It’s unfortunate, that everyday we are faced with people trying to steal from us. Scammers make us doubt everything and everyone as they chip away at our identities and trust.
So when I get an email asking if I would consent to being interviewed by the New York Times every red flag popped up. There is no way this is real. I’m just a graphic designer in a long forgotten city, in Pennsylvania.Why would they ever want to talk to me?
Something made me read on. They included information that most people would not know, even if they did, a deep dive, into my social media and blogs. I try to be extremely careful about what I release to the world through social channels.
My critical thinking kicks in and I look at the email address, usually the easiest way to spot a phishing campaign. Wow its a NY Times email. I searched that person’s name through LinkedIn. They not only were listed, but had an extensive background. Sure enough many of their connections were also employed at the paper.
Now I was not only intrigued but extremely flattered. I did a few other quick references including an area code check and was convinced this was a real person, and they really did work for the NY Times. They indicated that they were interested in my perspective as someone in the midst of job searching during the pandemic and shutdown. Specifically, they wanted to know about the additional $600 dollar stimulus money, and my thoughts about if it was helpful and about it possibly ending, and how that would directly affect me.
I was still cautious, I answered all of their questions but still had my guard up. If they happened to ask for personal data that could contribute to identity theft I was ready to end the conversation.
My answers were honest, but I didn’t feel that my situation wasn’t any more dire then anyone else’s. In fact, I kept saying throughout the interview that I felt I was lucky. I know what its like living paycheck to paycheck, and barely keeping you bills paid. I was fortunate that although jobless, I felt that I had the ability, and survival instinct that I will survive, no-matter-what.
After the initial interview, several reporters called and asked basically the same questions. I think it was more or less fact checking. My situation and didn’t change until the day before the article was to be published.
The reporter left a message stating that the article was going to be published and I was going to be quoted. She asked if there was any change to my situation? Just by chance, I was contacted that week for some part time design work I had just started the day before. The reporter wanted all of the new details and said she was going to update the article. I made a mental note to search for the article but soon forgot about it as I worked on designs for my new client. being mentioned in the NY Times would be flattering, for sure, but the later, would pay the bills.
That Thursday I was deep in design mode when I got a linked in request from a stranger, “I read the New York Times article that you were in and would like to connect?”
Holly CRAP, I had completely forgotten…I stopped everything and went to look.
GOOGLE is amazing! I type my name and New York Times in the search. I really didn’t think that it would find results. How often does goole scan? I thought it would take awhile for Google analytics to link my name to the NY Times.
Shazam! Instant number one result was the article. I thought for sure I would need a subscription, but all I had to do was create a free account and there it was. Not only quoted, but the reporter had even updated the article with the new information provided a little more then 12 hours before.
I’m very flattered and proud that the NY Times reached out. The New York Times has always been and continues to be a trusted source of news, whether its about current political turmoil or a graphic designer in Reading Pennsylvania. I was so glad I participated. If you would like to read the article I’m including a link below.
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