I just got successfully phished for the first time in 31 years of internet use. I'm mortified, but also fascinated by the unique combination of factors that contributed to my successful hoodwinkery. #LiveAndLearn

Ok, since folks are asking (@kattiidenberg @andresmh), I'll tell you how it went down.

I was AFK for the day, driving my parents to the house they're about to move into, so I could help with logistics.

Vulnerability 1: I was distracted with emotionally heavy stuff.

Vulnerability 2: I was on my phone, not my laptop.

At a gas stop, I checked my phone and saw an email from an address at my home institution saying that an alumna was giving away a piano & we should reach out to her if interested

@aramsinn Wow, that is a weirdly specific scam!
@The_Tim Yep. There were even photos of the imaginary piano.

@aramsinn @The_Tim

what seems a bit worrying is whoever did it clearly knew you were both a musician (OK its on your website and Uni records) but also that you might have enough spare space to keep a grand piano (I've got relatives who are musical and have quite a large house but even so can only fit in an upright)

@vfrmedia @The_Tim good point. Eek.