Message scam

[Log Dog]

Got a text message today from unknown number
Says my Commonwealth bank account details have changed :?
And to ring a certain number if info incorrect(132221)
Thing is ...I don't bank with Commonwealth
Scam perhaps ?
Log Dog :)

[Picko]

Yeah, I've had similar from 'westpac' and I don't bank westpac. I think the ones I got had a website link or something that I ignored.

[jazzy69]

We have been getting heaps of weird ones ever since we did online census.
Regards,
Ross

[Log Dog]

Message states it was updating my mobile number :C
Sure gives me the heebie geebies :(
Log Dog :)

[taz01]

Scammers are out in force at the moment.

The most common one are robocalls from either the ATO or services nsw (or other state equivalent).

Be careful everyone.

[rrich]

It is comforting to know that we are not the only ones being targeted by the scammers.

1 ~ Your social security number has been suspended
2 ~ The IRS has issued a warrant for your arrest
3 ~ There is an outstanding warrant
4 ~ Your vehicle warranty has expired (or is about to)
"Really? Which one? I have 27 down at the shop" Then the fun ensues. Information? It's down at the shop. or Which one?
5 ~ Your electricity is about to be shut off for non payment
6 ~ Your {Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, xyz credit card} account has been comprised
7 ~ We need your address to return a package that you sent
8 ~ Please confirm your credit card number for a refund (for something that you never purchased)

Then there is the grandparent scam
"Do you you know who this is?" "Yeah it is the Bonobo" "I've been arrested for texting while driving. I hit someone"
"Where are you" "City name" "What are you doing in city name?" "I was here with Benjamin"
"I'll tell you the same thing I told your Father. If you get arrested don't waste your phone call to call me. If you got yourself in jail, get yourself out"
Then I'll usually hear some of the foulest language ever, all the while I'm laughing.

[skot]

I remember getting one that said "Your vehicle was involved in an accident "

I asked which vehicle and what was the rego number. When they say that they don't have that information..just that I was involved in an accident, I call them out with "How did you get my phone number then ? If you can not identify the car."

Conversation doesn't last long after that.

[taz01]

If you want a real eye opener watch a couple of videos from jim browning on youtube.

He exposes these scumbags and the ruthless tactics they use, often on quite vulnerable people.

[Mobyturns]

Yes, scumbags are behind these scams. One scam call we get constantly is "Hi this is Nicole from NBN .... your telephone service is about to be disconnected." We were one of the early trial "fibre to the home" NBN suburbs and have been connected at least five years now. So a bit late with the warning.

I've lost count of the scam phone calls, which I will occasionally engage if I'm feeling mischievous and want to return the favor. My favorite one is "your computer is sending spurious data on the internet" it offers plenty of scope to be creative "Oh I'm terribly sorry, what can I do to stop that? Just wait a minute I have to start the computer. Its a bit old like me so it takes a while. Whats the weather like where you are? ...... " Almost 15 minutes is about my limit though.

I never respond to email or text scam messages - I delete immediately, then clear the "deleted" bin.

It is scary just how effective some viruses are - especially how they are hidden or "called" from an apparently benign source.

"Let's be careful out there",

[AlexS]

Daughter is involved in internet security. She said that as soon as the pandemic started, a whole new scam industry also started. Many private players, but also state-sponsored.

A bloke I knew on another forum, now sadly deceased, was a retired IT pro who delighted in taking on scammers. His best effort was to convince the scammer that because he was elderly and had a poor command of English, he wasn't able to explain what he saw on the screen when he pressed the keys they told him to, but he could send them a screenshot...which the idiot downloaded. One scammer's computer out of action permanently.

[Mobyturns]

Given the brains, technology and resources of global goliath's like Facebook, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, & the Telcos one would think we could nail scammers permanently, and quite easily. :D

Not so! :(( and why not so????? :? :? :?

Jeff Bezos can launch himself into space, in a game of one-upmanship with Branson, and acknowledge gleefully that his employees and consumers have paid for it

Facebook can place an advert on your timeline within seconds because you used a word or phrase in messenger, in a post, or a reply, that an advertiser is paying huge sums to have potential customers identified and have a "revelant to you" advert / content placed on your timeline.

Why can't scammers be stopped - because it costs these goliaths money to do so, and does not make them money! Unless of course you pay for the premium "ad free" version, which may not stop "revelant to you" content, just the blatant adverts.

Calling line ID is easily spoofed, and all forms of electronic communication can be compromised, often with disastrous outcomes for victims. So where are the watch dogs??? :? MIA because they are very deliberately not resourced adequately to actually monitor the goliaths activities.

Cynical, but true. :(

[rwbuild]

Had about 6 of these in the space of a week, blocked their numbers and logged them to scam watch, haven't had any since but they will come from a new batch of low life's.

[A Duke]

Hi,
It mystifies me that we never hear of any of them being prosecuted.
The sums they are trying to steal should put them behind bars for a good couple of years.
Regards

[woodPixel]

On Reddit many are openly complaining to a multitude of authorities.

People are being DELUGED by scams.

The "authorities" are.... invisible / unreactive / missing / absent / toothless / pointless / incompetent / in collusion... (choose more than one!)

[Log Dog]

Lately too I've been getting messages from various interstate medical clinics confirming appointment times that I am oblivious to :(
Spooky stuff
Log Dog :)

[forrestmount]

I think part of the issue is that the scammers do not live in the country that the crime is being committed.

I have personally been exposed to some international high value electronics that were stolen in the Netherlands brought into the country old sold here.

Because of the high value these items are tracked. I gave the police the original owners details the Australian pawn shop buying an selling and the current location and owner of the stolen goods.

No charges were laid because of the international border and different laws.

The local pawn shop must know the items are stolen he buys as we have tracked 6 different transactions over two years. Approx cost is $300-350k. He is still in business. The crimes occurred overseas.

Probably the more concerning is the items are being stolen by organised crime gangs but they don’t prosecute as the evidence is in Australia.

When there is hard documented traceable evidence and this occurs I don’t see scammers being stopped any time soon.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Mobyturns]

scammer education (mcafee.com) (https://www.mcafee.com/consumer/en-au/landing-page/retention/scammer-education.html?culture=EN-AU&cid=247297&lang=en-au&lcid=3081&langid=32&rcode=WSS16037&version=19.7&wuiv=12.0&ContentIterationID=7.8.133&OCVersion=3.0&affid=0&hres=1920&vres=1080&LaunchPoint=1&coreui_enabled=1&coreui_version=1&build=19.7.126&pkgs=522_0_en-au_0_EFC7CC80-0EFB-43CD-B2F3-2F86E869BD7A_20220409_220_1&hardware_id=bb6420ac6b08b8e37eb109ee0429f11d0c42440e560b551c623c1c7a02550274655c16405e55505112373b127a590501&windows_id=36a05bf8176bdbb2625399719b74820230084d2a50740d601169097a27230d61632c4731412377701c7e6c62732453060d13594635281c&pk=a9edee63f958e51ebbc40381bf496ba72a35375b22710c157e68610c234b007f142b5e365e270119171560120f59500d0e135832&pkgid=522&os_country=AU&os_culture=en&cui=2d865d539a144c12a9f22f91de278285-c353e8297727&segid=8&segtyid=1&expdt=20220409&xexpdt=20220708&rnwsrc=ngm&clicksrc=ngmalert&sessionId=9AC9AE2C-97CF-4D99-85B1-CABDA6176BEE&messageId=cea854b2-866c-44a4-8378-9c3c30856d52&experimentId=6721&cohortid=0&clientId=2d865d539a144c12a9f22f91de278285-c353e8297727&isReboot=False&campaignId=0&ngmsegid=942&sku=&ProductKey=EFC7CC80-0EFB-43CD-B2F3-2F86E869BD7A&flexpkgid=521&cprsd=1&pir=1)

Hope this helps - describes the common scam mechanisms.

[Bucky]

Border Force. They have so far intercepted 10 parcels addressed to me that contain illegal substances. ATO advises that my TFN has been hacked. Services Australia has noted issues with my bank account. There has also been a load of packages awaiting further delivery information. Not to mention a further load of undelivered text messages that I need to respond to. Federal police will issue a warrant for my arrest if I don’t contact them. I have so far won 50 iPhone 12s. Most department stores have gifts waiting for me. A number of billionaires are offering me millions. A number of females want to share their private photos with me. My web cam has captured photo of me pleasuring myself over online and they will be sent to all my friends unless I share some of the previously said millions with them. Only thing I haven’t received is a text from Craig Kelly.

[verawood]

If I answer the phone and no one speaks almost instantly I hang up.
Usually a sign of something suss.
Never had anyone ring back and/or complain I hung up on them.
So I figure I just hang up on the hanguppable ones.

[Mobyturns]

I think part of the issue is that the scammers do not live in the country that the crime is being committed.

I have personally been exposed to some international high value electronics that were stolen in the Netherlands brought into the country old sold here.

Because of the high value these items are tracked. I gave the police the original owners details the Australian pawn shop buying an selling and the current location and owner of the stolen goods.

No charges were laid because of the international border and different laws.

The local pawn shop must know the items are stolen he buys as we have tracked 6 different transactions over two years. Approx cost is $300-350k. He is still in business. The crimes occurred overseas.

Probably the more concerning is the items are being stolen by organised crime gangs but they don’t prosecute as the evidence is in Australia.

When there is hard documented traceable evidence and this occurs I don’t see scammers being stopped any time soon.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Well over 25 years ago I came across two Watts Microptic Theodolite's in a local pawn shop window which as a surveyor instantly drew my suspicions. I contacted a number of key surveyors and educators around the country to alert them to the "opportunity."

Now finding a Watts Microptic Theodolite for sale at the time was like finding genuine rocking horse $hit! Two for sale, absolutely incredible! In the same location unheard of!!! In a local pawn shop absolutely incredulous! The pawn shop price - insanely low, considering their rarity and value. Very amateurish at best.

[Mobyturns]

Only thing I haven’t received is a text from Craig Kelly.

Could be arranged for a small introduction fee.

and I guess for the appropriate initial investment a Nigerian Prince, or a trusted, credentialed high ranking official will share a very generous percentage of their wealth with you for your trustworthiness, honesty, confidence and vast experience with international monetary transfers. :wink: I guess the scammers have now moved onto Afghani officials ... :(

[taz01]

Just got copied into this message from a Chinese friend that made me smile and is quite appropriate to this chat:

Just received a scam call saying from Chinese embassy found I was involved in a criminal case and will be deported from Australia in 2 hours,

I just launched and told them appreciate their help to get me out here, I want to go back China to see my parents since last year but haven’t found any proper waiver reason.

[emoji3]

[rrich]

There has to be a word that is used when reporting illegal actions to authorities falls upon deaf ears.

I have given up complaining. I wrote a total of 9 hard copy letters to various agencies. I got three responses. Two were basically F Y very much and one that said to go to my local authorities. Shortly there after I encountered two of our local finest having lunch, in uniform. I explained why I was annoying them during lunch. We all had a good laugh.

[Chris Parks]

I gave Mrs. P a new sim card today to change her phone number, that should slow them down. She only has about 10 contacts so changing it is no big hassle and ALDI cards don't cost much. I had one some time ago and told him he had rung NSW police and he hung up for some reason. My mobile never gets them because I don't use it very much but the land line copped a few before I put an international block on it which I had to remove a while ago. Since I restored international dialling for business reasons I haven't had any so they must have got the message.

[Mobyturns]

I think part of the issue is that the scammers do not live in the country that the crime is being committed.

The dumbest part is that the major Telco's have also located their call centers in those same locations using "offshore partners." :? :?

Hopefully their "offshore partners" staff / contractors do not work in both the Telco's call centers and the scammer's "boiler rooms." :oo:

Unfortunately there is mounting anecdotal evidence showing correlations between a legit interaction with a Telco and an increase in scam activity for the unfortunate customer. Proving that - good luck, getting any action ...... F A C.

[markharrison]

I gave Mrs. P a new sim card today to change her phone number, that should slow them down. She only has about 10 contacts so changing it is no big hassle and ALDI cards don't cost much. I had one some time ago and told him he had rung NSW police and he hung up for some reason. My mobile never gets them because I don't use it very much but the land line copped a few before I put an international block on it which I had to remove a while ago. Since I restored international dialling for business reasons I haven't had any so they must have got the message.

Honestly; changing your phone number will have little to zero impact on scam phone calls or text messages.

Most of the scammers are targeting phone numbers randomly. There is no cost to them for ringing numbers at random. No answer, no charge. Text messages in bulk can be bought in single digit cents per message from legitimate providers; and even fractions of a cent from less scrupulous providers.

These actions are performed by software and that is why there is a delay between answering the call and a real live human/scammer talking to you. Real call centres for legitimate companies use the same software but they are obviously working from their own real data.

Text messaging is even less cost as no carbon based scammer is required. If only one in a million are fooled they win.

[Lappa]

Only thing I haven’t received is a text from Craig Kelly.

I’m the lucky one. Got a text from him last week re Clive’s party.

I don’t answer my landline but have a message which states “Due to the high number of scam calls we will not answer the phone. Ring us on our mobiles. If you don’t have our mobile numbers, leave a message and we’ll get back to you.”

Phone calls have dropped appreciably.

[Chris Parks]

Honestly; changing your phone number will have little to zero impact on scam phone calls or text messages.

Most of the scammers are targeting phone numbers randomly. There is no cost to them for ringing numbers at random. No answer, no charge. Text messages in bulk can be bought in single digit cents per message from legitimate providers; and even fractions of a cent from less scrupulous providers.

These actions are performed by software and that is why there is a delay between answering the call and a real live human/scammer talking to you. Real call centres for legitimate companies use the same software but they are obviously working from their own real data.

Text messaging is even less cost as no carbon based scammer is required. If only one in a million are fooled they win.

I'll let you know the result. We don't routinely use our mobile phones like most users so I think this may help. I for instance make less than $15 of phone calls in a year and Mrs. P most probably less.

[Handyjack]

Random call to laugh about.
Today one of my work phones rings at lunch time. Very strange as it is an after hours on call phone - only about half a dozen people would legitimately have the number.

Its the NBN ringing and you are about to loose your phone and internet connection - sorry I stopped listening. Are you for real! I am not the one to talk to and I do not think you are really going to cut off the phone and internet to a major medical group.

If there was a person at the other end as apposed to a recording I would have asked what their emergency was and which hospital. They normally hang up quickly.

[derekcohen]

This is my favourite spam story ...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiLS7U7YIdc&ab_channel=EisseCatherineWade

Enjoy!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Mobyturns]

Are you for real! I am not the one to talk to and I do not think you are really going to cut off the phone and internet to a major medical group.

Ahem ...... well...... yes they probably would. There are numerous instances of complete FU's by the NBN / Telco transition, and transitions from telco to telco post NBN.

Case 1 - two small - medium medical practices in a separate leased spaces in a typical suburban commercial area. Practice 1 is on the ball and transitions very early. Practice 2 is cutoff and is caught completely off guard scrambling to notify patients via mobile phones, no fax etc.

Case 2 - one owner in a small group / strata complex transitions early, other tenants cut off at the same time.

Case 3 - my personal experience - we have "Priority Assist" on the landline / NBN due to my cardiac condition - didn't mean squat in the transition - "you have a mobile service- what's the problem." 5 case managers and several weeks to resolve and no adjustments to accounts - "bad luck, what are you going to do about it" sort of attitude.

So many businesses have almost been ruined through poorly managed Telco / NBN interactions, not to mention how many lives may have been placed at risk through FU's.

Main problem is that when the Telco / NBN make the FU it can't legally be reversed under the Telco Act - as the service is deemed to have transitioned to the NBN once "cut over". No going back! These were a few years back as Townsville was a pilot.

One thing you learn quickly you must personally drive any complaint, because the telco & NBN blame each other and will not accept ownership of their errors. Recent ACCC $50M penalties imposed on Telstra (selling unaffordable mobile plan contracts to remote indigenous customers) and to be negotiated with 3 major Telcos over current NBN "speed issues" and misleading and deceptive conduct are only the tip of the iceberg. About time! Unfortunately most telcos are the same, when you are the "small percentage affected."

[forrestmount]

Border Force. They have so far intercepted 10 parcels addressed to me that contain illegal substances. ATO advises that my TFN has been hacked. Services Australia has noted issues with my bank account. There has also been a load of packages awaiting further delivery information. Not to mention a further load of undelivered text messages that I need to respond to. Federal police will issue a warrant for my arrest if I don’t contact them. I have so far won 50 iPhone 12s. Most department stores have gifts waiting for me. A number of billionaires are offering me millions. A number of females want to share their private photos with me. My web cam has captured photo of me pleasuring myself over online and they will be sent to all my friends unless I share some of the previously said millions with them. Only thing I haven’t received is a text from Craig Kelly.

Hi Bucky
in case you are not aware, the scam with the webcam capturing you with busy hands is an indication that your passwords have been sold on the dark web. My wife was freaked out when she got this email containing a password she “ only used on one site” when I asked here what it was it was one I knew she had used on eBay about 5 years earlier

Not an issue as long as you change them regularly.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Log Dog]

Only thing I haven’t received is a text from Craig Kelly. I received one from him yesterday :~
Blocked the bonehead from sending me more messages :;
Log Dog :)

[Lappa]

Interesting comments re Craig Kelly in a newspaper from his constituents. They all said he was hard working, a good representative and they would vote him again if he ran as an Independent, BUT would drop him like a hot potato if he ran under Clive’s banner.

[Chris Parks]

Interesting comments re Craig Kelly in a newspaper from his constituents. They all said he was hard working, a good representative and they would vote him again if he ran as an Independent, BUT would drop him like a hot potato if he ran under Clive’s banner.

As a near neighbour and casual acquaintance of Rex Jackson I including most residents of this town reckoned the sun shone out of his backside. My wife's family home burnt to the ground and the insurance company were not going to pay the claim until Rex made a single phone call and the claim was paid very quickly. That man spent years in jail for what some saw as a total stitch up but where there is smoke there is fire and I saw some instances of the fire over a long period of time.

[Log Dog]

I hate getting unsolicited text messages from politicians
Or anyone for that matter
It's invasive
And probably illegal too
They're as nasty as the scammers
Puts me off having a mobile phone quite frankly
Log Dog :)

[woodPixel]

I've received two so far.

Both numbers are blank. One can't even write an abusive FU back! How rude :)

[rwbuild]

Just got my monthly Optus bill, $6-50 more than the last 3 yrs monthly bills.
rang them, told them to explain why. "We have transferred you to a new plan", so my reply was "When did you give me written notification with mandatory 30 day notice and when did I( confirm that I accepted that
long pause please hold while I check", came back to me "no record", so my reply "re-issue invoice for my usual amount immediately".
They did but was still 50 cents more so I just paid the normal amount, will be interesting to see what happens next month.
The whole point I am making is just how many people have simply paid without checking, it strikes me that this was a deliberate scam to make more money so if any of you have Optus accounts, check them and don't take no for an answer.

[Log Dog]

. One can't even write an abusive FU back! How rude :)Lol :D
I was chomping at the bit to return fire but couldn't either :rolleyes:
Log Dog :)

[Mobyturns]

Lol :D
I was chomping at the bit to return fire but couldn't either :rolleyes:
Log Dog :)

You may get some momentary & fleeting pleasure but it won't stop the calls, or upset the "computer" generating the text messaging. :( Plus old Clive is probably enjoying all the free publicity the matter is generating, that's his style to a T.

Best erasing both names from your memory ASAP and forgetting you ever heard of them if you aren't a supporter of either. :D