Arrgh! help! I'm being Mobile scammed!

[Danny]

Hey guys, hoping anyone can shed some light on this. I've been a victim of this same phenomenon for 2 weeks now.

Originally Posted by 4wisemonkeys.com

Beware of 03 8844 0400
skelm wrote this 11:22 am:
We have now had 3 e-mails from people about the number 03 8844 0400. The most recent of which detailed the following:

I have had this number call me on my mobile for the last 4 days at least 3 times
a day. When I answer there is nothing on the end of the phone. When I ring back
(I make sure I use the work phone hehe) I get this message “This number is not
in service” in an American accent and it hangs up. Now I was rung from this
number on Friday and a guy saying he was from Optus wanting to speak to either
me or my husband (he knew both our names). He said his name was Tom. The number
is 03 8844 0400. Whats going on here???

Upon doing some research into this number I have found out that the line is actually owned by Primus Telecom
and was issued on the 25th of January 2002 - Which would lead me to believe that this is NOT Optus calling.

Always be careful not to give out any personal information over the phone without some valid steps of authentication (names of the person leasing the number is NOT enough as this information can be easily obtained). If you are unsure then ask for a number to contact them back on, and always record who you speak to.

I now have Optus investigations on this as for 2 weeks I've been getting calls from 03 8844 0400. Same deal, call them back, and an american voice recording says "number not in service".

It's a huge pain, and I'm wondering if anyone else has been the victim of this, or could shed some light on what it is, or what it could be. I beleive that it is the result of an automated service as when you answer, it's blank and hangs up after a second. I'd love to know how my number was chosen as a victim...

[Kenaz]

Interesting. I got called a couple of times on Friday from that number. The people on the end of the phone said they were from Optus and wanted to offer me a cheap deal on home line rental.

[Danny]

Hmm, Could be a Warrandyte thing :

[rodderz]

This was happening a few months back, number would ring except only a few times before you got a chance to answer it. If you called back you were charged at some ridiculous rate. There were 20-30 numbers from memory

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by rodderz

This was happening a few months back, number would ring except only a few times before you got a chance to answer it. If you called back you were charged at some ridiculous rate. There were 20-30 numbers from memory

There was a thread about it with the numbers too. Good thing I'm lazy and don't call back 99% of the calls I get :

[stockNAfairlane]

Yeah, few months ago same thing happened to me but on my mobile. Left voicemail messages aswell in an accent i can't quite place, was from a different number though.

I did the same thing (called from work ) and was an automated message. The stupid thing is when i rang my mobile provider they wouldnt re-issue my funds lost calling the voicemail.... Scammers win again.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by rodderz

This was happening a few months back, number would ring except only a few times before you got a chance to answer it. If you called back you were charged at some ridiculous rate. There were 20-30 numbers from memory

Rang Optus to ask about that, and they assured me that it wasnt charging me any ridiculous rates. If this happens, then someone will pay with their blood I swear...

[FGX-351]

Do a search for the other thread cause it had alot of info posted on this including all the numbers that people from the forum were rung from.

[Boss 260 Ute]

This seems to be happening alot I always get phone calls from unknown numbers but most of them are when i'm in classes so I can't answer it. I always say "If it is something important whoever rang will ring back" I have stuck by that and nothing has happened....

[GXL078]

I hate it when you get called by some drunk (or whatever) arsewipe and hes dialed the wrong number in his drunken stupor.

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by Boss 260 Ute

I always say "If it is something important whoever rang will ring back" I have stuck by that and nothing has happened....

This is my exact attitude as well.

[MickyB]

Originally Posted by xcgxl

I hate it when you get called by some drunk (or whatever) arsewipe and hes dialed the wrong number in his drunken stupor.

Sorry e

[gtfpv]

well my old line of . ( so what are you wearing ) ?? doesnt quite cut it anymore with a computor.

[fmc351]

Originally Posted by xcgxl

I hate it when you get called by some drunk (or whatever) arsewipe and hes dialed the wrong number in his drunken stupor.

I had this happen at 2am. And he got uppity with me. lol.

*I apologise for the racist nature of the tirade that follows.

He had a European/Turk/Leb although probably 2nd Gen Aussie accent (I dont know what it was exactly). He asks to speak with some cumquat, cant remember the name. I said, 'who, nah mate, **** wrong number dude'. He took offence to my attitude at 2am. So I asked him about his sub woofers. He tells me Im a **** sucking dog. I said to him, thats funny bro, thats what I said to your sister. He stops for a few seconds, nothing to say, then he says I dont have a sister. lol. So I start carrying on in my best Westy 2nd gen Euro accent, 'bro, I just spent $20,000 on my fully sic dwift car car bro, turbo, big zorst, riding low on 18"s, big wing, full body kit, lowered, fully sic subs bro, then I find out hes only a front wheel drive'.

Click. :

[Dazza XLT]

Don't know if this is the same scam...
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=53586
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=52899

BE ALERT... IT IS HAPPENING...
The scammers* call the mobile then hang up before it is answered. The
scammer then relies on the curiosity of the phone owner to call the
number back to find out who was calling. If the number is called a recorded
message tells the caller that they have won a prize and/or they are
directed to phone a 1902 number which has a call rate of around $3 per
minute. Numbers that have been identified as belonging to these phone
scammers include:
02 8404 2207
02 8404 2235
02 8404 2215
02 8404 2296
02 8404 2216
02 8219 0500
02 8303 8320
03 8102 9565
03 8558 0556
03 8558 1441
03 8558 1442
03 8558 1443
03 8558 1444
03 8558 1445
03 8558 1446
03 8558 1447
03 9540 2950
03 9540 5101
03 9540 5189

If you receive a call from one of these numbers do not call back.
There is no prize, just a hefty bill.

If someone calls you and you're not available chances are they'll leave
a message saying who they are and why they're calling.
* apparently the scammers are actually a registered Australian
marketing company & are not doing anything illegal so there is nothing the ACCC can do to stop them.

Cheers

Darran

[Danny]

I wouldnt be calling it a 2nd Gen EURO accent mate, because thats Implying that the Italians/Greeks/Maltese/ are still the perpatrators of such ways of speaking.

In reality, its the Lebo, and arab crowds that are the majority use this shocking fulli sik way of speaking these days.... and Lebanon is not a euro country, its an ARAB nation...

[zhodak]

Originally Posted by xcgxl

I hate it when you get called by some drunk (or whatever) arsewipe and hes dialed the wrong number in his drunken stupor.

Had a girl call me all crying and blubbering about breaking up with me. My response "I think you got the wrong number":evil_laug

[fmc351]

Originally Posted by Danny

I wouldnt be calling it a 2nd Gen EURO accent mate, because thats Implying that the Italians/Greeks/Maltese/ are still the perpatrators of such ways of speaking.

In reality, its the Lebo, and arab crowds that are the majority use this shocking fulli sik way of speaking these days.... and Lebanon is not a euro country, its an ARAB nation...

I didnt mean any offence by it and Im aware of the geography differences. My SO of 18yrs, the mother of my 11yr old son, the love of my life has Maltese heritage. She has no accent, but there are plenty who do, including her cousins who live in Sydney.

The accent didnt offend me, it never would. However it was just after the Cronulla bull5hit. So he hears mine, I hear his, and the rest is history. I was merely pointing it out for context. I dont know where he was from, his English was fine, as good as many 6th or 7th generation Anglo Aussies (which is mediocre anyway). He just had that accent thrown in. It simply puts the events into perspective. I still laugh about it now.