Spoof Phonecalls

[Zep]

I had a call yesterday from an unknown number, saying that I had called them. They kept asking me who I was, which avoided answering and suggested my number had been spoofed. After a few attempts they gave up.

I was slightly perturbed by this so I looked it up. Apparently it is a scam where people try to get your details for the purposes of fraud - thought it would be a good idea to share.

 

[ChrisQP09]

I never answer unknown numbers, no matter what.

 

[allandwf]

I get quite a few. I used to pass them to my daughter when she was small, there's a man who wants to know about your barbies lol

 

[Zep]

I should say, a mobile number did come up, just one I didn’t recognise. I was expecting to be asked about my accident, but it was a new one.

 

[safrane]

Love unsolicited calls, esp the ones I get for all the accidents I have had.

Last guy who called was so excited to hear about my decapitation untill he looked it up.

Also the guy for Nigeria who was going to send me millions but could not quite understand my accent and kept copying down the wrong account number... I even got him to talk to my elderly mother who wanted to help... sadly she is a deaf as a post, but speaks just like me, just more high pitched... she even lived in Africa for some time and thought he must have cleaned for here some time.

 

[empzb]

Love unsolicited calls, esp the ones I get for all the accidents I have had.

Last guy who called was so excited to hear about my decapitation untill he looked it up.

Also the guy for Nigeria who was going to send me millions but could not quite understand my accent and kept copying down the wrong account number... I even got him to talk to my elderly mother who wanted to help... sadly she is a deaf as a post, but speaks just like me, just more high pitched... she even lived in Africa for some time and thought he must have cleaned for here some time.

I used to do the same. 'I'm calling about the accident you had...'. 'O you mean the one where I lost my leg, thanks for reminding me of that, why would you do that'.

 

[2b1ask1]

Yes I wonder how many scam calls I’ve avoided this week having s Moroccan sim in the phone! Only the kids have been able to get hold of us, a week of WiFi and data only has been almost relaxing.

We did away with the house phone last month after reaching the inevitable conclusion that nobody used it and thwconly incoming calls were from the Dragon-in-law and spoofs, neither of which were wanted!

 

[Scaf]

We use BT call minder at home and stops all unwanted calls as unless we “register” a number the caller has to heave their name to an automated service and we get asked if we will take the call.

100% effective.

I get them in them on the mobile and if they come when I need to pass time whilst on the M25 then I will have fun.

I never give my details to anyone over the phone even unless I called them, even when my credit card company call me to check a transaction I alway call them on the number on the card.

I don’t want to be the one regrets letting my guard slip, scamming bastards !

 

[2b1ask1]

To be fair I’ve only knowingly allowed myself to be scammed once (only realised after a month) I’d literally just renewed my contract with Virgin Media online and got redirected from the last page to ‘complete a survey’ and all the questions were specifically about Virgin Media and afternoon about 10 questions I was given a choice of ‘gifts’ as a thank you. Duly chose one and was then asked to pay for postage of about £1.70p (I really should have twigged then but didn’t) they already had my post code so just needed me to confirm from the drop down which of the 15 or so houses. Gift duly arrived and was a little disappointing but still convincing enough. 30 days or so later the cheeky bu99ers took something like £90 off my card and so it would have continued except for me using a pre-paid and I just disputed it and got the card cancelled and replaced with a new number. Seems the scam was quite ellaborate and they had ‘signed me up for 24 months of ‘gifts’. Lesson learned and much more aware these days. Also use virtual cards now so they cannot be charged again.

 

[redsonnylee]

I’ve received texts asking “who am I” always then block these numbers. I have a mix of UK and European numbers for these, It’s worrying how then get hold of your number.

 

[outrun]

This is why i always say i am Hodroyd.

 

[Felonious Crud]

This is why i always say i am Hodroyd.

I always assumed you were.

 

[StuartW]

I never answer unknown numbers, no matter what.

+ 1, or known numbers much of the time, for that matter

 

[Saigon]

+ 1, or known numbers much of the time, for that matter

Had a call this afternoon while in the pub, it was the wife’s mobile number but wasn’t taking any chances so didn’t answer. Not a wise move.

 

[CatmanV2]

I'm divided. Mostly I work on the basis that if it's important, they'll leave a voicemail.

C

 

[midlifecrisis]

I'm divided. Mostly I work on the basis that if it's important, they'll leave a voicemail.

C

Exactly.
I treat emails much in the same way... If its important they'd call

 

[lifes2short]

had a couple of automated HMRC scam calls over the last couple of weeks and asking me to press 1 on the phone, I'm assuming if you do you either get connected to some sort of premium line number and/or a Nigerian prince looking to gift you

 

[CatmanV2]

had a couple of automated HMRC scam calls over the last couple of weeks and asking me to press 1 on the phone, I'm assuming if you do you either get connected to some sort of premium line number and/or a Nigerian prince looking to gift you

Not quite. You'll get put through to someone who will tell you you need to pay £n by Paypal / Western Uniion etc etc to HMRC(Nigeria) branch to avoid the police knocking on your door in 20 minutes.

And you number will be added to the db of 'These numbers are live and get answered' Which means your number is now more valuable to sell on the dark web and is also a bigger target for people that buy the numbers.

My advice, FWIW is simply do not engage. Don't press the button, don't talk, just hang up.

Same when I get 0800 numbers call at home. On the rare occasion I happen to be within arms length of the land line (or when Mrs C is in) just press the green button and stay silent. Often you'll get a recording which clearly has assumed you said 'Hello' since it opens with 'Yes, hi. My name is ..'
Or the system assumes a fault and hangs up

C

 

[lifes2short]

Not quite. You'll get put through to someone who will tell you you need to pay £n by Paypal / Western Uniion etc etc to HMRC(Nigeria) branch to avoid the police knocking on your door in 20 minutes.

And you number will be added to the db of 'These numbers are live and get answered' Which means your number is now more valuable to sell on the dark web and is also a bigger target for people that buy the numbers.

My advice, FWIW is simply do not engage. Don't press the button, don't talk, just hang up.

Same when I get 0800 numbers call at home. On the rare occasion I happen to be within arms length of the land line (or when Mrs C is in) just press the green button and stay silent. Often you'll get a recording which clearly has assumed you said 'Hello' since it opens with 'Yes, hi. My name is ..'
Or the system assumes a fault and hangs up

C

must admit I have almost been tempted to press that button and play along with them, but then as you say i'd just get no end of scam calls from others

 

[jonny]

If you are bored one day, go onto YouTube and check out people who string along the scammers - very funny. One guy used a virtual machine and hacked into the scammers PC and deleted all his files