I didn't realize it's scam season!

[5thDragoons]

We get a few here & there, but the numbers seem to have increased after Jan 1. Mostly on emails - "Your cloud account is overdue. If you don't pay by (x), your account will be closed!" (we don't use anything connected with iCloud) Just this week, we've gotten 3 text messages about different too good to be true work at home opportunities. All they need is a lot of personal info - like your bank account # so your pay can be properly deposited. Yeah - riiiiight.

Got a new one in the mail today. First red flag was no return address - second was the horrible spelling. Like the scammers were not from USA. This one gravely told us our home warranty had expired, and if we didn't pay up we could be living at a homeless shelter!

Wifey asked if we had a home warranty. "Yep! It's called homeowner's insurance, and we be paid up!" Since it wasn't a text, I wasn't able to reply with my own text suggesting the (not nice word for foreigners) get a real job. Also no postage free return envelope. I like to stuff those back in the envelope and mail it all back. A close friend used to use those for mailing contents of the cat's litter box.

You'd think people would eventually get wise, but they must get lucky once in a while, or they'd stop the nonsense. SW

[lyman]

they must move west by time zone or something,

in Dec about every 3rd call I got (my cell is my personal and company phone) was a scammer wanting my money,

some were quite persistent, and called several times a day, all random local numbers,


block one, and you get the same call from another in 12 minutes or less

[5thDragoons]

I even got a scam call from my own phone #. I was half tempted to see what I had to say to myself, but just hung up. SW

[Doc Sharptail]

I even got a scam call from my own phone #. I was half tempted to see what I had to say to myself, but just hung up. SW

I actually get it, but still quite funny. Monitors and back-snorted coffee- sigh.

-D.S.

[Allen]

As I've stated before: your phone number is rented by you and paid by you. It is YOUR personal property and should not be displayed (legally) for the whole world to see and use.

On our line phone the ringer is almost completely silenced--my wife can hear it ring but I don't if in a another room. Regardless, we view the caller ID before picking it up.

My cell phone lives in the console of my truck. I give the number out to no one--just like it doesn't exist. It stays turned off unless I need it for something. When did I use it last? Today is Thursday so "never".

Those who use a phone in their business are kinda screwed though. Perhaps you could turn all the phone answering over to an employee and keep yours turned off till needed?

[Former Cav]

yeah, my auto warranty expired and I have a bug on my computer and my dying mother needs my social security number too.
If OUR gov't would get off their azzes and start enforcing laws, a lot of these troubles would go away.
oh, and don't forget to send the IRS your gift cards to avoid going to prison today!!

[Allen]

Just got a letter today from some bank. The letter was official looking. I won't mention the name of the bank since it obviously did not come from them. Anyway, in the letter this bank said my application was approved but was restricted along with my account until I submitted additional required identity information.

I've never heard of this bank.

I looked it up and others have received such spam notices from this same outfit.

I began filling out the form on The Federal Trade Commission site to report the fraud and I believe they are worse than the spammers. They're wanting every shred of detail, not only on the spammers but me including my name/address/phone/cell phone/email/military info inc rank and so forth. Why would they need much of any info regarding me? Then I noticed they are the same ones who host the "Do Not Call Registry" and we all know what a joke that is.

I have a feeling that if I completed the form and submitted it I would see all my personal data displayed on public records soon.

Identity theft and fraud comes from different sources. In some cases it appears we pay them to do so. Our tax dollars at work.

[Johnny P]

Every afternoon my wife gets a call from numbers in the northeastern part of the state. This has been going on for a couple of years now, and she never answers.

[lyman]

lots are bots or AI or whatever,
so if you are not programed in my phone, I answer with my company name

seems that upsets the balance, and you get no response,

however, If I answer hello,, it trips a lever and they start talking (all recorded or ai)

[Allen]

Good to know. It's bad enough that telemarketing and public record info is being allowed, broadcast, and encouraged by our "elected" overhead, I hadn't thought about AI adding to the problem.

Phones, computer accounts, and all personal info needs to become more restrictive and controlled by us instead of by "others".

As mentioned before, my cell phone stays turned off unless I need it. I realize everyone else isn't in this position to be able to do so but it sure works out for me.