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SCAM ALERT
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HI my lovelies.
Just want to make sure everyone’s aware of a new (to me anyway) scam out there.
Today whilst on the way to the STP I had a WhatsApp from my (daughter) saying she’d water damaged her phone and that this was her new number. I thought nothing of it and we chatted sporadically for a couple of hours. ‘She’ then said that she had a couple of invoices to pay but couldn’t as she couldn’t get into her online banking and could I pay a couple of invoices for ‘her’ and she’d return the money tomorrow. They totalled over £2.5k
I said sure and asked for the details - then tried to call her. I just got white noise.
Smelled a rat then - scrolled up and realised no names had been mentioned. Asked her to name her siblings and uncle - no response.
Spoke to my daughter and it was an obvious scam.
Just thought I’d let everyone know about it as it seemed highly plausible at first. Just glad I smelled a rat in time.
If you have gullible friends/family please let them know.
Hugs
Peachy |
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We've always taught our kids about scams, so was pleased when yesterday our son showed us a scam text - "You've came (sic) into contact with someone who has tested positive, click this link for a test". (It even contains a grammar mistake!). Be careful and savvy people. |
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I hope there's a special place reserved in hell for scammers where they work hard for years, save a load of money only to have it taken from them in one phone call, for all eternity . My mum has been scammed twice and another time was "persuaded" to sign up for a subscription book service by an unscrupulous company that took advantage of the fact that she's easily confused. |
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"I hope there's a special place reserved in hell for scammers where they work hard for years, save a load of money only to have it taken from them in one phone call, for all eternity . My mum has been scammed twice and another time was "persuaded" to sign up for a subscription book service by an unscrupulous company that took advantage of the fact that she's easily confused. "
OMG ..I hope that place exists too  |
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"I hope there's a special place reserved in hell for scammers where they work hard for years, save a load of money only to have it taken from them in one phone call, for all eternity . My mum has been scammed twice and another time was "persuaded" to sign up for a subscription book service by an unscrupulous company that took advantage of the fact that she's easily confused.
OMG ..I hope that place exists too "
I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us |
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"I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us"
I'm savvy, and got £250k from a non existent long lost relative in Uganda 
This is not true^ |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"HI my lovelies.
Just want to make sure everyone’s aware of a new (to me anyway) scam out there.
Today whilst on the way to the STP I had a WhatsApp from my (daughter) saying she’d water damaged her phone and that this was her new number. I thought nothing of it and we chatted sporadically for a couple of hours. ‘She’ then said that she had a couple of invoices to pay but couldn’t as she couldn’t get into her online banking and could I pay a couple of invoices for ‘her’ and she’d return the money tomorrow. They totalled over £2.5k
I said sure and asked for the details - then tried to call her. I just got white noise.
Smelled a rat then - scrolled up and realised no names had been mentioned. Asked her to name her siblings and uncle - no response.
Spoke to my daughter and it was an obvious scam.
Just thought I’d let everyone know about it as it seemed highly plausible at first. Just glad I smelled a rat in time.
If you have gullible friends/family please let them know.
Hugs
Peachy "
I’d love someone to ask me to loan them £2,500….as if I had that amount! Be lucky to get £2.50 out of me lol |
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"I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us
I'm savvy, and got £250k from a non existent long lost relative in Uganda
This is not true^ "
 isn't it! You had me going there for a second |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I hope there's a special place reserved in hell for scammers where they work hard for years, save a load of money only to have it taken from them in one phone call, for all eternity . My mum has been scammed twice and another time was "persuaded" to sign up for a subscription book service by an unscrupulous company that took advantage of the fact that she's easily confused.
OMG ..I hope that place exists too
I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us"
True. Did you watch tinder swindler? Unless we find ways to track these people down and file charges, it will keep happening. As things stand, it's hard to track these people down. |
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"I hope there's a special place reserved in hell for scammers where they work hard for years, save a load of money only to have it taken from them in one phone call, for all eternity . My mum has been scammed twice and another time was "persuaded" to sign up for a subscription book service by an unscrupulous company that took advantage of the fact that she's easily confused.
OMG ..I hope that place exists too
I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us
True. Did you watch tinder swindler? Unless we find ways to track these people down and file charges, it will keep happening. As things stand, it's hard to track these people down."
No I didn't I keep reading references to it. Even Aldi are using it in their ads |
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"I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us
I'm savvy, and got £250k from a non existent long lost relative in Uganda
This is not true^
isn't it! You had me going there for a second "
Do you wanna invest in my wind up mobile phone app?  |
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By *os19Man
over a year ago
Edmonton |
"HI my lovelies.
Just want to make sure everyone’s aware of a new (to me anyway) scam out there.
Today whilst on the way to the STP I had a WhatsApp from my (daughter) saying she’d water damaged her phone and that this was her new number. I thought nothing of it and we chatted sporadically for a couple of hours. ‘She’ then said that she had a couple of invoices to pay but couldn’t as she couldn’t get into her online banking and could I pay a couple of invoices for ‘her’ and she’d return the money tomorrow. They totalled over £2.5k
I said sure and asked for the details - then tried to call her. I just got white noise.
Smelled a rat then - scrolled up and realised no names had been mentioned. Asked her to name her siblings and uncle - no response.
Spoke to my daughter and it was an obvious scam.
Just thought I’d let everyone know about it as it seemed highly plausible at first. Just glad I smelled a rat in time.
If you have gullible friends/family please let them know.
Hugs
Peachy "
. I first heard about this scam about a month ago on a Facebook group I am on the lady got conned out of £1500 just before Christmas.She said the bank she is with we’re very good and she got her £1500 back within 2-3 weeks |
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Lorenzo's dad had a message like that a few weeks ago too. Scammers said something along the lines of "hi this is your oldest son, this is my new number" I got a sad/joking message from his mum asking me if her son is trying to get away from her when he didn't tell her that he has changed his number.
People will try anything and everything to scam you these days 
K |
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"I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us
I'm savvy, and got £250k from a non existent long lost relative in Uganda
This is not true^
isn't it! You had me going there for a second
Do you wanna invest in my wind up mobile phone app? "
Sure. What could possibly go wrong  |
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By *exysuzi and Mr.SCouple
over a year ago
CONISTON .Stoke Suburbia. Staffs. BARMOUTH. The Lakes (Monthly) |
Sorry but I'd know it wasn't my daughter messaging within a couple of mins ...never mind a couple of hours. Even our texts to each other have a certain tone to them. I'm actually surprised it took a couple of hours to be fair.
A few of us on fb had one from a colleague the other day, we all simultaneously messaged him. He messaged back that it wasn't from him  .... point is even from a friend both myself and others realised and asked him first. Xxxxx Suzi |
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"I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us
I'm savvy, and got £250k from a non existent long lost relative in Uganda
This is not true^
isn't it! You had me going there for a second
Do you wanna invest in my wind up mobile phone app?
Sure. What could possibly go wrong "
I promise that I wont give out your password or username, surely you're totally satisfied with my service now  |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
Thing people need to understand if you use online banking the bank will only compensate if you have been scammed once or twice.because you are responsible how you use your computer,laptop or mobile device.clicking on suspicious links can open the door to all the information toa criminal. I recently found out via few friends whom had money taken out from their accounts and police traced it as overseas.the tech people are able to bounce around to make it look like they are in one location but can be in a totally different country. A friend of mine was on holiday abroad and coming back to UK someone had emptied her two accounts give she wasn't in the country and the transaction happening at the times she had possession of her cards other side of the globe. Their are loads like an order via online that you may use claiming that the address was missing and that it would cost a minimum amount so they can get the delivery forwarded once you give out the bank details you will lose everything never click on suspicious links in your emails just block and report eventually they give up and use some security on your devices |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"HI my lovelies.
Just want to make sure everyone’s aware of a new (to me anyway) scam out there.
Today whilst on the way to the STP I had a WhatsApp from my (daughter) saying she’d water damaged her phone and that this was her new number. I thought nothing of it and we chatted sporadically for a couple of hours. ‘She’ then said that she had a couple of invoices to pay but couldn’t as she couldn’t get into her online banking and could I pay a couple of invoices for ‘her’ and she’d return the money tomorrow. They totalled over £2.5k
I said sure and asked for the details - then tried to call her. I just got white noise.
Smelled a rat then - scrolled up and realised no names had been mentioned. Asked her to name her siblings and uncle - no response.
Spoke to my daughter and it was an obvious scam.
Just thought I’d let everyone know about it as it seemed highly plausible at first. Just glad I smelled a rat in time.
If you have gullible friends/family please let them know.
Hugs
Peachy "
Read about this thanks for the heads up! keep safe lovely! |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them... |
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"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them..."
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone. |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them...
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone. "
Then it still the persons network provider responsibility as they have shared your number via marketing research they say they don't but anything that you use to give some kind of information on gets shared without any acknowledgement |
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"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them...
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone.
Then it still the persons network provider responsibility as they have shared your number via marketing research they say they don't but anything that you use to give some kind of information on gets shared without any acknowledgement"
Mobile phone numbers can probably be guessed relatively easily. Also it's possible that people unwittingly give their number to scammers (such as elderly people who might not identify certain phone calls or texts as dodgy). It's not always going to be a network provider that has sold your number to scammers either - any organisation you sign up to might sell your data (but nowadays they can only legally do this with consent). |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them...
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone.
Then it still the persons network provider responsibility as they have shared your number via marketing research they say they don't but anything that you use to give some kind of information on gets shared without any acknowledgement
Mobile phone numbers can probably be guessed relatively easily. Also it's possible that people unwittingly give their number to scammers (such as elderly people who might not identify certain phone calls or texts as dodgy). It's not always going to be a network provider that has sold your number to scammers either - any organisation you sign up to might sell your data (but nowadays they can only legally do this with consent)."
Everyone's numbers floats around and scammers hack those companies information gets leaked... You always get an option to opt out of marketing research some people don't realise that or at what time as they are quick to just accept by clicking the link so they get whatever it is done quickly  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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A work colleague had this sent to her from her son she guessed it wasn't him when they said they were just leaving work and she knew he was at the gym. They have set up a safe word now as he travels the world alot and she needs 2 know its him |
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"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them...
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone.
Then it still the persons network provider responsibility as they have shared your number via marketing research they say they don't but anything that you use to give some kind of information on gets shared without any acknowledgement
Mobile phone numbers can probably be guessed relatively easily. Also it's possible that people unwittingly give their number to scammers (such as elderly people who might not identify certain phone calls or texts as dodgy). It's not always going to be a network provider that has sold your number to scammers either - any organisation you sign up to might sell your data (but nowadays they can only legally do this with consent).
Everyone's numbers floats around and scammers hack those companies information gets leaked... You always get an option to opt out of marketing research some people don't realise that or at what time as they are quick to just accept by clicking the link so they get whatever it is done quickly "
Or people like my Dad (82 with dementia) don't have a clue about any of this, don't understand what they're ticking or not ticking and get taken for a ride. For example, staff in the EE shop encouraged him to select a really expensive mobile phone package that he clearly did not need (or understand). But they get commission. I can't stop him from going out and when we find out about £40-a-month phone packages, it takes all sorts of arguing to get them to change it without them trying to charge more for ending contracts etc. This is despite me being named on his account and a record of him having dementia being placed on file. |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them...
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone.
Then it still the persons network provider responsibility as they have shared your number via marketing research they say they don't but anything that you use to give some kind of information on gets shared without any acknowledgement
Mobile phone numbers can probably be guessed relatively easily. Also it's possible that people unwittingly give their number to scammers (such as elderly people who might not identify certain phone calls or texts as dodgy). It's not always going to be a network provider that has sold your number to scammers either - any organisation you sign up to might sell your data (but nowadays they can only legally do this with consent).
Everyone's numbers floats around and scammers hack those companies information gets leaked... You always get an option to opt out of marketing research some people don't realise that or at what time as they are quick to just accept by clicking the link so they get whatever it is done quickly
Or people like my Dad (82 with dementia) don't have a clue about any of this, don't understand what they're ticking or not ticking and get taken for a ride. For example, staff in the EE shop encouraged him to select a really expensive mobile phone package that he clearly did not need (or understand). But they get commission. I can't stop him from going out and when we find out about £40-a-month phone packages, it takes all sorts of arguing to get them to change it without them trying to charge more for ending contracts etc. This is despite me being named on his account and a record of him having dementia being placed on file. "
As you've put your father has dementia even if he has taken out the deal or agreement it is invalid because of his incapability you'd find a lawyer would be very helpful and the contract would be terminated without any charges as a contract a person should be able to understand sadly your father mental health effects his capability to make choices |
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^^^Try telling the above to EE. He'd have paid thousands of pounds for hearing aids, if the hearing aid shop people weren't so honest and caring. Instead of selling him another new thing, they phone me. He was nearly encouraged to spend hundreds of pounds on new glasses by a high street optician but when I phoned them, they admitted his prescription hadn't changed and they'd only "recommended" spending £400 because his current glasses are scratched. Bearing in mind how many high street opticians there are, I can't tell every single branch on Merseyside not to sell him things without phoning me first. Getting money back after the fact is one thing, but a) I have to find out/realise he's spent money first and b) he is so lacking in money that if he did spend £400 on glasses, he'd have no money for his bills/food. The latest thing someone sold him (that he doesn't need to buy/can't afford) is a funeral plan. I think he got his money back, but it's hard to know!!
It's far too easy for elderly people to effectively be scammed by genuine businesses (like the glasses or excessive phone contracts), so what do you think happens when rogue companies/actual scammers get in touch?! |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"^^^Try telling the above to EE. He'd have paid thousands of pounds for hearing aids, if the hearing aid shop people weren't so honest and caring. Instead of selling him another new thing, they phone me. He was nearly encouraged to spend hundreds of pounds on new glasses by a high street optician but when I phoned them, they admitted his prescription hadn't changed and they'd only "recommended" spending £400 because his current glasses are scratched. Bearing in mind how many high street opticians there are, I can't tell every single branch on Merseyside not to sell him things without phoning me first. Getting money back after the fact is one thing, but a) I have to find out/realise he's spent money first and b) he is so lacking in money that if he did spend £400 on glasses, he'd have no money for his bills/food. The latest thing someone sold him (that he doesn't need to buy/can't afford) is a funeral plan. I think he got his money back, but it's hard to know!!
It's far too easy for elderly people to effectively be scammed by genuine businesses (like the glasses or excessive phone contracts), so what do you think happens when rogue companies/actual scammers get in touch?! "
Wow I'd also have a social worker on board as it seems like it is way out of hand and your father has been taken advantage of they'll know the best move even though I have some ideas. |
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By *JB1954Man
over a year ago
Reading |
"I'm amazed at how many otherwise savvy people are taken in by scams too. It shows it could happen to any of us
I'm savvy, and got £250k from a non existent long lost relative in Uganda
This is not true^ "
My brother before he passed away . Had a similar type of scam . The email etc even gave a London solicitors address and telephone number. He was staying at my house at the time. The letter heading showed correct address in London . But a different telephone number as looked up on web. Contacted web listed on internet. Did actually speak with a solicitor at address. Forward email etc . He was pissed off . I also phoned number on email letter heading. Person on phone wanted my bank details. Said I would send in email. Never did. Solicitors did get back and say details handed to police. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I had a scammer ring my work phone, came up as a mobile so thought might have been important, then heard the ‘you’ve been locked out of amazon’
Oh really, told the scammer all kinds of bad things, they listened for a while and hung up.
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"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them...
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone. "
Yeah - mine was a WhatsApp message. Just lucky for me I smelled a rat as they claimed to be the oldest - who’s very well off. The youngest two are teenagers so obviously always asking me for money! Not 2.5 grand though to be fair. Scary thing is - if ‘she’ had asked for a couple of hundred instead I’d probably have sent it without thinking twice! It was just the amount which made me examine the whole conversation and realise no names had been mentioned.
Apologies if some people believe that makes me ‘stupid’. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them...
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone.
Yeah - mine was a WhatsApp message. Just lucky for me I smelled a rat as they claimed to be the oldest - who’s very well off. The youngest two are teenagers so obviously always asking me for money! Not 2.5 grand though to be fair. Scary thing is - if ‘she’ had asked for a couple of hundred instead I’d probably have sent it without thinking twice! It was just the amount which made me examine the whole conversation and realise no names had been mentioned.
Apologies if some people believe that makes me ‘stupid’. "
Maybe set up a safe word like someone mentioned above. Or a nickname so you can check it's them next time.  |
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"Remember your email providers are responsible as it's them whom are supposed to stop their users receiving suspicious emails. If for instance it doesn't provide the security and privacy. You receive suspicious emails because of this they are supposed to stop it so you don't receive them...
These aren't emails. They're text messages or WhatsApp messages to your mobile phone.
Yeah - mine was a WhatsApp message. Just lucky for me I smelled a rat as they claimed to be the oldest - who’s very well off. The youngest two are teenagers so obviously always asking me for money! Not 2.5 grand though to be fair. Scary thing is - if ‘she’ had asked for a couple of hundred instead I’d probably have sent it without thinking twice! It was just the amount which made me examine the whole conversation and realise no names had been mentioned.
Apologies if some people believe that makes me ‘stupid’. "
It doesn't make you look stupid. Thousands of people are scammed daily, it's not until you know someone personally who's had it happen to them that you realise how it affects them and how it can happen to almost anybody. My mum was frightened they would come and attack her in her house. I'm not a violent person but if I could have got my hands on them... |
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By *ENGUYMan
over a year ago
Hull |
For the record, I'm signed up to a free advisory service supplied by WHICH Magazine.
They'll email you each time a new Scam appears in the UK, what to watch out for and the errors in each fraud, plus what NOT TO DO.
The irony is in the past week, they advice came through that the Scammers, are now sending out messages pretending to be from WHICH.
Crooks are getting too clever. |
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The folk who have dementia I can understand getting scammed, but surely receiving a text that states it's from your eldest or whomever but doesn't mention their name sets the alarm bells off?
Frank |
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"The folk who have dementia I can understand getting scammed, but surely receiving a text that states it's from your eldest or whomever but doesn't mention their name sets the alarm bells off?
Frank"
Not necessarily. Our son sometimes refers to himself as "your son" and calls me "mother" he is also well known for losing or changing his phone and using someone else's to message from. If I had a message saying "Mother, this is your son I've lost my phone" I'd believe it was him. It probably wouldn't occur to me until later to query how he'd got my number |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The folk who have dementia I can understand getting scammed, but surely receiving a text that states it's from your eldest or whomever but doesn't mention their name sets the alarm bells off?
Frank
Not necessarily. Our son sometimes refers to himself as "your son" and calls me "mother" he is also well known for losing or changing his phone and using someone else's to message from. If I had a message saying "Mother, this is your son I've lost my phone" I'd believe it was him. It probably wouldn't occur to me until later to query how he'd got my number"
That's actually a very good point! In the olden days I memorised numbers but these days I'd be lost without my phone.  |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
I understand people have said that it's not emails but other forms of messaging.your email is like a key to your devices if they have it are able to miss use it and pull up all kinds of information as information floats around in the air that hackers grab before it's reached where it's supposed to go |
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There was a scam over here last year targeting elderly people through their landlines.
They were contacted by someone claiming to be the police advising them they would be targeted and asked for their assistance in stopping the scam.
It involved taking money from their own accounts and leaving it at drop points so the police could follow whoever picked it up and they were unaware the person asking for their help was the one targeting them.
The police were actually aware of the scam and were already following the scammer but had no way of knowing who his victims were until after they had withdrawn the money and left it at the drop points.
Thankfully some clued in bank and post office staff saw a pattern and passed the info to the police who then discovered a much wider scam across a number of towns involving an entire team of scammers.
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"The folk who have dementia I can understand getting scammed, but surely receiving a text that states it's from your eldest or whomever but doesn't mention their name sets the alarm bells off?
Frank
Not necessarily. Our son sometimes refers to himself as "your son" and calls me "mother" he is also well known for losing or changing his phone and using someone else's to message from. If I had a message saying "Mother, this is your son I've lost my phone" I'd believe it was him. It probably wouldn't occur to me until later to query how he'd got my number
That's actually a very good point! In the olden days I memorised numbers but these days I'd be lost without my phone. "
The only phone number I know off the top of my head is the first number we had when I was 10. You had to say it very clearly and in a posh voice when you picked the phone up |
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I posted a warning up a while ago but yours has changed a little.
the original august 2021
we use a closed WhatsApp group to contact family members.
Yesterday, My wife received a message from our youngest daughter saying she had been having trouble with her phone & needed to transfer £2000+ to a bank account (details included Acct name, sort code & Acct No) but because of the change of phone she couldn't complete the transaction.
yours
"I had a WhatsApp from my (daughter) saying she’d water damaged her phone and that this was her new number. I thought nothing of it and we chatted sporadically for a couple of hours. ‘She’ then said that she had a couple of invoices to pay but couldn’t as she couldn’t get into her online banking and could I pay a couple of invoices for ‘her’ and she’d return the money tomorrow. They totalled over £2.5k
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"A work colleague had this sent to her from her son she guessed it wasn't him when they said they were just leaving work and she knew he was at the gym. They have set up a safe word now as he travels the world alot and she needs 2 know its him "
Brilliant idea |
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