Shortly after our newsletter this morning, you may have received a confusing email from an account purporting to be me, Matt Taibbi. The content of this email included a picture of a CPAP machine and information on a fake class action lawsuit.
This was a phishing attempt. Please delete this email and do not click any links. I became aware of the spam as replies came rolling in, and we informed Substack, whose security team is currently working to mitigate the issue and prevent any future attempts.
All of us at TK and Substack are sorry for the inconvenience and intrusion. Personally, I think people who do things like this should be packed in a rocket and fired into the sun.
It's really hard to fire anything into the sun, because you have to defeat the momentum of the earth's orbit. But we could fire them into the moon pretty easily, which should do just as well for practical purposes.
"Personally, I think people who do things like this should be packed in a rocket and fired into the sun."
Mr. Taibbi -- it would be enough for me if the FCC simply began enforcing ITS OWN RULES, and started bringing civil/criminal actions -- with very stiff penalties -- against those who persist in jamming the 'tubes with fraudulent communications. Most spamming/phishing centers are readily identified, and could be confronted ... unfortunately, with "regulatory capture" as prevalent as it currently is in the corrupt US government, I expect matters to remain as they are for the forseeable future --
The powerful CPAP industrial complex is no doubt acting to preempt your upcoming investigative piece into the broad river of money flowing to them from Medicare.
Matt, I know this is not exactly your wheelhouse but I want you and your readers to know about this. Authenticated Pfizer documents logging 1223 deaths THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT within 90 days of EUA release.
Have admired your work for years and so glad you got out of the imploding Rolling Stone. Thank you for your courage.
I wouldn't go that easy on the bastards. I'd tie 'em in front of a TV and make 'em listen to the televangelists all day. Actually it's good for them to get to know one another - they'll be at the same level of Dante's Inferno throughout eternity.
Ha ha, fired into the sun. I agree. Unfortunately, I also think people who use Apple only apps for their subscribers maybe should get the same fate. Not really, because I really do appreciate your work, just not your support of companies that have suicide nets on their Chinese factories. Think about it.
I know how you feel. I feel that way, too , but I have Apple systems, have no clue nor desire to learn how to use Windows or Android and, I'm pretty sure Microsoft is using Uyghur slave labor in China, too. It stinks. I want to barf every time I hear one of these corps sappy commercials about how much they care about x,y,z. Phonies.
I can't argue, they all suck, one really can't buy much without compromising their beliefs. On Apple, I did have a Mac Book Pro that I liked, but, ironically, I am a graphics guy and the computer that is renowned for graphics sucked for me for graphics work. LOL. When they dropped Aperture, I was done. It lasted a long time, but when it was replacement time, I got far more capability with a third the price with Windows. My first smartphone, and my last, was an iPhone and I hated how Apple controlled everything I did more on that phone. Since then, it has been Android and I have never paid more than $45 for my phone. I only use one because I have to. I hate them, I call smartphones the death of civility. But my $28 per month cheapo works fine and I even use some apps. LOL. I don't like pads, but my wife does. Her first two were iPads that lasted a day past their warranties and there was zero customer support or repair. She is coming up on the third year on the Amazon Fire we got for around $50 (and, trust me, I hate Amazon, too). Buying a Fire every two months would have been cheaper than the iPads, but it is still going and the iPads are long gone. So, my opinion of Apple is that as a company they suck and, beyond that, their products suck. I know everyone's mileage varies. I will never buy Apple again. I built a desktop that will last for ten years and is unreal for gaming and graphics (my main need for a high speed computer) at a fraction of the cost of a Mac. You cannot build a Mac like you can Windows or Linux and I prefer both to IOS.
As an intended target it’s irritating and no doubt I would be angrier if I were in your shoes. But packing them off in a flying skillet seems like overkill. Perhaps a mercifully quick death could be considered? That way we maintain the distinction between phishing or trespass and treason or premeditated murder. Signed, An annoyingly pedantic reader with no sense of humor.
The only email I got within the last hour from Substack was from Aaron Maté. Wow. First, he makes up stories about Syria and Russiagate, now he's spamming.
Hey Matt. How’s it going? I didn’t get the first email from you but I would like some more information about this lawsuit. Would you be able to forward me the first email? Thanks and I appreciate what you do.
good suggestions follow below from fellow subscribers, such as using CNN as a variant of modern water torture. My first thought was being forced to listen to Adam Schiff's mindless blathering.
I didn't get the phishing message, but then, I didn't get the newsletter either. For some reason, substack is not notifying me when you post. Please speak to them about this.
Firing into the sun is one solution. Personally, I think we should bring back the stockades for many modern offenses. The Puritans get a lot of flak, I'm sure often deserved, but the stockades are pure genius. Spammers, phishers, gaslighters, people who can't drive sanely, people who are rude to service people, people who cut in line... the uses would be virtually endless.
What a cool (not) fate for those swine! Maybe suspend their sentence as long as they promised never to do something like that again? Maybe a long Summer walk under a heat-dome might give them something to think about?
I'm sympathetic, I had a phishing takeover of my work email this year and it was a disaster. I say find the building where even one person involved did the work and drop a drone on it.
I'm insulted the spammer thought your followers were clueless & gullible enough to fall for that, Matt. Tell them that shit's for the world's Michael Tracey subscribers, not here.
A wonderful topic, Matt, for a future Article. Why is it that the (purportedly) most powerful and technically sophisticated nation on the face of the earth cannot deal with these multitudinous and ever-increasing web/phone scams? Inquiring minds want to know.
Don’t need a rocket. A fall from any height over five stories should accomplish the same thing; if you want ‘em to suffer drop them vertically from three.
I think they deserve a far worse fate ... watching CNN for eternity.
How do I know this is the real Matt now? Your polite apology might be part of an elaborate scam to get me to click the little heart emoji. It worked.
Yeah, I didn't get that either. Someone quick take a look and see if Matt has a weird little mustache and a goatee now.
Horns too?
That would be a dead giveaway, yes, but I was thinking Evil Spock from Star Trek.
I thought you were talking about Chuck Todd.
Hey! I didn't get that spam email. What else am I missing? I want my money's worth for this subscription.
Me too. We are being treated like second-class subscribers to have been left off the phishing trip invite.
Second-class? More like being Irish on the bottom deck of the Titanic. We only get to hear about what's going on above deck.
Hilarious
lol
Start a gofund me for said rocket agenda. I will donate.
Sent straight into Uranus
Received my CPAP machine. Breathing much better. Thanks Matt.
And I got the check from the Nigerian prince just yesterday!
So awesome #metoo
Rolling
It's really hard to fire anything into the sun, because you have to defeat the momentum of the earth's orbit. But we could fire them into the moon pretty easily, which should do just as well for practical purposes.
Firing into the sun or moon is expensive. I say we just find an active volcano (there's lots around) and toss them in.
I was going to say this too! Too much KSP lately...
Hey if you're taking candidates I have a list of people who I think should be packed in a rocket and fired into the sun.
I'm thinking that you're going to need a bigger rocket.
I heard Pelosi is asking to be the senior stewardess….
Pls someone stretch her on that screen they used to have on Dr Who
Only if she's unvaccinated or can prove her lack of vaccination status. Otherwise she has to take the big slingshot.
"Personally, I think people who do things like this should be packed in a rocket and fired into the sun."
Mr. Taibbi -- it would be enough for me if the FCC simply began enforcing ITS OWN RULES, and started bringing civil/criminal actions -- with very stiff penalties -- against those who persist in jamming the 'tubes with fraudulent communications. Most spamming/phishing centers are readily identified, and could be confronted ... unfortunately, with "regulatory capture" as prevalent as it currently is in the corrupt US government, I expect matters to remain as they are for the forseeable future --
Yeah but no fun
I like your solution.
The powerful CPAP industrial complex is no doubt acting to preempt your upcoming investigative piece into the broad river of money flowing to them from Medicare.
Yes I see this ad every day I always think it says crap and is from my ex...
I would rather be phished by fake Matt than get free content from Pod Save America.
No shit
So does that also mean you're not really a rich Nigerian Prince and that I'm not going to share your Uncles wealth?
lol
Fucking Russians!!!
Yes!! In bed with the Chinese!!! Using the CPAP machines. Amazing times indeed
Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
lol lol
lol
Matt, I know this is not exactly your wheelhouse but I want you and your readers to know about this. Authenticated Pfizer documents logging 1223 deaths THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT within 90 days of EUA release.
Have admired your work for years and so glad you got out of the imploding Rolling Stone. Thank you for your courage.
https://celiafarber.substack.com/p/court-ordered-pfizer-documents-they
I wouldn't go that easy on the bastards. I'd tie 'em in front of a TV and make 'em listen to the televangelists all day. Actually it's good for them to get to know one another - they'll be at the same level of Dante's Inferno throughout eternity.
Ha ha, fired into the sun. I agree. Unfortunately, I also think people who use Apple only apps for their subscribers maybe should get the same fate. Not really, because I really do appreciate your work, just not your support of companies that have suicide nets on their Chinese factories. Think about it.
I know how you feel. I feel that way, too , but I have Apple systems, have no clue nor desire to learn how to use Windows or Android and, I'm pretty sure Microsoft is using Uyghur slave labor in China, too. It stinks. I want to barf every time I hear one of these corps sappy commercials about how much they care about x,y,z. Phonies.
I can't argue, they all suck, one really can't buy much without compromising their beliefs. On Apple, I did have a Mac Book Pro that I liked, but, ironically, I am a graphics guy and the computer that is renowned for graphics sucked for me for graphics work. LOL. When they dropped Aperture, I was done. It lasted a long time, but when it was replacement time, I got far more capability with a third the price with Windows. My first smartphone, and my last, was an iPhone and I hated how Apple controlled everything I did more on that phone. Since then, it has been Android and I have never paid more than $45 for my phone. I only use one because I have to. I hate them, I call smartphones the death of civility. But my $28 per month cheapo works fine and I even use some apps. LOL. I don't like pads, but my wife does. Her first two were iPads that lasted a day past their warranties and there was zero customer support or repair. She is coming up on the third year on the Amazon Fire we got for around $50 (and, trust me, I hate Amazon, too). Buying a Fire every two months would have been cheaper than the iPads, but it is still going and the iPads are long gone. So, my opinion of Apple is that as a company they suck and, beyond that, their products suck. I know everyone's mileage varies. I will never buy Apple again. I built a desktop that will last for ten years and is unreal for gaming and graphics (my main need for a high speed computer) at a fraction of the cost of a Mac. You cannot build a Mac like you can Windows or Linux and I prefer both to IOS.
As an intended target it’s irritating and no doubt I would be angrier if I were in your shoes. But packing them off in a flying skillet seems like overkill. Perhaps a mercifully quick death could be considered? That way we maintain the distinction between phishing or trespass and treason or premeditated murder. Signed, An annoyingly pedantic reader with no sense of humor.
No fking mercy K
Draw and quarter them
Now is when we need our tough guy
Thanks for update, and no worries. It's the hazard of the medium.
Rick you are so chill🤔
Yes, a SLOW rocket to the Sun! Thanks for the warning.
They are no icarus. Send them up Uranus
The only email I got within the last hour from Substack was from Aaron Maté. Wow. First, he makes up stories about Syria and Russiagate, now he's spamming.
And they say Canadians are so nice. SMH.
but only after a proper jury trial.
Stop making sense
When it comes to your enemies, you're inspired by the Bungie method? I approve.
Probably FBI doing the phishing
I just assumed you'd turned that State Farm gig into a sweet, sweet spokesperson deal for a CPAP company.
Hey Matt. How’s it going? I didn’t get the first email from you but I would like some more information about this lawsuit. Would you be able to forward me the first email? Thanks and I appreciate what you do.
Why are you anti-solar?
Ha! (And I don’t use that bastard exclamation point lightly Mr Patrick)
good suggestions follow below from fellow subscribers, such as using CNN as a variant of modern water torture. My first thought was being forced to listen to Adam Schiff's mindless blathering.
O god that’s a thought and Ear Waxman is he still alive?
I didn't get the phishing message, but then, I didn't get the newsletter either. For some reason, substack is not notifying me when you post. Please speak to them about this.
Right away Sir
".......or so the Germans would have us believe...."
I love Germans and I just bought a 2019 mineral white BMW ivory and taupe interior -spending down my soon to be ex’s 401k priceless
Lol life's many pleasures
So, quick question; what's more fun, dealing with spammers, or hosting the abortion debate?
Ugh abort them all
Matt there is no more sincere form of flattery, right up there with plagiarism and unattributed quotes. You’ve arrived! Bravo.
Да
It didn't make it to Alaska. Must be this blizzard on the fiberoptic.
Whoa you have weather below 70F? Who knew
lol. Right. Even a so far 30 hr blizzard.
I'm all for the rocket, as long as it does not make Bezos or Musk richer.
Put them in it
Firing into the sun is one solution. Personally, I think we should bring back the stockades for many modern offenses. The Puritans get a lot of flak, I'm sure often deserved, but the stockades are pure genius. Spammers, phishers, gaslighters, people who can't drive sanely, people who are rude to service people, people who cut in line... the uses would be virtually endless.
With a Webcam, of course. Progress!
Yuk we are against surveillance Julio but perhaps during their colonoscopy (s)
Yes, love that innovative idea!
Idk they would proll get thousands of gram followers
I agree with your solution. Let's get Bezos an Musk on it asap!
i like the rocket and sun idea. where is the go fund me for that.
Apology accepted Matt!
Awww
What a cool (not) fate for those swine! Maybe suspend their sentence as long as they promised never to do something like that again? Maybe a long Summer walk under a heat-dome might give them something to think about?
Turn them and use them for our righteous use have you learned nothing from Putin?
Would be great to have the subject line identified
Are you a librarian? Asking for a friend
It would have to be a very big rocket, but yeah.
...should be butt-packed with a (small?) rocket and fired into the sun. Kinda like in Doctor Strangelove, only a more intimate arrangement.
That sounds Capital
Thanks for the heads up. I can recommend Protonmail, they are fantastic at keeping all spammy malicious stuff away.
Thank you!
Спасибо
I'm sympathetic, I had a phishing takeover of my work email this year and it was a disaster. I say find the building where even one person involved did the work and drop a drone on it.
I'm insulted the spammer thought your followers were clueless & gullible enough to fall for that, Matt. Tell them that shit's for the world's Michael Tracey subscribers, not here.
A wonderful topic, Matt, for a future Article. Why is it that the (purportedly) most powerful and technically sophisticated nation on the face of the earth cannot deal with these multitudinous and ever-increasing web/phone scams? Inquiring minds want to know.
Don’t need a rocket. A fall from any height over five stories should accomplish the same thing; if you want ‘em to suffer drop them vertically from three.
I feel somewhat left out because I didn't get the SPAM/Phishing email. womp womp.
The Chaos Monkeys have stepped up their Substack Attacks!