Today I got a text with my wife's caller ID, that was actually from the car dealer from which I bought my current ride. Obviously trying to ain some legitimacy and thinking that I might just delete the ext without reading it if they were honest about the sender (they'd be correct about that). The message was that "service is due," the "service" actually being the annual safety inspection. They use this as an excuse to find something wrong that needs immediate repair.

Last time they had the car it was "battery needs replacing" something that I had already done a few months earlier. They just pulled a code and didn't even bother to look at the top of the battery where the replacement date was clearly visible.

So isn't there some fraud provision about a business stealing someone's identity? Not that I think I could get an authority interested in pursuing the matter, but do I have any other recourse (other than taking my business elsewhere, something that I have already resolved to do)?

There are differences between Apple & Android with what can be done with spam calls & texts. Other than blocking and reporting as spam, there just isn't much you can do.
There won't be a fix for this problem until the telecom giants think it's actually a problem.
Any caller who calls my phone is welcome to leave a message. If they call and don't leave a message, within a minute of their call, I have them blocked and reported as spam.
If I get a spam text that is not relevant to me, they also get blocked.
In almost all cases, If the phone rings and they are not in my contact list, that call is ignored.

Basically, calls and texts from someone that isn't in my contact list, almost everything gets blocked and reported as spam.
There are some minor exceptions, If I initiate contact and am expecting a return phone call or text.
It is a shame we have to police the people calling/texting us.

I run Android phones and recently upgraded/replaced my phone.
Thank God the list of blocked/spam numbers was one of the items transferred over to the new phone when the old phone storage contents were transferred to the new unit.
That list of blocked/spam phone numbers is beginning to look like a bill out of the US Congress.

I have received phone calls and texts that were spoofed from my phone number!

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:

I have received phone calls and texts that were spoofed from my phone number!

I never answer calls from my own number. There is absolutely nothing that I could say, that I would want to hear.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
Today I got a text with my wife's caller ID, that was actually from the car dealer from which ....do I have any other recourse

1) politely tell them to go bugger themselves (choose whatever equivalent meets your approval, either spicier or milder) and that, if that happens again you and yours will never buy squat from them again.

and-or

2) change the phone number on record with them to 1-800-555-1212

3) both of the above

quote:

change the phone number on record with them to 1-800-555-1212

I prefer 867-5309 (choose your area code).

^^^^^^
Jenny!

The spoofing is unreal sometimes. I got scammed a couple of years ago, when I received a text, and then a phone call, from "USAA", claiming there was an issue with my CC, unauthorized charges. The caller IDs and the numbers matched the USAA numbers that I know and also have in my contacts list. A quick check of my account online did show some fraudulent charges.

"USAA" wanted to send me a new CC, and claimed that they had partnered with Apple to cut down on fraud. After a few questions (no PIN info or secret password questions) the call was done. A few days later I got an Apple CC, and a statement showing about $10K in charges.

I called USAA to ask questions. They had no records of any calls to me. I told them the story and then found out that it was scam. Several other members had been duped as well.

The scariest part was that the scammers not only spoofed the numbers, but also knew what to say and what questions to ask, things that I had done before with the legitimate USAA. Afterwards, I thought that perhaps the scammers may have worked for the real USAA in their past.

It's sad that people develop this scam technique, when they could use their skills for other "honest" things, IMHO.

Stay vigilant.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:

I have received phone calls and texts that were spoofed from my phone number!

I never answer calls from my own number. There is absolutely nothing that I could say, that I would want to hear.

I received a call from myself one time. I thought about answering but didn't. I always think about Biff from Back to the Future and maybe I called to give myself some information and I would be a multi millionaire right now.

A legit business doing this is bonkers. How can they possibly think this won't piss off most if not all their customers they try this trickeration on?

Just my own advice that I tell to all my kids and family. No matter how legitimate a text or email looks if I respond I go to that vendor via a known good email or phone number. I.e., I read the text from my bank then call them from a known good number and ask them if they sent the text. It takes longer but it erases any chance of fraud.

Years ago I was defrauded and the secret service agent called. (they actually do this I learned) I was very nice got all his info and told him that I would contact his office and reach him that way if in fact he was who he said he was. It took me a bit to find a phone number and backtrack but lo and behold it was all legit. I hate scammers.

Keep getting calls from a Medical Company, my Dr is in the group, they call want my name, dob, address to validate. To top it off, the caller has a foreign accent.

No way I'd give that information out to any inbound caller, when I call the main number, which they are spoofing they have no clue, can't find any reason they would call.

Get a "google phone number" and "free email address".

Use them for anything you that requires a number/email that might be sold, shared or otherwise become a nuisance.

That and "block all unknown callers" "filters/rules for email", will go a long way to elimination SPAM calls, text and emails.

Never answer a call, eventually your number gets dropped. "Block/report" all unknown callers.

Eliminate un-necessary phone numbers from contacts. You can always look up a number for infrequent calling for business/shopping etc.

(I had over 6,000 contacts before I retired, and over time, a lot of those numbers were changed by the contacts and ended up being used by "spammers". One day, I looked at my list of recent callers for the past couple of years, made a list, and deleted all the contacts, and then added just the list. I have 61 contacts.

I get maybe 1/2 dozen calls a year. Calm, blue, ocean...

yeah I took my truck in for a routine oil change and annual state inspection. I figured they are doing the inspection I’ll let them change the oil. I supply my own oil and filter anyways so labor on it is cheap.

What they’d do? Dirty up my engine cover that looked like some thin mud. Same mud was all over my rear bumper. Then they sent me videos of a dirty engine air filter telling me it needed to be replaced. Then another video of a filthy ass in cabin air filter. It obviously wasn’t mine. I replaced both on my own (Amazon has OEM parts) within days. I only did that, and saved the receipt in case I had a warranty issue and they tried to say I didn’t do the maintenance. I was so pissed. They wanted like $120 to do the air filter in the engine bay. Oh my F. A couple of clips to remove the entire intake. Open the box with a lever, replace. Intake back on. I mean it takes maybe 2-3 minutes tops and that’s if you are old school with the cold beer and a lit cigarette. Me, 60 seconds. Then the in cabin air filter. I swear to you they swapped mine, which had 12k miles on it, with some filthy bullshit from another vehicle. In cabin air filter takes a few more minutes than the engine one because I have to remove the glove box, unlocking it first with the key. But it’s easy too. I think they were trying to charge something like $80-90 for that. I just remember $200 all in for that shit and I did both for like $30 in less than 10 minutes.

Fucking stealers. And I have a fuel pump propeller recall on it and I’m dreading taking it in. I maintain my vehicle fleet extremely well, and do all the things way early. Then they pull this shit like I’m driving through Baja or a forest 4X4’ing it. Give me a f’in break. Thieves.

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
Today I got a text with my wife's caller ID, that was actually from the car dealer from which ....do I have any other recourse

change the phone number on record with them to 1-800-555-1212

Or maybe give them the phone number of a rival car dealer.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:

cabin air filter. I swear to you they swapped mine, which had 12k miles on it, with some filthy bullshit from another vehicle.

When I change mine, I write my initials, date, and odometer reading, on the filter and take a picture of it before I install it. Then, if the dealer tries the bullshit that you described, I can show them the photo of mine.

You and I seem to think a lot alike, Mr. V-Tail.