Scam Calls Targeting the Bereaved: Charity Pledges and Gift Card Demands

[NY_Dutch]

It simply answers the phone and asks for information. I have not called a phone with it but a friend who did call mine and got it was quite impressed and asked me to tell him more about it. He is considering a change of phone since his phone doesn't have it. The number shown has nothing at all to do with the screening other than the fact that it isn't in you contacts list.

Now tell me what is legitimate cloning?

Legitimate cloning is done by usually call centers that rather than display the exact calling number, prefer that you call back to a central number, usually an 800 series number, so your call can be directed to an available agent instead of the specific one that called you.

 

[gwinger]

Nearly all scam calls or texts come from cloned numbers and not where the call/text originated.

Newer iPhones now have call screening where it will answer the number and ask who is calling and way, The phone then displays the response when one is given and you can choose to answer or delete it.


By far the majority of scam texts that I get now days come from politicians. In the past week, I have twice been invited to have dinner at Mar-a-Largo for a donation via a text.

Did you accept??

 

[John From Detroit]

Now tell me what is legitimate cloning?

I go to the phone store to upgrade/replace my old deceased phone and one of two things happens
One. if they can they take the SIM card (And Micro SD card) and transfer them to the new phone .
Sometimes the new phone takes a different (For want of a better word) Size Sim card. so they copy the contents... Also they set the phones side by side and tap a few icons and all data NOT on the Micro SD card (IE Contacts, WiFi Hotspot SSID and PSK and so on ) go phone to phone

Been there. Done that as they say.

 

[LarsMac]

Nearly all scam calls or texts come from cloned numbers and not where the call/text originated.

Newer iPhones now have call screening where it will answer the number and ask who is calling and way, The phone then displays the response when one is given and you can choose to answer or delete it.


By far the majority of scam texts that I get now days come from politicians. In the past week, I have twice been invited to have dinner at Mar-a-Largo for a donation via a text.

I use Google Fi for my phone service. They have that option to ask suspected scam callers to state who they are and why they are calling, and hang up on them if it detects a recorded message or they don't respond with useful information. I haven't had a spam call for months.
I LOVE it.

 

[RayIN]

We let all incoming calls go to the answering machine. If the caller doesn't leave their name and phone # for a return call, It was not an important call.
Just last week we received 47 hang-ups-no message.

 

[Ex-Calif]

I dont answer the phone to unknown callers. If they are legit they leave a voice mail.

I "might" answer if they are in my area code. Not many scammers use this exchange.

 

[gwinger]

We let all incoming calls go to the answering machine. If the caller doesn't leave their name and phone # for a return call, It was not an important call.
Just last week we received 47 hang-ups-no message.

We have caller ID that shows up on our TV. If we recognize the number we will answer. If not it goes to the machine. Most are hangups.
There were a few times that my own number showed up on the caller ID. Spoofed!
I didn't answer it. I don't talk to myself

 

[John From Detroit]

I didn't answer it. I don't talk to myself

That I have to respond to.

 

[NY_Dutch]

We let all incoming calls go to the answering machine. If the caller doesn't leave their name and phone # for a return call, It was not an important call.
Just last week we received 47 hang-ups-no message.

I've never received more than at most 2 or 3 spam calls a week that got past my spam filters. Certainly not enough to risk having to play phone tag when trying to resolve health issues with our various doctors. Some of our doctors call from Caller ID blocked numbers when they aren't in the office. Their personal cell numbers most likely. I have our PCP's personal cell number, but it shows up as "Unknown" when she calls me.

 

[jymbee]

I guess I can count myself as being very fortunate as I get very few "junk" calls. One or two a week maybe and often not that many.

What bugs me is when legitimate callers start off by asking if it's me, 'Is this... ?". Nooo... identify yourself and reason for calling FIRST: "Hello, this is so-and-so from such-and-such calling about...".

Just the other day I got a call from an unknown caller and area code. I answered and again, the caller asked if it was me and I did my usual "Who's calling" before responding. Turned out to the the State Park we're going to next letting me know they had to change our site due to some construction. Once we got by the initial queries, turned out to be a very pleasant call describing the circumstances.

 

[Chef Duane]

We let all incoming calls go to the answering machine. If the caller doesn't leave their name and phone # for a return call, It was not an important call.
Just last week we received 47 hang-ups-no message.

This is what I do. I keep landline for my ADT alarm (grandfathered so it's MUCH cheaper) and put an answering machine on it. I just give the number and tell them to leave a message. They never do. Probably get 10 a day.

 

[DanMNY]

I dont answer the phone to unknown callers. If they are legit they leave a voice mail.

I "might" answer if they are in my area code. Not many scammers use this exchange.

Smartest thing to do. If you answer and say something, they now can sell your # to other scammers.

 

[TheBar]

A couple years ago I was getting a dozen robocalls a day. Then I read answer the phone and hit mute. This signals the robocall machine this is not a live number and automatically removes you from their list.

If I am expecting an important call and the caller is human without an Indian accent I answer. I also give an old previous phone number to websites "needing" my phone number for no obvious reason. They have my email so contact me that way. Delivery drivers have GPS so they won't need to call me for directions. I only get 1-2 spam calls a month now.

 

[gwinger]

This is what I do. I keep landline for my ADT alarm (grandfathered so it's MUCH cheaper) and put an answering machine on it. I just give the number and tell them to leave a message. They never do. Probably get 10 a day.

Same here.
"You have reached xxx-xxx-xxxx, please leave a message". Nuff said.
My landline is included in my Xfinity plan.
Plus, the caller ID shows up on my TV.