A scam phone calls and emails discussion.

[brad465]

I don't know if the title expands to scam buyers, but I'll give this a shot:

I'm currently selling a bicycle I no longer use on eBay, for collection only, and it automatically relisted on Sunday after the first auction round went unsold (I have though sold a bike on eBay before in 2021). Someone messaged me yesterday asking for info on the bike, regarding when it was last serviced and double checking certain condition aspects. These were legitimate questions, however they then asked late last night about coming to have a look before buying in the coming days, saying they maybe able to come to my local area tomorrow or Thursday. I haven't responded yet, but had a look at their profile to see if they reveal where they are based (i.e. how local they are). It doesn't say beyond the UK, but also discovered that, while they have a high feedback score (404) and have sold almost 100 items in the 10 years they've been on the platform, they currently have several other bicycles advertised for sale. This makes me think they are potentially trying to snatch the item and re-sell it themselves.

Does anyone else think this is suspicious, or have genuine sales happened this way before? I'm also planning to ask my local bike shop tomorrow for advice on this, so don't worry if no-one here can answer. If it is dodgy, I'm thinking I'll just ignore them from here.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

That domain was only created yesterday lunchtime

Probably designed to harvest User IDs and passwords.

@aftv. Your inbound message could do with reporting to 7726.

 

[pdeaves]

If it is dodgy, I'm thinking I'll just ignore them from here.

You can sell to who you want. If it 'feels' dodgy, assume it is.

 

[najaB]

You can sell to who you want. If it 'feels' dodgy, assume it is.

Sound advice!

 

[Bevan Price]

Maybe also insist on "cash only" payment ?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Maybe also insist on "cash only" payment ?

That's a quick way of getting banned from e-Bay these days isn't it?

 

[aftv]

That domain was only created yesterday lunchtime

At risk of going off topic but how does one go about finding out when a domain was created?

Probably designed to harvest User IDs and passwords.

@aftv. Your inbound message could do with reporting to 7726.

Thank you. I'll get round to reporting the message at some point today.

 

[najaB]

At risk of going off topic but how does one go about finding out when a domain was created?

There are a number of public WHOIS servers that will give you that information. For example: https://www.who.is/whois/railforums.co.uk

If you're ever in doubt about an email/website it's a good idea to check when it was registered. Scammers tend to set them up, use them for a few weeks until they start getting blocked, and move on. If a domain has been registered for several years, it's less likely to be a scam.

 

[gg1]

Maybe also insist on "cash only" payment ?

That's a quick way of getting banned from e-Bay these days isn't it?

Cash isn't even available as an optional payment method for eBay anymore, let alone cash only.

 

[aftv]

There are a number of public WHOIS servers that will give you that information. For example: https://www.who.is/whois/railforums.co.uk

If you're ever in doubt about an email/website it's a good idea to check when it was registered. Scammers tend to set them up, use them for a few weeks until they start getting blocked, and move on. If a domain has been registered for several years, it's less likely to be a scam.

That's great. Thank you.

 

[londonbridge]

Just had a text, allegedly from my mobile provider:

To make our network more reliable, we'll be starting essential works in the (postcode) area from 8am on 20-Sep-25. This may affect your services for a while. We know this isn't ideal, but we aim to have you back online by 8pm on 20-Sep-25.

Followed by a link for more info.

Everything looks legit and most likely is, but I say “allegedly” because the second half of my postcode is wrong.

 

[styles]

Just had a text, allegedly from my mobile provider:

To make our network more reliable, we'll be starting essential works in the (postcode) area from 8am on 20-Sep-25. This may affect your services for a while. We know this isn't ideal, but we aim to have you back online by 8pm on 20-Sep-25.

Followed by a link for more info.

Everything looks legit and most likely is, but I say “allegedly” because the second half of my postcode is wrong.

Perhaps the postcode is more specifically where they're doing the work, e.g. where the mast is, and they've just messaged all subscribers within X metres of that?

But yeah, sounds pretty legit. No obvious call to action, no pressure added, etc.

Never can be too careful though. I wouldn't click the link, personally, not least because all the useful information is in the text of the SMS anyway.

 

[londonbridge]

Facebook scam. Food Rewards. They seem to have loads of vouchers for a free meal at Toby Carvery by liking the post! There’s also a post where you can get a free food parcel by leaving a comment with the word “box”. First time I saw it the picture was of a guy holding a box with the Aldi logo on it. Pops up again a day later only this time it’s Tesco!….I click comment and post “SCAMMER” and instantly get a DM with a link to claim my free box! I don’t think so somehow.

 

[Gloster]

Facebook scam. Food Rewards. They seem to have loads of vouchers for a free meal at Toby Carvery by liking the post! There’s also a post where you can get a free food parcel by leaving a comment with the word “box”. First time I saw it the picture was of a guy holding a box with the Aldi logo on it. Pops up again a day later only this time it’s Tesco!….I click comment and post “SCAMMER” and instantly get a DM with a link to claim my free box! I don’t think so somehow.

Scams like this make regular appearances in the Latest Fact Checks section of the Full Fact site ( .fullfact.org ). Some are so obviously ridiculous or amateur that you really must gullible and greedy to fall for them, but no doubt enough mugs do…

 

[Bald Rick]

Mrs BR had an email yesterday, from Ferrari.

Apparently they have seen her work and want her to be their Social Media Manager. Click here for more info…

Quite an odd one!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

My next-door neighbour, an elderly lady retired head teacher of the same age range as I, who called to visit me to see how I was faring at home after my hospital discharge after an eight-day stay, on ward A9 at Wythenshawe Hospital, told me she found an email in her inbox from a company purporting to be SP Electricity North West, noting that they could offer extra assistance to the elderly in cases of a power cut and to click on a link in the email.

All she did was to block the sender and domain and class the email as spam in her records. Have any other website members received something similar?

 

[PeterC]

Very realistic "PayPal" email today about suspicious activity on my account. One minor error was sending it to the email address of the society that I am treasurer of. There has definitely never been a PayPal account linked to that address.

Reported of course

 

[John Webb]

My next-door neighbour, an elderly lady retired head teacher of the same age range as I, who called to visit me to see how I was faring at home after my hospital discharge after an eight-day stay, on ward A9 at Wythenshawe Hospital, told me she found an email in her inbox from a company purporting to be SP Electricity North West, noting that they could offer extra assistance to the elderly in cases of a power cut and to click on a link in the email.

All she did was to block the sender and domain and class the email as spam in her records. Have any other website members received something similar?

I've only had genuine e-mails from the three providers who supply me with gas, water and electricity. Of, I think, a similar age to you and your neighbour and with several medical conditions, I've got myself onto the 'priority register' as they call it, of all three companies.

 

[Jon_jpwh]

My next-door neighbour, an elderly lady retired head teacher of the same age range as I, who called to visit me to see how I was faring at home after my hospital discharge after an eight-day stay, on ward A9 at Wythenshawe Hospital, told me she found an email in her inbox from a company purporting to be SP Electricity North West, noting that they could offer extra assistance to the elderly in cases of a power cut and to click on a link in the email.

All she did was to block the sender and domain and class the email as spam in her records. Have any other website members received something similar?

I have had emails from the utility companies which supply me recommending that I register on the Priority Services Register and this I have done as a pensioner. If you register, some of the companies share this information, electricity with water, for example. It certainly was useful when my water supply was interrupted for several days in 2024 and they delivered bottled water to me. More information is at https://www.thepsr.co.uk

 

[snail]

My next-door neighbour, an elderly lady retired head teacher of the same age range as I, who called to visit me to see how I was faring at home after my hospital discharge after an eight-day stay, on ward A9 at Wythenshawe Hospital, told me she found an email in her inbox from a company purporting to be SP Electricity North West, noting that they could offer extra assistance to the elderly in cases of a power cut and to click on a link in the email.

All she did was to block the sender and domain and class the email as spam in her records. Have any other website members received something similar?

It's not a scam. SP Electricity North West are the "National Grid" operator for the NW of England. They keep a register of people that may require extra care in a power cut.

Join Our Extra Care Register | SP Electricity North West

Sign up to SP Electricity North West’s free Extra Care register for tailored support during power cuts. If you or someone you care for may struggle, we offer priority updates, emergency help, and accessible services.

www.enwl.co.uk

 

[najaB]

It's not a scam. SP Electricity North West are the "National Grid" operator for the NW of England. They keep a register of people that may require extra care in a power cut.

Well, it's likely not a scam. There's always the chance that scammers were operating in the name of the legitimate supplier. If in doubt, @Xenophon PCDGS 's neighbour could always contact SP Electricity North West directly.

 

[greatkingrat]

An unlikely source for today's scam. An email was sent out this morning inviting people to join the new left wing "Your Party" apparently on the instructions of Zarah Sultana MP. Jeremy Corbyn is now saying she was not authorized to do so, and is urging people who have signed up to contact their banks and cancel the payments!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Well, it's likely not a scam. There's always the chance that scammers were operating in the name of the legitimate supplier. If in doubt, @Xenophon PCDGS 's neighbour could always contact SP Electricity North West directly.

Thank you for this advice, which I will pass on to my neighbour. I am aware scammers use the names/styles of utility companies, as you quite rightly say.

 

[AndrewE]

Thank you for this advice, which I will pass on to my neighbour. I wonder why I too have not been contacted as both my neighbour and I are 80 years of age and I am on the referral books of no less than three hospitals.

perhaps you haven't shared that with the utility providers?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

perhaps you haven't shared that with the utility providers?

United Utilities (water) and Good Energy (dual gas and electricity) already have had me on their priority register in the 15 years since my 65th birthday.

 

[AndrewE]

If I was not aware of such a scenario, how would I be expected to share such information with unknown providers to me such as SP Electricity North West? It was a neighbour, not I, who had been approached by that organisation
not me. United Utilities (water) and Good Energy (dual gas and electricity) already have had me on their priority register in the 15 years since my 65th birthday.

I wouldn't know why Good Energy haven't passed on your details, maybe you should ask them.
Have you followed @snail's advice?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wouldn't know why Good Energy haven't passed on your details, maybe you should ask them.
Have you followed @snail's advice?

I am sorry that I bothered to report a matter such as this that affected a neighbour, not I, as it may have been a scam that others may also have been approached by email.

Is there any chance that the moderation staff can delete all postings from this thread that make reference to this matter, as I seem to be given advice on how to deal with personal matters at the age of 80. I really must have had a very marked diminuation in my mental ability over the 15 years since I retired as Senior Head of Projects at the consultancy....

 

[AndrewE]

I am sorry that I bothered to report a matter such as this that affected a neighbour, not I, as it may have been a scam that others may also have been approached by email.

Is there any chance that the moderation staff can delete all postings from this thread that make reference to this matter, as I seem to be given advice on how to deal with personal matters at the age of 80. I really must have had a very marked diminuation in my mental ability over the 15 years since I retired as Senior Head of Projects at the consultancy....

Why? It's good advice (@snail's) and could well be useful for the more senior members here. It's good to know what apparently suspicious emails are not scams, and a welcome reminder of help which is there if only you register - which you can't if nobody has told you about it.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Why? It's good advice (@snail's) and could well be useful for the more senior members here. It's good to know what apparently suspicious emails are not scams, and a welcome reminder of help which is there if only you register - which you can't if nobody has told you about it.

Why did my neighbour assume it was a scam and then took the action that she did?

 

[najaB]

Why did my neighbour assume it was a scam and then took the action that she did?

Because people have been conditioned to assume that any unexpected contact from a company could be a scam. Which, sadly, is more often to be true than not.

That's certainly a better default position to take than assuming the contact is legitimate.