Have you ever spotted a mobile scam? Or nearly fallen for one? Let’s talk about it!

[Anny]

 We’ve just shared a new blog all about staying safe from mobile fraud, including the sneaky scams to watch out for and how to protect yourself. 

👉Read it here: Stay safe online – how to spot scams and avoid mobile fraud 

Now we’d like to hear from you, SMARTY community: 

💬Have you had a run-in with a scam text, dodgy call, or suspicious message? 

What tipped you off, or what advice would you give to help others avoid the same trap? 

Your story or tip could be featured in our next blog and shared on SMARTY’s social channels to help more people stay safe. 💚 

Share your experiences and advice below, even a quick tip could make a big difference for someone else.

[Decembersangel]

As of today, I have only received 2 spam text messages in the last few years. One was asking 'Dad add my new phone number' to which I replied 'Which of my 20 devil spawn is this?' and there was no reply 🤔 (I am female and have NO children)

I don't (touch wood) get any spam emails

BUT, I do get a lot of spam call on my home phone number. I tend to have fun with these numbers by answering them with 'Police, fraud department..... How may I help you today?' they don't tend to phone back 😁

If you want to have fun with spam callers here are some suggestions on how to answer them:-

• “City Morgue, you kill ‘em, we chill ‘em. How can I help you?”
• “Myrtle’s girdles, Myrtle speaking. What can I do for you today?”
• “Bill’s Pool Hall, 8 Ball speaking.”
• “Jim’s sperm bank, you smack it, we pack it! How can I help you today?”
• “Alcoholics Anonymous, Jack Daniels speaking.”
• “This is the hokey pokey hotline, we’ll help you turn yourself around.”
• “House of Pain, how can we hurt you today?”
• “Roger’s Crematorium. You got the cash, we got the ash. Jenny here.”
• “Roadkill Cafe, you kill it, we grill it. What can I get started for you today?”
• “Jonestown orphanage, you make ‘em, we take ‘em. This is Johnny speaking.”
• “This is the cannibal help hotline. Remember, people are friends, not food.”
• “I have your money, please just let my brother go!”
• “Yes, I’d like an extra large pizza with mushrooms, sausage, peppers, and onions, please.”
• “Tell Marty I want his full payment by noon tomorrow or he’s done.”
• “The job is done, but there’s blood everywhere. What do you want me to do?”
• “He’s dead. What do you want me to do with the body?”
• “Dad? Is that you? I’ve been waiting for you to call ever since you left.”

If you want to find other suggestions then search 'funny spam call responses' 😂

[Goddess_Bastet]

There’s a scam going around with callers claiming they’re with a specific provider (In my case they claim Vodafone) & that they can offer me a discount on my costs (this discount is usually but not always 40%), when I say I’m not with Vodafone they disconnect. Should this offer be accepted they’ll ask for account details, then order expensive devices on the account. Once the devices have been received they then call back & claim the devices are a mistake & to either return them to an address they specify or that a courier will call to collect them, should this happen then the scammers have the devices & the customer most likely be liable for the cost.

[Nichola_1926852]

I received the following text, purporting to be from Smarty. It looks like a scam: 

Welcome! It's 10p/min to call UK or Isle of Man and 40p/min to call elsewhere. It's 2p/MB data. To receive a call is in bundle. To send SMS to UK or Isle of Man is in bundle (unless you?re on a data only plan, where it's 10p/text). It is 10p/text to send texts elsewhere. You need an Out of plan add-on to make calls, get online and send chargeable texts. When on WiFi, change the settings on your phone for roaming to work. Visit smarty.co.uk/roaming for free for information about how to use your phone abroad, our fair use policy and how to avoid unexpected charges. To stop receiving these messages when you travel contact us via webchat https://smarty.co.uk/contact. You can opt back in at any time.

[MSF]

@Nichola_1926852 Were you in the Isle of Man? If so, it contains correct information and didn't ask you to go to any unusual websites or pay any money.

When you Roam (outside the UK) you often get similar messages when your device picks up a signal from a local network.

[MSF]

@Anny  Where to start?!?! All the time!!!!

Calls - "Your Windows connection is showing problems" - always a giveaway since I don't use Windows...doh!!!

Texts - "We're holding your parcel" - Not expecting one!!!

Email - Too numerous to mention. Usually purporting to be FedEx or DPD holding a parcel for me. The giveaway is that they usually quote the internet name instead of my real name!!!

A warning to people on the Forum........do NOT put any personal information in your posts here - the scammers will know that the number is associated with a Smarty account.