OT: Computer Scammers At Work - Page 2

dooBdoo · ‎06-27-2010

I just posted this on another thread, but it bears repeating for those who don't know about it:

These crooks are located in a myriad of countries and not in the USA. This means our folks would have to pinpoint the location and then convince that country to prosecute the offenders to try and stop the nasty practice. Not likely for that scenario to work. And, of course, they can't block all calls to the USA from other countries.

Take a look at the free service called Nomorobo.

It's available with a wide variety of phone service providers. If you scroll down the home page on their site, you can click on the various media articles about the company. They were a winner of the FCC challenge to begin putting a stop to these robocalls, with no fees for their service.

Not available to everyone, everywhere yet but you can go to the website, plug in your info (click on "Get Started Now"), and if it's not offered they tell you how to contact the company and ask them to add it.

I think it's a great start to solving this problem. ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

(link goes to: https://www.nomorobo.com/)

Few things reveal your intellect and your generosity of spirit—the parallel powers of your heart and mind—better than how you give feedback.~Maria Popova

BellaCarro · ‎10-01-2011

The last time we had one of these my DD got on the phone and had the guy going round and round with how to change her cover color. He thought she meant her screen saver but she was asking how to change the color of the physical cover. Took the guy forever to figure out what she was talking about. She played a great dumb blonde and was very convincing and hilarious from my end. Might as well have some fun. Also, figured it took up a ton of his time and he couldn't pester someone else.

dooBdoo · ‎06-27-2010

On 8/14/2014 BellaCarro said: The last time we had one of these my DD got on the phone and had the guy going round and round with how to change her cover color. He thought she meant her screen saver but she was asking how to change the color of the physical cover. Took the guy forever to figure out what she was talking about. She played a great dumb blonde and was very convincing and hilarious from my end. Might as well have some fun. Also, figured it took up a ton of his time and he couldn't pester someone else.

Hi, BellaCarro! Smile

The problem with that scenario: Once you answer, and especially if you talk or press buttons, your phone number has just been identified as a "live" number. It will be added to a list and shared with or sold to other scam artists.

And, according to the security officers at our hospitals, if you make the caller angry you're even more likely to have your number shared/sold.

Few things reveal your intellect and your generosity of spirit—the parallel powers of your heart and mind—better than how you give feedback.~Maria Popova

DoneTryin · ‎03-09-2010

I only answer when I recognize the phone number & have a special ring tone set up for calls coming in from family & friends.

With my phone system (Comcast), I just *60 & follow the directions to block the number.

Thank you for inventing Caller ID, whoever you are!

BellaCarro · ‎10-01-2011

On 8/14/2014 dooBdoo said:
On 8/14/2014 BellaCarro said: The last time we had one of these my DD got on the phone and had the guy going round and round with how to change her cover color. He thought she meant her screen saver but she was asking how to change the color of the physical cover. Took the guy forever to figure out what she was talking about. She played a great dumb blonde and was very convincing and hilarious from my end. Might as well have some fun. Also, figured it took up a ton of his time and he couldn't pester someone else.

Hi, BellaCarro!

The problem with that scenario: Once you answer, and especially if you talk or press buttons, your phone number has just been identified as a "live" number. It will be added to a list and shared with or sold to other scam artists.

And, according to the security officers at our hospitals, if you make the caller angry you're even more likely to have your number shared/sold.

Idk, before she befuddled them we were getting them constantly. Stopped after that. I held that same belief until that episode. That's not to say I jump for calls I don't recognize. Typically, I don't answer the land line at all. We only still have it for the security system.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

On 8/14/2014 dooBdoo said:
I just posted this on another thread, but it bears repeating for those who don't know about it:

These crooks are located in a myriad of countries and not in the USA. This means our folks would have to pinpoint the location and then convince that country to prosecute the offenders to try and stop the nasty practice. Not likely for that scenario to work. And, of course, they can't block all calls to the USA from other countries.

Take a look at the free service called Nomorobo.

It's available with a wide variety of phone service providers. If you scroll down the home page on their site, you can click on the various media articles about the company. They were a winner of the FCC challenge to begin putting a stop to these robocalls, with no fees for their service.

Not available to everyone, everywhere yet but you can go to the website, plug in your info (click on "Get Started Now"), and if it's not offered they tell you how to contact the company and ask them to add it.

I think it's a great start to solving this problem. ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

(link goes to: https://www.nomorobo.com/)

This is something great, if your landline or wireless company can work with this service.

Do not talk to these folks when they call, hangup your phone. If you talk they will put you on a list to get more calls. Like in the supermarket. The longer you are in the store the more money you spend.

LoveShelties · ‎06-08-2012

The OP mentioned work numbers being called by scammers, when a phone comes into my real estate office there is no caller id, so not answering is not an option. I think that's what she's referring to. We have gotten those calls at work and all you can do is hang up on them.

HULAGIRL · ‎03-10-2010

You've got to stop answering every single phone call.....get an answering machine with caller i.d. if you have a land line and let your voice-mail get the call if you have a cell..........if it's an emergency, you can call back immediately. I don't answer numbers that are not familiar and never answer those 888 numbers, etc. Sometimes just answering the call puts you in jeopardy.

paShar · ‎03-10-2010

I usually screen calls and don't pick up any from numbers or names I don't recognize but every now and then I'll forget to look and answer. If someone starts to talk, I just lay the phone down and walk away. I come back a few minutes later and sure enough, they've hung up.