Computer hackers, be careful

[Patrick]

Awhile back my laptop got hacked. I just shut everything down and waited hours before turning it back on. Everything worked fine. Now, months later I'm receiving phone calls wanting payment for from the hackers claiming non-payment for their computer insurance security policy and are going to withdraw $6800 from my bank account. I just told them where they could go and hung up on them. Immediately I started getting repeated texts supposedly from verizon stating my bill is overdue and they are going to withdraw payment from my bank account which already has online monthly withdrawal for our account. I may go to a verizon store and talk with them.

This is just info to let you know these nit-wits are out there. Oh, and, as usual, I couldn't understand most of what they were saying. I assume they were calling from some hut in india.

[..]

I never answer unknown phone calls. If it's important they will leave a message I can respond to or simply delete.

[Valkorado]

I never answer unknown phone calls. If it's important they will leave a message I can respond to or simply delete.

+1.  Won't open unknown texts or emails either.

[scooperhsd]

I never answer unknown phone calls. If it's important they will leave a message I can respond to or simply delete.

+1.  Won't open unknown texts or emails either.

Yep. You want to talk to me, you contact me via other means first. And you better be explaining WHY you want to communicate with me, and  how you got my info.

[cookiedough]

I get potential spam texts and voice messages near daily for sure once per week.  I usually ignore them only a few times answered the phone and immediately they hang up on me knowing I am not falling for their hoax. 

What gets me is getting weekly student loan debt information live people calling me thinking I have student loans trying to help me out.  I say have been outta college for over 30 years am fine.

also get calls weekly for old age programs like AARP and one of 1st questions they ask is my age tell them 51 and then they immediately hang up on me ticking me off.

thinking about changing my cell phone number with US Cellular am sick of it.

[scooperhsd]

My largest number of callers are people trying to sell me extended car warranties. I almost always block NC numbers because of this.

[cookiedough]

My largest number of callers are people trying to sell me extended car warranties. I almost always block NC numbers because of this.

I get those also on vehicles I have not owned for 3 to 10 years ago as well, very weird how they get my information.  Most though on extended warranties are thru the mail system.

[carolinarider09]

I got spam calls (just like email spam) calls every day (well not every day, they took a break over the holidays it seemed).  I usually answer them because I want to hear where they are from (their accent).  

Then we might discuss the price of eggs unit it gets to the point that I point out that their call is illegal.  Then they hang up.  This happens on cell phone and land line.

Remember there is a "No Call" list.   I am on it, both numbers.  I bring this up because it shows you how inept the federal government can be.  We were told get on the "do not call list" and the spam will stop.   Nope the spam moved off shore and there is no way they, (the feds) can track them down.  They use spoofed phone numbers.  So the call might be from your best friend (by chance only).  

One rule, do not give them any information.   My favorite one is the call from Amazon about the $900 iPhone I just purchased but there is a problem.  I push the number and the person from some foreign country says "Amazon, how can I help you".   I then say "Hi you called me".   They hang up.  

Its not a punishment but every real interaction I have means someone knows that they are do something that is wrong.  May not make a difference but..... you never know.

Regarding embed links on emails and such.  I never click on them unless I recognize the company and its email address looks authentic.  And all the junk email I get automatically gets sent (don't know have the MacBook does it) to the "Junk" email folder.   By pressing three keys they are erased from my system never to be seen again.

[Hook#3287]

I never answer unknown phone calls. If it's important they will leave a message I can respond to or simply delete.

Yup   No unknown number gets answered.  I rarely answer known ones.

[Patrick]

I too usually don't answer calls that I don't the numbers. Its gotten that they now use your area code and sometimes I like to screw with those auto warranty nitwits. This particular one had my correct area code. So, from now on, I'm not answering them.

When it comes to emails, I don't open any that I don't know/recognize.

I don't respond to texts that I don't think I should have recieved.

As for the computer hack. I don't think that should have happened. I have Malwarebytes Commercial that runs/scans daily.

[Bighead]

I also get calls weekly for old age programs like AARP and one of 1st questions they ask is my age tell them 51 and then they immediately hang up on me ticking me off.

thinking about changing my cell phone number with US Cellular am sick of it.

You do know at 51 you are eligible to sign up for AARP?
And changing your # will do nothing except you having to tell all your contacts your new #.

[Jersey mike]

I haven’t picked up the house phone in years to answer it unless I know who’s calling same with my cell phone which rings 4 times and goes right to V/M .

[Patrick]

I don't pick up our house phone either, its been disconnected for 20 yrs.