Anyone suffered phishing attacks lately?

[Grandad]

I ask the question because a few days ago I received an email supposedly from Paypal. Paypals normal address is **@paypal.com, this was from **@e.paypal.com

I just forwarded it to spoof@paypal.com and they replied confirming that it was a scam. BUT, anyone not looking closely could easily be lead into opening the mail and perhaps clicking on an enclosed link. It always looks SO authentic.

On another case, I am a Talktalk subscriber and am obviously one of the 100,000 or so customers whose details were scammed in the cyber attack on Talktalk last month. I have had 4 calls from the same number claiming to be from Talktalk my service provider and advising me that problems have been reported on my broadband service. At that point I tell them where to go and have now blocked the number.

But this is a well known scam where that say that Talktalk will refund £200 for the poor service but they need account details to transfer the funds. Yeah, you bet they do. I heard of one lady who fell for the scam and they drained £10,000 from her account.

Low life scum

[Horus]

Sorry you are having these problems Grandad, just as well you are on the ball. I listened to a recording over the weekend on Radio 4 Moneybox when the exact same scam was being played out on a chap, fortunately he had recorded the call and it was this that was being played back to the listeners. Apart from him having the usual Indian sub continent accent he was pulling the same refund scam and the guy being duped was not aware and was actually going along with the callers request to make certain changes to his PC. I could tell what was coming as I have often warned you all about these low-life scumbags, but unfortunately this guy went along with all his requests and it was only some sort of protection that he had on his PC that flagged up a warning that thankfully made him put the phone down on the scammer.

I have said this before and I will say it again, "No Bank or organisation will contact you over the phone for bank details" the same goes for emails. "You should end the call immediately and wait at least 10 minutes before phoning the bank or organisation yourself" this is because the scammers may be keeping the line open and you think you are ringing the official organisation when you are still connected to them. "Never use a phone number given in these emails or phone calls" Always wait as said earlier and then use the phone number that you can verify as your bank or organisation. "Never fall for someone telling you that a courier will collect/deliver cards or cash or refunds" it is just another con.

I know that you have done the right thing Grandad, but this is just a timely warning that these scumbags are very convincing, so don't get caught. In your case Grandad although Talk-Talk are denying any guilt, it is they who are ultimately responsible for you getting these emails and calls and I am sure many other scammers will also have your details to try it on with, so be watchful.

[Kiya]

Lowlife scumbags

[Grandad]

Ah yes H, that was the other thing I forgot to mention. I did answer the very first phone call although on caller display the number started with two zero's which I suspected was international. After his introduction blurb about problems with my broadband service he asked me to switch on my computer. That's when I told him to get lost.

Since then I ignore the call which goes to answerphone.....they don't leave a message, surprise surprise.

As I said earlier, I have now blocked his number and Talktalk has put an alert on it for all their system.

[Robbo70]

I always tell them I don't have internet. I only use my computer for work and its not connected. I did once realise pretty quickly my 'Microsoft engineer' was in fact a scammer. I suggested I turn on the pc, give them remote access and perhaps help with the passwords so they could empty my bank account a little quicker. He hung up

[LovelyLadyLux]

I had an email just 2 or 3 days ago saying my MSN account would be cancelled unless I re-set my account. It was extremely official looking and I actually LOOKED at it vs just automatically deleting it.

I've had several emails over the past year(s) re: Paypal too.

I've don't believe I've had anybody phone me recently though.

[Grandad]

LLL, I take the view that if the originator (Paypal, Bank, service provider etc) ask you to do something on your account it is genuine because you need to login to your account on their website. It is when details are asked for by telephone or email that you should put the phone down or delete the email.

In the two instances that I mention above, both Talktalk and Paypal acknowledged that they were phishing communications and would use the information in their own security monitoring..

[Horus]

I have been known to wind them up for a good half an hour, especially when they claim to be from Microsoft. As I know my PC inside out I know exactly what windows would be opening up and what information they contain, the joke is that I don’t even have my PC switched on. I act really dumb and keep having to re-boot which of course on my 'dodgy' PC is exceedingly slow sometimes it takes several attempts and I keep thanking him for getting in touch as he can tell how slow my PC is running. I then proceed to jump the gun and start to delete files with him frantically trying to stop me I then proceed to blame him for not explaining it properly After dragging it out for a good long time I eventually let him think I have opened up the window he is requesting. The usual response is for them to ask "what can you see on the screen?" I tell them there is a message from Microsoft. He then gets bewildered and asks what it says, so I tell him it says "Some dirty filthy low life scumbag from a ****-hole in India is trying to hack your computer" This usually gets a long silence before the phone goes dead.

I vary this routine sometimes by doing all of the above, but right at the end I say "did you say you were from Microsoft Support?" when he says "Yes" I say "but I have an Apple Mac" Same long silence, then phone goes dead, try it sometimes its fun.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Fairly naughty Horus! I don't think I'd have the patience vs telling them straight off to 'stop bothering me'

[Horus]

But telling them doesn't stop them from ringing again at a later date, my method keeps them at bay a bit better as it wastes their time