I almost got scammed yesterday

[Maurice]

I got a phone call yesterday from a girl who sounded very much like my daughter. She started by telling me she had a bad cold and that was why her voice was affected.

I totally believe her and I had no doubt I was talking to my daughter. She then went on to say she did something very stupid and asked me to keep the conversation to myself.

Apparently, she had gone out with a girlfriend a few days ago and her friend had too much to drink and she asked her if she could drive instead, which she did. On the way home, someone cut her off and she hit the accelerator instead of the brake and hit the other car.

When the police came, she had to take a breathalyzer test and failed the test, so she was charged with impaired driving.

To make a long story short, she said she was now in court and her lawyer managed to have the charges dropped and she would not get a criminal record. I was very relieved but then she proceeded to tell me she had to pay for the damages to the other car but all her money was currently tied up and she asked if I could talk to her lawyer and help her out by lending her some money until she could pay me back.

That's when the alarm bell rang for me as I know my daughter has the means to pay whatever she had to pay. So I asked her what her birthday was and she immediately hung up the phone.

Anyway, I recall now having read about this scam in some newspaper. So, if some 'relative' ever calls you with a similar type of story, make sure you really know whom you are talking to. Up to the point where she asked for money, I was absolutely convinced this was my daughter.

Maurice

[Trevor Hale]

Holy crap..  what in the heck is this world coming to.  GRRRR   

[Mink]

Oh yeah this is a criminal method we know very well here in Europe / Germany.
We call it the grandson / daughter trick. "Gangsters" are trying to get the telefon number from older poeple and call them. Making them believe they are there daughter, grandson, etc and they had something and need money. A friend is near an will come to take the money.

this is a very organized crime, that is growing.

so always remember. thieves / bad people only want the best from you, your money.

Kresimir

[Maurice]

Making them believe they are there daughter, grandson, etc and they had something and need money. A friend is near an will come to take the money.

Kresimir

This is exactly what happened. She started by saying hi grandpa. Since she has 2 kids, I thought she was just being cute and pretending my grand daughter  was calling and I fell for it lock, stock & barrel 
She even asked me if I knew who this was and I said yes and said her name. So now, she even had the right name as well. Very clever and twisted.

Maurice

[Nat Crea]

"Gangsters" are trying to get the telefon number from older poeple and call them.

Sorry Mau...couldnt help it! 

Yes...very sick people...

Nat

[Maurice]

"Gangsters" are trying to get the telefon number from older poeple and call them.

Sorry Mau...couldnt help it! 


Nat

Yes, I too used to think I would never get old. Just think about what is waiting for you sooner than you think  . All & all, these are the best years of my life; no work, no bosses, no getting up at the crack of dawn (sometimes I get up at the crack of noon). I love it   

Maurice

[Nat Crea]

You're right...I can't wait!

Nat

[Joe Lavery]

Have any of you guys had some jerk who can barely speak English on the phone telling you he's from Microsoft and that you PC has been sending out hundreds of emails? He usually follows this with an offer to help you with this problem, if you go to your machine and let him log in remotely.

They must think we're all idiots. 

Ive had three calls like this in the last couple of months. Now I tell them I'll just get my father and leave the phone off the hook for about an hour...

Joe.

[Maurice]

Have any of you guys had some jerk who can barely speak English on the phone telling you he's from Microsoft and that you PC has been sending out hundreds of emails? He usually follows this with an offer to help you with this problem, if you go to your machine and let him log in remotely.

They must think we're all idiots. 

Joe.

Yep, got one of those as well. Since that has been going on for a while now, I'm sure it must be a very lucrative enterprise for these scumbags.

Maurice

[Joe Lavery]

The trouble is they prey on folk who are less computer literate that most of us on this forum. So they are easily taken in by someone who is supposedly trying to help them.
May they rot in hell...

Joe.