Scam calls

Just got another (I suspect) scam call from another mobile number. So annoying. Different numbers nearly every day now.

Just got another one now, "financial intelligence agency". Highly considering changing my number now, am sick of these.

If you change your number itll end up on some scammer excel file again, dont bother.

Have a bit of fun with them when they call

Haven't had one in ages, could do with some entertainment!

That's what seems to be happening alright, they spoof the incoming number.

Previously I was of the impression (as was the consensus on here) that the numbers were all randomly generated. This was until I realised that my wife never gets these calls. So now I believe it's from the numerous data breaches over the last couple of years.

Any I've gotten are automated ones that I just hang up on (if I answer at all)

Legitimate companies calling though and then wanting me to verify all my info is a bigger issue. They get very confused/annoyed when I tell them that THEY called ME and so they need to verify the legitimacy of the call. Too used to people just giving them whatever info they want I suppose - no wonder people get scammed.

Depending of the phone you can use a spam and scam detection feature or even block all numbers not in your contacts.

Spoofing your number would have nothing to do with your handset. They are just faking the caller ID and can put whatever they want on it, there is really no security on caller ID at all.

Your number was spoofed by a scammer to make their call perhaps. Make it look like a call from a real number so target more likely to answer.

Generally they are looking for someone to download an app from either the Play Store on their phone or a screen sharing app on a computer so that they can swindle money from the persons bank account. Normally they say they are from Eir or the fraud dept of a bank and require access to the device to resolve a made up problem. They probably have a success rate of 0.1% but if that gets them €20k that's all they need of a weeks work.

I would say that even on Android it's not guaranteed to work or to be enabled, depending on the phone and what application it uses for text messages. On my phone the Google's Messages app detects 100% of spam and scam texts, but it does it after the text is received and it needs connectivity to Google servers to analyze the text. I still get the notification sound but it's a bit chocked / cut short and I can still review the text if I want to.

Got a call from a Canadian number just there, offering me crypto investments. They knew me by name, which I found uncomfortable.

I get occasional texts from B of I asking Elaine to complete a survey.Prob a genuine misdial by the bank

I did get one last week saying "Hi Mom" :)

It was of course asking for money to replace a stolen iPhone.