Did you get a text from an unknown number this morning, asking you to ‘call back urgently’?
If so you may be a victim of a phone scam, which has seen hundreds of Irish mobile phone users receive text messages from foreign numbers this week.
Unusually, the scammers appear to have gotten their hands on an Irish database, allowing them to use victim’s full names in their text message to make them more believable. While it is not known where the database originated from, many people who received text messages reported their WhatsApp name being used in the text.
The numbers appear to be from Latvia and Cambodia and users of the website WhoCallsMe.com reported the calls coming mostly from the number 0037124160262.
This type of scam is known as Wangiri fraud, which originated in Japan. It basically involves a computer dialing or texting a large number of mobile phones, enticing curious users to call back and charging them premium rates when they do.
A spokesperson for Three Online tweeted: “We’re investigating these spam messages and have blocked some of the offending number ranges. We’re advising anyone who receives a message to ignore it.
@TheKatieMythen Thanks for getting in touch Katie, we’re investigating these spam messages and have blocked 1/3 ..
— Three Ireland Online (@ThreeCare) June 1, 2016
@TheKatieMythen some of the offending number ranges. We’re advising anyone who receives a message to ignore it. 2/3
— Three Ireland Online (@ThreeCare) June 1, 2016
So what to do?
- Do NOT call back. People who call the number are unwittingly put through to a premium telephone line, which will be charged to your bill.
- The safest course of action is to take a note of the number and delete the message immediately.
- Ensure that children and teenagers with access to mobile phones are aware of the scam too.
- Check your next bill for unusual charges when it arrives and contact your provider if you notice anything untoward.
Have you received this suspect text this morning? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
