topic SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T in Community Chat

SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

reviewer from sc — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 19:31:00 GMT

I happened to be at my mother's house the other day, and she received a phone call. She has caller id, and the group that popped up was "Telecomm Group". Unfortunately, she answers every call (I wish she wouldn't do that). Anyway, a lady was on the line, and she claimed to be from the AT&T rewards dept. She was going to reduce her landline phone bill by $20. She just needed my mother's cell phone number (to text) or her e-mail address to send the confirmation papers. Fortunately, my mother doesn't text, and she doesn't own a computer. Her cell phone is one of those old flip phones. My mother didn't know what to do. So then I got on the line to inquire. To play along, I said that I would give my e-mail. She then said that she had to transfer me to the manager. A man then got on the line, and ask me my name and address. I told him that he didn't need to know that because I'm not on her account. He insisted that he needed MY information. I told him no. He smarted off to me that I can just have my mother pay the higher price on the phone bill and hung up. I knew for sure that it was a scam. My mother still wasn't convinced. So, I called up AT&T directly. The lady at AT&T confirmed that it was a scam, and that they had lots of others who fell for that particular scam. What happens is that this new company disconnects you from AT&T and you now have signed up for this new company. Two months later, your phones aren't working, and you call AT&T to find out why. Turns out, you're disconnected. You've been sending your money to this new company, thinking it's still AT&T. So, just be careful out there. Maybe these scam companies could be posing as T-mobile or Verizon. It's unfortunate about these scams.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

kaydee50 — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 19:47:21 GMT

It's unfortunate that these companies get older people who are more trusting than they should be. We never answer the phone unless we recognize the caller or number. Otherwise, we immediately do a call block. Assume your mother has an answering machine??? A very useful piece of equipment. These scammers never leave messages.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

Love my grandkids — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 20:21:04 GMT

@kaydee50 It's a crime. I'm 73 and my motto is "I am smarter than every scammer and thief on the planet."

I've read up on all of these for years and have yet to fall for any of this c r a p.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

gidgetgh — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 21:06:05 GMT

Y'all......please stop playing along.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

Bri369 — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 20:22:34 GMT

The scammers would stop if people didn't answer the phone. Once you answer that scam call, it invites more. Engaging with them just makes it worse.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

RedTop — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 21:49:41 GMT

I've been fending these calls off for several years, and yes, they do ID themselves as being from AT&T, DirecTV, and "my" satellite provider. They are scam calls; "pfhishing" for your personal information, and come across as needing to "verify" your account information, when they have nothing more than your name and phone number. Everything you provide is enabling them to scam you.

Hopefully you can convince your mom to stop answering unknown calls. I have seen firsthand with my own mother that if she doesn't immediately know what to do, she will do the wrong thing, every time!

My mother only answers calls from her children, period. NO EXCEPTIONS! All other calls go to the answering machine. Each of us have talked to mom about scam calls. I was very concerned about the grandparent scam call, and reminded mom many times that none of her grandchildren would ever ask her for money; not in person, or by phone. Her grandchildren are financially stable, and have parents who would help them. Also, I stressed that she remember her grandchildren have never called her Grandma; they have a very unique name for her.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

jackthebear — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 20:29:15 GMT

@reviewer from sc wrote:
I happened to be at my mother's house the other day, and she received a phone call. She has caller id, and the group that popped up was "Telecomm Group". Unfortunately, she answers every call (I wish she wouldn't do that). Anyway, a lady was on the line, and she claimed to be from the AT&T rewards dept. She was going to reduce her landline phone bill by $20. She just needed my mother's cell phone number (to text) or her e-mail address to send the confirmation papers. Fortunately, my mother doesn't text, and she doesn't own a computer. Her cell phone is one of those old flip phones. My mother didn't know what to do. So then I got on the line to inquire. To play along, I said that I would give my e-mail. She then said that she had to transfer me to the manager. A man then got on the line, and ask me my name and address. I told him that he didn't need to know that because I'm not on her account. He insisted that he needed MY information. I told him no. He smarted off to me that I can just have my mother pay the higher price on the phone bill and hung up. I knew for sure that it was a scam. My mother still wasn't convinced. So, I called up AT&T directly. The lady at AT&T confirmed that it was a scam, and that they had lots of others who fell for that particular scam. What happens is that this new company disconnects you from AT&T and you now have signed up for this new company. Two months later, your phones aren't working, and you call AT&T to find out why. Turns out, you're disconnected. You've been sending your money to this new company, thinking it's still AT&T. So, just be careful out there. Maybe these scam companies could be posing as T-mobile or Verizon. It's unfortunate about these scams.

can you sign up her number with nomorerobo?

and get her an answering machine

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

jlkz — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 20:40:54 GMT

@reviewer from sc

Your post contains very important information. However, I am afraid that a lot of folks will skip it because it appears to be one very long paragraph.

To make your message more accessible, use the " return " key to create the white space that gets the eye to enter the text more easily. Paragraphs are simply a visual clue that the next idea or point is going to be made.

I hope that helps communication....

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

Love my grandkids — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 21:05:50 GMT

I think it's silly to answer these idiots and play along with them, for any reason.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

Carmie — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 21:39:05 GMT

I love when my youngest son answers the phone when someone is selling something or trying to spam.

He doesn't let them get a word in edgewise. He tells them they have a sexy voice and asks their name. He comes on to them and asks if they want to roll play on the phone. They can't hang up fast enough.

I wish I had the nerve to do this.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

kivah — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 00:02:10 GMT

@reviewer from sc wrote:
I happened to be at my mother's house the other day, and she received a phone call. She has caller id, and the group that popped up was "Telecomm Group". Unfortunately, she answers every call (I wish she wouldn't do that). Anyway, a lady was on the line, and she claimed to be from the AT&T rewards dept. She was going to reduce her landline phone bill by $20. She just needed my mother's cell phone number (to text) or her e-mail address to send the confirmation papers. Fortunately, my mother doesn't text, and she doesn't own a computer. Her cell phone is one of those old flip phones. My mother didn't know what to do. So then I got on the line to inquire. To play along, I said that I would give my e-mail. She then said that she had to transfer me to the manager. A man then got on the line, and ask me my name and address. I told him that he didn't need to know that because I'm not on her account. He insisted that he needed MY information. I told him no. He smarted off to me that I can just have my mother pay the higher price on the phone bill and hung up. I knew for sure that it was a scam. My mother still wasn't convinced. So, I called up AT&T directly. The lady at AT&T confirmed that it was a scam, and that they had lots of others who fell for that particular scam. What happens is that this new company disconnects you from AT&T and you now have signed up for this new company. Two months later, your phones aren't working, and you call AT&T to find out why. Turns out, you're disconnected. You've been sending your money to this new company, thinking it's still AT&T. So, just be careful out there. Maybe these scam companies could be posing as T-mobile or Verizon. It's unfortunate about these scams.

Companies Will Never Call You --- just hang up. Teach that to ur family/friends.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

Duckncover — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 00:20:51 GMT

These scam calls are such a nuisance. I don't answer but they are still annoying. To add insult to injury, some of them are even leaving voicemails! Maybe I am a senior, but I am not as trusting as I once was....if anything, I am overly cautious about being taken advantage of...I despise being looked at as an easy mark simply because of my age.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

Desertdi — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 02:28:39 GMT

I recently got an email from my "bank"...asking for the name, address, age, and SSN# of the PERSON who GAVE ME the money in my account. Yeah sure....only money that goes directly to that bank is my social security...and I'm sure they can recognize a Treasury check.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

hckynut — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 07:24:56 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
It's unfortunate that these companies get older people who are more trusting than they should be. We never answer the phone unless we recognize the caller or number. Otherwise, we immediately do a call block. Assume your mother has an answering machine??? A very useful piece of equipment. These scammers never leave messages.

@kaydee50

But? Older people should also know better. More years of life experiences sure helped me learn more about people, trust or no trust. Unless an "older person" never handled the full load of what it takes to live an independent life, in my opinion, age should be an asset for them.

hckynut

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

riley1 — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 12:57:38 GMT

If you have an iphone, you can activate it to silence calls that are not in your contact list. When you check you recent calls it will tell you if it is spam, scam, fraud, etc.

Some days, I get maybe 10 or more of these scam calls. Now, my phone rings a lot less.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

silkyk — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 15:22:42 GMT

Imposters (crooks) pose as lots of different things. I got a call that said it was from my health care org. but it only had the first name of the co. show on the phone (the only reason I even answered) and then the lady started to ask me account numbers. I said "You already have all this info" and she started some blah blah bull about verification and I laughed and hung up. Scammers can make the phone say they are ANYBODY (your Dr.s office, your power co., your telephone co, etc.I even got a call once that said it was from me!) so NEVER give them ANY info if they called you. Let them talk to your machine then call the real co. back at their verified real number on their website if you are curious and want to check if a real problem.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

RespectLife — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 15:56:16 GMT

I generally think of scams as you pay and get nothing. Or your identity is stolen and your credit cards are used to purchase merchandise.

These calls are more dangerous because you ARE getting something.

They trick you into believing you are speaking to your REAL provider...phone, gas, electric.....any of them.

They are more so trying to steal your BUSINESS....they promise better rates, more perks, you name it.

They lie and claim you agreed to a change of provider.

I get AT&T texts...congrats Michael...you have a reward coming....um...NO Michael here.

Many times, as we age, we lose the ability to discern what is fraudulent and what is not. My mother always answered these calls. Yes, she USED to know better.

She had lost her ability to see through the lies, but she was still able to take care of herself in her apartment. At that point....

No matter how many times I told her not to pick up (caller ID), she did anyways.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 16:26:28 GMT

A realtive of mine just got a text from AT&T claiming that she is due a refund for overpaid premiums. They wanted her back account information so they could direct deposit her refund. LOL

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

SunValley — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 18:03:04 GMT

@Bri369 wrote:
The scammers would stop if people didn't answer the phone. Once you answer that scam call, it invites more. Engaging with them just makes it worse.

I wish this were the case for me. I don't answer and can still get up to 8 a day. I use my iPhone feature that silences unknown numbers and can see how many were blocked on my "recents" log of activity. It comes in waves, with 40 or 50 a week sometimes and then only a few.

Re: SCAM! Imposters posing as AT&T

SunValley — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 18:23:04 GMT

The AT&T scam I've been getting is via text message. I've paid on time so here's my gift. Click on the link...uh, no.