I got thoroughly hacked the other day by someone who pretended to be me.

If there is any up-side to being scammed, it is getting phone calls and concerned messages from old friends all over the country and even foreign countries. That part of it was quite nice.

My hacker said I had broken a femur, was in the hospital, and, by the way, do you – the recipients of this phony email – do you ever shop at Amazon? The same message went out to everyone who has ever gotten an email from me.

I am sorry to report, however, that one friend fell for the scam and sent off $300 for a gift certificate to Nordstrom’s by way of Amazon. My friend became suspicious when the scammer started writing about someone dear to her who has cancer and would appreciate a gift certificate, too. As in, also. Luckily my friend was able to cancel the charge on her credit card before the original ‘gift’ was delivered. I checked with the police who were not able to help because the money was to go to an email address.

A previous scammer, a few months ago – and it could well be the same lowlife – said I had injured my larynx and couldn’t speak so please don’t phone me to verify this unlikely story. Some people did follow up on the message and soon heard a plea for money. Big surprise.

Scamming or hacking is happening on every level. My email list this week includes an offer to help from a variety of people with Anglo-Saxon names, such as Larry Benjamin or Caroline McCarthy. But their message, which is always exactly the same, begins “Hi. I found your details on Google.” From there this alleged English speaker offers to “help bring your web page to the first page of Google.” And from there, a promise of more “new customers.” I don’t now and never have had customers. Six or eight of these messages pop up in a row, each with a different name and the exact same wording.

At the same time, we get notices of bills due for bitcoin. Fat chance. And undeliverable packages. We get liars and thieves calling our landline phone several times a day. I am sure you know the drill. It is often someone claiming to be a medical professional concerned about my welfare. At which point we hang up or scream into the mystery caller’s ear. I once screeched and swore at our plumber who, when I said “Hello,” he answered with “How are you today?” and I let him have an earful.

What a sorry world we live in. We Islanders once felt immune from many of the dangers of the real world. But we are not shielded by that ring of ocean any longer.

Sam Alley was born some years ago on Feb. 29. Happy birthday Sam. Unlike last year, you may choose whichever day you want to celebrate.

More birthday wishes this week. Cheers to Patrick Ruel and Susan Goldstein Friday, Feb. 28. To Anna Christensen March 1 and to Eric Soikkeli March 3. Enjoy your day Dilly DeBlase on Tuesday, March 4, and to both Sofi Thanhauser and Andrea Silva March 5. It is also birthday day for Adam Thomas and select board Chair Jessica Miller on March 6.

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary Feb. 28 to Ken and Roe Belain.