Scams like these

[stm1sydney]

They wanted to confirm that a person received their renewal offer. He said to me they did and they opened that email 113 times! What?

How is that possible? Let's say that was me. I have read receipt turned off. Apparently that means nothing as companies can pay money to email providers for statistics. Seriously?

I believe how this is tracked by the sender is by the sender using "external images" in their emails, so that when the sendee opens the email, the external image is downloaded from the original server. It's this download that is tracked.

As sendee, you can stop this by turning off "automatically/always display external images" in your email app settings. Eg, in Gmail, Settings, turn on "Ask before displaying external images" and then, when you open an email, don't click on "Display images below".

 

[Brissy1]

I believe how this is tracked by the sender is by the sender using "external images" in their emails, so that when the sendee opens the email, the external image is downloaded from the original server. It's this download that is tracked.

As sendee, you can stop this by turning off "automatically/always display external images" in your email app settings. Eg, in Gmail, Settings, turn on "Ask before displaying external images" and then, when you open an email, don't click on "Display images below".

Thanks, found that and turned it off.
Also saw in that menu "smart features and personalisation" was on by default, that seems very invasive ("...may use my email chat and video content to...). So, the CONTENTS of my emails is being analysed and used. No thanks.

 

[JohnK]

As sendee, you can stop this by turning off "automatically/always display external images" in your email app settings. Eg, in Gmail, Settings, turn on "Ask before displaying external images" and then, when you open an email, don't click on "Display images below".

Thanks.

I searched Google and can see that Outlook has a block external images setting but for the life of cannot find it anywhere on the web version. I don't use the app.

 

[Scarlett]

I feel like I’m missing out: I get maybe
- two or three spam emails in the gmail junk box every week
- a spam text message maybe every week or so
- WhatsApp spam messages (generic loan offers, work from home job offer type things - not targeted) every second day

My browsing clearly doesn’t take me to enough of the more ‘interesting’ parts of the web. But then again I don’t have any twit, meta, Insta, linkedin, paypal, bnpl sort of accounts, so maybe I’m not a decent target.

What I do get is plenty of ads on AFF from Border Force in some foreign language showing sad people and boats being burned. Clearly browsing a travel related site from a foreign address flags me as a risk of using people smugglers!

 

[JohnK]

I get the odd call here and there.

Caller with Indian accent telling me my Telstra internet is about to be disconnected. "Listen here you idiot. If you are going to threaten people with a scam make sure they actually have that service first before calling".

Should I politely tell them I have never had Telstra internet?

And now twice in a week a call from Chinese Consulate. Last night about 10:00pm.

It can get extremely frustrating.

 

[flyingfan]

Should I politely tell them I have never had Telstra internet?

No it won’t help a jot. But once you’re absolutely, 100% sure it’s a scam and not a genuine call (they do exist), having a whistle handy and blowing it in their ear as loudly as possible before hanging up might help them reconsider their life and career choices…

 

[prozac]

No it won’t help a jot. But once you’re absolutely, 100% sure it’s a scam and not a genuine call (they do exist), having a whistle handy and blowing it in their ear as loudly as possible before hanging up might help them reconsider their life and career choices…

I'd never do something this foolish. You are inviting a return whistle.

 

[Blackadder]

Lately on both my work and personal mobiles, I am getting scams from Amazon Prime etc from spoofed mobile numbers.

 

[JohnK]

No it won’t help a jot. But once you’re absolutely, 100% sure it’s a scam and not a genuine call (they do exist), having a whistle handy and blowing it in their ear as loudly as possible before hanging up might help them reconsider their life and career choices…

Nice reply.

The one I love the best is when they know my computer has issues and a technician can help me fix it. LOL. This one I try to string them along but it's a waste of time as they will keep trying again on the next person.

 

[Rangalad]

I'd never do something this foolish. You are inviting a return whistle.

When I get these calls I say "Sorry, I don't speak English".
Had a couple of operators ask "Does anyone there speak English?".

Then I cop a bit of abuse for "not speaking English".

 

[prozac]

When I get these calls I say "Sorry, I don't speak English".
Had a couple of operators ask "Does anyone there speak English?".

Then I cop a bit of abuse for "not speaking English".

When I am done with them I have had a couple ring me back to tell me how rude I am ... hence why I would never use a whistle. Don't forget they have your number. Otherwise it's my phone so my rules. If you don't wish to discuss what your underwear is like or even if you are wearing any at all, don't call me. Simple as that.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

If you don't wish to discuss what your underwear is like or even if you are wearing any at all, don't call me. Simple as that.

If I am on the phone you can bet I am wearing underwear !! So no need to call and ask !!

 

[Quickstatus]

Lately it has been calls from "DHL"

 

[drron]

When I am done with them I have had a couple ring me back to tell me how rude I am ... hence why I would never use a whistle. Don't forget they have your number. Otherwise it's my phone so my rules. If you don't wish to discuss what your underwear is like or even if you are wearing any at all, don't call me. Simple as that.

If the number is one I recognise as a recent scam call they usually hang up as I answer "detective xyz of police station bgf. They don't seem to want to continue the conversation.

 

[prozac]

If the number is one I recognise as a recent scam call they usually hang up as I answer "detective xyz of police station bgf. They don't seem to want to continue the conversation.

I did that for a while and it didn't seem to make alot of difference. I was a sergeant.

 

[MARTINE]

I did that for a while and it didn't seem to make alot of difference. I was a sergeant.

Dad used a highly piercing whistle

 

[JohnK]

When I am done with them I have had a couple ring me back to tell me how rude I am ... hence why I would never use a whistle. Don't forget they have your number. Otherwise it's my phone so my rules. If you don't wish to discuss what your underwear is like or even if you are wearing any at all, don't call me. Simple as that.

I had one call me back for 2 days around same time.

 

[Major]

I did that for a while and it didn't seem to make alot of difference. I was a sergeant.

Promote yourself

 

[OZDUCK]

For some reason there has recently been a sudden jump in scam calls to the mobile. We have been asked to cancel PayPal payments and alsowhat was possibly the Chinese Embassy scam - couldn't understand what was being said.

 

[Ade]

Chinese Embassy scam

Received one of these a few years ago ... someone calls and there is a recorded voice speaking Chinese... the call also disconnects automatically, if you don't say thing in return .. Is that still the case?