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Original poster

Emergency SOS text received, from a person I knew 15 yrs ago but not met since 2011

183 replies

piddocktrumperiness · 27/03/2023 22:21

I received an SOS text from Apple, with a location of someone I knew 15 yrs ago. We worked together in a call centre but have not been in touch since 2011 and I didn't have her number stored on my phone. I looked up the number on WhatsApp- the photo matches the person. Location matches where she lives.

I initially thought it was a scam but thought best be safe- called her number, no answer, left a message on her voicemail. I sent her a WhatsApp too.

Have I been scammed? I've never heard or seen of this type of message before but what flagged up my doubt is that it said I was contacted as I'm listed as an emergency contact- which I know can't be true. I do wonder if my name was accessible from contact list due to my surname or first name.

Have I done something stupid here? anyone else experience this?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
NerrSnerr · 28/03/2023 09:47

@Notaclue252 that isn't what happened though. It wasn't via WhatsApp. It was an IPhone emergency alert.

monsteramunch · 28/03/2023 09:50

@Notaclue252

None of that happened to OP though?

redrumclub · 28/03/2023 09:50

Notaclue252 · 28/03/2023 09:40

Dear Subscriber,

Criminals are targeting WhatsApp users by posing as a friend and asking for a security code.* *Action Fraud has received over 60 reports relating to this scam.

The scam begins when a criminal gets access to another WhatsApp account which has you listed as a contact.

The criminal, posing as your friend or someone that’s a member of a WhatsApp group you’re in, will then send you seemingly normal messages to try and start a conversation with you. However, around the same time you will receive a text message from WhatsApp with a six-digit code. This is because the criminal has been trying to login to WhatsApp using your mobile number. The criminal will claim that they sent you their code by accident and ask you to help them by sending it to them. Once the criminal has this code, they can login to your WhatsApp account and lock you out.

The criminal will then use the same tactic with your WhatsApp contacts in an effort to steal more accounts and use them to perpetrate fraud.

What you need to do:
Set up two-step verification to give an extra layer of protection to your account: Tap Settings > Account >Two-step verification > Enable.

THINK. CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.

Never share your account’s activation code (that’s the 6 digit code you receive via SMS)

You can report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, report it to Action Fraudor 123 2040 0300 123 2040.

But that's not remotely anything to do with what has happened here.

TrainersAltonTowersWontKill · 28/03/2023 09:51

What a bizarre thread 🤣

Buggersticks · 28/03/2023 09:58

Hope she's OK. I'm sure she is x

kittensinthekitchen · 28/03/2023 10:04

@Ostryga

Thank you 😊

If anything, I guess this might prompt readers to check their emergency contacts are up to date.

WigglyWaggly · 28/03/2023 10:23

At least this thread is a good reminder to update your emergency contacts.

LittleBlueBrioTrain · 28/03/2023 10:27

@piddocktrumperiness you could call 101 for an update if you have a log number from last night's report. Part of my job involves requesting police checks for the elderly and they've always been happy to give an update. They obviously can't go into great detail but my updates are usually along the lines of "safe and well at home" or "located and left in care of paramedics". Vague, but sufficient to know everything is OK (or as OK as it can be!)

coldmarchmorn · 28/03/2023 10:33

Notaclue252 · 28/03/2023 09:40

Dear Subscriber,

Criminals are targeting WhatsApp users by posing as a friend and asking for a security code.* *Action Fraud has received over 60 reports relating to this scam.

The scam begins when a criminal gets access to another WhatsApp account which has you listed as a contact.

The criminal, posing as your friend or someone that’s a member of a WhatsApp group you’re in, will then send you seemingly normal messages to try and start a conversation with you. However, around the same time you will receive a text message from WhatsApp with a six-digit code. This is because the criminal has been trying to login to WhatsApp using your mobile number. The criminal will claim that they sent you their code by accident and ask you to help them by sending it to them. Once the criminal has this code, they can login to your WhatsApp account and lock you out.

The criminal will then use the same tactic with your WhatsApp contacts in an effort to steal more accounts and use them to perpetrate fraud.

What you need to do:
Set up two-step verification to give an extra layer of protection to your account: Tap Settings > Account >Two-step verification > Enable.

THINK. CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.

Never share your account’s activation code (that’s the 6 digit code you receive via SMS)

You can report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, report it to Action Fraudor 123 2040 0300 123 2040.

So....nothing at all like the OP described?

Why do you think thats helpful here?

DotAndCarryOne2 · 28/03/2023 10:33

NoNeedToArgue · 27/03/2023 22:31

It's a scam.

How ? No request for money, no request to send a code. It’s not a text saying the sender is a relative and needing money, it was an SOS emergency alert. Different thing. And the police are obviously treating it as an emergency if they’re sending blue lights.

mummylondon16 · 28/03/2023 10:40

When you set emergency alerts on your phone you can tailor it. So on mine if I choose to it calls the police plus alerts two designated people ( adult daughter & mum)

Isthisexpected · 28/03/2023 10:41

So all the posters saying it's a scam would you assume this if from your sister or daughter and if they didn't answer the phone just do nothing?!

Surely better safe than sorry in a world that's so unsafe for women.

diddl · 28/03/2023 10:43

All the people on here saying ‘scam’ well let’s hope none of your friends and family have you as their emergency contacts.

If people know that they are emergency contacts & for whom it's not likely to seem at all suspicious to them is it & they will respond.

NoNeedToArgue · 28/03/2023 10:54

No request for money... yet

NoNeedToArgue · 28/03/2023 10:55

Isthisexpected · 28/03/2023 10:41

So all the posters saying it's a scam would you assume this if from your sister or daughter and if they didn't answer the phone just do nothing?!

Surely better safe than sorry in a world that's so unsafe for women.

It's not from her sister or daughter, that's the point!!

Throwaway0323 · 28/03/2023 10:57

Most likely that she has set it off accidentally. I'm glad you called the police though, better safe than sorry!

Napmum · 28/03/2023 11:08

piddocktrumperiness · 27/03/2023 22:25

@Cookerhood No money requested. Just a location and a text to say they have made an emergency call form this approximate location and that I am receiving this message because they listed me as an emergency contact.

@Laquila We weren't that close no, not ICE close

Seems unlikely that she's listed you as an emergency contact. If I had got this, I would have notified the police (that's what I view this function as for). Then, blocked the number sounds harsh, but why would they want to drag me into their drama? If they are in trouble police can assess that better that you.

FlyingCherries · 28/03/2023 11:14

I’ve set off an emergency alert accidentally and this is exactly what was sent to my emergency contacts. I’d guess that OP and a close friend or relative have the same first name and her acquaintance has accidentally added OP to her ICE contacts. Hopefully it was sent accidentally, but if not OP has absolutely done the right thing here.

It’s not a scam and, like the ‘don’t go to A and E’ posters, people leaping on to claim it is should be very sure they know what they’re talking about before they accidentally get someone killed.

Nocutenamesleft · 28/03/2023 11:14

Notaclue252 · 28/03/2023 09:40

Dear Subscriber,

Criminals are targeting WhatsApp users by posing as a friend and asking for a security code.* *Action Fraud has received over 60 reports relating to this scam.

The scam begins when a criminal gets access to another WhatsApp account which has you listed as a contact.

The criminal, posing as your friend or someone that’s a member of a WhatsApp group you’re in, will then send you seemingly normal messages to try and start a conversation with you. However, around the same time you will receive a text message from WhatsApp with a six-digit code. This is because the criminal has been trying to login to WhatsApp using your mobile number. The criminal will claim that they sent you their code by accident and ask you to help them by sending it to them. Once the criminal has this code, they can login to your WhatsApp account and lock you out.

The criminal will then use the same tactic with your WhatsApp contacts in an effort to steal more accounts and use them to perpetrate fraud.

What you need to do:
Set up two-step verification to give an extra layer of protection to your account: Tap Settings > Account >Two-step verification > Enable.

THINK. CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.

Never share your account’s activation code (that’s the 6 digit code you receive via SMS)

You can report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, report it to Action Fraudor 123 2040 0300 123 2040.

She said there were no codes and she wasn’t asked for codes

SmallAngryPenguinWoman · 28/03/2023 11:20

I hope your friend is OK, you did the right thing. Better to be safe than sorry.

HAVELOCK · 28/03/2023 11:25

Sad that we automatically think scam! But it’s the world we live in. Glad you contacted the police though and hopefully it turns out to be like those in the replies of mistaken activations 🤞🏻

Boogiewoogieanddance · 28/03/2023 11:41

Hopefully she's OK.

Could it have been she got one of the first iPhones when they where released and you happened to be a random contact she chose to try it out and she just forgot and never updated it? Id call for an update from police if you haven't heard from her specifically out of curiosity.

LookingOldTheseDays · 28/03/2023 11:50

diddl · 28/03/2023 10:43

All the people on here saying ‘scam’ well let’s hope none of your friends and family have you as their emergency contacts.

If people know that they are emergency contacts & for whom it's not likely to seem at all suspicious to them is it & they will respond.

If I got an emergency contact message from my sister, close friend or partner I would assume it was genuine.

If I got an emergency contact message from someone I was briefly acquainted with in 2008, and who I haven't seen for over a decade, I would assume it probably wasn't.

Were emergency contacts on phones even a thing back then? I don't remember them being.

tonyhawks23 · 28/03/2023 12:38

This thread is so interesting!I had no idea about any of this yet it's right in my settings really easy to set up!never knew!

tonyhawks23 · 28/03/2023 12:41

It's amazing just set it up now to even send photos and audio clip if an emergency!genius!

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