GPST (General Purpose Scam Thread)

[catflem]

Is there a need for one ?

If this post sinks into oblivion we'll have our answer. But I note that there are quite a few posts asking "is this a scam". If there is a need for such a thread, should it be in the G&D or the BP ?

I've just received a text claiming to be from Vodafone informing me that I have 3 workingdays (sic) to redeem my points.

The obvious spelling error, and the fact that I'm not with Vodafone were a bit of a giveaway. Also the number it came from (07507 345093) is an EE number.

[Franky Four Fingers]

Tbh i get so many now that im now at the point I assume every email,text etc I receive is a scam.

[Kingstepper]

Hannah’s shared some intimate photos with me by mistake if anyone’s interested.

[Saint-Just]

I find Apple remarkably good at putting them in my junk folder. Whenever I decide to purge it I am amazed at the number of toothbrushes I won from Boots, and the number of packages I never received because they needed more instructions.

As an aside, how can you tell the mobile network from the number?

[Griswold]

I have mixed views on the way Apple handles junk. Yes Marc it does put what it believes to be junk in the junk folder correctly in the majority of cases, it's how it handles them after that that causes me issues. On my MAC anything in junk that I mark as blocked still goes into my junk folder the next time the sender sends same or similar, yet the same message does not, quite correctly, appear anywhere on either my iPad or iPhone. So blocking works on iPad and iPhone but not on MAC.

Seems to be just apple mail app on the MAC that's at fault and I've raised it with Apple, as have many, but they don't seem to be able to fix it - well, either that or they don't seem to understand the issue.

[catflem]

As an aside, how can you tell the mobile network from the number?

A google search turns up https://who-called.co.uk/Mobile/07507

However - although it may have originally been allocated to EE, numbers are often retained when you switch providers.

[Saint-Just]

Thank you. The retention possibility is what prompted my question. Of course in your case it didn’t matter.

[Bonzodog]

Tbh i get so many now that im now at the point I assume every email,text etc I receive is a scam.

Same with me,seems never ending.

[Chris_in_the_UK]

I have noticed of late that when I get a scam voice call the person tries to insist they are from O2, which they never are. I can see that an insistent caller may convince some people but the Indian sounding lady was most certainly not 'Susan from O2 network'

[oldoakknives]

Does this count?

[oldoakknives]

Is there a need for one ?

If this post sinks into oblivion we'll have our answer. But I note that there are quite a few posts asking "is this a scam". If there is a need for such a thread, should it be in the G&D or the BP ?

I've just received a text claiming to be from Vodafone informing me that I have 3 workingdays (sic) to redeem my points.

The obvious spelling error, and the fact that I'm not with Vodafone were a bit of a giveaway. Also the number it came from (07507 345093) is an EE number.

I think withholding your number and ringing them for a chat about the best liquid plant food for tomatoes and cucumbers, or their advice on the best brand of beans and sausages in a can would probably annoy them no end. I wonder if there's any law against asking strangers their advice on these things, if they phoned you first?

[adrianw]

Have millions waiting for me to collect

If I get a junk call I always ask them if they want to buy a speedboat

[sish101]

Ahhh, THAT Nigerian Prince!

[Wallasey Runner]

Ahhh, THAT Nigerian Prince!

That will be Clarence from Lagos, he said if I gave him my bank account details we could be best of friends…

[Griswold]

I think withholding your number and having a chat about the best liquid plant food for tomatoes and cucumbers, or their advice on the best brand of beans and sausages in a can would probably annoy them no end. I wonder if there's any law against asking strangers their advice on these things, if they phoned you first?

That's what I do, keep them talking at their expense, usually about me having a bone in my leg and can they help - which the India ladies simply don't understand. It's great fun and I've plenty of time on my hands so whilst I'm holding their attention they're not scamming someone else.

[Darkeeboy]

Got caught out last week when I got a text from a general 07xx number about fraud suspicious activity on Tesco cc… then a call from withheld number a few mins later.. I didn’t answer but called the tel number on the back of my card and apparently it was Tesco calling me… about a 34p suspicious transaction… so ended up with all new card numbers. Wish they had used either their app to support this or an official text number …


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brian]

That's what I do, keep them talking at their expense, usually about me having a bone in my leg and can they help - which the India ladies simply don't understand. It's great fun and I've plenty of time on my hands so whilst I'm holding their attention they're not scamming someone else.

This approach can be great fun but take care - as I understand it some Uk supplier BSS can still be fooled into allowing the reverse charge call with a £6 connect and £3 per min usage charge usually. Not all phones will flag this up. DONT press any keys remember.

[KavKav]

Had one this morning asking me to confirm my visa purchase of a train ticket in Scotland. Absolute bullshit and automated call so I did not have the pleasure of telling scammer what he could do to him/herself.
To double-check there was no monkey business afoot I checked my bank and all ok. Bottom-feeding tossers!

[Davidd]

Received a call from Revolut asking to confirmed i’d bought something from Groupon this morning, i hadn’t and leave next to nothing in the account as it’s used for holidays only. I don’t have and never have had a physical card so a bit worrying as to where they’ve got my details!

[oldoakknives]

That's what I do, keep them talking at their expense, usually about me having a bone in my leg and can they help - which the India ladies simply don't understand. It's great fun and I've plenty of time on my hands so whilst I'm holding their attention they're not scamming someone else.

I phoned one back for a chat about the weather and life in general later in the day, withholding my number of course. Chap seemed very short tempered and called me some interesting names involving lady parts and illegitimate conception. I think he perhaps suffered from high blood pressure. Hey ho.

[Mike2500]

I keep receiving a very annoying call from an 0161 (Manchester) number with an automated message saying: "Hi, I'm Chris one the local energy advisers in the area...". I typically hang up when it reaches this and I've never tried listening to the entire message. There's always a relatively long pause from answering the call to the automated voice starting, which supposedly gives the recipient the incorrect impression it's real. I've intentioanlly stopped speaking first on these types of calls as most genuine callers will not sound like this.

It's so so annoying as what company honestly thinks a consumer will listen to this rubbish in the hope to buy something!!

[Griswold]

Just received this one, Greetings Respected Customer - FFS what a giveaway!

Greetings Respected Customer,

We are delighted to notify you that your subscription to the Windows Defender Premier Cybersecurity Suite has been officially updated as of today.
Below are the comprehensive particulars of your extended subscription:
Service Type: Windows Defender featuring Superior Security
Renewal Date: May 24, 2024
Amount Charged: USD 665.00
Payment Method: the payment option on file
Service Duration: covering the upcoming year

Should you need any further information, please feel free to reach out to us at +1 (833) 693 ^ 8407.
Furthermore, should you wish to upgrade your current plan, our dedicated specialists can help tailor a solution that aligns with your individual needs.
Thank you for your sustained trust in our offerings. Looking forward to providing unmatched security.


Best Regards,

Suzanne T Ralston
The Windows Defender Protection Services Team