General Discussion

GoodRaisin

(9,995 posts)

54. The best way to avoid all this is not do what was said in the first paragraph.

Sun Jan 5, 2025, 08:17 PM

Jan 5

Don’t answer the phone for unknown callers. This method stops the thief’s scam right out of the gate. But, iPhone has a way to bypass unknown callers, of which 99+% are spammers looking to scam you.

1. Settings-Focus-Do Not Disturb-People-Allow Calls From, then choose “Contacts Only”
2. Settings-Phone-Silence Unknown Callers-toggle “On”

Doing these 2 steps together will result in you not even having to hear the phone ring when one of these pests call you. And who wants to spend all day being bothered by pests anyway? The caller still has the option to leave a voice mail, but the pests almost never do that. Catching you by surprise is part of their tactics.

And on occasion if you are waiting for a call from a number not in your contact list, just turn off the settings long enough to get your call and then turn them back on again.

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Highlight:

This new scam locks people out of their iPhones, laptops, etc., and steals thousands of dollars. It just happened in HNL [View all] mahina Jan 5 OP

Yes - Absolutely be careful. MineralMan Jan 5 #1

Same here. No online banking. I do inline banking. multigraincracker Jan 5 #4

I do online banking, but only from my desktop PC. MineralMan Jan 5 #13

I am Rebl2 Jan 5 #7

I had a FRAUD alert on my Busines Debit card on a Saturday. ProudMNDemocrat Jan 5 #2

That's scary. Ocelot II Jan 5 #3

Same here Rebl2 Jan 5 #8

I would dump your apple products Mosby Jan 5 #5

No need to dump them, just don't link them. Ocelot II Jan 5 #14

This, and never give any information to someone that calls you TxGuitar Jan 5 #22

Numbers can be "spoofed" Mosby Jan 5 #26

Thanks, this is a great post. Mike 03 Jan 5 #35

Everything is probably hackable, but PayPal seems about as safe as any of them. Ocelot II Jan 5 #41

Trust Google. Famous last words. usonian Jan 5 #18

yes they do! toad-eye Jan 5 #25

Thats true, i didn't explain it well Mosby Jan 5 #27

Wells Fargo. Called me when bamagal62 Jan 5 #34

This is my experience too. Mike 03 Jan 5 #36

Even if being hacked doesn't cost you, it's a major PITA to have a CC card you use alot hacked. CrispyQ Jan 5 #6

+1 dalton99a Jan 5 #19

What date was that chart put together ? eppur_se_muova Jan 5 #28

They're getting to be like locks--they keep the honest people out. CrispyQ Jan 5 #29

What do HNL and HOD stand for? Lonestarblue Jan 5 #9

HNL - airport code for Honolulu Initech Jan 5 #12

Thanks. Mike 03 Jan 5 #30

Hi, HPD is the Honolulu police dept. I changed the text. mahina Jan 5 #16

Apple products have a long history of being insecure. ItsjustMe Jan 5 #10

I thought it was just the opposite. Mike 03 Jan 5 #31

Apple software has always been less secure ItsjustMe Jan 5 #48

K & R malaise Jan 5 #11

Wow, I'm so sorry you had to go Tickle Jan 5 #15

We're now spreading unsourced stories? intheflow Jan 5 #17

A good rule to follow is never respond anciano Jan 5 #20

I'm not certain this is good advice. Mike 03 Jan 5 #32

First rule--don't take a call. Hang up and call the number on your credit card (or bill) Maeve Jan 5 #21

Just don't ever violate the rule of not accepting PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 5 #23

Scams should be punished severely The Madcap Jan 5 #24

So Sorry for your Hacked Scammed Nightmare, mahina! Cha Jan 5 #33

Glad I don't have Apple products. Emile Jan 5 #37

The products are fine. Just don't use a single point of contact, Ocelot II Jan 5 #42

Appreciate this post and all the replies. Kicking Mike 03 Jan 5 #38

Me, too. Very much appreciated Deuxcents Jan 5 #52

My gods how horrible for you. I am so sorry... Hekate Jan 5 #39

Aloha Hekate, thank you, but it happened in my town, to my buddy's friend. I've left her name and his out of it. But in mahina Jan 5 #45

I'm glad it wasn't you, at least. Auwe am I bad at changing passwords on a schedule. Hekate Jan 5 #46

Man o man, same, but here we are. Humbug ya? mahina Jan 5 #47

Article on a somewhat (not identical) scam: Mike 03 Jan 5 #40

I have a really old IPad Mini, and will never buy or use Crunchy Frog Jan 5 #43

Mahina, thank you canetoad Jan 5 #44

at no point did this person actually contact Apple to VERIFY Skittles Jan 5 #49

Exactly! mahina Jan 5 #50

even a call from my bank Skittles Jan 5 #51

I totally agree. But once fear sets in the brain gets strange. mahina Jan 5 #53

I hear ya Skittles Jan 5 #56

The best way to avoid all this is not do what was said in the first paragraph. GoodRaisin Jan 5 #54

Good idea! I think she had mentioned that it showed up as an apple number, but I completely read you. Thanks for posting mahina Jan 5 #55

I just turned off the Find My on my iPhone..my iPad was already off. Deuxcents Jan 5 #57

Are you kidding??!? nilram Jan 6 #58

Sure wish I was. happened to a very good person who is likely SOL on a lot of money at a very bad time. mahina Jan 6 #59

THIS IS UNSOURCED CLICKBAIT!! intheflow Jan 6 #60

thank you. eggplant Jan 6 #62

Thank you obamanut2012 Jan 6 #63

Thanks nilram Jan 6 #65

Don't repeat passwords for different accounts. Liberal In Texas Jan 6 #61

Always always hang up and call the bank or apple yourself. EllieBC Jan 6 #64