- Thread starter CristoRey
- Start date
Grandma... It's me (SCAM)
Taking over someone's phone number allows the scammer to receive txt msgs with login verification codes and other prompts to change passwords or reset entire accounts. To pull this off, most scammers have someone at the phone company who is helping. But sometimes a well meaning employee can be tricked into reassigning the phone number to a new device.
Sorry to say and glad she is not reading this, but I doubt she is smart enough to give her SIM card to someone.
She said she was asked to participate in a WhatsApp group for the university. And just after that, this happened.
She plans to close that Claro account and get a new number.
Unfortunately we live a good hour away from the nearest Claro business office. She works from 7:30-5:00 Monday through Friday.
So until Saturday she must just suffer the consequences.
However, since I wrote to the scammer and said that I gave the information to the DR police and the NY police, their phone use has stopped, it appears.
Interesting comment Lindsey about WhatsApp group request. I seldom use WhatsApp but have noticed lately I keeping getting messages to join various groups. One was totally written in Chinese. I delete them of course but makes one wonder.
Not sure how joining in a Whatsapp group (now called Communities) would lead to the problem Lindsey described. Might just be a coincidence. However, you can change how you are added to a community under the Whatsapp settings so that only your contacts may do so. Also, you can further secure your account by requiring to periodically enter a 6-digit PIN to access your Whatsapp. If someone does manage to hijack your account, they won't be able to access it for long.
On Android cells and most likely IP you can block any number from calls and texts also............
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As I suspected, and from what I can find , you would STILL have to Give someone the CODE which then comes back to the ORIGINAL Phone number .
So they cant just take over your number by installing software alone . even if you click on it .
So , its the same as if your BANK wants you to Authenticate , by texting you a CODE, and then you ENTER that Code into your Log in .
Unfortunately, This Teacher in one way or the other " Participated" in this Scam by giving them this Crucial Info .
I dont see how its possible to take over her Phone # any other way other than by giving out this Whatsapp Authentication.
The Sad part is , her original Number is now associated with this Scammer on Whatsapp.. I dont think that can be reversed until he gives it up.
My question is did she have whats app with that Same Number before this , I highly doubt it . its another Scenario i do not see playing out either .
She most definitely got a Text, while " signing up" and then gave that Info to another person , who contacted her from her Friends Group or claimed was " helping her" to set it up.
Be careful .
As I suspected, and from what I can find , you would STILL have to Give someone the CODE which then comes back to the ORIGINAL Phone number .
So they cant just take over your number by installing software alone . even if you click on it .
So , its the same as if your BANK wants you to Authenticate , by texting you a CODE, and then you ENTER that Code into your Log in .
Unfortunately, This Teacher in one way or the other " Participated" in this Scam by giving them this Crucial Info .
I dont see how its possible to take over her Phone # any other way other than by giving out this Whatsapp Authentication.
The Sad part is , her original Number is now associated with this Scammer on Whatsapp.. I dont think that can be reversed until he gives it up.
My question is did she have whats app with that Same Number before this , I highly doubt it . its another Scenario i do not see playing out either .
She most definitely got a Text, while " signing up" and then gave that Info to another person , who contacted her from her Friends Group or claimed was " helping her" to set it up.
Be careful .
She has had What’s App for as long as she taught for me. That is at least 5 years.
Claro told her that they don’t understand it. In fact, they told her that what she is experiencing is impossible.
She is going Saturday to cancel that number and get a new one. Meanwhile this person has her hostage.