phone/computer scam

[didds]

It's a feature in Android - details here:

https://support.google.com/phoneapp/ans ... 6?hl=en-GB

Thanks!

I note that page also says "Optional: To stop spam calls from ringing on your phone, turn on Filter suspected spam calls." - bgut I dont have that option in settings it seems.

(Galaxy S6, latest avaialble s/w update installed already)

didds

[Watis]

It's a feature in Android - details here:

https://support.google.com/phoneapp/ans ... 6?hl=en-GB

Thanks!

I note that page also says "Optional: To stop spam calls from ringing on your phone, turn on Filter suspected spam calls." - bgut I dont have that option in settings it seems.

(Galaxy S6, latest avaialble s/w update installed already)

didds

Hmmnn, I don't have that option available to me either!

Watis

[swill453]

It's a feature in Android - details here:

https://support.google.com/phoneapp/ans ... 6?hl=en-GB

Interesting. My phone doesn't have a "Caller Id & Spam" entry in Phone -> Settings. Android version is 9.

Scott.

[dragnips]

TalkTalk may have a reputation for poor customer service, but after implementing their 'Home Safe' protection, we've gone from having around 3 nuisance calls per day, to zero.
Each incoming call is interrogated and has to be validated by us. Naturally, a 'safe' list is generated which allows regular or known callers to be connected.

[UncleEbenezer]

>>> Yep, android will tell me when an incoming call is thought to be spam.

I've had an android phone (with Vodafone air time provider if that is relevant) for years and have never ever seen such "spam" alerts with incoming calls, especially the ones that are indeed scams/sales/etc.
didds

You may be on an older Android version. As I would, if I hadn't gone and lost my 'phone at a critical moment last year.

The Contacts+ app did the job for me before the Android update brought it as standard.

[didds]

You may be on an older Android version.

Just checked - version 9 apparently and there are no updates available.

didds

[elkay]

Not in my Android version 9 either...

[marronier]

Hand an automated call to "renew" my Amazon Prime subscription ( which I don't have , don't want ). Press "1" to speak to an operative ; no way Jose.


I dialled their number ( 01624 644 616 ; Isle of Man ) and the phone just rang and rang.

I suspect that pressing "1" switches one to an overseas scammer.

[Alaric]

I suspect that pressing "1" switches one to an overseas scammer.

It's been going on for a while.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/ ... hone-calls

The call display number is usually a fake. It's believed the call centres running these scams are in India. It's an attempt to get remote access to your phone or PC. There's a similar automated call telling you that your broadband is about to be cut off.

[PinkDalek]

It's believed the call centres running these scams are in India.

Some are based in India, some elsewhere such as Manila.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39177981

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-50117796

https://www.nationthailand.com/breakingnews/30348296 (random link only)

Microsoft [not Microsoft] style repair type scams can just as well come from the UK:

https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/call-centre-trader-sentenced-for-role-in-computer-repair-scam/

[scrumpyjack]

Disappointing that the UK scammer on conviction only got a suspended sentence.

They should have thrown the book at him 'pour encourager the autres'

[PinkDalek]

Back in 2014, this guy got 4 months, suspended:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26818745

... hired people at an Indian call centre to falsely tell victims their computers had a serious problem.

"We believe it may be the first ever successful prosecution of someone involved in the Microsoft scam in the UK,"

Probably discussed at TMF back in the day.

Such a shame that people are still falling for it or even bothering to call the (spoofed) number back.

Moderator Message:
RS: Topic moved here from DAK. Shadow left there.

[supremetwo]

Hand an automated call to "renew" my Amazon Prime subscription ( which I don't have , don't want ). Press "1" to speak to an operative ; no way Jose.

I dialled their number ( 01624 644 616 ; Isle of Man ) and the phone just rang and rang.

I suspect that pressing "1" switches one to an overseas scammer.

Should be easy enough to block pressing 1 on an incoming call.

And also easy to prevent calls from false caller-display numbers.

Trouble is that there is no profit for the telecoms industry from crime prevention.

[marronier]

No worries.

My phone is on permanent answer mode so I can hear caller's message so that I only pick up if I want to take the call. Scammers and cold callers don't leave a message. Friends and family are told to introduce themselves.

[Infrasonic]

For those who are reporting no spam facility on Android it might be because you are running OEM phones where they've messed with the Android settings. Samsung do it, Motorola less so et al. You might find they have their own app equivalent.
Apparently Google are clamping down on the amount of fragmentation allowed in Android to reduce this and also ensure that timely OS updates are delivered OTA.

FWIW I've successfully used the Android spam call facility on my Nexus 5 (Android 6) and current Pixel 3a (9 very briefly and now 10), but both of those are stock Android.
That was a deliberate decision on my part when I first started looking at Android, the fragmentation issue didn't appeal.