Is this text message a con?

Leif

Received a text message today, saying that I should reply with "Confirm" to find out how much I am due after an accident. I've not had an accident, and I assume this is a scam. Is the idea that the reply text message costs me a lot of money due to it being a premium call rate?

How do these scumbags get my number?

Dave_C_2

Let me google it for you

http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=text+accident+confirm&oq=text+accident+confirm&gs_l=hp.3..0i8.2510.14622.1.16256.21.21.0.0.0.0.333.2536.5j15j0j1.21.0...0.0...1c.-SNQK-kt_yg&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=861f8e23df00fca0&biw=1024&bih=658

Enjoy

Dave

Dave_C_2

T/b/P wrote: »

No scam. Once you confirm, they'll send you a cheque for the amount you're due for not having been in an accident.

Totally legit. I got £3,500 for not having any accidents last week.

May I suggest that you read up on Poe's law
Your last few posts are making you look like a troll.

Dave

Leif

Dave_C wrote: »

Let me google it for you

http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=text+accident+confirm&oq=text+accident+confirm&gs_l=hp.3..0i8.2510.14622.1.16256.21.21.0.0.0.0.333.2536.5j15j0j1.21.0...0.0...1c.-SNQK-kt_yg&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=861f8e23df00fca0&biw=1024&bih=658

Enjoy

Dave

Thank you. This link explains the scam, or at least one form:

http://www.scam-detectives.co.uk/blog/2010/05/12/sms-scam-targets-accident-victims/

barbiedoll

There's a very good MSE article here......

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/stop-spam-texts#type

Also, in the latest MSE email, there is a number to forward any spam "PPI reclaim" texts to. Send any of these texts onwards to 7726, if they get enough reports, they will block them!

See the "Weekly email" header at the top of the board.

johnnyboyrebel

It's probably not so much about charging you an extortionate amount for a text but instead harvesting mobile numbers. As soon as you reply then your number is active therefore added to one large list. Where do you think companies get your numbers from to give you random sales calls?

kermitfrog

Leif wrote: »

Received a text message today, saying that I should reply with "Confirm" to find out how much I am due after an accident. I've not had an accident, and I assume this is a scam. Is the idea that the reply text message costs me a lot of money due to it being a premium call rate?

How do these scumbags get my number?

If you've already decided they're scumbags, why do you need to ask if it's a con?

prowla

Leif wrote: »

Received a text message today, saying that I should reply with "Confirm" to find out how much I am due after an accident. I've not had an accident, and I assume this is a scam. Is the idea that the reply text message costs me a lot of money due to it being a premium call rate?

How do these scumbags get my number?

They pick the numbers randomly - I've had some on my work phone.
I generally add them to a contact I've set up called "Junk".
I try not to get narked about them, as they are something akin to finding you've got a spot on your backside.

browneyedbazzi

They do indeed send out messages to millions of random numbers...anyone who replies is put on the 'suckers it's easy to con' list and sold on to everyone who is willing to pay for the numbers of suckers who it's easy to con.