Upsetting Phone Call

BuilderBob

Here's my story:
I've had a phone call, number unknown on the caller ID, when I answered I heard a few clicks, a brief second of hold type music and then a voice said "Hello this is Simon from......(I didn't catch the next bit)", he then said "Is this Mr.....(and quoted my surname)".
This all happened very quickly and while I was immediately suspicious, from the start of the call, when he used my name I was so caught off guard that I stupidly said yes (I know how daft that reads, believe me!)
He then asked if I had a laptop but I had by now realised my error and responded by asking him who he was but got no response.
I repeated my question a few more times but still no response and then the call ended.
Can anyone shed any light on this and what I should do with it?
Thanks for any help but I'm rather freaked out that he had my name and home number
Thanks all

FSL

Unless you have always been ex directory your name and number is/was listed.

Pot Noodle =

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055833248 Same happened to me

havetoquit

Happened to me and I immediately went ex-directory. Was advised that if it ever happens again to put the phone down immediately the person asks for your name without first giving theirs. Do not give them the satisfaction of air time and knowing they are in control. A lot of freaks out there and sick people, as well as those who basically call to see if anyone is in before doing over their house, so best to be x-directory and only give your number to family and trusted friends. Don't put photos and info on social networking sites as it is rife with predators believe me. Best to remain as anonymous as possible with those you don't know and don't want to. Hope this helps.

Dude111

I believe this is a scam,JUST HANG UP!!!!!!!

I have read of many people getting such calls lately

Alun

Indeed, a scam ...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0525/1224271087384.html

havetoquit

Would like to hear if you have taken action to go ex-directory since and was that the end of it? Another obvious tip is never ever give your home number to those you meet on a night out and know nothing whatsoever about them except what they choose to tell you. Also, even when filling in forms of one kind or another, I only give my mobile number, even to a bank clark. Too many unbalanced people appear to be well able to portray a convinceable facade of respectability and we are living in a world which is becoming more Big Brother is watching you every day. Keep safe and keep private details just that.....PRIVATE.

Redsquigy

This was highlighted tonight on Crimecall.

bigbadpat

Alun wrote: »

Indeed, a scam ...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0525/1224271087384.html

Happened to me - told my laptop was compromised and the caller would take me through a procedure to fix the problem as described in the Irish Times article. The caller was from India.
I just hung up. Glad I was not the only one.

I will not be going ex Directory.

havetoquit

Sorry to slightly off thread but received a suspect email this am headed 'Urgent help needed' with some story about a guy being mugged on way to hotel and needed money etc etc. The contents didn't bother me as recognised it as a scam I had already heard of, but what really worried me was that it appeared to come from someone totally trustworthy who is on my email list, a relative I was speaking to only last night. Worse still the sender had somehow managed to copy his distintive signature in Script which he always uses when he contacts me. Should I report this to anyone, or just delete and igonore? Thank you if anyone can just advise and sorry again that it is off thread, but at least is connected by way of being also a communications security issue.

KoolKid

These phone calls seem to be increasing recently. There is a thread in Computers & Tecnology about it here.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055837564 .
Lets keep to that topic.
If discussing email scams futher please start a new thread or post in one more relevant.
Thanks

BuilderBob

Hi all
Many thanks for the responses.
To be honest I was a bit more freaked out about it than I should have been as Mrs.Bob's handbag had very recently been stolen and I was jumping to all sorts of conclusions.
Turns out I am in the telephone directory...thanks to whoever mentioned it as I hadn't realised - must get that sorted.
It does seem that these calls are becoming more frequent.
I've had 3 more since and a couple had the number in the caller ID - anything I can do with that number?
Thanks again to you all

gingernut79

Just had a call myself from what sounds like the people described in the IRish times article. Tried to ask what company they worked for and when I didnt get a straight answer I just hung up. Thank goodness!

Must scan pc just in case. Cheers Boardsies!

ak27

havetoquit wrote: »

Sorry to slightly off thread but received a suspect email this am headed 'Urgent help needed' with some story about a guy being mugged on way to hotel and needed money etc etc. The contents didn't bother me as recognised it as a scam I had already heard of, but what really worried me was that it appeared to come from someone totally trustworthy who is on my email list, a relative I was speaking to only last night. Worse still the sender had somehow managed to copy his distintive signature in Script which he always uses when he contacts me. Should I report this to anyone, or just delete and igonore? Thank you if anyone can just advise and sorry again that it is off thread, but at least is connected by way of being also a communications security issue.

This is definitely a scam. Your relative's e-mail was most likely hacked into. It's best you get you're relative to change their password immediately and just ignore the e-mail.

havetoquit

Thank you very much for response and yes, if was of course a scam and if it is any help to anyone out there; The Canadian police have managed to trace the sender to Holland and he is only one of many sending thousands of mails having hacked into someones email account. It also means that you lose all your email addresses, as you can't log on to your account after this kind of scam appartenly. Have to change to new email address, password etc. Unfortunately Canadian police have no jurisdiction over him, but they have naturally alerted Dutch police, so hope they get him and the others. The police also said that there are still people naive enough to actually send money to this kind of scum and that even if ten such people round the world send it the trouble for him will have been worth it!!!!