We’ve been scammed!

Oh maddyone so sorry to hear this, and the story you were given was so plausible. It's a lot of money and thank goodness you're likely to get it back.

I am so sorry to hear this Maddyobe
I wonder if this is the same scam Infoman was warning us against a few weeks ago or similar?
infoman Tue 28-Sep-21 06:22:44
a phone call from "friends OR relatives"?
Saying use this number in future as I have broken my old numbers phone hand set.
Even if you have broken a phone
(as opposed to it being lost or stolen) you should be able to use the old sim card phone number in another phone hand set.
Please be careful and warn others

Sorry Maddyone - clumsy typo.

Thank you for the warning maddyone. It seems like an easy scam to fall for.

Oh dear sorry to hear this maddyone I really do not know how these people sleep at night.

So sorry Maddyone, honestly, lockdown has really bought out the dregs of society. Very glad your money will be refunded.

Thanks for reminding us to be careful, check, check and check again.

When we have family travelling, or living overseas in this instance, we have a code phrase, if that phrase isn't in the message we would treat it as scam until we know otherwise,

How upsetting for you Maddyone. I am glad it is being resolved. Thanks for the warning. I could have fallen for that scam too.

Thank you so much ladies, I do hope this thread doesn’t drop down too quickly as I really want everyone to see it. We are pretty savvy normally re scams, but this one fooled us. The trouble is that as normal, loving parents, like you all are, we always respond quickly to any emergencies that arise with our three. We always have done, but now we would be very cautious re giving/lending money. A request from our son who works long hours which might ask if Dad’s got time this week could he pop over and mow the lawn, which my husband will always respond to, is very different than a request for money. We have lent and given them money in the past and stupidly we responded to this without doing the proper checks. Our daughter said she will never ask for money like that in a text, if she had a real need she would speak to us. I just want all our loving parents and grandparents to know about this and not fall into the trap.

How did they get into What’s App?

I wish I knew Cleo.

I got an email from someone purporting to be my late brother’s friend in Canada asking if we were ok and could we do him a favour. No details given. Presumably I was meant to say “Of course and what do you want me to do…..” A request for money would probably have followed. However the email was signed as being from Dr X Y which the real person would never do! So I ignored it.

Sorry to hear this and thank you for the warning. Whatever next!

Thank you do much for the warning. Like you we and many other parents respond to our adult children when they need support. Well done for making this public , so happy for you that your bank and the police are investigating this. We all think we would not fall for this - it just goes to show anyone is likely to fall victim .

Oh Maddyone how awful for you, please don't feel stupid, these scams are very sophisticated and play on people's good nature. The very same scam was on BBC yesterday morning, a woman had received a message exactly the same as yours news phone/no phone banking available for 24 hours/rent payment needed. Thank you for warning everyone, and hopefully your bank will refund you. Like most people, I always considered WhatsApp to be the safest of the SM

Niobe I think that’s the one. I was asked if I could do her a favour. Exactly that. Mind you when I got the new number I foolishly asked is this C….. and of course got the affirmative. I asked if the money was for the rent and got the affirmative. So if you get this type of request don’t give away any of your family member’s details. Make sure you get that information from them but speak to your family member before you transfer any money. I feel very foolish over this.

EMMF1948your family code is a very good idea.

The last thing you need Maddy thankyou for the warning and I’m pleased your bank are being responsive.

So glad your bank are dealing with it and thank you for the warning. Must have been a huge shock but well done for contacting your daughter promptly.

I'm told that Signal is more secure than WhatsApp.

I'm told that Signal is more secure than WhatsApp.

I'm told that Signal is more secure than WhatsApp.

Sorry about the multiple posts.
I thought it hadn't posted at all, then three came along at once.