[Joydie]

Phone Scam​

This morning I received a text message which reads: ‘Why is this private video of ours on this website? http://prucoast.com/b/en/?yn5vvmqmo2d1@

This makes no sense to me because I’ve never heard of the alleged website. Anything that makes no sense I don’t open. I’ve had dozens of texts wanting to discuss an order I placed on Amazon or eBay. These often helpfully suggest that I keep an eye on the tracking number which is supplied if I open the link. Since I’ve never ordered anything online - I know! I’m a dinosaur! - I know this is a scam.

I have a Samsung A20, and at the top of the screen displaying the text, the options ‘Add to contacts’ and ‘Block number’ are provided. Naturally, I choose to block the number. The next message asks if I want to delete the text and I always do. I hope this saves others from the problem of their devices being hacked, and potentially losing money.

 

[Goodbloke]

This morning I received a text message which reads: ‘Why is this private video of ours on this website? http://prucoast.com/b/en/?yn5vvmqmo2d1@

This makes no sense to me because I’ve never heard of the alleged website. Anything that makes no sense I don’t open. I’ve had dozens of texts wanting to discuss an order I placed on Amazon or eBay. These often helpfully suggest that I keep an eye on the tracking number which is supplied if I open the link. Since I’ve never ordered anything online - I know! I’m a dinosaur! - I know this is a scam.

I have a Samsung A20, and at the top of the screen displaying the text, the options ‘Add to contacts’ and ‘Block number’ are provided. Naturally, I choose to block the number. The next message asks if I want to delete the text and I always do. I hope this saves others from the problem of their devices being hacked, and potentially losing money.

Yes, these scams are abundant, usually they have spelling erors in them, however some are very sophisticated and look very real, all are on the hunt for newbies, I read that 50,000 people a day join the internet for the first time, these are the easy targets, always be cautious, the best advice is to avoid "links". Go to the real website you know is real and start there if your tracking a parcel. Scammers don't care one bit who they hurt, it's a business, they cast their net far and wide and jag a few fish every day, don't get hooked!

 

[Jonathan Leane]

@Joydie thank you for posting this and bringing it to people's attention.

As Goodbloke mentioned, I think it's quite a common scam... His advice is spot on.

But I reckon they must still catch out a lot of people, so the more we can raise awareness, the better.