Another Fraud Attempt Warning

[redhawker]

Ok, I'm going to put this out there to warn people because this was a very aggressive fraud attempt. I received a text (screen captures attached) from (supposedly) Bank of America "B.O.A Fraud Free" that said "Did you just try to charge 950 USD at J.I.B Enterprises? if yes dont replay if no reply with 2 for help or call us at (480)447-5176 Text Stop to Opt out." (spelling and punctuation exactly as received). I figured it was a fraud when I checked the number and it didn't come back as a B of A phone number. Within about 3 minutes I received a phone call from the above number. The guy claimed to be from Bank of America Fraud division and wanted to talk about possible fraud. I hung up on him. He tried to call back within 10 seconds. As I was in the process of blocking the number I was sent another text that said, "I'm going to start a video call for us. You've been invited to join a video call Join: (link)". I completed blocking the number and then called the real B of A Fraud Division. They verified that the above number wasn't one of theirs and also verified that there was no attempted charge on my card and that the last charge on it was legitimate. They said they'd put a watch on my card just in case. This guy was very aggressive and I can see how someone with only a little less awareness of this type of fraud could easily fall for this. Please be aware of this and tip-off older, maybe more vulnerable relatives you might have that this is going on. And just be aware of it yourself so they don't catch you in a weak moment.

 

[Montelores]

This is absolutely simple.

Never answer a call or text or e-mail from an unknown number or sender, regarding a financial institution. Include government or corporate here.

Don't call back on a number which they provide.

No matter who they claim to be.

Never.

If you have a question, dial or e-mail a known, published number or e-mail address and submit your concern there.

YOU initiate contact.

Again, never respond.

Monty

 

[AJGUNNER]

I am in sales and some of my customers have old cell phones with numbers from where they previously lived. Sure I put them into my contact for future calls, but basically I answer all calls because I never know who might be calling me to inquire about make a purchase.

I receive plenty of the car warranty calls and those kind of calls---simple hang up and move on.

About twice a week I get a recording from "The Social Security Department Division" about fraud on my SS number. Well, well, well---makes me wonder where the guberment might have gotten my work cell number? Same deal with the car warranty calls---I drive a company car registered to the company. All my personal vehicles are over 20 years old and long ago out of any warranty.

Bottom line---simply hang up and move on with my day.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks redhawker, I can see how older people might fall for that. Especially when they are being that aggressive.

 

[Fox Mike]

BoA operates through the USPS ONLY. I had a bogus charge on my card many years ago. Went to the local bank and after the manager made a few calls we got the problem solved. I was then informed about their never emailing or phone calling (texting wasn't an issue at that time).

 

[Jeepnik]

Recently had several fraudulent charges on my BOA debit card. Someone at a local store lifted the numbers. They stayed below what they thought was the threshold limit for notifications. Made the first charge late at night.

I have a very low threshold set and my wife is a night owl. We notified the bank immediately and the card was frozen. But six charges had been made. BOA immediately credited my account.

Now here’s was gets, and all banks do it. They take no criminal action against the thieves. In this case I knew exactly who it was. This results in all of us paying for fraud.

 

[redhawker]

Good advice on not answering the call if you don't know the caller, BUT, some of us can't. Like in my case I've been going through some medical issues lately and have had people from unknown numbers call me several times. Besides the spammers, I've had a hospital, a couple of doctors offices (who I never dealt with before last week's hospital stay/surgery so I didn't have their numbers programmed in the phone), home healthcare, physical therapy, and probably a couple I can't think of off the top of my head. So, as you can see, I really need to answer them and at least see who's calling.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

I got a similar email that someone had logged into my Amazon account. The email claimed to be Amazon and they wanted confirmation, etc. It sounded suspiciously like the OP's message.

It's the first time Amazon wanted confirmation and seemed like a phishing ploy.

I deleted it.

 

[blume357]

95% of the time when I get something like this I'm not even connected to the bank mentioned, so that solves the problem.... the real issue with a credit card is if someone does charge something to your card that you did not authorize the most you are going to be liable for is $50.

 

[Fox Mike]

I got a similar email that someone had logged into my Amazon account. The email claimed to be Amazon and they wanted confirmation, etc. It sounded suspiciously like the OP's message.

It's the first time Amazon wanted confirmation and seemed like a phishing ploy.

I deleted it.

I posted this earlier concerning Amazon. IF you receive any notice from "Amazon" concerning anything, go to your account and then to "orders". If whatever doesn't show there then it is spam. Forward the entire email to: [email protected]

 

[Pat-inCO]

So, as you can see, I really need to answer them and at least see who's calling.

Not really. If it IS a call you need, they will leave a message. Once you have
that, you can immediately add them to your contacts, and CALL THEM BACK.
Total time lost is less than one minute, AND you then "know" them for future calls.
(I was in the hospital yesterday,
I'm in the midst of a deluge of calls,
many unnecessary).

 

[graygun]

My new friends are Spam Risk and Telemarketer.

Aren't you supposed to get wiser as you grow old ?

 

[Pal Val]

I grew in in a small town. Most phone lines were party lines, and few people even had a phone in their home. We got a phone at home when I was 9, and I had to climb on a chair to use it. Happy days with no telemarketers, phone scams, phishing, etc.! What we call progress is really a nicely landscaped trail surrounded by nasty thorns!

BTW, When I was a kid, Spam was a meat you got for breakfast on Saturday, "boot up" was what you did when you were visiting Grandpa's farm, "virus" was a fever that kept you out of school for a day or two, and "scam" was something that happened to people in the city. Nobody bought a pig in a poke in our town.

 

[Johnnu2]

FINALLY, I got a spam call. It was this exact one but they left a message because I never answer the phone. I was beginning to feel left out until finally, today, they called. They informed me that my Amazon account had a purchase for $500 (BTW how do you answer them if you DON'T HAVE an Amazon account?). Anyway, the message told me to call back IF I didn't want my purchase delivered and my card charged. They DID NOT specify WHICH card they were referring to; just, my 'bank card'. I'm glad I'm finally getting the recognition that I deserve and look forward to more spam calls in the future....
I'm anxiously awaiting the delivery of my $500 purchase.... hope it's a RUGER OLD MODEL..10" Flattop. ))

J.

 

[redhawker]

So, as you can see, I really need to answer them and at least see who's calling.

Not really. If it IS a call you need, they will leave a message. Once you have
that, you can immediately add them to your contacts, and CALL THEM BACK.
Total time lost is less than one minute, AND you then "know" them for future calls.
(I was in the hospital yesterday,
I'm in the midst of a deluge of calls,
many unnecessary).

You ever try to call a doctor's office back? By the time you get through their phone tree menu and sit on hold for 20 minutes that minute you saved not answering the first time won't seem so good.

 

[vito]

I changed the ringtone on my smartphone for my Favorites, and any incoming call from any of my Contacts will show the name of the caller. For any other calls I never answer the phone. Most of the time there is no voice mail left, and of those with a voice mail, most of the time it says that the voice mail cannot be transcribed (and was usually only a few seconds in length). I bit of a PITA, but less than dealing with the spam and other fake callers. The cleverness of these frauds is constantly improving, and some of the emails and texts are indistinguishable from real ones. But following the advice already stated on this thread, of NEVER responding to the email or text, but separately contacting the alleged source, is a way to stay safe.