I once went to a dinner party where the conversation turned to the state of public education in Oklahoma. It was around the time when my state decided to institute the End of Instruction exams (EOI’s) every year as part of the no child left behind project. It troubled me that the very child who got left behind were learning disabled children. The EOI’s did nothing to assist these children who were hampered by their disability and were in need of extra help. So I asked the educator at the table lots of questions.

After everyone had left, my friend (F) and her husband (H) were discussing the conversation I had with the educator. It went something like this: H-Wow, Krysta is really intelligent. She was asking really interesting questions last night.

F-Well she is an attorney. She is intelligent.

H-Yeah but when I first met her, I thought she was dumb as a box of rocks.

My friend called me the next day laughing at her husband’s comment. I told her he was not the first to think that about me. There is a trait I have that can be described as a little daffy. For instance, when I was in law school, my legal writing instructor told us in extreme detail about the books he was using to instruct us on the art of legal writing. We had two books written by the same author. One to give us the information on research tools and one for exercises. My professor told us in his first lecture how we could tell which book to use for our lessons. I swear I was there but I missed something because I never read the instruction book. I only used the exercise book and was confused about how people knew the necessary information on legal research. Later, I realized my mistake. I bought both books so you’d think I would have caught on earlier. It’s things like the legal research situation that can lead people to think I’m an airhead.

And this is where my newest humiliation comes in. Several weeks ago, I received a phone call from a man who claimed to be from windows support. Could I get to my computer right away? There’s been malicious malware detected on my computer. Since I am a registered user, they monitor my computer and that’s why they were calling. I had just gotten home after work. My husband was not there. If he had been, what happened next would never have occurred. Alas, I was left to my own devices. Not a good idea in this situation.

In the course of a few short minutes, I had logged on to my computer and allowed him access through LogMein. The man on the other end proceeded to show me all the malware on my computer, scanned my computer and showed me the websites for the worms he claimed were on my computer. When he was through, I asked him if he could fix it. He said he could but I would have to purchase the software. That’s when my reason kicked back in. I was shocked that he had scared me with all the malware on my computer claiming he was calling from windows support and wouldn’t help me unless I forked over some money. I told him so. He tried to reassure me but I said I would just bring my computer into the Geek Squad. He countered with I could do that but they would just tell me the same thing. I hung up, disengaged my computer from him and changed my passwords.

When my husband came home, I told him what had happened. He just shook his head. How could I fall for this when I shredded every document with my name on it because I didn’t want people to know where I lived? I know, right? Dumb as a box of rocks. The next day I did call Geek Squad. A very nice young man told me they had gotten lots of calls regarding this type of scam. They used to get one every few months but now were getting them almost daily. He checked my computer using, I kid you not, LogMein. Apparently this software is sold to the public and anyone can use it. Much to my relief everything was fine. But it did nothing to diminish my growing embarrassment at falling for this ploy.

My husband told me that these people are very crafty. They catch you after work. When you’re tired and are thinking of other things. Then they scare you. But that didn’t mollify me one bit. In hindsight, I should have known better.
My name is Krysta Scott and I’m dumb as a box of rocks. That’s all I have for now. Thank you for reading my post.

Krysta Scott
Runaway: Martini Club 4 the 1920’s available on Amazon
Shadow Dancer coming soon from The Wild Rose Press
Facebook: www.facebook.com/krysta.scott.9
Website: www.krystascottauthor.com
Twitter:@Krysta_Scott