topic Re: SMISHING in Community Chat

SMISHING

Runner26 — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:35:13 GMT

I just want to remind everyone to never click on any link. I received this and I almost clicked on it because I sent a few packages and expecting a few packages.

I did forward the text to USPIS (7736) and to Verizon (my carrier). If you have Verizon, go to My Verizon>Block Calls and Messages.

Re: SMISHING

BlueFinch — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:50:36 GMT

Yep, I've received several reported issues regarding problem deliveries. They all immediately go in the trash.

Just this morning this situation was being discussed on the news. So many people are falling for it because it can look legitimate. However, two groups, the young and seniors are their desired targets, per this news report. They're often less versed on risks.

It's the season for predators to surface from their dark holes. It takes some of the joy out of the holidays to have to watch your back constantly.

Re: SMISHING

Othereeeen — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:21:56 GMT

@Runner26

SIgh......ANOTHER scam....my email box is full of these every day...I guess they are counting on people to forget they have packages ordered this time of year and will fall for this scam...

Thanks for posting this reminder of ANOTHER scam. I get them in texts too to my phone.

It never ends....

Another con I've seen a ton of lately...those "get lower car insurance for ***some small monthly *** amount....just give us the following information and we'll get back to you with a quote..."

then they ask for the usual...name, address, etc...and your vehicle make and model and VIN sometimes....and SOMETIMES your SS number, although now I see they make a point tto say no SS needed ( another con).

Now they have all your infor. Your VIN for your car is in a LOT of databases out there.

Imagine what they can do with this information.

And that's BEFORE they sell your info to someone else.

Just enough to cobble together your identity.

Moral is..CALL the real insurance companies for quotes...YOU intitate the call.

Never ends.

O yes ...One more con.....There is NO "3500 dollar grocery card" for seniors.

SOME Medicare Advantage Plans offer cards with cash benefits for REALLY low income people...but you must be on Medicare, also have dual coverage ( medicare ANd medicaid)...and you still have to pay that plan premium.)

The SS website wwa.gov has warnings about this scam. Also Medicare.gov.

THese are official websites....not some con man with a foreign email address.

It's just ANOTHER con to get your data....you give them all your personal info and VOILA you're "not elegible".

Too bad...you just gave them everything these cons need to steal your identity.

Be Smart.

Re: SMISHING

geezerette — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:56:13 GMT

@Runner26

I just got done deleting that same message!😂

Re: SMISHING

Puzzle Piece — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:01:54 GMT

Thanks for sharing.

When do these criminal elements stop.

Re: SMISHING

Runner26 — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:16:51 GMT

Unfortunately/fortunately I don't watch news by design. I was so closed to fall for this and I do know better. It was early in the morning and as I get older my mind isn't as sharp and often on autopilot.

Re: SMISHING

Spacrazy — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:21:20 GMT

I am so sick of these THIEVES!!!

Re: SMISHING

SactoSue — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:41:34 GMT

Yup, yup, yup,

Been getting these scam emails reportedly from USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, all sorts of similar stuff.

That +63 country prefix of The Philippines is a huge clue. I just send them all to spam mail.

I agree with everyone above that the number and variety of spam, phishing, smishing and whatever else is accelerating this year and it would appear there is no end in sight. I

I've also been reading about people scanning unprotected credit and debit cards with chips when you are out carrying them in a purse. I bought a RFID credit card wallet that is really cool. It is made by SECRID and has a small RFID casing for cards that has a pop-up feature when you need to use one. It's is very small and I could easily travel with this and my phone for times when you don't want to be lugging a purse around.

I'm also disabling my ApplePay for a while because I think that is too risky in situations where you might have your phone stolen.

I also use cash for payment inside stores if I can.

I only go to gas stations that will have secured card slots - preferably Costco, but when traveling with just fo in and prepay cash. I really am very leery of the card skimmming potential around us.

Re: SMISHING

Still Raining — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:49:55 GMT

So many seem to be getting through in the last couple of weeks. Often with an area code I am by.

Busy season. My blocked numbers are getting really long.

Re: SMISHING

on the bay — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:58:10 GMT

I got an email from Peacock saying welcome (didn't have my name though) and agree to terms etc. I don't have Peacock and never did. I always wonder how they get your email.

Re: SMISHING

Etoile308 — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:02:33 GMT

The package delivery emails and text are as old as the hills.

And I don't ever respond to the survey queries even those supposedly coming from QVC.

Re: SMISHING

SilleeMee — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:16:31 GMT

I never click on any link provided in my emails even if the sender looks familiar. I always look for a way around it to find the purpose of the message with any link attached. It's just not safe any more.

Re: SMISHING

geezerette — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:40:59 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I never click on any link provided in my emails even if the sender looks familiar. I always look for a way around it to find the purpose of the message with any link attached. It's just not safe any more.

@SilleeMee

I agree, but how do you get around emails or texts that offer no alternative but to click on their link, for instance, to confirm an appointment? I hate doing that even if I know who sent them. And they often are using a third party to make and confirm appointments.😠

Re: SMISHING

SilleeMee — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:55:13 GMT

@geezerette wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
I never click on any link provided in my emails even if the sender looks familiar. I always look for a way around it to find the purpose of the message with any link attached. It's just not safe any more.
@SilleeMee

I agree, but how do you get around emails or texts that offer no alternative but to click on their link, for instance, to confirm an appointment? I hate doing that even if I know who sent them. And they often are using a third party to make and confirm appointments.😠

@geezerette

I usually end up making phone calls to check if the emails are legit. Sometimes I will respond to an email and ask about it that way, too. It's a pita.

Re: SMISHING

occasionalrain — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:55:19 GMT

I'm getting a lot of, You Won... and credit card offers.

Re: SMISHING

geezerette — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:06:34 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@geezerette wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
I never click on any link provided in my emails even if the sender looks familiar. I always look for a way around it to find the purpose of the message with any link attached. It's just not safe any more.
@SilleeMee

I agree, but how do you get around emails or texts that offer no alternative but to click on their link, for instance, to confirm an appointment? I hate doing that even if I know who sent them. And they often are using a third party to make and confirm appointments.😠

@geezerette
I usually end up making phone calls to check if the emails are legit. Sometimes I will respond to an email and ask about it that way, too. It's a pita.

@SilleeMee

For sure.

What really ticks me off are the emails I get from companies saying not to click on any links-- and then they require it themselves!

Re: SMISHING

chrystaltree — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:06:38 GMT

I often receive messages ike that. I've been getting them for months. Some look very legit but I know when I'm expecting a package the USPS doesn't send messages like that so those messages have scam written all over them.

Re: SMISHING

wagirl — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:52:10 GMT

I've gotten a few of those types of emails--never click on them at all and report as spam--but then I did have my debit card hacked a few weeks ago--had to go thru all the hassel of filing disputes and changing card numbers, pass words etc. there should be a special He^^ for those dirtbags!!!!

Re: SMISHING

Beacon girl — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:08:16 GMT

I got a e-mail not too long ago from usps that my package was being held because it didn’t clear customs! These people must think we are really stupid!

Re: SMISHING

riley1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 23:04:52 GMT

I got that same exact text about a week ago. My pkg was stuck in customs and they needed information for it to be processed. Um, not going to happen!

The funny part is I did have a pkg coming in from overseas but I was tracking it and knew exactly when it was to arrive.

Because of my business, I have a lot of packages arriving. But I always track them so I know where they are and when they will be delivered.