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New twist in cell phone spam?


Jim & Alice

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I believe I am seeing a new twist in cell phone spammer techniques.

 

For years, I have stopped answering any call where I do not recognize the caller's number... instead, I would call it back - and typically it was an 'unknown/invalid number', ie, spam. However, over the last few weeks I have received several calls to my cell phone, where the calling number's first 6 digits (area code & Exchange) "just happened" to be the same as my own cell phone...leading me to believe this is a legitimate call from home area. But instead, it is just... "Hello! This is Lisa from card services", ie, Spam. Programatically, this would be a relatively easy effect for a spammer to program.

 

Anyone else seeing the new spam twist?

Jim

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We never call an unknown number back, if they don't leave a voice mail for us and convince us they are real we just let it go to missed calls and delete it. Too many scams out there where they get you to call back and end up connected to a pay-per-minute service where they keep you on the line and racking up stiff per-minute charges that you have to pay.

 

FCC scam page: https://www.fcc.gov/guides/one-ring-wireless-phone-scam

First rule of computer consulting:

Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day.

Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime.

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Stan, read your article and it seems to refer to offshore scams that use domestic area codes.. What I think I am seeing is a ratcheting up of 'intelligent' spamming by perpetrators using domestic area codes in combination with relevant exchanges... deliberately designed to be appearing to originate in the target's home area. This appears to me to be a new twist. In other words:

 

(717) 833-111 is calling (717) 833-2222

(spammer) (target)

 

Where the caller number is contrived by the spammers based on the target numbers area code & exchange. Again, this looks like the house down the street calling you about your barking dog.

 

Had a situation yesterday where I called back to a 'local' number left on my phone, and ended up talking to a guy that I knew (Real Estate agent)... and he said he had started getting a 'few' calls just like mine, where it was 'returned' call to what appeared to be a 'local' number - his in this case. We had a nice discussion about phone scamming.

Just curious.

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We are getting the same calls from the same group. The calling number's first 6 match ours. I tried blocking the numbers but they change and keep calling. Would love to stop these calls!

Randy, that is just what I think I am seeing. I get calls, and would expect to get calls, from our old home area & exchange. Quite a nuisance. The FCC 'do not call' list is worthless.

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Lots of scams out there and since the caller can set the caller-id to whatever they want you can't trust it.

First rule of computer consulting:

Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day.

Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime.

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My twist is except the call and talk to them if you have the time as they won't be bothering some one else. If they have a security system to sell talk to them about all the features. Say you don't have pets and then at the end ask if I get a CAT how would that change the the system . Then ask how the system knows where you are located you move your RV every week to a couple months. That generally a big Click in your ear.

If there selling a home improvement get everything scheduled and tell them that need done before XXXXX so you can file Bankruptcy.

String them on someway and I find that better than hitting 7, 9 or whatever to be on their donot call list.

 

Clay

Clay & Marcie Too old to play in the snow

Diesel pusher and previously 2 FW and small Class C

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Stan

 

How do you spoof caller ID? Is there an APP to do that? I can't find one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caller_ID_spoofing

 

Blocking does no good and in rare cases, like when they spoof something like Verizon Customer Support number, can cause you problems.

2004 40' Newmar Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid, Fulltimer July 2003 to October 2018, Parttimer now.
Travels through much of 2013 - http://www.sacnoth.com - Bill, Diane and Evita (the cat)
 

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Clay,

 

I love your answer - especially on a rainy afternoon, it can be interesting to listen for the 'pause' in the script reader's prattle that indicates they are just starting to realize they aren't getting a sale, but are being

 

Barb

Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID
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I have added a "silent" ring tone on my iPhone, which I set as the default ring tone. I have then changed most of the numbers in my contact list to something other than default. When I receive a call from anyone who I haven't set a ring tone for....the phone just blinks and grins. If it is someone I need, or want to talk with they will leave a VM and I will call them back.

 

Edit, one thing I've noticed lately is many of the calls are spoofed to appear as if they are coming from someplace I've recently traveled thru.

Dave W. KE5GOH

Stuck in the 70's ---

In E. Texas

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Stan

 

How do you spoof caller ID? Is there an APP to do that? I can't find one.

 

My first result from Google: https://www.spoofcard.com/apps

 

Do a search on spoof caller id and you get a load of them, can't tell you which are good so look at the reviews if you can find any.

First rule of computer consulting:

Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day.

Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime.

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I do as Stan says...I never, never return a call unless the sender has left a message and I know who it is. If they don't leave a message they obviously don't really want me to return there call. That ends all the problems.

2007 Arctic Fox 32.5 rls for full-timing, now sold.

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