SCAM ALERT!!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you all know about a recent scam. I know about it because it happened to me. I'm embarrassed to say it since I'm a second year law student and caught it. But obviously I'm not as observant as I thought. Plus I was desperate. So I posted an ad on craigslist for a new roommate for next semester. I received a quick response from a girl named Katherine saying she was from France and interested in moving in as soon as possible. So I held on to the email for about a week before deciding to act on it. Mostly what made me act on it was my lack of funds and needing money desperately. So I ignored the red flags...because looking back I can see the problems. But anyway, so I told her sure and she said she'd send first months rent and the shippers fee for her things. So she overnighted a check with FedEx for $3200 and told me to deposit it right away. I did and my bank put it on hold for a week and a half. Which grateful they did! So I get this email from "her" that says she needs the money back right away and that I should westernunion it to her. But the money was on hold. I asked my bank and they said sorry its on hold. So I emailed back and said that there was nothing I could do and she's just going to have to deal with it. I never heard anything back. So then yesterday Kevin called and told me that this samething happened to them only with a jeep they were trying to sell. I did some research and for sure it was a scam...the exact emails that I recieved others had received as well. So I went and tlaked to my bank got them to flag the check and closed the account. There were little red flags like she wouldn't tell me what day she was coming and never answered any of my questions. I asked for references and she never gave them. I feel like an idiot that I didn't see the flags but I was desperate to have a roommate to help with rent. Here's how the scam works. They send me a bad check and I deposit it and then withdraw it and send them the money. The check then goes bad and I now owe the bank $3200. Plus possible jail time for fraud. The only little bit of pleasure I got out of the whole thing is that they are out $45 for sending the check overnight. Ha! Really thats no comparison but it made me feel a little better. So here's a warning to anyone looking to rent any place or get a roommate. Investigate it fully.

Wow its already December!

Is it just me or did this year fly by? Actually this last semester flew by for me. It seems like I just moved to Moscow a month ago not four months ago. I have finals this week. Luckily I only have three with one being a three day take home. So its not too bad. I hope that next semester flies by as well! That is going to be my worst semester in school. I got approval from the dean to graduate a semester early. So I'll be done this time next year as opposed to May of 2010. But that means I have 19 credits next semester. I know that that isn't a lot but law classes and undergrad classes are kind of different. We'll see if I survive. I'm really excited to get done with school. I hate school. It will be nice though since all of January I can study for the bar and then take it in February and hopefully be a grown up attorney by March of 2010. After that it just comes down to finding a job. That will be the tough part. I might start off right away doing private practice or see about a federal job. Who knows. Its one of those things were you have to have faith that things will work out in the end. I can't believe I'll be a grown up with a career! My break starts on the 20th and I don't need to be back to school until the 12th so I have big plans over the break. #1: Go to Alta for ski free after three with Linds and learn how to ski! #2: Sleep!!! #3: Go to the zoo with the nieces and nephew. #4: Watch the U play 'Bama in the Sugar Bowl! Wahoo! #5: Travel to Mecca aka going to Temple Square and see the lights. #6: Try to hang out with someone before the girl gets back in town...maybe. #7: See all my friends and family. #8: Go get pedi's for Janelle's birthday. #8: Kick butt at our family bingo game...the jar of screws is mine this year! #9: See people's new houses..Linds and the cuz. #10: Enjoy Christmas! There you go...those are my great plans...notice none of them involve school work! Sadly I will have to do some. :( I hope you all have a great holiday as well! And I'd love to see you all while I'm home! Give me a call or drop me an email!