Page 5 | To think this is a scam

KateMiddletonsExtensions · 2024-06-04T23:42:42+00:00

Received a text saying "Hi Kate, just to let you know my new mobile number, speak soon xx" No sign off. How am I expected to know who it is? Am I bloody psychic? Or is it a scam? I put the number in whocalledme.com but nothing came up. Has anyone else received a message like this? I've blocked it but screenshotted the text and number for future reference.

Notimeforaname · 05/06/2024 08:53

And then they can see my WhatsApp profile can't they?

You can set it so nobody sees it.

Original poster

KateMiddletonsExtensions · 05/06/2024 08:52

fieldsofbutterflies · 05/06/2024 08:22

If they've actually used your name it's unlikely to be a scam - unless your phone number is all over the internet linked to your name, of course.

I would put the number into WhatsApp and see if there was a photo attached to it - if not just text back and ask who it is. If it feels dodgy message the person they're claiming to be on FB or something and see if they've got a new number.

And then they can see my WhatsApp profile can't they?

OP posts:

Notimeforaname · 05/06/2024 08:52

I also plan to ring the number from a phone box, that's if I can find one!

Make sure you wear sunglasses, a mac and carry a briefcase🤣

Original poster

KateMiddletonsExtensions · 05/06/2024 08:51

I don't have my phone number linked to social media.

OP posts:

Original poster

KateMiddletonsExtensions · 05/06/2024 08:49

I also plan to ring the number from a phone box, that's if I can find one!

OP posts:

Original poster

KateMiddletonsExtensions · 05/06/2024 08:48

For context, they used my actual name and I recently had some items stolen from my car including my spare house key so I'm wary. I've forwarded a screenshot of it to the police. That might seem an overreaction to some. It seems too convenient that it's happened now.

OP posts:

TheDefiant · 05/06/2024 08:47

I'd reply to say something like

"This looks like a scam. I'm going to block this number. If you are genuinely someone I know please contact me using another method to explain."

Person sending knows that message needs followed up another way (so no ghosting potential) but scammer knows number is blocked.

Bearpawk · 05/06/2024 08:36

Just ask them their actual name fss, could be a scam, could be a legit person you know but a bunch of strangers on mumsnet can't tell you which it is !

Mellville · 05/06/2024 08:30

saltinesandcoffeecups · 05/06/2024 00:46

I think the only appropriate answer back is

“who dis?”

Correct

ImCamembertTheBigCheese · 05/06/2024 08:29

saltinesandcoffeecups · 05/06/2024 00:46

I think the only appropriate answer back is

“who dis?”

This is exactly what I'd do

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 08:26

PBandJ111 · 05/06/2024 07:45

FFS…. Why on earth do people not realise it’s a scam and how these work…. Do not respond and read up on what scams are and how they work.

Scams work because people are foolish enough to respond to requests for money or bank details or authorisation codes not because they ask who sent a new number text

The hysteria on this thread is unnecessary

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 08:24

Wheelz46 · 05/06/2024 07:42

The responses on here are why we have numerous customers being a victim of fraud.

Of course you should deal with any unsolicited phone numbers as potential fraud, should you have to, absolutely NOT! Do you need to, ABSOLUTELY!

Replying to the potential scammer in this scenario, confirms the mobile number is active. Assuming OP name is Kate it also confirms the mobile users name is correct. If you have social media, a little more digging and hey presto they may be able to find more information about you and either set up bank accounts/credit cards in your name or try and do an account takeover by being able to pass security!

How does "who is this" confirm what someone's name is?

If someone has their phone number linked to their social media why would a scammer send waste time sending texts? They would already know her full name and that that is her phone number and could do whatever digging you think would allow them access to her bank account

Any kind of new number message is a redundant unnecessary step in your hypothetical scenario

fieldsofbutterflies · 05/06/2024 08:24

PBandJ111 · 05/06/2024 07:45

FFS…. Why on earth do people not realise it’s a scam and how these work…. Do not respond and read up on what scams are and how they work.

Because it's not necessarily a scam? I've received plenty of genuine texts like this over the years.

Most of the scam texts are "Hi mum/dad" not "Hi (your name)".

fieldsofbutterflies · 05/06/2024 08:22

If they've actually used your name it's unlikely to be a scam - unless your phone number is all over the internet linked to your name, of course.

I would put the number into WhatsApp and see if there was a photo attached to it - if not just text back and ask who it is. If it feels dodgy message the person they're claiming to be on FB or something and see if they've got a new number.

BobnLen · 05/06/2024 08:19

Even if it is someone you know I doubt it is anyone important and if it is you will soon find out, I generally ignore most things on my phone.

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 08:19

ladycarlotta · 05/06/2024 07:22

There is no need to send out "this is my new number" messages on WhatsApp. You can just change the phone number on your WhatsApp account and continue as normal.

of course it's a scam. All these kind of messages are. They're designed to get you to engage. I'm surprised how many people aren't wise to this.

It's a text not WhatsApp and in sure I'm not the only person who didn't know that the number automatically changes as I've only ever had one phone number

ATribeCalledQuestion · 05/06/2024 08:01

Save the number in your phone then have a look at WhatsApp and see if you recognise the profile picture

CecilyP · 05/06/2024 07:58

PBandJ111 · 05/06/2024 07:45

FFS…. Why on earth do people not realise it’s a scam and how these work…. Do not respond and read up on what scams are and how they work.

Because as other posters have noted, they have ditzy friends and relatives who would do this. They know who they are, so assume their recipients will too!

A simple reply ‘who are you?’ should suffice. It does confirm the number is active but doesn’t really even confirm the recipient is Kate or what Kate is short for.

Janek · 05/06/2024 07:57

Do scammers normally address you by name though? Perhaps they do.

PBandJ111 · 05/06/2024 07:45

FFS…. Why on earth do people not realise it’s a scam and how these work…. Do not respond and read up on what scams are and how they work.

Wheelz46 · 05/06/2024 07:42

The responses on here are why we have numerous customers being a victim of fraud.

Of course you should deal with any unsolicited phone numbers as potential fraud, should you have to, absolutely NOT! Do you need to, ABSOLUTELY!

Replying to the potential scammer in this scenario, confirms the mobile number is active. Assuming OP name is Kate it also confirms the mobile users name is correct. If you have social media, a little more digging and hey presto they may be able to find more information about you and either set up bank accounts/credit cards in your name or try and do an account takeover by being able to pass security!

ManilowBarry · 05/06/2024 07:36

If it's a scammer then when you ask who is this they will have to provide details of being a person you actually know which is extremely unlikely.

Just ask who it is.

PBandJ111 · 05/06/2024 07:35

It’s a scam. Do not respond!!

WetBandits · 05/06/2024 07:30

ladycarlotta · 05/06/2024 07:22

There is no need to send out "this is my new number" messages on WhatsApp. You can just change the phone number on your WhatsApp account and continue as normal.

of course it's a scam. All these kind of messages are. They're designed to get you to engage. I'm surprised how many people aren't wise to this.

It was a text, not a WhatsApp.

WetBandits · 05/06/2024 07:29

Just text them back and say they haven’t put their own name in the message and ask who it is if it’s not someone you know, either block them or tell them they’ve got the wrong number. Why all the hand-wringing?!