Scam caller 0438 075 317

[Chief Tiff]

Received a call from "The Department Of Homeland Security" telling me that my name was being investigated and that a warrant had been issued for my arrest. In order to speak to a Department Of Homeland Security official I simply needed to dial "1".

Standard robot voice; add this number to your blocked calls list 0438075317

Festering sphincters, the lot of them.

[rwbuild]

Talking of scam calls I have had 2 calls from mobile numbers in Canberra, both robo calls and a Chinese speaking person , just hung up on them

[A Duke]

Hi,
We never seem to get any feedback on any of these Richard Principals getting caught and prosecuted, only of their attempts and what they cost the public with their successes.

Regards

[malb]

For the most part, the calls come from offshore (China, India or similar) via VOIP (voice over internet protocol) and just pop up in the Aussie phone system. They spoof an unallocated number for caller ID, so trying to track them via the number, or block the number is ineffective unless they they keep calling you with the spoofed caller ID, in which case blocking may help. However as soon as they find that the spoofed caller ID is getting call rejections, they spoof a different caller ID and carry on. Basically all they need is a list of valid phone numbers to call to minimise their wasted time, and they often have friends/relatives etc working in the telcos offshore call centres who can supply the numbers and in many cases the account holder details for them, from that list, they can find gaps in the sequences that are unallocated numbers for spoofing caller ID's, then off they go. They generally call from computers that have a set of 'target numbers' on file, connecting via network with legit VOIP providers who exist to service legit business operations who need to call around the world at economical rates, who route the calls directly into the Aussie Telco systems.

Some scambusters have been able to track back through the networks and VOIP service providers and have scammer offices blacklisted by the VOIP providers or raided by the local police and charged with fraud, wire fraud etc depending on what is applicable in their country of origin, but the vast number of scammers just keep on the hop using different locations and VOIP providers to avoid being tracked and shut down.

Overall, it's partly a legacy of our Telco's rushing to overseas call centres etc to save a few dollars here and there.

[Lappa]

I noticed, with some joy, that one of the big banks (I think Westpac?) is bringing their call centre back to OZ.

[justonething]

I noticed, with some joy, that one of the big banks (I think Westpac?) is bringing their call centre back to OZ.

I see no reason not to. During this pandemic, a lot of customer services staff are working from home. They were issued with laptop, headset and they are ready to answer calls. There are a lot of stay at home parents who wouldn't mind a few hours of work here and there. Covid has given us plenty of reasons to make working from home a must have for all kind of businesses that employ office workers.

[rrich]

I had been doing the "What is your card number?" thing for about a year or two. (Thanks to a member here.) The scammers eventually caught on and just hang up now. My philosophy is that if they hang up it is a small victory. If they swear at me that is a much larger victory.

I'm trying to think of some of the latest. . . .
'Your Amazon account has been charged . . . .

'Do you know who this is? (Purportedly a grand child.) I've been arrested for texting while driving and hitting a pedestrian.'
..Yeah right. I'll tell you what I told your father. "Don't waste your phone call from jail on me. If you got yourself into jail, get yourself out."

'Your Apple account has been compromised. yada, yada, yada. . . ' Just hung up.' Substitute Amazon, Microsoft, Social Security...

Then there are the "Home Improvement" calls. I usually let them go through their spiels. Then it is we need new floors, the windows should be replaced, some of the interior doors need replaced and we want rain gutters. More spiel. The problem is that the landlord won't do any of that. The really desperate ones will offer to talk to the landlord. "Well he is in New Jersey. I'll find the number for you." Then I just leave the phone off hook until I hear the growler, then I'll just hang up.

I have created a Visa number, 4638 2596 8773 5207. The number will pass the digit check with the correct check digit. I tell them it is a Master Card (MC start with 5, Visa start with 4.) and let them have fun. If they come back saying it was declined, I tell them to work out the anagram using the letters on the phone dial. (You don't need the 07.)

[cava]

Must be an age thing, but I can’t figure out the last four letters of the anagram.

[RossM]

...add this number to your blocked calls list 0438075317

A timely warning, but there is NO POINT in adding the number to a block list. The reason being that these scammers use VoIP calling and (Illegally) inject random but real Australian phone numbers into the call identification header. They do this specifically so you can't use blacklists or blocking techniques. Each of their calls appears from a different number. This is commonly known as caller ID spoofing - look it up on Mr Google if you want the gory technology details.

[RossM]

Hi,
We never seem to get any feedback on any of these Richard Principals getting caught and prosecuted, only of their attempts and what they cost the public with their successes.

Regards

And you won't. The crime occurs in other jurisdictions that have no motivation to investigate or prosecute crimes against victims in other countries.

However there is an active vigilante movement to take them out.
E.g

[RossM]

Posted before I read the entire thread. Now see malb said same thing

[Lappa]

Must be an age thing, but I can’t figure out the last four letters of the anagram.

Took me awhile. Should be 8773 5307

[Ed..]

I had the same Dept. call me last week apparently there is a warrant out for my arrest. I was going to reply to tell them what I thought of them but didn't do it as I probably would have charged with a call back or similar. So just blocked it, mine was a different number though.

[rrich]

Sorry I screwed up. The number is 4638 2596 8773 5302

I hope the anagram makes more sense now.

[doug3030]

I had been doing the "What is your card number?" thing for about a year or two. (Thanks to a member here.)

That's one of mine - glad to be able to help.