Hacked, Cloned, Spoofed and Phished…

01/19/2024 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

The internet is truly the wild west of modern day society. Social media, electronic communications and instant access have made daily life easier and more painful!

Hacked= use a computer to gain unauthorized access to data in a system.

Cloned=cloning the process of copying the contents of one computer hard drive to another disk or to an “image” file.

Spoofed= Spoofing is a type of scam in which a criminal disguises an email address, display name, phone number, text message, or website URL to convince a target that they are interacting with a known, trusted source. Spoofing often involves changing just one letter, number, or symbol of the communication so that it looks valid at a quick glance. For example, you could receive an email that appears to be from Netflix using the fake domain name “netffix.com.”

Phishing= the fraudulent practice of sending emails or other messages purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

I have been a victim twice in the last 6-months!

6 months ago my Facebook was hacked. The hacker, from exotic Thailand, began attempting to login multiple times and then managed to change the recovery email to their own. Facebook, clearly confused that I may be in Thailand, allowed my new friend access and allowed them to be me! They immediately sent 100s of friend requests and did mainly other mildly annoying things, but no real damage. Or so I thought…

It turns out what the hacker was doing was buying ads for some dumb game/virus scam. Even after I was able to recover my account I was unaware that my Thai-buddy purchased Facebook ads with my credit!

Facebook sent me a notice of how my ad campaign was going. I advised Facebook that I had no such campaign. Turns out I had 3! One active and 2 in the hopper. I was able to end the current ad and delete the future ads, with minimal actual out of pocket expense to me. When I reported this to Facebook, they stated they reviewed the campaign and it all looked legit so I could not get my money back. Whomp-whomp.

However, I was able to regain control, detach a payment source and ultimately minimize the harm. It wasn’t super easy or straight forward and I felt as if Facebook thought I was up to something as opposed to the Thai-user.

Well, this week, my email account was hacked. This time my friend traveled to Lagos, Nigeria. They began login attempts at 6 in the morning and gained access at 2 in the afternoon. Now why Outlook doesn’t think every attempt to login to my email from Nigeria isn’t suspect is beyond me. A review of “My Activity” shows numerous logins from good ‘ol Madison, Mississippi for years and then a few hours later Nigeria!

Outlook’s assumption? I must be in Nigeria and need access. And I forgot my long-in and password… The Nigerian interloper gained access for a few minutes, sent out 180 emails with an attachment that looked like a Word download of a Bed Bath and Beyond Coupon and I immediately started getting calls, texts, and emails asking “Is this legit?“

As I responded as fast I could “No!” The hacker was responding “Yes. Please download.” !!! The hacker then started deleting my sent mail so I could not warn all persons it was sent to. I was finally able to wrestle back my email and changed the credentials to a password no human can ever remember…

This hack made less sense to me, but it turns out they targeted a law firm in the hopes of getting access to the lawyer’s trust/escrow account. They failed. This time.

Just for fun, the Hacker also implemented a “Rule” within my Email that rerouted all incoming messages to a subfolder that was previously never used. It took an expert diagnosis to solve that conundrum and the explanation of why incoming messages were rerouted was so that I would quit responding to persons that it was a scam.

This was also during the Snowapocolpyse of 2024. Perfect timing.

So what are the takeaways? Have some good antivirus software on your computer. Have some good passwords that are hard to guess. Have a recovery email go somewhere that you will have access to it. Get a credit card that is exclusively for online purchases. Get a bank account, again, solely for online activity. This will not prevent any hacking, but it will minimize the damage.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and cautions you to be careful with downloads, uploads and computer users from Thailand and Nigeria.

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

Christmas & Divorce

12/21/2023 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

These things do not go together, but are a reality for many…

Divorce situations at Christmas time add another level of stress to an already stressful time. Forced family togetherness can bring out short tempers and hard feelings. Games, one-upmanship and fake platitudes are an easy trap to fall into. So, what can you do? Don’t.

Make Christmas about something bigger than the infighting. As a person of faith, make it about that. Not super religious? Make it about maximizing the quality time you get to spend with your loved ones. Make it about a time of peace and reconciliation. If that isn’t possible due to your ex-spouse, disengage, step back and just be.

Holiday stress and depression is a real thing. It is something that needs to be handled as such.

Matthew Thompson is a divorce lawyer in Mississippi and wishes you a safe and Merry Christmas.

Child Custody, Divorce, Opinion, Visitation

Child Testimony 101 & Updates

12/08/2023 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Whether a child should testify is a decision that hopefully you as a parent will never face. The Mississippi Supreme Court, in a 1990 Opinion, held “We reiterate that parents in a divorce proceeding should …refrain from calling any of the children of their marriage, of tender years at least, as witnesses, and counsel should advise their clients against doing so except in the most exigent cases.”- Jethrow vs. Jethrow, 571 So.2d 270 (Miss. 1990).

For testimony purposes a child witness of “tender years” is 12 and under and testifying is subject to the discretion of the Judge.

However, a recent Court of Appeals case requires ALL children be interviewed by the Judge in every custody case if a parent calls the child as a witness. It is now mandatory regardless of the age of the child, regardless of who has custody, and regardless even when the other parent objects believing same will result in harm, emotional or otherwise, due to the very young age of the child and even over the objection of the Guardian Ad Litem appointed for the child. Daly v. Raines, No. 2022-CA-00600-COA

This is a scary proposition for most parents and something to consider when you are litigating. In divorce/custody/family law litigation your children will now be forced to participate if either parent so decides.

Be careful who you have a child with…

Matthew Thompson is a child custody and divorce lawyer in Mississippi and believes that only in exigent circumstance should child custody even be considered . However, the “law” doesn’t always allow for common sense to prevail…

Appeal, Child Custody, Child Support, Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

What Can You Do When the Judge Violates the Law?

08/08/2023 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Judges swear an oath to uphold the Constitution, to follow the law, and apply it without prejudice or bias. Most do this very difficult task with tact and professionalism. Some do not. The Code of Judicial Conduct is intended to establish standards for ethical conduct
of judges.

So what do you do when your Judge violates the law? Sometimes it’s a judgment call and not a violation of the law. In these circumstances you can file a Motion for New Trial and/or an Appeal.

But what about when the judge clearly violates the law? Can you sue the Judge? Usually, no. Judges enjoy what is known as Judicial Immunity that protects them from civil liability for violating the law. If the actions are criminal there could be penalties, but typically not for civil violations.

What else can be done? Contact Mississippi Judicial Performance. Judicial performance is an entity created by the Mississippi Constitution that seeks;

To enforce the standards of judicial conduct,
To inquire into judicial liability and conduct,
To protect the public from judicial misconduct and disabled judges, and
To protect the judiciary from unfounded allegations.

All proceedings before the Commission are of a civil nature, not criminal, as the purpose of the Commission is to be rehabilitative and educational as well as disciplinary.

Judicial Complaint Form

Any citizen, litigant, attorney, law enforcement official, judge, public official, or other individual who has knowledge of possible judicial misconduct may file a complaint with the Commission. Complaints may also be filed anonymously. Additionally, the Commission may file a complaint on its own motion based upon matters it learns of in other ways, such as from mass media and information obtained during the course of an investigation.

All complaints must be submitted to the Commission in writing. The Commission does not accept oral complaints. You may use a complaint form or write a letter to the Commission. A complaint form filed with the Commission should be typewritten or printed so that it is easily readable.

Matthew Thompson is an attorney in Mississippi and knows most Judges try to do it right…

General Legal, Opinion

MC Law Hits a Homerun! Hires Randy Pierce as Dean of Advancement

06/01/2023 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

MC Law has been making waves in the professional community lately. They announced a facelift coming to the Law School, new logos and marketing efforts, a new permanent Dean and now made a hire for Assistant Dean of Advancement that has turned the Mississippi legal community on its ear.

Randy Pierce, former Supreme Court Justice, Chancellor, executive director of the Mississippi Judicial College, and acclaimed author, has accepted the position of Assistant Dean of Advancement at MC Law.

Justice Pierce is no stranger to MC Law having taught hundreds of students as an Adjunct Professor.

Justice Pierce likely knows every lawyer in the state of Mississippi and will now put those relationships to work.

Justice Pierce will be in charge of strategic advancement efforts, promoting the great things happening at MC Law, responsible for engagement of public relations and spearhead fundraising campaigns; advancing the brand of the law school.

Justice Pierce’s reputation in the professional and legal community precedes him and is beyond reproach. He is mutually respected by peers, colleagues, the judiciary, the public, politicos from all sides of the aisle and even fans from all Universities in the State!

MC Law has hit a homerun with hires of late and great things are happening.

Matthew Thompson is the unabashed cheerleader for all things MC Law, a 2005 graduate, current Law Alumni president, adjunct professor and even has a brick with his name on it at the law school.

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Sometimes You’re Just Not Ready…

05/29/2023 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Family law is tough. It is tough to go through, deal with, and be involved in.

It can also be unfair. But wait, the Judge has to be fair, right? Yes, but the Judge’s definition of fair and yours will be different.

Also, the whole circumstance may be unfair. You can live your best life and still find yourself in the divorce attorney’s office.

The handful of times that I have seen even good results feel bad is when one party is just not ready. They did not want a divorce. They did not want to be in my office. And, they did not do anything (or any one thing) to result in needing a divorce.

These are often the hardest circumstances. The client may be right. This may all be unfair, but it nonetheless is happening.

So what do you do if you realize it’s too soon and you’re not ready? Get an experienced lawyer. Confer with experts; a counselor, a CPA or financial planner, your pastor, your trusted family and friends.

Get prepared and be intentional, even if you don’t want to.

Matthew Thompson is a child custody and divorce lawyer in Mississippi and knows when it’s too soon. However, the law doesn’t always allow for the mental processing necessary for all clients.

General Legal, Opinion

MC Law announces permanent Dean of Law School

05/24/2023 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

MC Law Alumni,

The Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Dr. John Anderson as permanent dean of the law school, effective immediately.

Mississippi College President, Dr. Blake Thompson, announced the great news. “MC Law has enjoyed a productive year under Dean Anderson’s leadership as interim dean. He has continued the school’s pursuit of academic excellence, managed the administrative duties inherent in running an academic organization, recruited several important additions to the law school team, and made significant plans for the future of MC Law. Dean Anderson’s character and values match those of our institution, and his energy is infectious.”

Dr. Blake Thompson continued, “I am confident that the great progress of MC Law will continue under his leadership. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Anderson on his well-earned appointment, and continue to keep MC Law in your prayers.”

On a personal note and as MC Law Alumni President, I am very excited about Dean Anderson and the direction the law school is heading. I am excited about the relationship between the law school and main campus. From my limited view, this relationship is stronger now than ever and both institutions are moving in very positive directions.

MC Law has a lot to offer potential and current students. Not only from a location in the very epicenter of Mississippi’s legal community, but also to a qualified, caring faculty and a family environment for students.

Matthew Thompson is a 2005 graduate of MC Law, adjunct Professor of Law and Alumni President in addition to managing a private law practice and employing a number of MC Law grads.

Mississippi College School of Law
151 E. Griffith Street, Jackson, MS 39201
601.925.7100

General Legal, Opinion

In Memoriam: Judge Tom Broome

05/21/2023 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Judge Tom Broome has passed away after a period of hospitalization.

Judge Broome, a long-time staple of the Rankin County Youth Court.

He touched many lives while serving as a Youth Court Judge and worked daily to have a fair and just judicial system. He surrounded himself with good people and genuinely had a servant’s heart.

Broome was a graduate of MC Law and was a part of one of the most distinguished graduating classes. His career added to the prestige.

Prayers and condolences for the family and colleagues.

Matthew Thompson is a family law practitioner and enjoyed practicing in Rankin Youth Court.