Think I've been scammed, please help ASAP

[fortyforty]

Just had a phone call from a mobile number, answered it as expecting a call from a family member who's number I don't have stored. Ever since then (30 minutes ago) I've had 180 missed calls from different numbers. I've had texts saying 'you just rang me. Who is this?'

I'm on hold to Vodafone but clearly their customer services are in another country and she doesn't have a clue what I'm saying.

What the hell is going on? I'm having what's app calls and everything. I'm answering none of them. Has my phone number been hacked? Help please.

That sounds scary! I have no idea but hopefully Vodafone can block whoever it is

God what a nightmare. No advice but hope you get sorted!

Have you googled the number that called you originally?

I think you're doing the right thing ringing Vodafone, hang in there is my advice. 180 missed calls is clearly something suss so you're right to ignore them and take advice. Try not to worry.

You can block numbers. Are you on an iPhone?

They are all different numbers quilliam.

It does sound like you’ve been hacked. I hope it gets sorted soon op.

Chances are someone is making scam type calls to innocent people and have used your number as the presenting number so the call looks genuine. It's shit, it's scary but it's not personal they would have picked your number at random. You need to change your number with your service provider. Chances are the calls are coming from abroad so there's is fuck all any UK service provider can do to trace them. It's called spoofing.

Google original phone number

It's not hacking.

The original number would have been spoofed as well.

They've probably called you to make sure it's an active number. I've had calls on my landline which make it look like someone with the same area code is calling me. Had a missed call on my mobile earlier which make it look like someone from Sheffield called me.

So have identified that it's spam. She basically said just to ignore it and install tru caller which I have done. Phone is on do not disturb and I currently have 230 missed calls from different numbers in 1 hour.

Clearly get sent through to India or somewhere when ringing Vodafone. Took me 10 mins to explain and then when she finally understood what I was saying she thought it was funny and told me not to worry.

What I have noticed is that seen as I've installed tru caller, I can see what networks these numbers are with and they are all with lycamobile. Never even heard of that company

Love it when people say 'you've been hacked' when they have no idea what it means. Learn what hacking is before you start scaring people!

They'll get bored shortly. Just keep ignoring it.

Can you tweet them otherwise? Social media tends to be more helpful!

Lycamobile is a legit network.

Sorry, I missed that all the numbers are different. What a pain in the arse. Hope it stops soon.

Looks like this is called "spoofing" where spammera use a real phone number to make their dodgy calls. It shows up as yours, even though you're nothing to do with it.

www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/problems/tackling-nuisance-calls-and-messages/phone-spoof-scam

Lycamobile?! Isn’t that the network you get for phoning abroad? I’m sure I’ve seen it advertised somewhere.

Yes, it’s cheap international calls from the UK. Strange.

Oh, god, nightmare OP. Hope you get it sorted.

Have you checked your number on one of the whocalledme sites, you might find it's being logged as making spam calls

So I think this is possibly the same I had last year - someone calls you from a number but cuts off before you answer. It's a number from abroad so some people dial it thinking perhaps someone in their family needs them and is in that country of whatever. However, the number they all back on is a premium rate number which really racks up your bill. The only thing you can do is block the numbers and never answer/call back.

confused
people are making calls to you OP

but posters are talking about calls made from you?

hope you get it sorted asap.

Don't answer any of the calls or texts. As BlueJava said, they'll probably be premium rate and you'll end up paying a fortune.

Vodafone customer services are shit. On the rare occasion they actually understand the actually listen to you they really couldn't care less. I lost my rag with one stupid women who laughed at me. I would definitely use their social media team, they are were great at sorting out my issues.