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Received a text from a named person, but not in my contact list

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  • 29-06-2014 8:47pm
    #1
    NIMAN
    Registered Users Posts: 33,647 ✭✭✭✭


    I was wondering how this is done?

    I received a text message today from someone asking about a car I had for sale. Immediately the alarm bells start ringing as I have received a few scam calls/texts, but I was wondering how this person got their name to appear as (for example) "Bob Smith" on my text message list, when I don't have BOB SMITH stored as a contact?

    I know it must be possible as the OH recently received a txt from the national school our child will be attending in Sept with the principals name appearing instead of the mobile number the text came from.

    Any ideas?


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    #2
    Digital Society
    Registered Users Posts: 972 ✭✭✭Digital Society


    Google account id say. Is this on Android?


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    #3
    NIMAN
    Registered Users Posts: 33,647 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    Yes, Android.

    It looks like it definitely another scam though, as I decided to send an email to the address mentioned in the text, and I got an immediate reply saying "BOB SMITH wants to purchase your Gumtree advert", click on this link!!


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    #4
    The Corinthian
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,777 ✭✭✭✭The Corinthian


    I'd imagine that were you to try to save the 'number' of that text, it would treat the name as if it were a number.

    If so, someone inserted text as the mobile originator MSIDN (mobile number), which is supported by many bulk SMS providers / operator networks.

    My guess is that you're advertising your car online at the moment, they used a bot to harvest mobile numbers of people selling things and now you've also given them your email address when you responded. Click on that link and I guarantee they'll harvest even more information about you.


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    #5
    NIMAN
    Registered Users Posts: 33,647 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    I didn't reply;)

    And yes I do have a car for sale, and received a few texts - all which looked like scams and were treated as such.

    But the other text from the school was genuine, was just wondering how it was done.


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