u/lakemischief

I'm so mad this seems to be getting worse. Skaters shop a lot online for parts and skates and I figured I share my experience because these scam sites are FLEECING people big time. I'm not going to post the website here because it would increase site traffic and work in favor of scam sites but I spotted another one today!

A few months back one got me real good and it took me months to change ALL passwords and financial information. These thieves phished via text and got all of my information based on what I gave em and paid a trip to Miami on my credit card! They opened up token accounts in rideshare apps, got into everything, the works! This will happen to you if you don't do two factor authentication and like a dummy use your passwords over again for many sites.

Some warning signs I ignored besides being an idiot with my own digital habits.

They duped a known site I had purchased from before. But something was "off" with the website appearance. It wasn't as well put together, the header was a weird AI image and not their logo. I entered my info and then I got a text attempting to link my chase card to an app. I didn't do it but simply completed the transaction. I got email updates from an odd email. And a delivery notification that led to a Chinese shipping site say it was still in transit...to this very day. Nothing came as it was a scam that began to terrorize my financials.

Now they have AI so the websites look super convincing. (And so do you.) I came across more of these this morning. Verify unknown sites before ordering parts and skates.

You can use scam detectors online or run it through AI assistant and ask if it's a scam.

-is the site new?

-prices way too good to be true

-storefront in one city but address in a completely different one?

-no independent reviews

-name super similar to a trusted site but no reviews for your specific site?

-in stock products but you know damn well all that stuff if in another country, is in demand and needs to be shipped

-click on social media links and they don't work or link correctly

-even searching for reviews on here from vocal skaters helps!

Stay safe out there!

Tell me the best and the worst ones from your experience or what you hear.

I really tried to avoid in my home buying process but it's so rough out there. If the taxes are low they are near mining death traps or trash heaps. I really like being left alone and less rules but I also can't resist the style of many of the HOA builds and proximity to lakes. I got spoiled renting within an HOA community but watching this one go through an embezzlement scandal and then half the people don't understand the proximal swoop on with data center development, well it's not the one for me!

I hear of some that people love like Penn Lake but don't see much inventory even though my eyes are on it. What should I be looking out for? Any thoughts on this? Thanks so much!

edit: This is overrun with bots.

I'll leave this open but no more reaction from me. No one is giving a REALISTIC range of where to get away from harmful noise. There is such a large and instant group of users here saying this fear is overblown and don't answer the request...so I'm assuming it's bots because the same stuff happens in citizen concern groups too. I'll leave this up here so if any human being with sense reads this they can speak on it.
We are talking about collosal hyperscale data centers that are reported to cause known issues that incite big settlements. I'm not talking about regular industry. Data centers this scale already exist and have been reported to cause harm. So if you can't give a mileage feel free to move along.

Original post:

It's been the center of my home buying search. Data centers are popping up everywhere. Every week is a new land buy. I heard living within eight miles can subject you to infrasound. I have neurological issues and need a degree of peace and quiet. Some people get no buffer. I have seen many warning videos on these monsters overshadowing people in their homes literally across the street.

When the power goes out they run on diesel back up which is even louder and fumes. Since I'm not certain about the mileage does anyone have any actual figures of how safe if might be to live from one?

There are so so many instances of our beautiful park systems and seeing people who don't have a firm grip on reality meet the great outdoors. They crap up the parks, break the rules, disregard everyone else, people get into long dramatic soap operas of how they simply can't believe someone could possibly act like this! It's a sad reality that you do need to understand the state of this country and that population is larger than it was growing up, people genuinely don't care, and we don't live in a society that is civil.

What is a state or local site near you that got shut down due to accidents? I'll go first.

Glen Onoko. Gorgeous waterfalls. Super easy to fall off em if you lack common sense. Had an out of towners buddy climbing with me disregard everything I said to him. Everything. Went too fast. Went in the water too far. Broke his kneecap. I had to carry the fool down the mountain so we would not have embarrassing task of calling the crew to haul him out. Spent the weekend figuring out how we should transport back home, he didn't want medical care!!! I stopped being friends after that because of many things but that was something that stressed me out beyond belief. He did end up at ER later. Those waterfalls have been closed so so long and you'll get a steep bill if you hurt yourself.

What about your local place? How did they ruin it? How did you need to come to terms that the world changed?

I just got done interviewing a handful of realtors and it led me to one that doesn't do brokerage fees, is super responsive, full time, knowledgeable and knew about my data center anxieties as my area is getting hit super hard and I'm watching towns get swallowed whole. I felt she was educational, informative, on top of things, responsive and discussed the realities that a lot of realtors don't take part in with the big life ruining developments that are causing hell to unleash on municipalities. However in the interview the only thing that made me queasy was dual agency.

She said she does it mostly when the circumstances are clear, relationships established and it's a sell as is situation that is non negotiable. Her example is, I have a person selling they already took off to next town, they don't want repairs haggled with and will take what is the bottom line that's it.

MAIN QUESTION PLZ READ:

People say not to work with people who do dual agency at all. I like her otherwise. She's got great reviews, moves houses, meets my needs. How do I protect myself in writing with this part? Are there things I can request like clauses in our contract? Like if I find a house do you agree that you aren't a dual agent? Advice please!

THANK YOU MUCH!

Looking for a home in Back Mountain, Dallas, Harveys Lake, Wilkesbarre, Plains area.

Need a realtor that was educational, supportive to first time home buying.

As well as a specific loan officer that was helpful to close in process that is great at education on how to home buy. No brokers. No brokers. No brokers. Please!

All I need are specific names of realtors and loan officers. I understand the basics of the process I just need help on professionals you recommend. Please. Thanks so much!

Ok I'm ready to put on my dunce cap if necessary...

I made a post asking for info on lender recommendations as a first time homebuyer. I kindly got a list of three names and I looked them up. All brokers. Uh. Maybe I'm wrong but to my understanding lender- direct mortgage provider and broker is middleman that searches for lenders. Sorry if it was confusing!

So here is my more specific ask:

Can anyone recommend a DIRECT mortgage loan officer at a company that was a knowledgeable educator for a first time homebuyer that helped them close? Not a broker. No. A loan officer.

Also for the next step beyond pre-approval a realtor that works in Wilkesbarre, Dallas, Back Mountain, Harveys Lake area?

I'm so sorry all these terms are a nightmare. Thanks for suggesting!

I have two crabs. They got along for a large handful of months. Minus the weird pecking order thing they did at first. At one point they were snuggled up together.

Then come winter they began somewhat taking turns. One goes down in the sand. The other stays up. One come up. Other goes down. This third time I'm noticing...are they overwhelmed with one another? I'm beginning to get concerned and thinking to perhaps move the smaller one to a another tank. Only one smaller one molted once. Every other action has been without a molt. It's kinda weird. Are they okay or is this just what some do?

First time homebuying. Any recommendations on someone seeking a primary residence conventional loan? Someone who is good at education and communication. Haven't done pre-approval yet, seeking some good leads.

Not opposed to online lenders but I will scrutinize the portals with sensitive docs if I can't submit any other way. Too much data breach stuff happening. Online lenders also might get tricky understanding state regulations and insurance so it's important someone knows about PA.

Any local credit unions you like? Any other lenders you used?

Appreciate the leads. You guys did me so well when I asked for accounting help.

I'm a concerned citizen who is looking into advocacy for special needs kids.

Namely I was devastated by the case of Laniyah Clark. It was deeply disturbing a child could die tragically in such a manner and all too many do. She was categorized as a runaway, yet was deaf making her extremely vulnerable.

I noticed a lot of you are into voting/politics is anyone on here into policy? Other states have special alerts much like Amber Alert but for special demographics like elders, vets, and what we are seeking: special needs children. This will give special priority to the urgency of which emergency services must act. Pennsylvania currently does not have special priority for missing children with special needs.

What I was seeking ideas to gather advocacy groups or non profit orgs that already work in this space but wasn't sure where to start. Anyone have any ideas? Appreciate it!

Hi NEPA. I'm a concerned citizen who is looking into advocacy for special needs kids.

Namely I was devastated by the case of Laniyah Clark. It was deeply disturbing a child could die tragically in such a manner and all too many do. She was categorized as a runaway, yet was deaf making her extremely vulnerable. I noticed a lot of you are into voting/politics is anyone on here into policy? Other states have special alerts much like Amber Alert but for special demographics like elders, vets, and what we are seeking: special needs children. This will give special priority to the urgency of which emergency services must act. Pennsylvania currently does not have special priority for missing children with special needs.

What I was seeking ideas to gather advocacy groups or non profit orgs that already work in this space but wasn't sure where to start. Anyone have any ideas? Appreciate it!