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Scams and fraud

Scam sent to mobile.

(30 Posts)
ElaineI Thu 09-Oct-25 16:51:17

Hi, feel so silly but I was busying got a message re winter fuel payment saying you had to apply by end of today. I did as they asked putting in card details and there was a problem with the long number. I then realised it was a scam so phoned my bank and cancelled card. The assistant was very helpful and said they had had a few like this. Then told DH who informed me that you don't have to apply for it in Scotland. You either get it or not so thought it best to warn everyone.

crazyH Thu 09-Oct-25 16:59:45

It happens to us all.
Someone rang me and said he was from the fraud department of my bank. I gave him lots of details and by the end of the hour, I got suspicious . I just put the phone down and rang my banks . For weeks I was scared and kept checking my accounts on a daily basis.

Maremia Thu 09-Oct-25 17:04:11

Thank you for this warning. We all know about scams, but sometimes, as you describe, they can catch you unawares.

Ilovedogs22 Thu 09-Oct-25 17:12:23

It happens to us all I'm afraid. The fraudsters are scarily clever & devious. 🤗

windmill1 Thu 09-Oct-25 17:27:17

I still get the odd email to inform me that all WASPI's are entitled to a compensation payment from the government - on yer bike, matey!

pably15 Thu 09-Oct-25 19:19:45

I had a call on my landline today, 004917896419017,
I've never seen a phone number with 15 numbers before, they didn't leave a message, I've blocked it ,,probably scammers

JackyB Fri 10-Oct-25 10:04:17

That is a German mobile number. But the scanners can program their phones to show any number.

I have googled this number and didn't come up with anything. Mobile numbers are harder to trace, but sometimes we get a call from an unknown mobile number and when we Google it, everyone is saying it's a scam.

SeaWoozle Sat 11-Oct-25 13:59:37

If I get a call from a number I don't recognize I don't answer and check it on Google. If it's a genuine number, I'll hope they call back. If it's a scam then I block and report it.

Most important thing to remember is that your bank will NEVER call you out of the blue. But I appreciate it's also human nature to panic in the spur of the moment which is of course how these B#$7@79$ catch you out in the first place.

And last of all, be kind to yourself. It happens to lots of people X

janeainsworth Sat 11-Oct-25 14:13:09

I got that message about Winter Fuel Payment too.
If you’re suspicious about an email, check the sender’s email address. You can do that easily on your phone without opening the email itself, just tap on the name, then the blue name, and the address comes up.
In this case I think it was an Australian email address.
Block & delete.

Foxyferret Sat 11-Oct-25 14:19:06

I have an ABC mantra. Assume nothing, Believe no one, Check everything.

JakeysGranny Sat 11-Oct-25 14:37:33

I also received a message about the winter fuel allowance, I reported it as a scam and blocked the sender:
1) gov.uk would write to me if they needed to tell me anything
2) I know for definite that I’m not entitled to it
3) it said it was urgent that I had to apply by the end of that day - which seems typical of these types of scam
I like foxyferret’s ABC mantra - we should all adopt it 😉

suelld Sat 11-Oct-25 15:00:50

I got one te other day telling me there was a problem with my regular payment to EE. I checked my bank ( cos it’s on Direct debit) …and there it was …paid!
You have to be so careful nowadays!

Lizzies Sat 11-Oct-25 15:36:42

I keep getting calls from mobiles and when I answer it’s a recorded message saying that they want to talk to me about a job and to add their number to WhatsApp. I just keep blocking the number, but they always use a different one.

Lizzies Sat 11-Oct-25 15:37:37

Sorry, meant to say that I don’t know how this scam works, if it is a scam.

Stoker48 Sat 11-Oct-25 16:11:34

I had the same text too!
I can n believe it now but I responded, credit card details and all.
The penny dropped five minutes later and I realised how gullible I had been.
Cancelled card.
Lesson learnt ….

Astitchintime Sat 11-Oct-25 16:48:05

I answered a phone call on our landline just last week. The caller asked for the ‘lady of the house’ which instantly sparked my suspicion…………I asked who they were and apparently they were Domestic & General and the call concerned the policy on our appliance ……..we have no such policy on any appliance. They were told in no uncertain terms that I knew they were fraudsters and they were trying to scam me……..they soon hung up. Wonder why……..

Mojack26 Sat 11-Oct-25 17:11:00

I know you don't apply in Scotland or in any other part of UK,I think.Never respond with bank details to anything by text,e mail or any other way.

MickyD Sat 11-Oct-25 19:09:59

I got it too. I knew it was a scam immediately as I didn’t qualify for it.
Thank goodness you caught it in time…

Thisismyname1953 Sat 11-Oct-25 21:51:33

@Lizzies , I never answer the phone if it’s an unknown number that I don’t recognise . If it’s important to them they will contact me in another way .

Marg75 Sat 11-Oct-25 22:01:23

I got an email saying that my car wasn't taxed. I remember actually doing it online but still found my self looking for the payment on my bank app.

Harris27 Sat 11-Oct-25 22:07:12

Thank you for all this.

Cath9 Sat 11-Oct-25 22:13:09

Thanks although this scam has been going on now for a few years as I received it around 2020.

Greengage Sat 11-Oct-25 23:26:04

I try not to answer any calls that come from numbers I don't recognise. If it is a genuine call they will usually leave a message.

DrWatson Sun 12-Oct-25 02:14:09

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

millymouge Sun 12-Oct-25 10:02:16

Had this come on my phone twice now. Reported and blocked the first time, but guess they used a different number the second time. Horrible people