beware the new scam!
I received a text message on my phone last Saturday morning, at 7.30, an odd time for such a text I thought.
The message? I don't remember the exact wording but here it is:
"your AusPost parcel cannot be delivered as customs fees ($2.10AU) have not been paid" and an https link where I could pay up.
So I waited until this morning (Monday) and went to the post Office where I showed the counter attendant the message and asked if it was real or a scam. He said definitely a scam. So I deleted the text and now I am warning all of you to beware of similar messages.
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It sounds like it is something new for you. I don't get the AusPost text but R does and jokes, it's just a parcel waiting for my collection. I remind him later, don't forget about your parcel delivery. By not answering unknown phone numbers coming mostly from scam callers, I have cut them right down, along with scamming text messages. At times when I receive a call my phone shows the title Suspected Spam.
ReplyDeleteAndrew; I rarely get spam texts, but this is the third this year. Two have been actual calls from "Amazon" telling me my account fee is due and will be deducted from my account. I don't have an Amazon account, so I just hang up on them.
DeleteI haven't had that particular one but do get the ones to tell me a several hundred dollar item has been shipped and to call a special number if I need to dispute it. They get dumped into delete.
ReplyDeleteArkansas Patti; I had one of those last year supposedly from Amazon about an article costing around $700 that I had to pay for.
DeleteSome people really are awful. You do not deserve this!
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Jenn Jilks , ON, Canada!
Jenn Jilks; these are fairly common, spammers try everyone and anything, we just need to be aware.
DeleteHi River,
ReplyDeleteOh yes - I get those all the time. Best ignored. Also similar emails!!
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Cheers
PM
Plasman; definitely best ignored.
DeleteAs you might remember I got caught (expensively caught) on a similar scam. It told me that my parcel could not be delivered and gave me a link to find out when and where to pick it up. Sadly I was expecting a parcel and clicked on that link, and my PC was infected with ransomware.
ReplyDeleteElephant's Child; I got this one on my phone and I never open links on my phone and very rarely on my PC either. I usually know exactly what I am expecting re deliveries and know when something seems "off", such as this early morning text on a Saturday, that was the first clue since AusPost is closed on weekends.
DeleteThey seem to come in bunches. I haven't had any in a while. SHUT MY MOUTH!
ReplyDeleteMike; hopefully you won't get any, they seem to get a run in one or two countries at a time then move on.
DeleteYes, we're surrounded by the idiots! I received one supposedly from Telstra a couple of days ago...and immediately reported it...and deleted it. I got caught last October...fortunately the bank reimbursed the money they'd erroneously released to the scammers/hackers. It caused me a lot of anxiety. The low-life wastes-of-space are the scum of the earth.
ReplyDeleteLee; Thankfully I haven't been caught out and I'm sorry you did, but you got your money back at least. Many don't.
DeleteThanks for the warning R and I'm glad you didn't click on it.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D; I never click links on my phone anyway.
DeleteDifferent here. Two mails telling me a parcel has arrived. Just.. I didn´t order anything.
ReplyDeleteWhy and what for - do people really think we are so dumb to fall for this?
Iris Flavia; I haven't sent you anything and when I do I will let you know to expect it.
DeleteOr... oh, boy. I hope nobody... sent a surprise, cause I cannot get it that way no more!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you - I will try and check!
Iris Flavia; ask at the post office, maybe they can check for you.
DeleteThey try to get us from every tech avenue. Phone, text, Facebook, blog and email are danger spots.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie; it's a pity they don't have real jobs to take up their time, but real jobs are hard to find. This way they make money without actually working if people fall for the scam.
DeleteI get so many of these I've lost track. Chancers all of them and I do wonder how many they trap. I just block and delete on sight.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW; I don't get many, they seem to come in waves, a few for a while, then nothing for years.
DeleteInteresting. I haven't had that one but I've had scam e-mails asking me to pay postage due for non-existent parcels. It's always something!
ReplyDeleteSteve Reed; I'm glad you're aware they are scams.
DeleteI don't understand why some feel need to scam or cheat.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Dora; they make lots of money this way. LOTS of money.
DeleteNo matter what country you are in, you have to be careful. They try something similar everywhere.
ReplyDeletemessymimi; yes, it's a worldwide problem.
DeleteI get those all the time...I just delete them..I know it's bullshit.
ReplyDeleteyellowdoggranny; I knew you were smart.
DeleteThis is very timely; my mother got two calls from the same people yesterday and she was getting sucked in by them. Before this, even with dementia, she would just not talk to anybody she didn't know. But now . . . I worry after this latest scam. I called the police to report it and they even suggested it could be someone who knows she lives alone. The callers had said they were going to go to her house this morning, so she stayed with me last night. But she can't live with me and I can't live with her. I don't know what to do as her dementia makes her ever more susceptible to sweet-talkers.
ReplyDeletejenny_o; dementia is a big problem, scammers rip off too many who just don't have a clue anymore and they don't care at all. They have no conscience. Can you somehow have her phone block all numbers that aren't yours?
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