Another Senior Hacked

[P-3 Guy]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Do a Google search of bank or credit card and use officel customer support number and call directly to verify if one thinks that there is a problem or issue.

Do a Google search of bank/credit card and make a dedicated phone call yourself.

Google search results for customer support phone numbers can be and have been corrupted by spammers who either sponsor a link or spoof/overwhelm the Google algorithm with fake data. Be extra careful and obtain valid customer support numbers from physical documentation you have in your possession (like a bank statement or the back of your credit card) or by referring to a business website that you are 100% sure is authentic.

[camp guy]

I may have posted this before, but if not, here it is. If you get a phone call and don't recognize the caller, NEVER use the word YES when talking with them. To get you to use the word YES, scammers will ask you a simple question to which the answer is obviously YES, but don't speak the word YES Scammers can "word shop" your voice into something making it look like you agreed to purchase something. Scammers are very clever at using identification such as "national police benevolence society" to make you feel warm and fuzzy and want to donate - don't fall for it. Scammers will catch you off guard with a question like "Is everything going all right in your town today?" My best advice, smile, and HANG UP.

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by camp guy

I may have posted this before, but if not, here it is. If you get a phone call and don't recognize the caller, NEVER use the word YES when talking with them. To get you to use the word YES, scammers will ask you a simple question to which the answer is obviously YES, but don't speak the word YES Scammers can "word shop" your voice into something making it look like you agreed to purchase something. Scammers are very clever at using identification such as "national police benevolence society" to make you feel warm and fuzzy and want to donate - don't fall for it. Scammers will catch you off guard with a question like "Is everything going all right in your town today?" My best advice, smile, and HANG UP.

If I get a call from a number I don't recognize, I simply don't answer it. If it is something important and legitimate, they'll leave a voicemail. For emails, you can't simply go by the alias, you have to actually look at the email address to see if it is a fake. My in-laws were in their 80's when they got caught up in the scam of "your grand-daughter's been in an accident and needs $10,000.00", but luckily their local banker interceded and proved to them it was a hoax by having them call the girl directly.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by camp guy

I may have posted this before, but if not, here it is. If you get a phone call and don't recognize the caller, NEVER use the word YES when talking with them. To get you to use the word YES, scammers will ask you a simple question to which the answer is obviously YES, but don't speak the word YES Scammers can "word shop" your voice into something making it look like you agreed to purchase something. Scammers are very clever at using identification such as "national police benevolence society" to make you feel warm and fuzzy and want to donate - don't fall for it. Scammers will catch you off guard with a question like "Is everything going all right in your town today?" My best advice, smile, and HANG UP.

This is an urban legend.

[TiltonBB]

It is important to keep an eye on your older relatives and their finances. I had a cousin pass away about two weeks ago and she had suffered from dementia for a couple of years. At the wake I learned she had been scammed by telephone three times and had lost all of the money she had spent a lifetime earning. Sad story.

Regarding phone scams, on a lighter note: If you have not heard the Tom Mabe phone prank call it will make you chuckle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttrzG5F4R3o

[Jersey Bob]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

This is an urban legend.

I’m not so sure about that.
Last week I had a call, the first thing he asked me was could I hear him.
I hung up.
If I don’t recognize the number, I answer don’t say anything. If they don’t say anything I hang up. Most missed calls don’t leave a voicemail, but the phone shows a message waiting. I’m getting ready to get rid of the phone.

[Major]

I am careful when answering my phone and responding to texts and emails. However, the schemes to defraud are sophisticated and devious, so even if one is careful, you can still get scammed.

I was up early the other day handling an urgent matter for a foreign associate, and I received an email from my law partner asking me if I was going to be in the office that day. Everything looked familiar, the signature block, etc. Without looking at the email address, and without really thinking, I responded. Within a few minutes my law partner was asking me to pick up Apple gift cards. At that point I figured out was being scammed. So I wrote back about an hour later that I went to my bank and unfortunately all I could take out was $5,000 and asked whether that was enough. Needless to say the scammer was very excited!

[ITD]

The phone companies could easily stop most of these calls, but apparently there is too much money to be made. I ditched my landline many years ago, best move I made. The cell phone has much less spam calls, but you have to be vigilant. I always use theprofessors method when I get an email from a bank. The scams have gotten pretty sophisticated.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by ITD

The phone companies could easily stop most of these calls, but apparently there is too much money to be made. I ditched my landline many years ago, best move I made. The cell phone has much less spam calls, but you have to be vigilant. I always use theprofessors method when I get an email from a bank. The scams have gotten pretty sophisticated.

I kept my landline for this reason. Whenever I have to give out a phone number I give my landline because we never answer it, just get messages. I never give out my cell number unless it's family, friends, or an emergency.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I kept my landline for this reason. Whenever I have to give out a phone number I give my landline because we never answer it, just get messages. I never give out my cell number unless it's family, friends, or an emergency.

I did that for a few years, but the only people who called me on it were spammers, just wasn't worth it. The cell phone is better at screening out spam and I'm selective about giving out my number. Seems to work well.