Scam Text Messages

[disneychrista]

Over the past week I have gotten several (different) scam text messages.

The first was supposedly from Bank of America with a code for a Zelle account. I got a second message about 10 minutes later. The end of the text state if I did not request the code to reply STOP to the message. Yeah not going to do that.

Then earlier this week I got a text about an important alert from USPS about my 4/29/20 delivery and to click a random link - not gonna happen. Today I got another message this time about an URGENT alert about my 5/6/20 delivery. Both message addressed me by name.

Anyone else getting random weird text messages?

 

[DLgal]

Yup. I get the package delivery one daily. It's a SERIOUS scam, so definitely block and delete without opening. I have also been getting a lot of spam calls and they seem to be slipping through my spam blocker.

 

[l’amore bella]

I have never received a spam text, only spam calls. It's really scary to think some people fall for these scams and lose their money.

 

[WorldWacky]

I’ve gotten a few scam texts but lately I’ve been receiving a rash of scam emails. I’m talking 6-10 a day. So annoying!

 

[VandVsmama]

I occasionally get text messages from alleged potential home buyers looking to buy our house. They stopped when one time, I texted back with, "OMG! I'm so glad you contacted me! I have some great multilevel marketing essential oils that I'd like to talk to you about! They'll change your life!"

 

[lorimay]

I have been getting the delivery package scam text for the last month, maybe once a week.

 

[tvguy]

I have never received a spam text, only spam calls. It's really scary to think some people fall for these scams and lose their money.

I very rarely get spam texts or spam calls. I don't understand how anyone can fall for these scams no matter how they are contacted. So often they are from companies the victim doesn't do business with, why on earth would you respond?

 

[penn19]

Over the past week I have gotten several (different) scam text messages.

The first was supposedly from Bank of America with a code for a Zelle account. I got a second message about 10 minutes later. The end of the text state if I did not request the code to reply STOP to the message. Yeah not going to do that.

Then earlier this week I got a text about an important alert from USPS about my 4/29/20 delivery and to click a random link - not gonna happen. Today I got another message this time about an URGENT alert about my 5/6/20 delivery. Both message addressed me by name.

Anyone else getting random weird text messages?

I got the UPS one. Same date too!

 

[china mom]

I get random phone calls offering to buy real estate owned by my late parents. They have recently started texting me. The other day i receive "Donald, you don't know me but I am interested in buying your property at..." I responded "I know you don't know me because if you did you would know I died in 1999. Love Donald."

 

[ronandannette]

I got a VERY weird one that I’ve never heard of before on Wednesday. It was actually a phone call to my cell and I answered it because it’s my work phone. It was an automated voice saying it was from Amazon and if I wanted to authorize a $399 charge for Amazon Prime I should hang up now. If I did not want to authorize it I needed to press #1. When I pressed #1 the call automatically hung up.

Now I’m not sure how big a threat this actually is but since my DH does have a credit card attached to his Prime account for auto-check out, it spooked me. Especially since 99.9% of the time I would have just hung up the second I heard the robo-voice. I also checked my own Amazon account profile and found that it did not have my cell number listed as the contact (I never use it as my primary contact on forms of any kind). I have used it as the contact for placing orders though which makes me think none of our on-line transactions are at all secure.

 

[disneychrista]

which makes me think none of our on-line transactions are at all secure.

Very scary. My daughter got an Amazon one and she had just ordered something through Amazon.

 

[Meriweather]

I have been getting them the last couple of weeks.
Always to Richard (no Richard here).....interested in his house and lists an address and the last few, still to Richard, Boy Scout abuse

 

[momz]

yes! I got the USPS one yesterday. Glad you posted this. I didn't open it because it seemed strange. I'm sorry you got one too, but I'm glad to know it's spam

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Digging around I found a news story that said the spam texts have been around but the spammers are getting more precise by including personal information in an attempt to appear more legit and it's been a more recent thing to appear more legit.

Not directly related but the text that I would get bombarded with weren't scams but the political ones around the elections; I was even getting ones this past August after the polls had closed. Those skirt around the robocall laws unfortunately

 

[tvguy]

I got a VERY weird one that I’ve never heard of before on Wednesday. It was actually a phone call to my cell and I answered it because it’s my work phone. It was an automated voice saying it was from Amazon and if I wanted to authorize a $399 charge for Amazon Prime I should hang up now. If I did not want to authorize it I needed to press #1. When I pressed #1 the call automatically hung up.

Now I’m not sure how big a threat this actually is but since my DH does have a credit card attached to his Prime account for auto-check out, it spooked me. Especially since 99.9% of the time I would have just hung up the second I heard the robo-voice. I also checked my own Amazon account profile and found that it did not have my cell number listed as the contact (I never use it as my primary contact on forms of any kind). I have used it as the contact for placing orders though which makes me think none of our on-line transactions are at all secure.

It seems like more and more online businesses want a cell phone number for "security reasons". Well, you aren't going to get it "for security reasons". You have my landline, you have my email, you have my home address. You don't need my cell phone number. Six family members have it, everyone else can call my landline

 

[disneychrista]

Six family members have it, everyone else can call my landline

You are one of the few people that still have a home landline. Seems like an unnecessary added expense to me.

 

[mjkacmom]

It seems like more and more online businesses want a cell phone number for "security reasons". Well, you aren't going to get it "for security reasons". You have my landline, you have my email, you have my home address. You don't need my cell phone number. Six family members have it, everyone else can call my landline

That’s funny, about 6 people have my landline (that we keep for the IL’s) and everyone else just has our cells.

 

[tvguy]

You are one of the few people that still have a home landline. Seems like an unnecessary added expense to me.

46% of homes still have a landline according to the most recent data I can find. I certainly can't tell you they use them, but they have them, often because it is bundled with their cable and internet.
Well, as we have learned here in fire prone California, having a landline can save your life. California State Office of Emergency Service in studying what worked and what didn't work in the wildfire that ravaged the City of Santa Rosa 2 years ago found some surprise. The fires burned up the cell towers and WifFi for cell phones and devices. The landlines in the City were all buried and never went down. Other issue, sending alerts to landlines is easy, the reverse 9-1-1 system is in place. Cell phone users have to register their phones to get those alerts. Many did not,
And one of the most effective ways to receive alerts is probably right in the dashboard of your car. The AM Radio. Broadcasters do weekly tests of the EAS (Emergency Alert System) and in emergencies broadcast alerts. They have launched a public service spots about the importance of having an emergency kit, and an AM radio is a big part of that.
I hope to retire next year and I may trade in my $40 a mont h cell phone for a pay as you go phone to keep in the glove box of my car. If I call 9-1-1 from my landline, they will have my exact location. With most cell phones the closest the 911 gPS will get to your location is 300 feet. There can be a lot of apartments in feet.

 

[tvguy]

That’s funny, about 6 people have my landline (that we keep for the IL’s) and everyone else just has our cells.

I've had this landline number for 37 years. I have no idea how many people have it. Having worked odd hours for 40 years and thus sleeping odd hours, the landline ringer I can turn off, and the answering machine volume down, I can sleep uninterupted. I turn the cell phone on, and the 6 people who have that number can reach me in an emergency. That is why I got a cell phone (or car phone as they were called then) 30 years ago.

 

[RamblingMad]

Over the past week I have gotten several (different) scam text messages.

The first was supposedly from Bank of America with a code for a Zelle account. I got a second message about 10 minutes later. The end of the text state if I did not request the code to reply STOP to the message. Yeah not going to do that.

Then earlier this week I got a text about an important alert from USPS about my 4/29/20 delivery and to click a random link - not gonna happen. Today I got another message this time about an URGENT alert about my 5/6/20 delivery. Both message addressed me by name.

Anyone else getting random weird text messages?

I'm getting the USPS ones.