Page 6 | To think this is a scam

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 22:53

SpindleyDindley · 05/06/2024 22:48

It's worrying how many people think this is probably legit because they know your name.

Treat ALL unknown numbers as scams unless you can speak to the person and verify with absolute certainty who they are.

I would be ignoring the text. If genuine they would have signed it off with a name for starters. What prat is going to text you about a new number and not provide their name?

Edited

I'd you'd read the OPs comments you'd have seen that it was in fact the prat of her best friend. Maybe everyone you know is perfect and would never make a silly mistake of missing their name off the text but you must be able to understand that most humans are on occasion fallible

SpindleyDindley · 05/06/2024 23:08

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 22:53

I'd you'd read the OPs comments you'd have seen that it was in fact the prat of her best friend. Maybe everyone you know is perfect and would never make a silly mistake of missing their name off the text but you must be able to understand that most humans are on occasion fallible

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You are spectacularly missing the point.

So many people were happy to consider the text legit because it included a name. Yes in this scenario it was but the correct protocol should always be to assume scam until the identity of the other party is verified, not drop your defences if a message includes your name.

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 06/06/2024 07:08

SpindleyDindley · 05/06/2024 23:08

You are spectacularly missing the point.

So many people were happy to consider the text legit because it included a name. Yes in this scenario it was but the correct protocol should always be to assume scam until the identity of the other party is verified, not drop your defences if a message includes your name.

Edited

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I didnt see posts where anyone never mind so many people said it was definitely not a scam because of the name, multiple were saying it was unlikely but well outnumbered by those who were absolutely sure it was dodgy

No one is saying not to be appropriately cautious but as with many things in life the mundane answer usually turns out to be the case

PuddlesPityParty · 06/06/2024 09:18

SpindleyDindley · 05/06/2024 22:48

It's worrying how many people think this is probably legit because they know your name.

Treat ALL unknown numbers as scams unless you can speak to the person and verify with absolute certainty who they are.

I would be ignoring the text. If genuine they would have signed it off with a name for starters. What prat is going to text you about a new number and not provide their name?

Edited

her friend? As discovered.

SlovenlyOldSlut · 06/06/2024 16:09

StripedTomatoes · 05/06/2024 09:31

Imagine contacting the police before sending a reply to say, sorry who's this? Scarlet for ya OP.

Really? Why would you be “scarlet” for a complete stranger whose actions have zero impact on your life?

OnGoldenPond · 06/06/2024 17:04

Hope you changed your locks after having your spare key stolen OP.

riceuten · 06/06/2024 17:44

The scams are usually followed up quickly with an appeal to send them money as they’ve had their account blocked. Wait to see if that arrives

riceuten · 06/06/2024 17:45

The scams are usually followed up quickly with an appeal to send them money as they’ve had their account blocked. Wait to see if that arrives

OldPerson · 06/06/2024 19:00

So there's nothing you have to do.

You'll probably find it's one of your older relatives.

Just stay safe. Don't reply.

It's a bit extreme to block the number. They're not at the stage of pretending to be a Nigerian Prince and wanting your bank details.

Mayana1 · 06/06/2024 20:11

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 05/06/2024 00:45

Do you know any Kate’s at all? Otherwise I would presume someone just misdialled the number when updating their new phone/SIM card. - it is possible they had to tap in all their contacts and where unable to transfer data via the cloud /system backup.

It says: "Hi, Kate...." means her name is Kate, not sender's.

Mayana1 · 06/06/2024 20:13

KateMiddletonsExtensions · 05/06/2024 00:42

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.

It happened to me before, a genuine person forgot to put his name in the end. Just ask who is it and if you don't know who that could be, block after. No harm sending a WhatsApp, it's decrypted.

Mayana1 · 06/06/2024 20:21

LongSinceGotUpAndGone · 05/06/2024 06:45

As has been mentioned, a reply confirms to a scammer that the number is active - cue endless scam calls and texts because OP will go onto a 'potential suckers' list.

If A in your example has an iota of common sense, he/she will realise their mistake and phone, from a different number if needed, rather than assume they have been ghosted.

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So what if she message back if the person is not genuine, she can still blick it and avoid further messages.

LongSinceGotUpAndGone · 06/06/2024 20:23

Mayana1 · 06/06/2024 20:21

So what if she message back if the person is not genuine, she can still blick it and avoid further messages.

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No, because if she goes onto a suckers list she will get calls from dozens of different spoofed numbers.

It's resolved now for the OP, but my advice not to respond at all still stands.

Mayana1 · 06/06/2024 20:25

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.

Still not everyone is using Whatsapp, it could be an elderly person too, who barely knows how to use the phine, but learned a thing or two, like texting...

Mayana1 · 06/06/2024 20:27

Katemax82 · 05/06/2024 07:29

Save the number to contacts then see if they have a WhatsApp profile

That's exactly what I've done when I received a text like this. It was genuine though.

Mayana1 · 06/06/2024 21:26

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 05/06/2024 09:43

Yes, almost certainly a scam, and especially if you don't know a Kate. I get this kind of thing probably a couple of times a month, but I get. 'hi mum. It's your favourite son here, this is my new number, I got water in my old phone!'

Well, I've just got one daughter - and NO sons, and my DD most definitely calls me mom, not mum. So I think 'nice try.'

I also have quite a few messages, - maybe two or three a month - trying to scam me into clicking on a link for a package that Amazon tried to deliver, and I need to pay 2 pounds to get it redelivered (and I have to put my bank details in obvs.) I also get the HMRC scam, usually in the form of a phone call. I just hang up.

I don't trust a soul in this world (apart from DH and DD,) and I am very, very suspicious of everybody. So I'm highly unlikely to ever fall for a scam. I mean, I can't say it would never happen, but I don't think it would.

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Ohhh, how illiterate the people are. Kate is the OP not a sender. And it was not a scam, but her friend. Just need to ask due to your comment- are you able to read?

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 06/06/2024 22:35

Mayana1 · 06/06/2024 20:11

It says: "Hi, Kate...." means her name is Kate, not sender's.

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Sorry having a shit day and trying to distract myself from Dh news he is dying.

MyTherapistSaidImAnAdult · 06/06/2024 23:31

When I get messages like this I save number to phone under a random name and look them up to see if they have a WhatsApp picture....

Mayana1 · 07/06/2024 06:55

LongSinceGotUpAndGone · 06/06/2024 20:23

No, because if she goes onto a suckers list she will get calls from dozens of different spoofed numbers.

It's resolved now for the OP, but my advice not to respond at all still stands.

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I get that, but that is how she would've missed her friend's new phone number... I would never go to the police though (but I do understand she went due to the circumstances), but I would've ask. I'm probably on the sucker list, as I'm receiving calls every day, but I just stopped picking up my phone.

LongSinceGotUpAndGone · 07/06/2024 06:58

Mayana1 · 07/06/2024 06:55

I get that, but that is how she would've missed her friend's new phone number... I would never go to the police though (but I do understand she went due to the circumstances), but I would've ask. I'm probably on the sucker list, as I'm receiving calls every day, but I just stopped picking up my phone.

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I'd take the view that if it was genuine, the friend would find another way of contacting me (or else it's not a very strong friendship, so no great loss).

Citrusandginger · 07/06/2024 07:08

As has been mentioned, a reply confirms to a scammer that the number is active - cue endless scam calls and texts because OP will go onto a 'potential suckers' list.

This.

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.

And also this.

Ignore and move on. If its genuine your friend will get in touch.
If it's a scam, you haven't engaged with it.

You don't owe anyone who sends an unsolicited message anything.

buma · 07/06/2024 07:12

Put the phone number in on WhatsApp and if they will have a profile pic which will help to narrow it down!

Mayana1 · 07/06/2024 07:41

KateMiddletonsExtensions · 05/06/2024 10:12

The police officer rang me back and asked if I knew Jane Smith. She's my best mate. I rang her on the number and spoke to her.

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But you know what, you were so worried you didn't want to call back, but you shared your friend's name in full. Instead you could put initials only. Bit unfair, don't you think?

Original poster

KateMiddletonsExtensions · 07/06/2024 07:55

Mayana1 · 07/06/2024 07:41

But you know what, you were so worried you didn't want to call back, but you shared your friend's name in full. Instead you could put initials only. Bit unfair, don't you think?

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You think her name is really Jane Smith? And if it really was, I'd give any Mumsnetter £1000 if they found out who she is. But I know you're having some Friday morning fun with this post 😆

OP posts:

Mayana1 · 07/06/2024 07:57

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 13:00

So in this specific case op messages back and the scammer says they are "name of actual friend" what would be the next step in the scam that she would fall for?

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It's not that hard... Just ask a question only that person will know the answer on. Then after the second message you know.