Scam Phone Calls

lorie d.

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I was at home yesterday when my landline phone rang. When I answered I heard a robot voice identifying itself as Microsoft and telling me that my IP address was being discontinued because it had been compromised by different countries. :rolleyes3: I was then told to press 1 to be connected with a technician...so I immediately hung up. Two hours later they tried again, my landline rang and this time the robot voice told me that they had been trying to reach me, so I handled the call the same way as before and checked my caller ID. I found that they hadn't hidden their number so when I called the police to report getting scam phone calls, I gave the number to them. :thumbsup:
There was one thing that was really odd, when I checked my caller ID I also checked the previous number. What I saw was that the scammer had made it look like that first call had come from my phone. I'm not sure how they did that.
 

kashmir64

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What I saw was that the scammer had made it look like that first call had come from my phone. I'm not sure how they did that.
It's called spoofing.

I love scam calls. I mess with them until they eventually hang up on me. I even had the IRS scammer say "F - you" before he disconnected the call. Although I think they're on to me because I haven't received a scam call in a few weeks. :bawling:
 

EmersonandEvie

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Yup. I get random 800 number calls and a robo-woman telling me that my Social Security number will be cancelled unless I connect to an agent now.
 
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lorie d.

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It's called spoofing.

I love scam calls. I mess with them until they eventually hang up on me. I even had the IRS scammer say "F - you" before he disconnected the call. Although I think they're on to me because I haven't received a scam call in a few weeks. :bawling:
I guess the way I mess with them is by giving their phone number to the police if I find it on my caller ID. It seems to keep the persistent ones from calling back. I had one Scammer tell me he was with the FBI, this one was really funny because I could tell by his voice that he was probably 15 or 16. Not scary or impressive at all.
 

lizzie

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We get so many of those calls in my area,I've gotten to where I don't answer the phone anymore unless I recognize the number.You can't even really trust caller ID anymore because of all the spoofing.I had one guy call so much...think it said he was "from" Michigan and I was livid.Several times a day...ridiculous!I google every number just to be sure,and the next time he called,I said...how does it feel to know that your work number is spread all over the internet as a scam?What will your family think when you all are busted by the FTC and you lose your job?I have turned your number in to them so it's just a matter of time.His response was that okay lady,you win.I promise I will remove your number from the list.I don't know if that held true,but I've not gotten another call from that number nor showing it was from Mich.....so far.
 

kashmir64

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The problem is that neither the police nor really the FBI can do much. Most of these scams are based in another country...like India...and we have no jurisdiction there. They spoof the number to make it look local so you answer.
I am on the no call list but this doesn't work for out-of-country spam calls. It only works for non-profit businesses.
So, I have fun with it. Apparently it works, as I seem to have been blacklisted.
 
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foxxycat

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It's called spoofing.

I love scam calls. I mess with them until they eventually hang up on me. I even had the IRS scammer say "F - you" before he disconnected the call. Although I think they're on to me because I haven't received a scam call in a few weeks. :bawling:
THIS.

When they say F you=say do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

And CLICK. Hang up on them.

:crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup:
 

stacydc83

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My parents constantly get that call on their land line, that their computer has been compromised and they need to speak to a technician or their personal identity will be stolen. Then the one that REALLY gets me is the spoofing numbers, the caller ID will say my Dad's name, and the house number calling the house.
I get about 30 random calls on my cell phone a day now, some with my area code, some random. I don't answer any of them, if its important, they can leave a voicemail. It's gotten so bad I actually have my phone on do not disturb, only if your in my contacts will the phone ring.
 

danteshuman

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If I don’t know the number I do not pick up! Lately I have been getting (scam) calls saying my SSI benifits have been put on hold. All I can think is those people should be ashamed of themselves!

Yes I filed a complaint to alert the government of the scam. You can google how to report scam phone calls. Also I heard the first line, hung up and then called social security myself to ask them about it. When in doubt call the company yourself, though legally they would send written notice!
 

1 bruce 1

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It's called spoofing.

I love scam calls. I mess with them until they eventually hang up on me. I even had the IRS scammer say "F - you" before he disconnected the call. Although I think they're on to me because I haven't received a scam call in a few weeks. :bawling:
:yess::thumbsup:
I do it, too. A few of my favorite things to do are jot down the number. Say a scammer is pretending to be the police department. Next time you answer, answer it ("City/town name) Police Department", etc. etc.
If they ask for someone (usually mispronouncing the name), say "yes, they're here, let me go get them." Then yell for them as loud as you can right into the phone. They'll hang up :redtongue:
 

denice

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I don't answer. I had one that was very persistent, it went on for a long time. She would leave a message saying she was from Tax Resolution and that I may have unpaid taxes which they could help with. If I had unpaid taxes I would know it and it wouldn't be from someone who is supposed to be working for a company called Tax Resolution.
 

foxxycat

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My parents constantly get that call on their land line, that their computer has been compromised and they need to speak to a technician or their personal identity will be stolen. Then the one that REALLY gets me is the spoofing numbers, the caller ID will say my Dad's name, and the house number calling the house.
I get about 30 random calls on my cell phone a day now, some with my area code, some random. I don't answer any of them, if its important, they can leave a voicemail. It's gotten so bad I actually have my phone on do not disturb, only if your in my contacts will the phone ring.
I wish my phone had this setting...I will have to look. There's at least 4 or 5 calls a day from various numbers that look local. I never answer but maybe I should..and mess with them.
 

LTS3

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Scammers will use unsuspecting legit numbers to show up on caller ID, too. An old work cell phone number had been used by scammers. Some woman left me an angry voicemail threatening to call the police on me because she was getting numerous Spam calls that show up as coming from my phone number. I never gave that work cell phone number out to anyone outside of work.
 

DreamerRose

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Yes, all these calls have spoofed numbers, and it doesn't do much good to report it to the police department because it isn't the number the spoofer is calling from. Since I have caller ID and when I don't recognize the caller, I press Talk and then Off so the phone stops ringing. I get about a dozen calls a day.

One day a couple of weeks ago, I got dozens, and I mean dozens, of calls showing my own name and number. I got tired of it late in the afternoon and took one corded phone off the hook. Those calls stopped after a couple of hours.

But cheer up. Congress has passed a bill to stop these robocalls. I think it's supposed to go into effect in October, so maybe that's why we are getting so many calls now.
 

1 bruce 1

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Does anyone else get the automated robot callers who, when you answer, command you "Do NOT hang up the phone"? I usually say "good thinking!" then slam the receiver down. Who are these jokers kidding?
 
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