Is this how identity theft starts?

[uffduh]

Got a text from a local number last night that said:
‘Hey’
‘(Insert my name here)?’
To which I replied:
‘It is. And you are....?’

Didn’t hear anything back, but there was a bit of time between the messages. Also not totally unusual for an old colleague or a headhunter to approach me like that. Went to bed thinking a bit odd, but whatever.

This morning though, still nothing so I called the number and it was answered by one of those google phone things that says we’ll try to reach your party. No answer from the person and a system generated voicemail greeting with just the phone number. Left a quick message, still nothing.

So now I’m thinking the person either decided I wasn’t right for the job or my LifeLock thing is about to start blowing up with credit card and loan applications coming out of China or Russia. I haven’t been sneaking around so at least I know it’s not some pissed off husband looking to tune me up.

 

[...]

i dont reply to people i dont have stored in my contacts.....


if i dont know you, i dont want to get to know you.....fuck off and leave me alone.

 

[Nik H]

i dont reply to people i dont have stored in my contacts.....


if i dont know you, i dont want to get to know you.....fuck off and leave me alone.

BINGO

 

[MtnCreek]

I bet you start getting a lot of marketing calls.

 

[Dewey7271]

Yep. And change your passwords and PIN numbers. Better safe than sorry.

 

[uffduh]

Yep. And change your passwords and PIN numbers. Better safe than sorry.

Yeah, did that as soon as I figured out that Ed McMahon was looking to deliver a big check to my front door. Always been a policy of mine to not answer phone calls from numbers I don’t know. Adding SMS’s that have my name in them to it!

 

[Kadams1563]

Google is now allowing people to text from them and when you reply it goes to their actual phone number (which you don’t know). Could be anyone.

I am dealing with someone sending me really hateful messages and trying to cause me a bunch of drama by using that “service”.

Why would anyone create and app or a service where you could text anyone and not show up a real number I have no idea.

Basically they can text you and you can reply. They will get the message you sent and they can reply back all using a fake number.

 

[W54/XM-388]

Google is now allowing people to text from them and when you reply it goes to their actual phone number (which you don’t know). Could be anyone.
I am dealing with someone sending me really hateful messages and trying to cause me a bunch of drama by using that “service”.
Why would anyone create and app or a service where you could text anyone and not show up a real number I have no idea.
Basically they can text you and you can reply. They will get the message you sent and they can reply back all using a fake number.

On the other side, it's a great service to use if you are selling stuff on Craigslist or eBay or such and don't want your real number added to the scammers / robocall lists. You use it while needed & then if there are any issues, you dump it and get a new one.

The "bad" guys can do it without google and do all day long, so it's nice to have the ability to do the same on the cheap.

Also useful for one night stands and anything else you are required to give your phone number out for.

 

[Nik H]

On the other side, it's a great service to use if you are selling stuff on Craigslist or eBay or such and don't want your real number added to the scammers / robocall lists. You use it while needed & then if there are any issues, you dump it and get a new one.

The "bad" guys can do it without google and do all day long, so it's nice to have the ability to do the same on the cheap.

Also useful for one night stands and anything else you are required to give your phone number out for.

One night stands...you madcap!

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

I've had ex-girlfriends pull that kind of shit on me. Never had someone name check like that, though. There are four people in the entire world that currently have my real phone number. I do everything else through a Google number.

Might be a bill collector, lol.

 

[W54/XM-388]

Might be a bill collector, lol.

Repo bastards often do stuff like that to see if a person is at work / home etc so they have an idea where to go steal from.

 

[Ric O'shay]

I got an email from a buddy who died 6 years ago the other day. I did not open it, hope he is alright.

 

[Kadams1563]

^^^ whoa that’s fucked up

 

[sirhrmechanic]

The Nigerian warlords, etc. are collecting your “yes” voiceprint because there are now online transactions and confirmations that require you to say “yes” to the computer.

Once your bank records your yes in your voice it is like a signature.

Never say “yes” on one of those telemarketing kinds of scanner calls.

Op answering “it is” does fine. They are phishing for a “yes.”

Sirhr