Phone Scam Warning

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by shiney, Jun 16, 2011.

  1. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    This is true and has come to me from the county police. Please be aware of these and similar scams.

    The warnings at the bottom may seem unnecessary but some of these scammers are quite convincing.



    Ladies and Gentlemen,
    We have had a couple of calls now reporting suspicious phone calls regarding computer scams. Details are as follow:
    A call was received from a man with a thick foreign (Asian/Indian) accent purporting to be Michael from a Windows Service Centre telling the informant that there was a problem with his computer. They pretended that they could'nt hear him (partially true anyway) and asked for a number to call back. He gave them (after 3 attempts to get it right) 0800 0488005.

    Internet investigation indicates that this number is used by a company called CoMantra Services based in Salt Lake City but the style and method of approach is strongly indicative of some sort of illegal activity.

    Under no circumstances should anyone give ANY information whatsoever. If the caller provides your name and address (which are public information anyway) and asks you to confirm these details - DON'T.

    A second member of public called today to state that she had received a call, again from a male with an Indian accent, stating that her computer could corrupt at any time as there were numerous problems on it. They asked her to go onto her computer so that they could access it and fix it for her. Very sensibly she said NO, and then proceeded to try and get some information from them. They also said that they were from Windows 7 and that his name was Jason. The telephone number given this time is 02032397020. When asked which area this was they said it was Southampton, but that is not correct.

    Unfortunately the same lady reporting the second incident also had another call, supposedly from her bank, stating they were wanting to refund any charges that had been taken from her account. When she asked which bank they were talking about, they said "you know the one", to which she replied that she did, but did they not know which bank it was. At this point they hung up.
    Unfortunately phone scams seem to be increasing so we want to reiterate the fact that you should NEVER give out or confirm personal details, NEVER go on to your computer to allow access to these people, and again NEVER give out any banking details.
    Most people are aware of this, but unfortunately we can be caught out on occasions.

     
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    • Phil A

      Phil A Guest

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      I refused to confirm any details when my bank phoned me, even though I knew it was them (they were after me about my overdraft:DOH:)

      They just said they couldn't talk to me about the account if I didn't confirm, fair enough:heehee:
       
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      Well, they do warn you not to give any info over the phone. :WINK1:
       
    • capney

      capney Head Gardener

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      Good info Shiney. thanks
       
    • Daisies

      Daisies Total Gardener

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      That's been well publicised in the press and on advice programmes like Watchdog, shiney. They most certainly are crime syndicates doing this and if the victim agrees to buy their somewhat expensive spyware, they actually download malware and keyloggers that can access all their passwords and personal info and essentially steal your identity. I've lost count of the number of times these reprobates have called me.

      Fact is, they are calling people at random and fishing for susceptible people. They have NO IDEA if the person they are calling even has a computer!

      My policy has been to never even confirm so much as my name to any cold caller on the phone or at the door, even if they purport to be from a catalogue or something! The genuine ones might insist they have all my details on the computer and are just asking for confirmation and my reply is always "so you say - I have no way of knowing that. I didn't ask you to call, I don't ever give out personal information to unsolicited callers and since your call is unsolicited I have no idea who you are. So GO AWAY!" :D
       
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      • daitheplant

        daitheplant Total Gardener

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        A few years ago, I had a spate of letters telling me I`d won x amount of money on lottories all over the world, and for an administration fee I could claim these winnings. I used to send the reply envelope back with a note, thanking them for the information, and for them to please, take any administration fees from the said winnings and forward me the rest. Strangely enough, I no longer recieve such mail. Not had a cheque either, come to that.:D
         
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        • Jack McHammocklashing

          Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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          I did and do the same.
          I even tell them to take 5% for themselves for being so honest

          Same never got a cheque back :-(

          Jack McHammocklashing
           
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          • kyleleonard

            kyleleonard Total Gardener

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            Scumbags.

            My cousin used to 'sell' Google space (Which he didn't own) to people all over the world, and when someone tried to cancel the direct debit, they weren't able to.. he ended up getting sued by Google for about £20,000...
             
          • Daisies

            Daisies Total Gardener

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