo1096]

“To be blunt, I'm an old worn out chimney sweep that has been 'rode hard and put up wet" way too many times. I spent 36 years working way too hard and am now at year 39 on the down hill side of this Sweeping business. I've spent years taking all the classes offered for sweeps and have never felt a need to hire employees or put multiple work vehicles on the road. I don't play the sweep industry game of looking for work while at your home. I will give you my honest opinion of your chimney and what I think you need and I might even be willing to do it. But I often will not agree with my industries standards of evaluation. That is as truthful, for good or bad, as I can get.”

Well said Mr Blume

 

[redhawker]

Any time I get anything like this, that looks like there's an outside chance it's legit, instead of clicking on the link in the email, I sign on as I normally would when I want to reach their website. In the case of AT & T (for example) I would type in their website on my browser and sign on like I do when I go to pay my bill. If there's an actual problem there will be a message on your account page on the website telling you about it. If you don't see a message then figure you just avoided a scam.