If you haven't already, I suggest you create an account with Social Security, I believe it's ssa gov, before the bad guys/gals do so in your name.Count If wrote: Wed Dec 25, 2024 8:30 pm Possible Social Security scam: Recently received voicemail messages and text messages purporting to be from a SS representative in a nearby metro city, addressing me by name. The call-back number however was not a known SS phone # it was an 877 that did not come up as a SS office when searched. The agent also had an extension # to call, was asking me to call back if I wished to apply for benefits. I decided to ignore this call as I don't believe they'd contact citizen's cell phones and text to reach out this way. Thought I was finished at this point, but this operation then sent me an official looking letter with the right size, official looking logo and plastic windows. The message was the same I should call this same agent's 877 number and extension if I wished to apply for benefits. There were clues on the letter that suggested it was not legit. I'm ignoring this solicitation as I believe it's a highly misleading scam that's impersonating a government agency. When applying I'll contact agency directly. I believe a health care data breach (several notices over the past year) was the source of my cell phone, age, address, and possible SS# information being available to this operation. At this point I just ignore but thinking maybe should report it.
[On-going Scams - Post them here]
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
"Happiness Is Not My Companion" - Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren. |
(Avatar is the statue of Gen. Warren atop Little Round Top @ Gettysburg National Military Park.)
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
That sounds particularly well coordinated, using phone, text, and mail to contact you. Pretty scary too.
And they had to put out some hard cash for postage to mail you a letter.
If I had received such an outreach, I would probably contact SS (using a VALID phone number) to make sure it wasn’t a real outreach from SS.
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
see my 12/13/24 post above re a "Medicare" call, and from several others reporting similar calls.Count If wrote: Wed Dec 25, 2024 8:30 pm Possible Social Security scam: Recently received voicemail messages and text messages purporting to be from a SS representative in a nearby metro city, addressing me by name. The call-back number however was not a known SS phone # it was an 877 that did not come up as a SS office when searched. The agent also had an extension # to call, was asking me to call back if I wished to apply for benefits. I decided to ignore this call as I don't believe they'd contact citizen's cell phones and text to reach out this way. Thought I was finished at this point, but this operation then sent me an official looking letter with the right size, official looking logo and plastic windows. The message was the same I should call this same agent's 877 number and extension if I wished to apply for benefits. There were clues on the letter that suggested it was not legit. I'm ignoring this solicitation as I believe it's a highly misleading scam that's impersonating a government agency. When applying I'll contact agency directly. I believe a health care data breach (several notices over the past year) was the source of my cell phone, age, address, and possible SS# information being available to this operation. At this point I just ignore but thinking maybe should report it.
I'd guess these are data breach results since there are many all at once and all with detailed information. But at least I got my Equifax settlement.

I'd vote for any candidate who could address this and similar rip-offs. Or buy the stock of a company that could address it. Where's AI when it might really benefit me?
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
A puzzling one. I got a call (caller ID and number reflected that of my actual "fairly small and relatively unknown" credit union). Yes, I realize this info can be spoofed. They commenced to tell me they believe my debit card had been hacked, had I made x,y, and z purchases in Florida? I laughed and said, no - I only use my debit card for ATM withdrawals, NEVER for purchases, and it's currently in my possession. I said I use my credit card for purchases. They went on to talk about hackers using "3D software" to hack my account and that "only they could see the purchases and it wouldn't be visible on my end". This comment caught my attention and just didn't feel right, but I continued to listen. They then said they'd cancel my debit card AND my credit card and send me new ones. I dreaded the thought of the hassle of going to multiple websites and reentering my new credit card info for recurring charges and said, whoa whoa whoa! Why does the credit card have to be reissued since it's not even part of the debit card hack and in fact is not managed directly by the credit union? The caller again mentioned the hackers using "3D software", blah blah blah, and asked if my zip code was still xxxxx (the correct zip code). I then said, look - THIS is beginning to look like a hack, thank you for calling and I'll call my credit union directly about the matter. Silence followed. And then they hung up. I called the credit union and of course there was no hack, but they issued me a new debit card.
In hindsight I wish I'd kept the caller on the line longer, just to see when and how they were going to hack me. I.e. tell me a they were going to send a SMS message and have me confirm the code, or some other way of getting info. But the fact that they knew I was a member of that particular credit union is puzzling. I realize my name, phone number, zip code, etc., are all readily available on the web - but knowing what credit union I used? Well there I have to give them credit.
In hindsight I wish I'd kept the caller on the line longer, just to see when and how they were going to hack me. I.e. tell me a they were going to send a SMS message and have me confirm the code, or some other way of getting info. But the fact that they knew I was a member of that particular credit union is puzzling. I realize my name, phone number, zip code, etc., are all readily available on the web - but knowing what credit union I used? Well there I have to give them credit.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
A few weeks ago, USPS Informed Delivery indicated that two letters from the IRS were to be delivered to our house, but unusually for Informed Delivery, the pictures of the envelopes had the address window redacted (so neither the name nor the address of the addressee was visible). The letters were never delivered, which was odd. This week, Informed Delivery informed me that we have two trackable USPS packages from the IRS on the way, which turn out to be Certified Mail. On the delivery date, the tracking information indicated that the letters were being returned to sender because the addressees were not known to be at the address.
I thought this was exceedingly strange, but am not sure whether or how this could be part of some scam or fraud. After it happened I set up an IRS account successfully. Maybe someone used our address to set up an account the IRS suspects is fraudulent? Or perhaps the IRS is just going after a previous occupant by sending mail to all their known addresses.
I thought this was exceedingly strange, but am not sure whether or how this could be part of some scam or fraud. After it happened I set up an IRS account successfully. Maybe someone used our address to set up an account the IRS suspects is fraudulent? Or perhaps the IRS is just going after a previous occupant by sending mail to all their known addresses.
"Financial ignorance is expensive."
- tuningfork
- Posts: 964
- Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:30 pm
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
"3D software" sounds about 15 years out of date. A proper scam today would use "AI software". Perhaps future scams will use "4D AI software"?Yooper wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2024 8:30 am A puzzling one. I got a call (caller ID and number reflected that of my actual "fairly small and relatively unknown" credit union). Yes, I realize this info can be spoofed. They commenced to tell me they believe my debit card had been hacked, had I made x,y, and z purchases in Florida? I laughed and said, no - I only use my debit card for ATM withdrawals, NEVER for purchases, and it's currently in my possession. I said I use my credit card for purchases. They went on to talk about hackers using "3D software" to hack my account and that "only they could see the purchases and it wouldn't be visible on my end". This comment caught my attention and just didn't feel right, but I continued to listen. They then said they'd cancel my debit card AND my credit card and send me new ones. I dreaded the thought of the hassle of going to multiple websites and reentering my new credit card info for recurring charges and said, whoa whoa whoa! Why does the credit card have to be reissued since it's not even part of the debit card hack and in fact is not managed directly by the credit union? The caller again mentioned the hackers using "3D software", blah blah blah, and asked if my zip code was still xxxxx (the correct zip code). I then said, look - THIS is beginning to look like a hack, thank you for calling and I'll call my credit union directly about the matter. Silence followed. And then they hung up. I called the credit union and of course there was no hack, but they issued me a new debit card.

I have trained myself to basically never answer phone calls that I'm not expecting. If I see caller ID from my bank, if it's legitimate they'll leave a voice message, and I'll have the time to verify callback numbers, check my account online, or whatever. Most of the time when I've gotten legitimate calls from my bank or brokerage, they're just marketing calls that aren't worth my time. Communications about potentially fraudulent transactions usually come to me by both text and email, not voice.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Just today I got a new Medicare card in the mail. CMS said they found an issue with my Medicare number. Called to confirm; it's real. Just an FYI.heartwood wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 9:43 pm I received a phone call (on my wife's cell that I happened to answer while she was out of the room because it had some source that looked important). I answered and a quick talking woman asked for me by name, saying she was calling from "Medicare Service provider". She quickly asked if I had received my new Medicare card. I said no. She apologized saying it was sent 2 weeks ago. Unaware of any "new" card coming, I asked where she was calling from, "the government or my provider", she again mentioned the Medicare Service center. I asked again; she said something about a contractor to Medicare providers.
Odd, she had my name, but calling on my wife's cell number. Very fast talking and pushy, but well spoken. She continued to talk over me. Obviously (?) on a script? I hung up.
Perhaps a date breech? I regret I did mention my Medicare Advantage provider by name.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Depending on my mood of the day, I'd be highly tempted to lure them on with "Wait, how can Blender attack my account?" meaning Blender the 3D rendering software, but hoping they'd think I'm referring to the kitchen appliance and go hard-core on the scam. Unfortunately, their call centers are typically so huge (or they're using AI software instead of people) that keeping them on the line wouldn't prevent someone else from being scammed.Yooper wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2024 8:30 am They went on to talk about hackers using "3D software" to hack my account and that "only they could see the purchases and it wouldn't be visible on my end". This comment caught my attention and just didn't feel right, but I continued to listen.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I received a Social Security phishing email this morning. It immediately caught my attention in the email list because the forged From address had Unicode look-alike characters in it that didn't render with my security settings. Looking at the email "source code", they also used Unicode look-alike characters for the letters "a", "o", "e", "c", and "y" in the message body, likely to try to bypass spam detection tools.
They also tried to make it look more legit by not using random emails on Gmail or the like, and by not setting up a look-alike domain name (which might have been detected/blocked by some domain name registrars). Instead, they basically registered a lookalike account on a retailer platform meant to help businesses with shipping products, and tailored the platform's email features for their phishing campaign.
So, a little more sophisticated than your average phishing campaign, but still a lot of red flags for the eagle-eyed consumer.
They also tried to make it look more legit by not using random emails on Gmail or the like, and by not setting up a look-alike domain name (which might have been detected/blocked by some domain name registrars). Instead, they basically registered a lookalike account on a retailer platform meant to help businesses with shipping products, and tailored the platform's email features for their phishing campaign.
So, a little more sophisticated than your average phishing campaign, but still a lot of red flags for the eagle-eyed consumer.
- Rocinante Rider
- Posts: 1277
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2022 12:52 pm
Nationwide EZ Pass Smishing scam
[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]
If you receive an official looking text message from your state's auto toll agency about your account or money owed, do not click on any links. This is a growing nationwide scam. Here's an alert from one state Department of Transportation:
https://www.ezdrivema.com/About-Ezdrive ... hing-Alert
Of course, one should never click on unexpected links or attachments in an email or text message regardless of the apparent sender.
If you receive an official looking text message from your state's auto toll agency about your account or money owed, do not click on any links. This is a growing nationwide scam. Here's an alert from one state Department of Transportation:
https://www.ezdrivema.com/About-Ezdrive ... hing-Alert
Of course, one should never click on unexpected links or attachments in an email or text message regardless of the apparent sender.
Re: Nationwide EZ Pass Smishing scam
One thing about these texts is that they always contain some ridiculous looking URL, like
[clickable link format removed by admin LadyGeek]
https://somethingpossiblylegit-randomtext.cfd
. These should be an immediate red flag, but people don't look closely at them.[clickable link format removed by admin LadyGeek]
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- Posts: 10129
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:16 pm
Re: Nationwide EZ Pass Smishing scam
Just got one of those texts two hours ago. I was suspicious so I deleted it and reported it.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I merged Rocinante Rider's thread into the ongoing discussion.
Re: Nationwide EZ Pass Smishing scam
I got one of these texts today - it had a bit.ly url so I would have ignored it (and if it did look legit I would have logged into my real account URL to double check) - but nicely it was flagged by my messaging App as fraud so I didn't even need to consider it.Rocinante Rider wrote: Wed Jan 08, 2025 9:06 am [Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]
If you receive an official looking text message from your state's auto toll agency about your account or money owed, do not click on any links. This is a growing nationwide scam. Here's an alert from one state Department of Transportation:
https://www.ezdrivema.com/About-Ezdrive ... hing-Alert
Of course, one should never click on unexpected links or attachments in an email or text message regardless of the apparent sender.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
perhaps not the most recent(!) instance of this type of scam, but I've gotten a few emails in the last several months from rando's to my main Gmail address that simply have my town and street address in the subject line, sometimes also my cell number. Each has an attachment that I don't open, in fact I don't open the email. But in the gmail list I can see the text of the attachment if I increase my screen size.Lynette wrote: Mon Nov 08, 2021 4:26 pmThanks, I added trocker. When I hit the unsubscribe, I was using a Chromebook. It seemed to place some or other garbage in my gmail "All mail". Then I got a spam email from my scammer friend. He claimed he had hacked my account and gave me a password I had use long ago. He / she (?!) claimed to have hacked my email. I do not think he did as I think the scammer got the password from a website I used that had a data breach. He said he had put malware in Chrome and had made videos of my watching porn on the PornHub website!!! He wanted about $2,500 and then said he would go away. I restored my Chromebooks to basic and reloaded the email. I used a Password manager and 2FA where possible. My google accounts are protected by Googles Advanced Protection Plan and I also use Yubkeys for all of them. I also placed tape over the camera!heartwood wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 9:58 am
I almost never click unsubscribe unless its one I know I signed up for. I will usually hit "spam" in my gmail account. It usually asks if I want to label as spam and do I want to unsubscribe. I just spam it, never spam + unsubscribe.
The gmail spam filter works well, no need for me to unsubscribe, unless its something I know I asked for.
I have other gmail accounts for financial and Amazon! I think I will start to gradually let this email account die and only be a spam account!
Thanks for the help.
Lynette
It's a well written note that he's hacked my phone (number given), that's delivered all my emails, pw, contacts, etc to him.
I couldn't read further than that w/o opening. I'll assume he wants Bitcoin or similar.
I believe all of this is a result of the many data breaches in recent years; all of our details are on line!
I send all of these to spam and block the very sketchy email address.
My question relates to anything to be done about these mash notes.
I can change my PWs, not re-use PWs, etc, but I'm not going to move.
So many sad stories here on BH and everywhere.
Say I've been hacked, and the scum goes ahead with whatever his threat was, what do I do; who do I contact?
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Several months ago, I started receiving periodic emails from the Swedish Red Cross (in Swedish). I never signed up for any of this. At first, I reported these emails as attempted phishing to Gmail. But that had no effect. So, I contacted the Swedish Red Cross directly (not through any links in the emails) and they said they would take me off their mailing list, but to this day, I still get emails purportedly from them. They are now automatically deleted by a Gmail filter I created. And starting several weeks ago, I started receiving unsolicited emails from Uber in Sweden, again in Swedish. At first, they were promotional emails. Then, they started showing charges for Uber trips in Sweden to a credit card that was not mine. Again, I reported these as attempted phishing to Gmail, but it made no difference. So I contacted Uber and they claimed that my legitimate account at Uber have been hacked. I seriously doubt this, because my legitimate account uses a different non-Gmail email address. At any rate, Uber was able to close down the account that was fraudulently using my Gmail address.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
This sounds less like fraud and more like someone in Sweden who is unable to remember their Gmail address properly, and their consistent typo of their email address just happens to be your email address. Happens all the time when people are allowed to choose their own usernames. For example, I had to change my username at Fidelity when someone kept locking me out by thinking my username was their username. It was easier to give up the username than to constantly have to unlock my Fidelity account, and it hasn't happened again since I made the change.JayB wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:07 pm At any rate, Uber was able to close down the account that was fraudulently using my Gmail address.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I received an email notice from Amazon that my Amazon credit card was about to expire on January 10. It looked really good; it was a few days before expiration. I clicked on it and when I looked at the form, it looked wrong. It asked for SS# and a few other things that a normal credit card renewal wouldn't ask for. I quickly closed it and deleted the email.
I looked at my credit card (which was in my wallet in another room) and it doesn't expire until May. The address on the email looked good but it was a reminder to not click on emails that do not look PERFECT!
I looked at my credit card (which was in my wallet in another room) and it doesn't expire until May. The address on the email looked good but it was a reminder to not click on emails that do not look PERFECT!
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I got that same one or very similar.Circe wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2025 2:46 pm I received an email notice from Amazon that my Amazon credit card was about to expire on January 10. It looked really good; it was a few days before expiration. I clicked on it and when I looked at the form, it looked wrong. It asked for SS# and a few other things that a normal credit card renewal wouldn't ask for. I quickly closed it and deleted the email.
I looked at my credit card (which was in my wallet in another room) and it doesn't expire until May. The address on the email looked good but it was a reminder to not click on emails that do not look PERFECT!
Mine said my Prime Membership was due for renewal but my credit card needs to be updated.
I’ve got to admit it really looked good at first glance but I know my Prime Membership doesn’t expire for a few months so I just forwarded the email to Amazon spoofing.
Bad spellers of the world untie |
Autocorrect is my worst enema
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I'm glad that you forwarded it to Amazon. I deleted mine too quickly and thought after that I should have alerted them before deleting.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I received a scam email that the security has been disabled on my Vanguard account.
I should "Click Here" or call one of the support numbers they provided in the email.
Yup, I'll get right on that!
I don't have a Vanguard account.
I should "Click Here" or call one of the support numbers they provided in the email.
Yup, I'll get right on that!

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Perhaps not a scam per se but it seems to fit the general gist of the topic: We get deliveries from Total Wine and from others like Whole Foods that contain beer or other liquor. You must show a " valid government-issued photo ID". The driver takes a photo of the ID.
Now "they" have my name, address, and DL with picture.
Should I be concerned?
Now "they" have my name, address, and DL with picture.
Should I be concerned?
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
they have to do that to avoid alcohol deliveries to people underage. Like most things eventually that database will get hacked and someone will have your data. My info was on two medical billing systems. what can you do?heartwood wrote: Sun Jan 19, 2025 7:03 pm Perhaps not a scam per se but it seems to fit the general gist of the topic: We get deliveries from Total Wine and from others like Whole Foods that contain beer or other liquor. You must show a " valid government-issued photo ID". The driver takes a photo of the ID.
Now "they" have my name, address, and DL with picture.
Should I be concerned?
----------------------------- |
If you think something is important and it doesn't involve the health of someone, think again. Life goes too fast, enjoy it and be nice.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Not a scam, per se, but a cautionary story. I while back I made a couple of odd-looking purchases on a credit card. While the purchases went through, they were odd enough to prompt a phone call from the card's security department to confirm their legitimacy. Note: the purchases were odd - and so was the phone call.
The peculiar part is that the security caller started out asking ME for verification information to make sure they were talking to the real account owner. Their caution was somewhat understandable, but they initiated the call, and it was to my home number, so it wasn't exactly high risk. What amazed me was that they actually expected me to answer their questions, and became a bit indignant when I refused. After a few rounds, they cautioned, “It’s for your protection.”
I pointed out that fraud losses fall to the card company, so it’s really for THEIR protection. And, as a security department, did they really advise their customers to provide identifying information to just anyone who happened to call and ask?
I ended the call with them frustrated and me a bit amused. I followed up by calling the customer service number on the back of my card. I was able to quickly defuse the purchase concerns, but I also initiated a compliant about their security practices.
The peculiar part is that the security caller started out asking ME for verification information to make sure they were talking to the real account owner. Their caution was somewhat understandable, but they initiated the call, and it was to my home number, so it wasn't exactly high risk. What amazed me was that they actually expected me to answer their questions, and became a bit indignant when I refused. After a few rounds, they cautioned, “It’s for your protection.”
I pointed out that fraud losses fall to the card company, so it’s really for THEIR protection. And, as a security department, did they really advise their customers to provide identifying information to just anyone who happened to call and ask?
I ended the call with them frustrated and me a bit amused. I followed up by calling the customer service number on the back of my card. I was able to quickly defuse the purchase concerns, but I also initiated a compliant about their security practices.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
So absurd. Do us all a favor and name and shame the bank that issued the credit card!UNCHEEL wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2025 11:43 am Not a scam, per se, but a cautionary story. I while back I made a couple of odd-looking purchases on a credit card. While the purchases went through, they were odd enough to prompt a phone call from the card's security department to confirm their legitimacy. Note: the purchases were odd - and so was the phone call.
The peculiar part is that the security caller started out asking ME for verification information to make sure they were talking to the real account owner. Their caution was somewhat understandable, but they initiated the call, and it was to my home number, so it wasn't exactly high risk. What amazed me was that they actually expected me to answer their questions, and became a bit indignant when I refused. After a few rounds, they cautioned, “It’s for your protection.”
I pointed out that fraud losses fall to the card company, so it’s really for THEIR protection. And, as a security department, did they really advise their customers to provide identifying information to just anyone who happened to call and ask?
I ended the call with them frustrated and me a bit amused. I followed up by calling the customer service number on the back of my card. I was able to quickly defuse the purchase concerns, but I also initiated a compliant about their security practices.
"Financial ignorance is expensive."
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Usually these get caught and sent to spam, but this might have made it through because it was in a PDF. Note I didn't open the PDF, this was the preview shown in my email client.[Name],
I know that calling [phone number] or visiting [address]would be a better vay to contact you if you don't act. Don't try to escape from this. You've no idea what I'm capable of in [city].
I suggest you read this message carefully. Take a moment to chill, breathe, and analyze it thoroughly. We're talking about something serious here, and I ain't playing games. You don't know me but I know EVERYTHING about you and right now, you are wondering how, right?
Well, you've been a bit careless lately, scrolling through those videos and clicking on links, stumbling upon some not-so-safe sites. I actually placed a Malware on a porn website & you accessed watch(if you know what I mean). While you were watching videos, your smartphone initiated operating as a RDP (Remote Control) which provided me total access to your system. I can peep at everything on your display, flick on your cam and mic, and you wouldn't have a clue. Oh, and I've got access to all your emails, contacts, and social media accounts too.
Been keeping tabs on your pathetic existence for a while now. It's simply your misfortune that I noticed your misdemeanor. I give in more days than I should have looking into your personal life. Extracted quite a bit of juicy info from your system and I've seen it all. Yeah, Yeah, I've got footage of you doing filthy things in your room (nice setup, by the way). I then developed videos and screenshots where on one side of the screen, there's whatever garbage you had been watching, and on the other half, its someone doing dirty things. With just a click, I can send this video to all of your contacts
I feel your worry and confusion. Honestly, I want to wipe the slate clean, and let you get on with your life and wipe your slate clean. I will provide you two allematives.
First Option is to turn a blind eye to my email message. You should know what will happen if you choose this path. Your video will get sent to your entire contacts. The video is lit, and I can't even fathom the humiliation you'll face when your colleagues, friends, and fan watch it. But hey, that's life, ain't it? Don't he playing the victim here.
Option 2 is to pay me, and be confidential about it. We'lI name this my confidentiality fee. Now Lets see what will happen when you go with this path. Your filthy secret remains your secret. I will wipe everything clean once you send payment. You'll transfer the payment via Bitcoins only. Pay attention. Im telling you straight: My word is my bond
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
THANKS wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2025 5:14 pmUsually these get caught and sent to spam, but this might have made it through because it was in a PDF. Note I didn't open the PDF, this was the preview shown in my email client.[Name],
I know that calling [phone number] or visiting [address]would be a better vay to contact you if you don't act. Don't try to escape from this. You've no idea what I'm capable of in [city].
I suggest you read this message carefully. Take a moment to chill, breathe, and analyze it thoroughly. We're talking about something serious here, and I ain't playing games. You don't know me but I know EVERYTHING about you and right now, you are wondering how, right?
Well, you've been a bit careless lately, scrolling through those videos and clicking on links, stumbling upon some not-so-safe sites. I actually placed a Malware on a porn website & you accessed watch(if you know what I mean). While you were watching videos, your smartphone initiated operating as a RDP (Remote Control) which provided me total access to your system. I can peep at everything on your display, flick on your cam and mic, and you wouldn't have a clue. Oh, and I've got access to all your emails, contacts, and social media accounts too.
Been keeping tabs on your pathetic existence for a while now. It's simply your misfortune that I noticed your misdemeanor. I give in more days than I should have looking into your personal life. Extracted quite a bit of juicy info from your system and I've seen it all. Yeah, Yeah, I've got footage of you doing filthy things in your room (nice setup, by the way). I then developed videos and screenshots where on one side of the screen, there's whatever garbage you had been watching, and on the other half, its someone doing dirty things. With just a click, I can send this video to all of your contacts
I feel your worry and confusion. Honestly, I want to wipe the slate clean, and let you get on with your life and wipe your slate clean. I will provide you two allematives.
First Option is to turn a blind eye to my email message. You should know what will happen if you choose this path. Your video will get sent to your entire contacts. The video is lit, and I can't even fathom the humiliation you'll face when your colleagues, friends, and fan watch it. But hey, that's life, ain't it? Don't he playing the victim here.
Option 2 is to pay me, and be confidential about it. We'lI name this my confidentiality fee. Now Lets see what will happen when you go with this path. Your filthy secret remains your secret. I will wipe everything clean once you send payment. You'll transfer the payment via Bitcoins only. Pay attention. Im telling you straight: My word is my bond
That's the exact wording of as much of the attachment to the email I received that I could see w/o opening, as I reference above. Did it mention an amount?
What lowlifes! I'd vote for anyone who even promised to fix this type of crime.
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- Posts: 2833
- Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:39 pm
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
In the Reddit forum I visit regularly, this is called the Pegasus scam.
https://old.reddit.com/r/Scams/search?q ... over_18=on
I chuckled the first time I got that threatening email because I don't even have a webcam! The sender is just trying to scare you into sending them money. Nothing more. Plain and simple. Just delete the email and move on.
https://old.reddit.com/r/Scams/search?q ... over_18=on
I chuckled the first time I got that threatening email because I don't even have a webcam! The sender is just trying to scare you into sending them money. Nothing more. Plain and simple. Just delete the email and move on.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
No listed dollar amount and I wasn't going to interact with the email and prove my email address was in use!heartwood wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2025 5:30 pmTHANKS wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2025 5:14 pm
Usually these get caught and sent to spam, but this might have made it through because it was in a PDF. Note I didn't open the PDF, this was the preview shown in my email client.
That's the exact wording of as much of the attachment to the email I received that I could see w/o opening, as I reference above. Did it mention an amount?
What lowlifes! I'd vote for anyone who even promised to fix this type of crime.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
The IRS is using hotmail accounts now!
Here’s a text that I got from a hotmail email address -
Here’s a text that I got from a hotmail email address -
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
You are eligible to receive a $1,400 Economic Impact Payment. Please provide your accurate personal information. We will deposit the amount into your bank account or mail a paper check within 1 to 2 business days.
website removed here
(Please reply with "Y," then exit the text message. Open it again, click the link, or copy it into your Safari browser and open it.)
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
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- Posts: 794
- Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2017 6:09 pm
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I got that exact same text message today on my work phone.Stinky wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:58 am The IRS is using hotmail accounts now!
Here’s a text that I got from a hotmail email address -
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
You are eligible to receive a $1,400 Economic Impact Payment. Please provide your accurate personal information. We will deposit the amount into your bank account or mail a paper check within 1 to 2 business days.
website removed here
(Please reply with "Y," then exit the text message. Open it again, click the link, or copy it into your Safari browser and open it.)
- bertilak
- Posts: 11296
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:23 pm
- Location: East of the Pecos, West of the Mississippi
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
QUESTION:
Am I the target of some sort of scam?
A couple of times a day I get a call but when I answer no one picks up on the other end. I am short on patience, so I don't give the caller much time to respond to my "Hello."
Perhaps this is just a way to see if they have contacted a valid number, although I don't see what good that does them.
Am I the target of some sort of scam?
A couple of times a day I get a call but when I answer no one picks up on the other end. I am short on patience, so I don't give the caller much time to respond to my "Hello."
Perhaps this is just a way to see if they have contacted a valid number, although I don't see what good that does them.
May neither drought nor rain nor blizzard disturb the joy juice in your gizzard. -- Squire Omar Barker (aka S.O.B.), the Cowboy Poet
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
It's just a robocaller. They have a bank of telemarketers talking to prospects. In the meantime they have a robocaller just calling numbers and seeing who picks up. When someone actually picks up the call gets connected to the live telemarketer. If no telemarketer is available there might be a delay before one is connected to you. If none become available you might eventually get disconnected.bertilak wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 6:50 pm QUESTION:
Am I the target of some sort of scam?
A couple of times a day I get a call but when I answer no one picks up on the other end. I am short on patience, so I don't give the caller much time to respond to my "Hello."
Perhaps this is just a way to see if they have contacted a valid number, although I don't see what good that does them.
They do that for their efficiency- their feeling being their time is more important than yours.
I never answer the phone unless I know who the caller is.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
These calls are made using auto-dialers and they just verified your number. Now they can sell your number as a valid number to another scammer.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I keep getting text messages from country code +63. This last one said something about me owing money on Fastrak (CA metro or something? I don't live there and haven't been to CA in a few years). I keep reporting/deleting them from my iphone but seem to get one a week.
I can definitely see how people with various issues could get into trouble with some of them. Some say you have a package that is being held and you have to click on the link. To me it is obvious due to the phone number not even being from the US but for others it is easy to ignore that and just click on the link, especially if it is around the time you are expecting a package.
I can definitely see how people with various issues could get into trouble with some of them. Some say you have a package that is being held and you have to click on the link. To me it is obvious due to the phone number not even being from the US but for others it is easy to ignore that and just click on the link, especially if it is around the time you are expecting a package.
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If you think something is important and it doesn't involve the health of someone, think again. Life goes too fast, enjoy it and be nice.
- Doom&Gloom
- Posts: 5814
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 3:36 pm
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I quit noticing those types of calls when I quit answering calls from numbers I didn't recognize.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
+1rich126 wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 7:30 pm I keep getting text messages from country code +63. This last one said something about me owing money on Fastrak (CA metro or something? I don't live there and haven't been to CA in a few years). I keep reporting/deleting them from my iphone but seem to get one a week.
I can definitely see how people with various issues could get into trouble with some of them. Some say you have a package that is being held and you have to click on the link. To me it is obvious due to the phone number not even being from the US but for others it is easy to ignore that and just click on the link, especially if it is around the time you are expecting a package.
RIP Mr. Bogle.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Same here.
Country code 63 is the Phillipines.
Figures.
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
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- Posts: 216
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2024 8:22 am
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
My $20 a month unlimited plan from Visible does a pretty good job at detecting spam calls. I still get the occasional text.Doom&Gloom wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 7:51 pm I quit noticing those types of calls when I quit answering calls from numbers I didn't recognize.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: all men and women are created, by the, you know the, you know the thing. 'JB'
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I suspect Cebu, which is home to skyscrapers full of third-party customer service call centers. Many of the attempted scams that I've encountered involved some fairly obvious leakage from these call centers.
"The day you die is just like any other, only shorter." |
― Samuel Beckett
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I've gotten this email from Consumer Reports about my subscription expiring and a link to click on.
I don't think it is legitimate because my subscription is good until August.
Also the link goes to l.e.consumerreports.org (that is a lower case "L").
Anyone else gotten an email like this?
I looked up the ip address associated with that domain and it looks like more than a few domains are listed, several with "l.e". I tried more searching but saw nothing pop up with that actual address.
Thanks.
I don't think it is legitimate because my subscription is good until August.
Also the link goes to l.e.consumerreports.org (that is a lower case "L").
Anyone else gotten an email like this?
I looked up the ip address associated with that domain and it looks like more than a few domains are listed, several with "l.e". I tried more searching but saw nothing pop up with that actual address.
Thanks.
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If you think something is important and it doesn't involve the health of someone, think again. Life goes too fast, enjoy it and be nice.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Magazines always want you to renew 6 or more months before they expire, so it could be legit. Just go to consumerreports.org on your own without clicking any links and find "manage subscription" or something like that.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I ran into a reasonably clever scam yesterday.
I got an e-mail from an acquaintance saying, hey, I sent you an e-mail a little while ago, can you please verify you got it? I hadn't, but I also smelled something fishy about this particular e-mail — it was from someone I don't know very well and hadn't heard from for some months. I didn't reply to that one, but a few hours later I got another e-mail from the same address, saying, "This is the final time I'm checking in. I e-mailed twice and got no reply. Please let me know if my emails were received." I replied to that one and, sure enough, what came next confirmed my initial feeling that it was a scam:
"So sorry to bother you. I need to get an Apple gift card for my friend who is down with Cancer of the liver. It's her birthday today and I promised to make her happy with this but I can’t do it because I’m currently on a short trip and I tried purchasing online but unfortunately no luck with that.
Can you help get it online or at any stores? Kindly let me know if you can handle this on my behalf? I'll reimburse you when I get back home."
The clever part was that the scammers must have hacked my friend's e-mail account — let's say it was example@juno.com — and sent out e-mails from that address to her entire contact list, with the "reply to" set to example@aol.com. Most people would not notice the switch in the domain name that hosts the email account, and in fact I'm not sure it's even possible if you're just replying from your phone. Plus, that switches the conversation from an account that the hackers don't actually own to one that they do, the example@aol.com account, so they can continue working the scam even if they lose access to the original e-mail account.
Anyway, I told my friend about it, and she told me that she'd been notified earlier in the day by some other friends and had since changed the password on her e-mail account to lock out the scammers. Still, she was frustrated by the situation because AOL was not responding to her requests for help, which makes sense given that she's not actually a client of theirs. (One would hope that they would be more responsive to crimes occurring using their platform, but welcome to the Internet in 2025.)
The moral of the story is twofold: One, make sure you are using strong passwords on all your accounts and two, if anyone ever asks you to buy gift cards or a similar unrecoverable asset, whether they seem to be someone you know or not, ignore them unless you can verify their request directly.
I got an e-mail from an acquaintance saying, hey, I sent you an e-mail a little while ago, can you please verify you got it? I hadn't, but I also smelled something fishy about this particular e-mail — it was from someone I don't know very well and hadn't heard from for some months. I didn't reply to that one, but a few hours later I got another e-mail from the same address, saying, "This is the final time I'm checking in. I e-mailed twice and got no reply. Please let me know if my emails were received." I replied to that one and, sure enough, what came next confirmed my initial feeling that it was a scam:
"So sorry to bother you. I need to get an Apple gift card for my friend who is down with Cancer of the liver. It's her birthday today and I promised to make her happy with this but I can’t do it because I’m currently on a short trip and I tried purchasing online but unfortunately no luck with that.
Can you help get it online or at any stores? Kindly let me know if you can handle this on my behalf? I'll reimburse you when I get back home."
The clever part was that the scammers must have hacked my friend's e-mail account — let's say it was example@juno.com — and sent out e-mails from that address to her entire contact list, with the "reply to" set to example@aol.com. Most people would not notice the switch in the domain name that hosts the email account, and in fact I'm not sure it's even possible if you're just replying from your phone. Plus, that switches the conversation from an account that the hackers don't actually own to one that they do, the example@aol.com account, so they can continue working the scam even if they lose access to the original e-mail account.
Anyway, I told my friend about it, and she told me that she'd been notified earlier in the day by some other friends and had since changed the password on her e-mail account to lock out the scammers. Still, she was frustrated by the situation because AOL was not responding to her requests for help, which makes sense given that she's not actually a client of theirs. (One would hope that they would be more responsive to crimes occurring using their platform, but welcome to the Internet in 2025.)
The moral of the story is twofold: One, make sure you are using strong passwords on all your accounts and two, if anyone ever asks you to buy gift cards or a similar unrecoverable asset, whether they seem to be someone you know or not, ignore them unless you can verify their request directly.
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- Posts: 688
- Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2013 1:12 pm
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Due to recent move, I put one of the household item to sell at FB marketplace.
Buyer told will Zelle the money and i thought he will give when meeting inperson
However I got a message that $50 was waiting to accept and just respond to zelle as YES
I havent responded since zelle doesnt work asking for a confirmation
It got fishy at that point and I asked to come inperson and he doesnt respond after that.
Buyer told will Zelle the money and i thought he will give when meeting inperson
However I got a message that $50 was waiting to accept and just respond to zelle as YES
I havent responded since zelle doesnt work asking for a confirmation
It got fishy at that point and I asked to come inperson and he doesnt respond after that.
Allocation : 80/20 (90% TSM, 10% on ARKK,XBI,XLK/individual stocks and 20% TBM) |
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Need to learn fishing sooner
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- Posts: 2833
- Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:39 pm
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Two big red flags. The first is the request for gift cards. The second is the use of the word, "kindly," a word very often used by scammers.Strummer wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:15 pm I ran into a reasonably clever scam yesterday.
I got an e-mail from an acquaintance saying, hey, I sent you an e-mail a little while ago, can you please verify you got it? I hadn't, but I also smelled something fishy about this particular e-mail — it was from someone I don't know very well and hadn't heard from for some months. I didn't reply to that one, but a few hours later I got another e-mail from the same address, saying, "This is the final time I'm checking in. I e-mailed twice and got no reply. Please let me know if my emails were received." I replied to that one and, sure enough, what came next confirmed my initial feeling that it was a scam:
"So sorry to bother you. I need to get an Apple gift card for my friend who is down with Cancer of the liver. It's her birthday today and I promised to make her happy with this but I can’t do it because I’m currently on a short trip and I tried purchasing online but unfortunately no luck with that.
Can you help get it online or at any stores? Kindly let me know if you can handle this on my behalf? I'll reimburse you when I get back home."
The clever part was that the scammers must have hacked my friend's e-mail account — let's say it was example@juno.com — and sent out e-mails from that address to her entire contact list, with the "reply to" set to example@aol.com. Most people would not notice the switch in the domain name that hosts the email account, and in fact I'm not sure it's even possible if you're just replying from your phone. Plus, that switches the conversation from an account that the hackers don't actually own to one that they do, the example@aol.com account, so they can continue working the scam even if they lose access to the original e-mail account.
Anyway, I told my friend about it, and she told me that she'd been notified earlier in the day by some other friends and had since changed the password on her e-mail account to lock out the scammers. Still, she was frustrated by the situation because AOL was not responding to her requests for help, which makes sense given that she's not actually a client of theirs. (One would hope that they would be more responsive to crimes occurring using their platform, but welcome to the Internet in 2025.)
The moral of the story is twofold: One, make sure you are using strong passwords on all your accounts and two, if anyone ever asks you to buy gift cards or a similar unrecoverable asset, whether they seem to be someone you know or not, ignore them unless you can verify their request directly.
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
The other day I'd forgotten to re-enable my phone's blanket call blocking. I got a call from a purported NoVA number from Officer [unintelligible] with a heavy, non-English accent explaining that he had an arrest warrant for me and I should call 800-xxx-yyyy to discuss it.
Yeah, right.
Yeah, right.
"Never underestimate one's capacity to overestimate one's abilities" - The Dunning-Kruger Effect
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I've had a few variations of that over the years. Once they said if I didn't do X they'd send the Sherriff over to arrest me. I told them "go ahead, I haven't seen 'Bob' since we were drinking at the bar the other night, he'll get a good laugh out of this." That threw them off their script...BolderBoy wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 11:37 am The other day I'd forgotten to re-enable my phone's blanket call blocking. I got a call from a purported NoVA number from Officer [unintelligible] with a heavy, non-English accent explaining that he had an arrest warrant for me and I should call 800-xxx-yyyy to discuss it.
Yeah, right.
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- Posts: 1678
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2020 8:27 am
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
I recently logged into the Vanguard site to look at recent transactions. I noticed that where I would normally click "Transaction History" on the homepage it was spelled "Trahsaction History." So I thought that's odd, and it made me start to wonder whether I was on a fake Vanguard site. Then I realized that there was a small particle on my screen that made the "n" look like an "h". 

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Agree, and adding a few...scrabbler1 wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 10:07 am Two big red flags. The first is the request for gift cards. The second is the use of the word, "kindly," a word very often used by scammers.
In the USA, you can safely ignore any legal notice from a barrister, solicitor or jurist. We just don't use those terms.
In the referenced scam, the disease was "cancer of the liver." Americans don't typically call it that. We also "are in the hospital", not "in hospital," and we "go to the hospital, not "to hospital." This is also a good way to smoke out Canadian spies. (Just a joke! Canadians still show their loyalist roots by using "in hospital.") I bring up the hospital thing because so many scams are based on emergencies. And interestingly, we "go to jail" in America and are "in jail," ignoring the article unlike our use with "hospital." So, scammers raised on British English referencing jail may have better success, until they use the term "solicitor."
It really pays to pay attention to these small differences so you can immediately dump the mail before going further.
- TomatoTomahto
- Posts: 18704
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:48 pm
Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Thank you for my morning chuckle while drinking coffee.OpenMinded1 wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 12:41 pm I recently logged into the Vanguard site to look at recent transactions. I noticed that where I would normally click "Transaction History" on the homepage it was spelled "Trahsaction History." So I thought that's odd, and it made me start to wonder whether I was on a fake Vanguard site. Then I realized that there was a small particle on my screen that made the "n" look like an "h".![]()

I get the FI part but not the RE part of FIRE.