A fake tech support scammer claiming to be from Microsoft threatens a Canadian man with murder for accused him of being a scammer and refusing to have his computer infected. Visit the CBC website to hear the recording:
19
May 14
Most Effective Call Blocking Products
Are you starting to get really annoyed by all awful people who don’t stop calling you? There are number of effective options available to reduce the unwanted calls you are getting. I will list 3 of the most useful below.
1. The Pro Call Blocker – By far the best option and my favorite. It allows you to block up to 1000 numbers along with all private calls and complete area codes. It doesn’t have the automated voice system like the Sentry Call Blocker, but personally I feel like I’m annoying people who call me if I do that. This option allows you to quietly control your calls manually and automatically hangs up on the bad callers. You can see a product review here.
2. NomoRobo.com – A free service for Americans to automatically filter robocalls. You need to have a compatible phone company. Uses an advanced call forwarding system to filter your calls.
3. Sentry Call Blocker – Similar to the Pro Call Blocker. Some people may prefer this blocker over the Pro Call Blocker because it uses an automated voice system to filter your calls making people push a number to verify that they are a real person. The English accent may be difficult for some Americans to understand. You need to have everyone you know call you one time to get them on your white list and after that it doesn’t bother them again. May be a lot more effective in the long term for stopping new unwanted calls. Overall less work, but may annoy people calling you. You can the promo video here.
There are a few phones out there with blocking abilities, but most of these have very small blacklists. For the example the Panasonic KX phones only have about 250 number for their blacklist. Some other stand alone units have 90 number black lists. If you are getting heavy calls you may not want to have to erase your list to start over. Although, in my experience 125 numbers is the size of my blacklist after about a year.
30
Apr 14
Fake Texts From Friends That Bill You
We are starting to see a number of scams with text message billing where the culprits will send out text messages with random names claiming to be a friend who has changed their cell number needing you to call or text them back to verify that you got the message. The goal is to get you to call or text a premium number believing that you are reassuring your close friend or relative. Often these texts uses common names like Sarah or John in the hopes of tricking as many people as possible.
18
Dec 13
Premium Rate Call Back Scams On The Rise
We are starting to see a large number reports from premium rates callback scammers from Grenada and the Caribbean region. The purpose of the calls is designed to entice you to call the number back (you aren’t home, they hang up). Once you do call the number back and automated system tells you to hold on line while music plays. You are then billed ridiculously high rates until you finally decide to give up on the call. Even a few seconds will often show results on your phone bill.
17
Oct 13
Credit Card Scammers Are Getting Smarter
We’ve been noticing over the last few months that credit card scammers are starting to spoof (fake caller ID) legit credit card service numbers to cultivate trust with their victims. Whenever you someone calls you about your credit card or bank account it’s highly recommended that you politely refuse to co-operate and inform the caller that you wish to call the number on the back of your card directly to verify to claims. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
14
Sep 13
Good News From The FTC
Deceptive Robocallers Permanently Shut Down In FTC Settlements
http://ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/ambrosia.shtm
FTC Shuts Down Fraudulent Debt Relief Operation
http://ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/iwb.shtm
FTC Settlement Bans Defendants from Engaging in Debt Collection and Interest Rate Reduction Schemes
http://ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/procredit.shtm
At the FTC’s Request, Court Halts Alleged Phony Payday Loan Broker
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/09/vantage.shtm
14
Sep 13
New Scam: Fake Property Assessment Phishing
People in Toronto are starting to get phone calls from a fake Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. The callers are asking for a lot of personal information. The real MPAC is sending out a warning to people that they don’t ask for personal information and that people should refuse to give out such information if a call claiming to be from the MPAC asks for it.