[On-going Scams - Post them here]

Questions on how we spend our money and our time - consumer goods and services, home and vehicle, leisure and recreational activities
Silverado
Posts: 1905
Joined: Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:07 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by Silverado »

wwhan wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 9:08 pm
JBTX wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 8:54 pm You would think for the well being of patients, especially elderly ones, medical providers could figure out a way to securely call from a recognizable / known number. The main reason people, especially elderly feel compelled to pick up phone calls is in case it is a call from a medical provider.
What age is elderly?
Misses the point.

I am lucky, my dentist and doctor incoming calls come from the same number I call. Someone might spoof one, so I still remind myself that all billing happens via mail, web portal, or in person.
User avatar
Stinky
Posts: 15593
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:38 am
Location: Sweet Home Alabama

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by Stinky »

wwhan wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 9:08 pm
What age is elderly?
"Elderly" is always exactly five years older than my current age. :D
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
User avatar
ResearchMed
Posts: 17544
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:25 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by ResearchMed »

PeninsulaPerson wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 4:47 am ...
I wait until they start leaving a message and then pick up and say, "Here I am and I never pick up on unknown numbers until I know who's calling."
...

Another strategy is to have software on your phone such that IF a call arrives from a blocked number, the call is answered with an automated messages something like,

"We do not accept calls from blocked numbers. Please hang up, unblock your number and call back, and then we will answer or you will be able to leave a message."

That also works, for non-scammers who want to "get through".

RM
This signature is a placebo. You are in the control group.
RetiredAL
Posts: 4222
Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:09 am
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by RetiredAL »

PeninsulaPerson wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 4:47 am No message = Dodged a scammer probably every time.
My experience is 98% of the no message callers are from a telemarketer of some kind.

The scourge is that these calls are computer made in advance of an agent being available, and is only connects to an agent when it detects an answered call. If you answer and no agent is available, the computer drops the call.
User avatar
Mullins
Posts: 558
Joined: Wed May 08, 2019 4:38 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by Mullins »

wwhan wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:06 pm I would go online or call the number on the back of the card
+1 calling the number on the back of the card.
I'd add the caveat that searching for a company's number online means also making certain the search results didn't pull up a phishing site.
"The Quality of the Answer Depends on the Quality of Your Question."
TN_Boy
Posts: 4525
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:51 am

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by TN_Boy »

edge wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:01 am This.

There is generally no reason to take calls from unknown numbers. Set your phone to automatically direct them to voicemail.
stan1 wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:05 pm Why did you answer a call from an unknown number? Let them leave a voice mail which they will if they need something from you.
We are wandering a bit afield, but it really isn't that simple sometimes. I was health care POA/general person managing stuff for an elderly relative.

I got calls from Drs office, some of which used numbers that were not in my contact list (and I had no way of knowing the number in advance). I got calls from Dr cellphones a couple of times. I got calls from CNAs helping the relative (their cellphones) when the person had a issue. And calls from other places as well. Lots of calls.

I could miss the Dr office calls. They did leave a message (saying ... "call us back"). And then spend -- literally -- a day or two playing phone tag. I could miss the CNA calls (they would leave a message) and sometimes ... not always ... it was okay to call back later. It helped setting up all the usual portals that medical providers have now, but sometimes I needed to talk to people.

It was a stress-relieving moment in my life when I could start ignoring calls from numbers not in my contact list (albeit for a sad reason) but sometimes there are very good reasons to take calls.
edge
Posts: 3957
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:44 pm
Location: NY

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by edge »

I suspect we will move more towards a txt msg intro and then call versus the in between situation we are in now.

The healthcare industry is a mess for many many reasons but they can’t keep these old patterns.

I know my doctors office changed systems and now the calls all come in from a single number.
LookinAround
Posts: 1031
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2018 5:41 am

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by LookinAround »

pasadena wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:19 pm
bberris wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:17 pm

Drs call from unknown numbers.
And they leave a message.
Yes, they leave a message. But sometimes being able to catch a doctor when they're available to talk again can be a headache.

I agree. I seldom answer unknown numbers. But if I do... I'm prepared to hang up on a scam call if I don't know the caller.
safari
Posts: 776
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 1:23 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by safari »

I answer the phone when I am expecting a call. If that happens to be a spam call, I just hang up. No big deal.
ladycat
Posts: 326
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 5:02 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by ladycat »

Mullins wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 9:49 am
wwhan wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:06 pm I would go online or call the number on the back of the card
+1 calling the number on the back of the card.
I'd add the caveat that searching for a company's number online means also making certain the search results didn't pull up a phishing site.
I have read that one benefit of using a verified mobile app is that the company's contact information is reliable.
User avatar
samsoes
Posts: 2974
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:12 am
Location: Northeast Rat Race

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by samsoes »

wwhan wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 9:08 pm
JBTX wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 8:54 pm You would think for the well being of patients, especially elderly ones, medical providers could figure out a way to securely call from a recognizable / known number. The main reason people, especially elderly feel compelled to pick up phone calls is in case it is a call from a medical provider.
What age is elderly?
When one is eligible for a senior discount (like me).
(Not counting those young whippersnappers who get a senior discount without having earned it!)
"Happiness Is Not My Companion" - Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren. | (Avatar is the statue of Gen. Warren atop Little Round Top @ Gettysburg National Military Park.)
trueblue63
Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2024 10:43 am

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by trueblue63 »

You can answer your phone, just remember, companies don't call you for weird reasons asking for any information.

It's just not done. WHY? How does the caller know who they've reached. Because of that a call provides them no security, no advantage.

The easiest way to deal with the pond scum? here's the script:

Thanks so much for the call, can you tell me exactly which company you're calling from {pause to write it down} thanks so much, I have to use the bathroom, but I'll call the security center right back, BYE Now. {hangup}

It's that easy, any real situation, you can call them back, directly to a security person, no wondering what to do, no anxiety.
RealSunset
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 3:30 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by RealSunset »

TN_Boy wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 10:35 am I could miss the Dr office calls. They did leave a message (saying ... "call us back"). And then spend -- literally -- a day or two playing phone tag. I could miss the CNA calls (they would leave a message) and sometimes ... not always ... it was okay to call back later.
Longing here for the old days when, free of any ties to doctors / health insurance / medical transport / home care and other services, I could just ignore any unfamiliar number and let it go to voice mail. The variety of persons and area codes, all calling for legitimate purposes, is jaw-dropping. Once someone falls ill, it seems it's very easy for scammers to take advantage. When you are waiting for THAT phone call from THAT key scrubs-wearing magician, ah, that's another story. Privacy and security go out the window.
JBTX
Posts: 11884
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:46 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by JBTX »

PeninsulaPerson wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 4:06 am
wwhan wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 1:18 am


I am just not sure what elderly is anymore.

I am 70, I have friends that are 80, 85, 87 and a next door neighbor that is 99. They tend to be very careful about scams.

I also have friends that are much younger which are still very susceptible to scams.

No one was ever "elderly" - they were "a 90-year-old person," for example.

And this one-word descriptor is rightfully considered by many to be offensive and too vague to be descriptive anyway. (I recently saw an article implying that "elderly" started at 50!)

Better to use a few more words - like "older people who need medical care" altho' there are plenty of younger people in that same boat.

Younger people are all too vulnerable to scams. Teen sextortion is one that every parent should be aware of! And Venmo scams. Every reminder to be scam-wary is a good reminder.

And doctors/hospitals should do a lot better at using known numbers tho' I find the patient portals to be good for communicating with them. Direct and secure enough. Plus then there's a record of the contact and having the doctor's response in writing can be helpful.
Good grief. So do they need to change “Elder Law” to “Those who are older who need medical care law”? But maybe “older” is offensive too. And stereotyping people who need medical care is perhaps “Ableism”.

Can we just maturely discuss topics and dispense with the PC?
User avatar
samsoes
Posts: 2974
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:12 am
Location: Northeast Rat Race

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by samsoes »

JBTX wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 4:08 pm
PeninsulaPerson wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 4:06 am


No one was ever "elderly" - they were "a 90-year-old person," for example.

And this one-word descriptor is rightfully considered by many to be offensive and too vague to be descriptive anyway. (I recently saw an article implying that "elderly" started at 50!)

Better to use a few more words - like "older people who need medical care" altho' there are plenty of younger people in that same boat.

Younger people are all too vulnerable to scams. Teen sextortion is one that every parent should be aware of! And Venmo scams. Every reminder to be scam-wary is a good reminder.

And doctors/hospitals should do a lot better at using known numbers tho' I find the patient portals to be good for communicating with them. Direct and secure enough. Plus then there's a record of the contact and having the doctor's response in writing can be helpful.
Good grief. So do they need to change “Elder Law” to “Those who are older who need medical care law”? But maybe “older” is offensive too. And stereotyping people who need medical care is perhaps “Ableism”.

Can we just maturely discuss topics and dispense with the PC?
Oh, I couldn't agree with you more!! :sharebeer
"Happiness Is Not My Companion" - Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren. | (Avatar is the statue of Gen. Warren atop Little Round Top @ Gettysburg National Military Park.)
JBTX
Posts: 11884
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:46 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by JBTX »

samsoes wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:18 pm
JBTX wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 4:08 pm

Good grief. So do they need to change “Elder Law” to “Those who are older who need medical care law”? But maybe “older” is offensive too. And stereotyping people who need medical care is perhaps “Ableism”.

Can we just maturely discuss topics and dispense with the PC?
Oh, I couldn't agree with you more!! :sharebeer
Elder used to be a term of reverence.
User avatar
LadyGeek
Site Admin
Posts: 99549
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:34 pm
Location: Philadelphia
Contact:

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

Post by LadyGeek »

I merged bberris' thread into the ongoing discussion.

(Thanks to the member who reported the post and explained what's wrong.)
Wiki To some, the glass is half full. To others, the glass is half empty. To an engineer, it's twice the size it needs to be.
Mudpuppy
Posts: 7497
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:26 am
Location: Sunny California

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by Mudpuppy »

JBTX wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 8:54 pm You would think for the well being of patients, especially elderly ones, medical providers could figure out a way to securely call from a recognizable / known number. The main reason people, especially elderly feel compelled to pick up phone calls is in case it is a call from a medical provider.
Most of the doctors I deal with already have this capability. The caller ID shows their main office number, which I have in my contacts list, not their direct number. It's a privacy measure for them too, so patients don't have their direct number and patients therefore get screened through the front office staff when calling.

If one is expecting a call from a new doctor, one can look up their listed office phone number and add that to the contacts list. Occasionally, I'll receive calls from a separate scheduling number instead of the office number, but that is usually with large physician networks.
snic
Posts: 1063
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:37 am

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by snic »

trueblue63 wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 1:22 pm You can answer your phone, just remember, companies don't call you for weird reasons asking for any information.

It's just not done. WHY? How does the caller know who they've reached. Because of that a call provides them no security, no advantage.

The easiest way to deal with the pond scum? here's the script:

Thanks so much for the call, can you tell me exactly which company you're calling from {pause to write it down} thanks so much, I have to use the bathroom, but I'll call the security center right back, BYE Now. {hangup}

It's that easy, any real situation, you can call them back, directly to a security person, no wondering what to do, no anxiety.
Why make up the bit about having to use the bathroom? Just be direct: get their name, company, and what they're calling about, then say, "I don't give out any information to people who call me." And then thank them and hang up. Then, if you think the call might have been legitimate, find the company's phone number in your own records and call them back.
trueblue63
Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2024 10:43 am

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by trueblue63 »

snic wrote: Mon Oct 28, 2024 9:46 pm Why make up the bit about having to use the bathroom? Just be direct: get their name, company, and what they're calling about, then say, "I don't give out any information to people who call me." And then thank them and hang up. Then, if you think the call might have been legitimate, find the company's phone number in your own records and call them back.
[ quote fixed by admin LadyGeek]

The bathroom, because no one on the other end is going to challenge you on that, it terminates the exchange after getting what you want, which is the goal. It's for people that have difficulty dealing with these calls. People who get drawn into the convos, don't want to be rude. I'm sure you know what I mean. (How I deal with people is different than say how my mother in law deals with people)
bigguy8437
Posts: 411
Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 12:02 am

My uncle was tricked by a Facebook scam

Post by bigguy8437 »

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

Long story short, my uncle got scammed online and sent multiple checks worth about $60k to try and recover his Facebook account. I know it sounds crazy but it’s true. The other person has already cashed the checks at this point. Would an attorney be able to help recover anything or are there any other options to attempt to recover anything? I feel like his bank, BOA won’t be much help since it’s been over 60 days (they were cashed in late July and late august)
Marq1
Posts: 115
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:24 am

Re: My uncle was tricked by a Facebook scam

Post by Marq1 »

Call the cops!
User avatar
FGal
Posts: 84
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2018 4:57 pm

Re: My uncle was tricked by a Facebook scam

Post by FGal »

Very unlikely. In this case, the only ones that could have done anything was Facebook. Anyone else would be lying.

He fell for a recovery scammer. They go after victims of scams, promising they can find money and track the original scammers and bring them to justice. All they do is make promises and ask for fees and extra funds for their work, which of course is all lies.

Even tho he sent the money to a scammer who obviously lied to him, he chose to do this of his own free will. The banks are not responsible for him doing this, because they are assume that as long as their clients are adults they are capable of deciding how to spend their own money and are responsible to do their own due diligence. The financial institutions are under no obligation or fault here.

The best he can do is make a police report, chalk this up to a hard life lesson, and educate others about how the scam went down.
FIREd as of March 2015!
biscuit5
Posts: 556
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2022 2:01 pm

Re: My uncle was tricked by a Facebook scam

Post by biscuit5 »

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]
bigguy8437 wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 11:20 pm $60k to try and recover his Facebook account
[ quote fixed by admin LadyGeek]

wondering what was in the account that it was worth ~$60k

I can't imagine paying anything to recover a personal social media account if it was hacked
User avatar
LadyGeek
Site Admin
Posts: 99549
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:34 pm
Location: Philadelphia
Contact:

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

Post by LadyGeek »

I merged bigguy8437's and biscuit5's thread into the ongoing discussion.

(Thanks to the members who reported the posts and provided a link to this thread.)

Update: Added biscuit5's thread.
Wiki To some, the glass is half full. To others, the glass is half empty. To an engineer, it's twice the size it needs to be.
User avatar
Feldman
Posts: 282
Joined: Sun May 19, 2024 12:46 pm
Location: . . . From Across The Hall!

Re: My uncle was tricked by a Facebook scam

Post by Feldman »

I don't understand. Where is the quoted text coming from?
clip651
Posts: 1736
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:02 am

Re: My uncle was tricked by a Facebook scam

Post by clip651 »

Feldman wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 6:18 am I don't understand. Where is the quoted text coming from?
Go back a few posts, and watch for the first one with the “uncle tricked by a Facebook scam” title to read the current issue from the start.
User avatar
LadyGeek
Site Admin
Posts: 99549
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:34 pm
Location: Philadelphia
Contact:

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

Post by LadyGeek »

^^^ Thanks. I fixed the quote. It's why the threads were merged together here.
Wiki To some, the glass is half full. To others, the glass is half empty. To an engineer, it's twice the size it needs to be.
thedaybeforetoday
Posts: 1024
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2022 5:16 am

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

Post by thedaybeforetoday »

Facebook friend sent out message to all their friends that elderly relative had passed and needed to liquidate stuff, nice stuff, couple cars, kitchenaid appliances, power equipment, with pics.
A back and forth private message revealed the poster, disguised as facebook friend, wanted down payment to hold an item, that they would refund should we not want item.
I texted friend who said they were hacked.
Could have lost said down payment.
"When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them." R. Dangerfield
User avatar
Feldman
Posts: 282
Joined: Sun May 19, 2024 12:46 pm
Location: . . . From Across The Hall!

Re: My uncle was tricked by a Facebook scam

Post by Feldman »

clip651 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 6:38 am
Feldman wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 6:18 am I don't understand. Where is the quoted text coming from?
Go back a few posts, and watch for the first one with the “uncle tricked by a Facebook scam” title to read the current issue from the start.
Thanks. I think I just got caught during admin movements. When I replied, the post I quoted was the only one in its own thread with essentially no context.
PhoebeCoco
Posts: 234
Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2019 6:33 pm

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

Post by PhoebeCoco »

I get spam emails saying my Facebook account has been hacked, and I don't even have a Facebook account! LOL. Same for X (formerly Twitter).
User avatar
TomatoTomahto
Posts: 18292
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:48 pm

Re: yet another scam call variation

Post by TomatoTomahto »

samsoes wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 7:53 pm
wwhan wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:38 pm Yes, if they don't leave a message, it was not important.
Good luck calling the doctor's office back and actually be able to speak with him/her.
That’s one of the other benefits of a concierge doctor; I have their cell phone and an understanding that I won’t use it capriciously. Of course, that privilege comes at a price.
I get the FI part but not the RE part of FIRE.
User avatar
heartwood
Posts: 2943
Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2013 12:40 pm

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

Post by heartwood »

The WSJ recommends NOT texting back "stop" at least for political texts.

This should be an unlocked link; https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/ ... _permalink

I had the same experience earlier this year with both text and phone. I finally gave up my 20+ year old cell number that I used as backup because I was getting 20+ calls and more texts each day. Ii tried it all, but finally cancelled the voice number.
User avatar
Tycoon
Posts: 1759
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:06 pm

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

Post by Tycoon »

heartwood wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 9:11 am The WSJ recommends NOT texting back "stop" at least for political texts.
STOP has worked without fail for me.
Emotionless, prognostication free investing. Ignoring the noise and economists since 1979. Getting rich off of "smart people's" behavioral mistakes.
Post Reply