Sometimes I'm happy I can't open any MMS texts on my burner phone. I get 6-8 a day, that don't expire for a week, so they pop up every few hours. Not sure why the same ones keep getting sent, since they never receive a response.
Phone spam and scams are getting out of control
- Thread starter nwtl
- Start date
Yup. NEVER EVER follow any link you are sent by text, or even reply-dial a number they send you.
They are all designed to look okay-ish, but "it is a spear-phising" thing and once they get a "hit" from you, they will have you on some sucker list, that's if they aren't also infecting your machine with malware or ransomware.
Always just delete the thing (never ever reply). If you are suspicious, contact your real bank or phone company or whatever it is, by looking up their real number or URL separately.
99% of the time they would never contact you spontaneously like that. The government scams are the same - "oh you have unpaid taxes / a speeding ticket / a bylaw fine / immigration fees" blah blah blah. They take advantage of people who quake in their boots when they hear the word "government" or "cops", and use their lack of real familiarity to just shake people down.
Another tip off is the guy who says his name is "Mike Sullivan" but sounds like he's straight out of Chandigarh or something. Press 1 to have this guy lie to you as if he's from Sarnia or Canmore or Halifax, and not some offshore boiler room with a cousin in Surrey to come get the payment. LOL.
And if this does not get said enough, here it is: Legit governments, banks, phone companies do not ever as to be paid in gift cards or crypto, or whatever other "not actual money" payment there is out there.
Oh, that is a very old school scam - like pre-digital.
They get into your home as "inspectors" next thing you know they are talking you into all kinds of trouble, with contracts that cannot be broken and so on. All those consumer-complaint shows like "Marketplace" have done stories on these scammers.
And then on top of that, there's the ones who might be junkies and just stole some workman's jacket.
As you say, never let someone in your home. Call cops if necessary, if they act the least bit pushy or aggressive trying to get in your door.
They are all designed to look okay-ish, but "it is a spear-phising" thing and once they get a "hit" from you, they will have you on some sucker list, that's if they aren't also infecting your machine with malware or ransomware.
Always just delete the thing (never ever reply). If you are suspicious, contact your real bank or phone company or whatever it is, by looking up their real number or URL separately.
99% of the time they would never contact you spontaneously like that. The government scams are the same - "oh you have unpaid taxes / a speeding ticket / a bylaw fine / immigration fees" blah blah blah. They take advantage of people who quake in their boots when they hear the word "government" or "cops", and use their lack of real familiarity to just shake people down.
Another tip off is the guy who says his name is "Mike Sullivan" but sounds like he's straight out of Chandigarh or something. Press 1 to have this guy lie to you as if he's from Sarnia or Canmore or Halifax, and not some offshore boiler room with a cousin in Surrey to come get the payment. LOL.
And if this does not get said enough, here it is: Legit governments, banks, phone companies do not ever as to be paid in gift cards or crypto, or whatever other "not actual money" payment there is out there.
Oh, that is a very old school scam - like pre-digital.
They get into your home as "inspectors" next thing you know they are talking you into all kinds of trouble, with contracts that cannot be broken and so on. All those consumer-complaint shows like "Marketplace" have done stories on these scammers.
And then on top of that, there's the ones who might be junkies and just stole some workman's jacket.
As you say, never let someone in your home. Call cops if necessary, if they act the least bit pushy or aggressive trying to get in your door.
Anyone else worried that those of us in this hobby are getting hit so hard because someone we’ve seen has connections to criminal organizations, and someone they are friends with in one of these organizations have gotten contact lists off their phone, with or without them knowing?
Or even a bookers phone?
With the emotional manipulation that gets utilized in these scams, many of us who have the means to regular with certain providers might seem like easy targets to their less ethical acquaintances.
Or even a bookers phone?
With the emotional manipulation that gets utilized in these scams, many of us who have the means to regular with certain providers might seem like easy targets to their less ethical acquaintances.
can't count how many emails i got saying they had hijacked my camera and recorded me pleasuring myself and were gonna blow up my spot if i didn't send them money.
i replied "dude, i really don't care, everyone masturbates, no one cares about seeing me do it"
but the emotionally vulnerable and naive people do exist, and its very sad how these predators are able to manipulate the weak and unsuspecting into handing over their life savings, for love, or for fear.
Are you trying to imply I’m delusional or in denial, or being paranoid? Maybe I’m listening to too many podcasts about cyber scams and malware / ransomware?
be direct please, I’m not well versed in forum sarcasm and snarkiness…. If you wouldn’t mind.
thanks!
From a post somewhere on perb:
Guy contacts Leolist "SP"
"SP" asks for $100 deposit.
He sends it. "SP" says "her" manager will take over from there.
"Manager" contacts guy and asks for a security and damage fee of $200, which will be returned upon safe return of "SP"
Guy sends another $200.
"Manager" contacts guy again and asks for a $250 medical fee, because guy doesn't have up to date STD testing.
Guy realizes this may be a scam and asks for his security and damage fee to be returned.
After two days, "manager" contacts guy and says $300 will be returned if guy sends "manager" another $80.
Guy contacts Leolist "SP"
"SP" asks for $100 deposit.
He sends it. "SP" says "her" manager will take over from there.
"Manager" contacts guy and asks for a security and damage fee of $200, which will be returned upon safe return of "SP"
Guy sends another $200.
"Manager" contacts guy again and asks for a $250 medical fee, because guy doesn't have up to date STD testing.
Guy realizes this may be a scam and asks for his security and damage fee to be returned.
After two days, "manager" contacts guy and says $300 will be returned if guy sends "manager" another $80.
The 'Canadian Revenue Service' contacted me to tell me that my SIN has been "frozen". They said I needed to pay X amount to get it "unfrozen". I texted back saying that I couldn't pay if my SIN was frozen. They texted back that they had "unfrozen" it so I could pay.
I said "Thanks suckers now fuck off."
Good times.
I said "Thanks suckers now fuck off."
Good times.
My favourite scams are the "bilingual" calls that say, "For English press 1, for Chinese press 2".
I guess they don't know our second language is French.
I guess they don't know our second language is French.
Probably not a good idea to engage or text back, because you confirm to them that the previously random phone number is a live one.
If you wonder what is driving the proliferation of scams, you just have to look at how easy it is to scam people.
How did we get to the point where guys think "verification" by a shitty, scummy site like LL is the gold standard?
How did we get to the point where guys think "verification" by a shitty, scummy site like LL is the gold standard?
Yes!! Always have a keyword you or your relatives will use with you. For example, if my mom GENUINELY needed my help in an emergency, she would mention the name of a specific fictional uncle, or I would ask about it. (eg. Uncle X didn't pick up the phone when I called)
Of course I can. But AI voice cloning is getting scary-good. We shouldn't assume we won't fall for it! https://www.npr.org/2023/03/22/1165448073/voice-clones-ai-scams-ftc
If you mom doesn't publish her videos with audio on Facebook or at least not visible to anyone who isn't her friend on facebook, she will be fine.
We will continue to have pre-established verification phrases, but you should do whatever is best for your life
