Posted on 06/18/2021 8:55:47 AM PDT by Nateman
I just got a text message that said 'please text me' .It was from the same area code as my phone with the first 3 numbers the same as mine as well, a tactic often used by scammers. I sent nothing back, but only because I don't know the automatic feedback for a non existent number.
Have you heard this Tom Mabe call? It is one of the funniest things I've ever heard on the Internet.
If you can block them, do so.
I turned the ringer on my landline off ages ago because I usually only get robo calls on it. Spectrum blocks some of them, but not all. I have Verizon Wireless, and downloaded their Call Filter, and set it to only allow the calls of people who are in my contacts. If they consider a call to be spam, they automatically block it, but show the number that was blocked. I do get other unknown calls, but the filter silences them, and lists them in my recently received, and then I block them from there.
The below is an example of what is happening.
A telemarketer spoofed YOUR number and called ME
We both have the same first 6 digits to our 10 digit phone numbers. When I see those calls on my cell, I know it is spam, so instead of answering, i stop the call by texting,
“I am in a meeting, Please Text Me”
However, since they were spoofing your number, my text went to you, but you have no idea who I am.
So now You think that I am spamming You. When really, someone is spamming me with your number.
Could be. I’ve contacted a few spoof numbers letting them know they’ve been used. Always on a different phone that I don’t care who gets that particular number.
For salt? 😏
I send that, “I am in a meeting. Please Text Me.” message back to spam callers probably a few times a day.
Only once has someone replied saying who is this?
Full Disclosure, I work in the telephone industry. We know what the spammers are doing, and we want it to stop because it upsets paying customers.
Call Spammers simply use an algorithm that has each call send a unique random Caller ID number to people with the same first 6 digits. They are assuming that you will think it is a neighbor.
A response to you and comments for the OP:
New phones often have a setting to “Silence unknown callers”. If this is the case for your new phone, if someone who is not on your contact list calls, it will go directly to voicemail.
If it’s your friends/family, or doctor, etc. they will leave a message. If they don’t leave a message, it was most likely spam.
To the OP: Do not respond. If it is not someone you personally know or do business with, they don’t deserve the time of day. Delete the text.
To anyone else who might see/read this: Your phone has a “silence unknown callers” setting for a reason. Use it. Occasionally, something might get through. I know that my phone occasionally comes up with a call or voice mail saying “SPAM RISK” as the caller. Mighty nice of them.
For other occasions, I’ve created a special contact called “SPAM”, and which has the ringtone silenced. If any spam callers make it through, I simply add them to that contact, and know that I will never hear them again.
Protect yourself. Don’t be a sucker.
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