I just got a call I am sure fraudulent. Does that mean my personal data are hacked somewhere? What should I know about it.
Unless they seemed to have your SSN or account number of some kind, I wouldn’t assume you have a problem.
We get fraudulent calls all the time. “The IRS is filing a lien against you.” or “We’re from Microsoft Support and your computer has a virus.”
I don’t think they have any information other than your phone number.
I think they are trying to get your info, so as long as you don’t reveal anything during the call, you are okay.
How did they get my number? Is it random calling?
Mesage on Mr.'s personal line: “It is imperative that you call this number! Your legal rights might be compromised!”
Mr. calls the number (from his work line): "Hi, this is Joe Smith. You called me and left a message about my legal rights. My attorney Bill and Pat the FBI agent are here to help me sort out what is going on." - Click.
“This is Microsoft technical support calling. We detected that your Windows is not an authorized copy, but we can fix it for you.”
Mr.: “Ok, just a second. How do I access Windows on my iPhone?” Puts them on hold.
Oh come on now. Someone dialed you randomly. It means nothing.
Agree. I have an unlisted number and still get both the Microsoft calls and the IRS ones. I just hang up as soon as they start. Not something to worry about.
Literally got a spam call while reading this. Ignored and googled the number- spam.
I don’t answer if it’s a number I don’t know. If it’s important they’ll leave a message.
My mom had four calls from the “IRS” on her answering machine when we got back from the Keys last week. She knew the IRS never calls - they only contact by letter. She googled anyway and it’s a very popular scam.
There are plenty of ways they could get your number, it could be they cracked some low level kind of database like some sort of magazine subscription, but they also simply call numbers at random. Even if they have your name, that doesn’t mean much, you probably have your name and phone number where that is all they have. I had one of the “IRS” calls (the guy had a thick Indian accent!), and I asked him to tell me my home address, and he tried to get out of it saying that the “IRS can’t release that information” lol.
I had an “attorney” call me about my immigration problem. Hmmm, I’m a natural born citizen…
And Rachel from cardmember services called me today too. No big deal. Don’t ever give info over the phone!
It’s a robo call. Four times today so far.
It must be the season! I got 10+ calls from “local” numbers on my cell. I just ignore them. If I pick up and then disconnect, it signals to the crooks that it is a “live” line. The calling frequency increases. If I ignore, people who need to reach me leave voice mails and the scammers’ calling drops off.
If you answer, I believe they sell your number to more scammers. I learned my lesson and never answer.
I strongly advise using NoMoRoBo. When a 'bad" number calls, it rings once and then disappears. The calls we really want from friends and family will ring a second time. It’s stopped hundreds of calls for us.
Google it, and then complete their form with your phone number. It’s fabulous.And legal.
Your name and phone number may very well be online. Look at Spokeo. “All data offered is derived from public sources.” There’s a way to block your info from this site, don’t remember what it is (someone can probably google for that.) But there are many ways to put a name and number together. Even legit telemarketers find you. Some city tax assessor records include name, the rest can be phone book.
I got a call tonight on my cell, from an unknown. Googled and learned it was a friend’s landline.
Caller ID is wonderful. If I don’t recognize the number, I don’t answer. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message. And sometimes unimportant: today, I got a message from a presidential candidate whose recorded message was so long that the answering machine cut it off before he could identify himself. I think it was Ted Cruz but I’m not sure.