Phone Scam ‘Onslaught’ Has Authorities Scrambling

WSJ video ^ | 5/27/2016

[KeyLargo]

Phone Scam ‘Onslaught’ Has Authorities Scrambling 5/27/2016

Telephone scammers posing as tech support, lottery reps or even government officials are inundating U.S. homes as cheap technology and the rapid rise in Internet access globally makes it easier to set up ..

[lyby]

“To fall for scams like these mentioned, a person must not have much of a grip of reality.”

Indeed. My mother has dementia. She called me one day to tell me about the nice men in a pickup truck who gave her a free freezer full of meat. My sister and I - we have co-power of attorney - immediately began our “snooping,” as Mama calls it, and discovered an enormous charge on her credit card. Suffice it to say that the charges were removed and the company returned to collect that freezer and its contents.

[Dallas59]

[Kipp]

This Tom Mabe telemarketer prank is great. I laugh every time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBfsdkGeMc8

[Liz]

The IRS might call....depending on the urgency of the issue....IF they did not receive a response from mailed inquiries.

[MEG33]

I got a call from the Internal Revenue Service today..fake of course...They gave the number to call...I said I was calling the FBI instead.! LOL

I am a senior...and have had a wide variety of scams tried on me over the years...They were disappointed. I always tell them I am calling the Feds and reporting them.

[Kickass Conservative]

With VOIP, the Area Code means nothing. If you think you are receiving a Local Call, you’re not. They can be anywhere.

Many use Throwaway Cell Phones. You can setup any Area Code you want on those Phones.

My Dad is in his 90’s and he gets bunches of calls. He finally wised up that these People are not his friends.

[Kipp]

If you search youtube for something like “put telemarketers on hold”, there are lots of choices. I sometimes play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLzUPz2-aD4 for telemarketers. I have no idea about its effectiveness, but it amuses me. There’s typical telemarketing music, then “Please hold. A family representative will be with you shortly.” More music... “Please continue to hold. Your telemarketing b*** s*** is very important to us.” More music... “Why not get a real job? Visit www. findarealjob.com.” More music... Etc.

[SMM48]

The Indian computer guy sounds just like the guy that calls me three times a week claiming to be from "Windows". Sometimes, I play with him and other times I tell him to FO.

They keep calling though.

[JimRed]

Just this minute got the robocall from Carmen at cardholder services...it’s been my “last opportunity” to improve my interest rates the last 37 calls!

[PLMerite]

“Hello, I’m so glad you called me. Let me tell you about Jesus!”

A former coworker would let them get started talking and then loudly interject: “I’m naked. What are you wearing?”

They always hung right up.

[IYAS9YAS]

When I reset my computer wi fi connection there is an “FBI Surveillance Van #2” router that shows up. I need to be careful, they are very near

Saw one at an RV park the other day labeled "Bathroom Cam #2"

I live in NM, I want to put ICE Surveillance Van #3 on mine.

[JimRed]

If you get one of these scam calls, what a great opportunity to tell them about Jesus.

That'll get rid of a lot of them quickly, and maybe even help a few find Salvation.

[sparklite2]

I use a CPR Callblocker. Every solicitor/scammer has one chance at me, then never from that number again. A phone that used to host several unsolicited calls a day now allows none for weeks at time.

http://www.amazon.com/CPR-Call-Blocker-V108-Telemarketing/dp/B004BTVQ5E/ref=zg_bs_172612_10

[IYAS9YAS]

When I reset my computer wi fi connection there is an “FBI Surveillance Van #2” router that shows up. I need to be careful, they are very near

Do you, or does any Freeper, know if you can reset only the Wi-Fi name, without having to log everything back in to the newly-named network? In other words, if I'm already using Wi-Fi name BOB, and want to change to FRED, can I do that without having to log everything I own that is currently connected to BOB, in to FRED? Not changing any other settings or the password.

[mollynme]

I use a CPR Callblocker. Every solicitor/scammer has one chance at me, then never from that number again.

So do I but they keep changing their phone number. The "credit fixer" call message always starts with "this may be your last chance..." If only.

[mollynme]

Maybe it’s a Colorado thing. I get the exact same calls.

[commish]

When I lived in Cocoa Beach we referred to them as Florida Power & Flicker.

[Svartalfiar]

Do you, or does any Freeper, know if you can reset only the Wi-Fi name, without having to log everything back in to the newly-named network? In other words, if I'm already using Wi-Fi name BOB, and want to change to FRED, can I do that without having to log everything I own that is currently connected to BOB, in to FRED? Not changing any other settings or the password.

Nope. Once you change the SSID (the network name you see), nothing will connect to it because all the devices are still looking for the old name. You'll have to go to wireless settings on each, connect to the new-name network, and re-enter your password.

However, anything you have wired to it, directly plugged in, will still be fine and not need any changes.

[IYAS9YAS]

You'll have to go to wireless settings on each, connect to the new-name network, and re-enter your password.

Thanks! I figured that was the case. I'd like to change mine around, but don't want to have to deal with all the devices I have using the Wi-Fi. I have a 36-character password that's a real pain to type on some devices.

Keeps the riff-raff out, but won't keep any serious tech geeks out.

[bert]

just off hand.....no

I am not an IT guy and don”t’ play one on TV either