What'sApp Scam
there's a phone scam going around using the What'sApp thingamyjig, I'm not exactly sure what that is, but apparently these low-life's contact someone by phone message pretending to be a family member in trouble. They follow someone by using What'sApp until they collect enough details, in this instance they used the daughter's real name. The one I heard about recently was an older woman contacted by someone pretending to be her daughter. "Mary" had messages from "daughter" saying her phone was broken and this was a temporary phone, and I don't recall much of the rest but the fake daughter wanted "Mary" to enter her bank account numbers so she could access funds to pay for a new phone. Or something.
I think
So, BEWARE, all texts that give a twinge of suspicion and never entre any bank account details.
Always instead phone the person who is supposedly making the request and check to see if it is on the up and up, and then be thankful you didn't get scammed.
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There are so many bloody scams about. I thought of you when I got an email on Saturday morning from Australia Post saying that my parcel would be delivered that day. Luckily it was.
ReplyDeleteElephant's Child; it used to be unusual for things to be delivered on Saturdays, but it happens more often now.
DeleteI can't say I've ever been wrong by ignoring any kind of message like that. If it is really serious from your bank, you will know about from either a phone call or message on your bank website. Look, think, check the URL before acting.
ReplyDeleteAndrew; I check the URL on emails and always ignore any "bank" messages as I know they don't send to phones or emails. I'm not sure exactly what the "What'sApp" is and that's what this warning is about.
DeleteToo many people are willing to prey on strangers. sigh.
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Jenn Jilks , ON, Canada!
Jenn Jilks; it's how they make their money and some of them are richer than Elvis! Until they get caught.
DeleteSadly, my first thought would be to call 'Mary' and verify, but some people will fall for this stuff.
ReplyDeleteBob; "Mary" was the victim in this case, the perpetrator was pretending to be her daughter.
DeleteThe creep factor is really growing these days and sadly there are enough trusting people out there to keep them in business.
ReplyDeleteArkansas Patti; there are far too many trusting people out there, some are elderly and just don't know, others are mentally disadvantaged and believe what they are told.
DeleteI had the same thought as Bob. If I didn't ignore them outright (which I probably would) I'd text them back with "Call me." They'd go away pretty quickly, I imagine.
ReplyDeleteSteve Reed; I just ignore them. If oit's a phone call from a number I don't recognise, I answer then hang up right away, although I have chosen a remote or fictional town and answered with ***Police Station, how may I help you. But they hang up before I finished saying that.
Deleteso far they've avoided me...other than robo calls about insurance guarantees and college loans...I'm good.
ReplyDeleteyellowdoggranny; you've been lucky.
DeleteI've never used What'sApp, but thanks for the warning. I'm sure similar scams are going on with other services like facetime, duo and of course, phone and email.
ReplyDeleteTom; yes, similar scams are everywhere, we need to be aware and warn others who we think might fall for them.
DeleteThey'll never scam me because I am one of those rare individuals who has never owned a mobile phone of any description. I thought an "app" was just an apple as in "An app a day keeps the doctor away".
ReplyDeleteYorkshire Pudding; I wish an app was just that, but these days there are applications (apps) for every damn thing and the scammers are onto them.
DeleteToday it's What'sApp, tomorrow it will be a different one. Never give out any information if you didn't initiate the contact, it's that simple.
ReplyDeletemessymimi; my thinking exactly. If I didn't ask, order or enquire, I ignore the message.
DeleteDon´t people get tired of this?
ReplyDeleteThe other day we got a phone call from somewhere in Poland.
Reckon they check if you are home, if not have guys in Braunschweig to break in.
Who falls for that?! I always hence answer the phone. Seesh, most work from home, hello!
So many ways to try and rob people, it´s a sad world.
Iris Flavia; they don't get tired, because they get rich from emptying people's bank accounts. I don't answer the phone if it is a number I don't recognise but it is one I have hung up on previously. I write them down and have a list. sometimes I call them a few days later and find out it is a charity asking for money, then I hang up again and write charity next to the number on the list.
DeleteSo many scam out there. I will blog about the one I got.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Dora; I look forward to reading about it.
DeleteThanks for the warning R, always something isn't there.
ReplyDelete