New Text Scam - very convincing if you're not thinking!

Dec 6, 2022 | Me

[proxy_user]

I got a new text scam that I nearly fell for - well, not quite. It claims to be the Post Office asking for an address to be corrected so they can deliver your package

Really? How would the post office know my phone number if they don't know my address? Well, maybe the phone number was on the package - let's click on the link.

It goes to usppaeckltc dot info, a somewhat convincing imitation of a Post Office web page. It might fool the average person, but not a skill Unix geek. Pulling up my trust Unix command line, I run a whois on the URL. All the fields are marked REDACTED FOR PRIVACY except a couple:

Registrant State/Province: Wilayah Persekutuan Registrant Country: MY

So, how is scamming coming along in Malaysia? Finding any suckers?

Don't be a sucker, assume all texts are fraudulent until proven otherwise!

[proxy_user]

Head up, everyone! It's package season.

[Red Badger]

Difficult to send texts to a landline.....................😉

[Extra-Ordinary Objectives]

I received a text from someone claiming they won a large lottery and were sharing $50k with 100 people if I would reply. I did not, but thought I would share here.

[Tell It Right]

I got the same text. I realized it was a scam because the URL (web address) of the link was .eai4ef.1042jd.sync. In other words, not usps.com.

[pas]

I assume all phone calls are as well.

[Ikeon]

Now Im only sharing with 99. suckka...

[blackdog]

I've been busy placing boxes of cat crap and litter clumps of cat piss in boxes this season. I place them on my porch and neighbors porches just after Amazon or FedEx drop off on our street. I actually saved up litter box presents starting in October just for the holidays.

Always open your package boxes from the bottom tape so the box looks just delivered when it's full of treats for the porch pirates.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“I nearly fell for”

You ADMITTED that? Too bad FR doesn’t have an “Edit” feature.

[mass55th]

If the text or phone call isn’t from someone in my contact list, it gets blocked.

[Col Frank Slade]

I just got this text message scam.

Delete it immediately.

[rickomatic]

Scammers are trying all new kinds of schemes. I recently got a legitimate email from Paypal saying that I had an invoice from someone, and to click a link to verify it. I did NOT click the link thinking it was directly from a scammer. Instead, I logged into my Paypal account, and there was indeed an invoice requesting payment of $699.99. It waslaughingly enough from someone named “scammer something...” I refused the charge on Paypal’s official site. If it had been something smaller, and with a more official sounding name, I may not have been so wary.

[whinecountry]

LOL

[Four of Six]

THAT is a great idea. Will be doing that tomorrow before I go to work. He, he, he!

[1Old Pro]

If the text or phone call isn’t from someone in my contact list, it gets blocked.

Exactly.

[lee martell]

Russia and Nigeria shout out to Malaysia:
“Welcome to the Party, Pal.
May the best Scammer win!”

[miserare]

Thanks for the heads-up.

I guess the Nigerian Prince of My Dreams has moved to Malaysia.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Well, maybe the phone number was on the package - let's click on the link.

Let's please not click on the link - that's usually the entire point of a text message spam.

[blackdog]

I used to hate the holiday season. I really enjoy it now.

[satan]

Mine was from a very official FEDEX address.

[Leaning Right]

I’m an old guy, so naturally I’ve got a lot of gripes. One of them is that the government and the media do little to warn folks of these scams. It’s big news if a jar of pickles gets recalled (as it should be). But nobody seems to care when some senior citizen gets bilked out of thousands.

Thank goodness for folks who post warnings on YouTube. And thank goodness for folks who post warnings here on FR.