Discussion
The wife fell for a text message phishing scam the other day, she entered (wait for it):
She immediately called the bank and cancelled the debit card, the bank said don't worry about the account number and sort code but monitor direct debits in case they set up any new ones.
She is going to change the password anywhere else it's been used.
Is there anything else we can do to protect ourselves? A bit of Googling suggests that from a banking perspective, the details above aren't enough these days to do any damage. I guess the biggest concern is identity theft, not sure if there's much we can do now, other than keep an eye on credit reports and the post to see if any new accounts are opened.
She had a phone call from the "Lloyds fraud team" the day after, they knew her name and the fact she banks with Lloyds, so presumably it was the same lot, they tried to convince her that they had set up a new account because of the scam and she needed to transfer all her money across. Luckily I was listening on speaker phone and she ended the call before doing anything. Hopefully that was their end game, but I'm nervous about the amount of information they now have.
Thanks.
- E-mail address
- Password
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Mother's maiden name
- Bank account number and sort code
- Debit card details
She immediately called the bank and cancelled the debit card, the bank said don't worry about the account number and sort code but monitor direct debits in case they set up any new ones.
She is going to change the password anywhere else it's been used.
Is there anything else we can do to protect ourselves? A bit of Googling suggests that from a banking perspective, the details above aren't enough these days to do any damage. I guess the biggest concern is identity theft, not sure if there's much we can do now, other than keep an eye on credit reports and the post to see if any new accounts are opened.
She had a phone call from the "Lloyds fraud team" the day after, they knew her name and the fact she banks with Lloyds, so presumably it was the same lot, they tried to convince her that they had set up a new account because of the scam and she needed to transfer all her money across. Luckily I was listening on speaker phone and she ended the call before doing anything. Hopefully that was their end game, but I'm nervous about the amount of information they now have.
Thanks.
You could add a notice of correction onto your credit file. Would mean anyone applying for credit in your wife's name would have to provide the password in order to take any out.
https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/identity/what-...
https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/general-a... may also be a useful website.
https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/identity/what-...
https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/general-a... may also be a useful website.
I think I get more scam emails and texts now than real ones. Every day I will get one telling me that my Amazon/Netflix/Apple/Paypal account has been locked and I need to verify my account details. Either that or I am due a refund/payment has been declined on my road tax/Netflix/TV license and immediate payment by credit card is required.
Trouble is my dad believes these emails, even when you point out the appalling English and link addresses that are nothing like the actual company. He has even started phoning me to tell me my Paypal has been hacked (I pay for things for him) as he received a text message. The fact that the account has my phone number linked to it and the text message would come to me still doesn't compute.
It is so bad I have had to tell him to ignore any Email/Text message/phone calls he may get telling him his account has been locked/hacked/payment declined.
It must be a real problem for a lot of people who have relatives who are far too trusting.
Trouble is my dad believes these emails, even when you point out the appalling English and link addresses that are nothing like the actual company. He has even started phoning me to tell me my Paypal has been hacked (I pay for things for him) as he received a text message. The fact that the account has my phone number linked to it and the text message would come to me still doesn't compute.
It is so bad I have had to tell him to ignore any Email/Text message/phone calls he may get telling him his account has been locked/hacked/payment declined.
It must be a real problem for a lot of people who have relatives who are far too trusting.
I am a luddite, old tech and wear a tinfoil hat.
My phone is only used for making calls and checking messages.
When I used a mobile tyre fitter (I shan't name the company to avoid breaking rules on here), they required my phone number to contact for the timing and the privacy rules says that's all it will be used for.
After making the appointment, I get two scam emails to click on a link within the next two days. That would suggest that my number was sold on despite the privacy rules. However it would be hard for me to prove it was that company.
For those people who use their phones for everything, it would not be so obvious.
My phone is only used for making calls and checking messages.
When I used a mobile tyre fitter (I shan't name the company to avoid breaking rules on here), they required my phone number to contact for the timing and the privacy rules says that's all it will be used for.
After making the appointment, I get two scam emails to click on a link within the next two days. That would suggest that my number was sold on despite the privacy rules. However it would be hard for me to prove it was that company.
For those people who use their phones for everything, it would not be so obvious.
Joey Deacon said:
I think I get more scam emails and texts now than real ones. Every day I will get one telling me that my Amazon/Netflix/Apple/Paypal account has been locked and I need to verify my account details. Either that or I am due a refund/payment has been declined on my road tax/Netflix/TV license and immediate payment by credit card is required.
Trouble is my dad believes these emails, even when you point out the appalling English and link addresses that are nothing like the actual company. He has even started phoning me to tell me my Paypal has been hacked (I pay for things for him) as he received a text message. The fact that the account has my phone number linked to it and the text message would come to me still doesn't compute.
It is so bad I have had to tell him to ignore any Email/Text message/phone calls he may get telling him his account has been locked/hacked/payment declined.
It must be a real problem for a lot of people who have relatives who are far too trusting.
My mother in law is the same. She often tells me that a nice estate agent has someone specifically interested in her house as he dropped off a leaflet, she brings round £5 off vouchers for just about anything and signs up to anything where someone is phone selling, I regularly have to help her cancel stuff she has signed up to and she is regularly getting scammed on her bank account. She just will not listen or learn.Trouble is my dad believes these emails, even when you point out the appalling English and link addresses that are nothing like the actual company. He has even started phoning me to tell me my Paypal has been hacked (I pay for things for him) as he received a text message. The fact that the account has my phone number linked to it and the text message would come to me still doesn't compute.
It is so bad I have had to tell him to ignore any Email/Text message/phone calls he may get telling him his account has been locked/hacked/payment declined.
It must be a real problem for a lot of people who have relatives who are far too trusting.
After her husband died I had to go round to the house, she had over 6 full bin liners full of catalogue letters, competitions, innovation catalogues etc...it was only About 6 months worth apparently.
leef44 said:
After making the appointment, I get two scam emails to click on a link within the next two days. That would suggest that my number was sold on despite the privacy rules. However it would be hard for me to prove it was that company.
It certainly will be hard to prove that giving somebody your phone number leads to you getting scam emails.XJ75 said:
She is going to change the password anywhere else it's been used.
.
The need to do this concerns me. Use passwords in just the one place. Find a password manager you're happy with (a paper notebook if you must) and use different passwords for different services as a matter of routine..
xeny said:
XJ75 said:
She is going to change the password anywhere else it's been used.
.
The need to do this concerns me. Use passwords in just the one place. Find a password manager you're happy with (a paper notebook if you must) and use different passwords for different services as a matter of routine..
So easy to set up a lastpass or similar account and have random 16 character passwords
deckster said:
leef44 said:
After making the appointment, I get two scam emails to click on a link within the next two days. That would suggest that my number was sold on despite the privacy rules. However it would be hard for me to prove it was that company.
It certainly will be hard to prove that giving somebody your phone number leads to you getting scam emails.leef44 said:
I am a luddite, old tech and wear a tinfoil hat.
My phone is only used for making calls and checking messages.
Much the same here, only more so. I hate doing anything on a mobile phone so nobody apart from a few friends know the number. E-mails go to my PC where Mailwasher Pro does a great job of sorting out the crap automatically. That just leaves the landline, where if a call comes in that shows as 'Withheld' or 'International' I let it go to answerphone and they always hang up. Interestingly if you do answer by mistake, you then get a few more calls from various sources over the next few days.My phone is only used for making calls and checking messages.
The only time an account was compromised was after I'd logged in on a friend's computer... and a few days later someone bought three iPhones on my credit card. Turned out to be a Russian gentleman in Winchester. Luckily I found out the next day and it was all put right - feel sorry for the seller who got lost his goods and his money though.
I've dealt with a few recurring scams recently at work...
Paypal
Seller advertises PS4 on Gutree/Facebook
Scammer agrees to purchase
Seller receives scam email from Paypal saying payment has been received into their holding account and will be released when a tracking number is obtained.
Seller posts PS4 and obtains tracking number
Seller never receives payment.
Kitten scam
Buyer responds to advert for kitten
Seller requests payment in advance
Buyer sends payment and receives details of where to collect kitten
Buyer arrives at address to find its a scam
Courier Fraud
Scammer phones elderly/vulnerable person pretending to be form their bank, or police
Scammer tells victim there is a problem with their bank account or bank card, and they need the first two digits of their PIN, which the victim gives.
Scammer calls back saying theres been a problem and can they repeat the last two digits of their PIN, which the victim gives.
Scammer now has full PIN and says they need to collect the bank card to destroy them, and victim agrees
Scammer collects bank card and goes on a spending spree
Courier Fraud
As above but scammer tells victim theres a member of their bank staff who has fingers in the till
Scammer asks victim to go to their bank and withdraw £5k, and to remain on the phone to them throughout, so they can find out which member of staff is the criminal.
Victim withdraws £5k and scammer arranges to meet them to collect cash for fingerprints examination.
Paypal
Seller advertises PS4 on Gutree/Facebook
Scammer agrees to purchase
Seller receives scam email from Paypal saying payment has been received into their holding account and will be released when a tracking number is obtained.
Seller posts PS4 and obtains tracking number
Seller never receives payment.
Kitten scam
Buyer responds to advert for kitten
Seller requests payment in advance
Buyer sends payment and receives details of where to collect kitten
Buyer arrives at address to find its a scam
Courier Fraud
Scammer phones elderly/vulnerable person pretending to be form their bank, or police
Scammer tells victim there is a problem with their bank account or bank card, and they need the first two digits of their PIN, which the victim gives.
Scammer calls back saying theres been a problem and can they repeat the last two digits of their PIN, which the victim gives.
Scammer now has full PIN and says they need to collect the bank card to destroy them, and victim agrees
Scammer collects bank card and goes on a spending spree
Courier Fraud
As above but scammer tells victim theres a member of their bank staff who has fingers in the till
Scammer asks victim to go to their bank and withdraw £5k, and to remain on the phone to them throughout, so they can find out which member of staff is the criminal.
Victim withdraws £5k and scammer arranges to meet them to collect cash for fingerprints examination.
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