At work. Cranking out source code. Then my old Nokia beeps. Missed call. I brought out the caller ID, and it read
0284042215
Aargh. Not again.
Someone might call them spams, but I’ll rather call them scams. They call you up — usually with a 03 or 028 number — but then hang up after one ring. Those who are curious might call back the number, expecting a real person to answer the phone. Instead they’ll find themselves greeted by a recorded message, with scams that might cost them more later on.
I won’t be surprised that everything is automated, and the scam numbers are probably connected with VoIP DID which can be cheaply purchased. You probably can even buy those “scam-kit” on eBay if you look hard enough. They will just install the software, sign up VoIP deals with voice mail and DID number, click on that big button reads SCAM & EARN $$$, and wait for people to fall into the trap. They can even be operated from overseas, be that Indonesia or Nigeria — everything just routes through the Internet anyway. It does not cost them anything (besides DID which has a low monthly cost). No wonder it is getting more and more popular.
On Skit’s blog and 4 Wise Monkeys there are good coverage on this scam, including the numbers that you can block. However I wonder how effective it is to block those numbers, as it is cheap to dump your blacklisted DID and get another one.
For me, I never bothered to call back if there’s a missed call. Too lazy I think, even numbers that have contacts associated with them. SMS me if there’s anything important.
Update: If you wish to contribute your thoughts on this scam, please head over to 4 Wise Monkeys Community Forum who is working closely on this issue. I am closing comments here to encourage everyone to head over there.
That number rang me at 9:38am on 31/05/06…
Hi Scott,
The blocking is becoming more and more unfeasable due to the issues you’ve outlined above.
But the lads over at 4WM are working on some other avenues to hopefully slow or stop these scam/spam phone calls from the source itself.
Hoping to hear an update in the next day or two from 4WM, so stay tuned. :)
Cheers,
Skit
do they send msgs? actually they are msgs with empty text in them…I got 3 today by the same number…
i remember once i got 10 of them …one after the other…A workmate told me to call back and i refused to…
I dont think they’ll send text messages as they cost money — unless they are sending premium SMS which will cost the receiver. However it is illegal to send without the receiver agreeing, i.e. no spam.
Hi Scott,
We will be posting an update on the scam soon (trying to get a lot of things to fall into place with a current affair). In the meantime you can always get updates on our forums at http://4wisemonkeys.com/community!
skip and skelm,
Thanks for the info! I’ll be watching those pages.
Here is list a friend sent me today. I was hit on 2 June but I didn’t return the call.
Subject: Phone scams – Missed calls
if you get a missed call from one of the following numbers, don’t call it back. if you do, you will be charged $50 as it is an internet number…it says you have won $40 and to call another number….then you will get slapped with another $50 amount.
It’s been doing the rounds in canberra….i received the prank this morning! And called them back> …> ..
The list of phone numbers you may be pranked from:
(02) 8219 0500
(02) 8303 8320
(02) 8303 8321
(02) 8404 2201
(02) 8404 2203
I can’t believe it, how the hell do they access your mobile number or is it at
random? I have three little children and went to bed rather early last night and when I woke this morning, i had a missed call from 0284042215, I was so tempted to call it ’cause I have a husband that works nights and thought that maybe something had happened. Glad I did a search, you’ve made me check my missed calls and yep there is more. Can’t wait till someone post a solution to this on your site.
Thank you
Here are more of them
(02) 8404 2213 (02) 8404 2215
(02) 8404 2235 (02) 8404 2236
(02) 8404 2242 (02) 8404 2245
(02) 8404 2296
(02) 8404 2298 (03) 8102 9565
(03) 8558 0556 (03) 8558 1441 This one hit me
(03) 8558 1442 (03) 8558 1443
(03) 8558 1444 (03) 8558 1445
(03) 8558 1446 (03) 8558 1447
(03) 9540 2950 (03) 9540 5100
(03) 9540 5101 (03) 9540 5187
(03) 9540 5189 (03) 9855 2913
Yah, I got one too. This morning about 10am. 02 84042215. Who’s the source of this? Is it from some kind of competition? I entered the Coke competition recently. Has anyone else? Maybe that show with Hotdogs on late night tv? Hmmmm… This is a mystery busting to be solved…
Wow, there is some kinds of conspiracy going on here, ’cause I’ve entered the coke competition about 3 times. I wonder if anyone else has.
hmmmm the 0284042215 number called me 2day @ 1:17 any 1 with optus/virgin getting these calls
Just got a call from 0284042215. Luckily, someone circulated an email at work warning of this. I thought that the email was somehow a scam/spam. I am with Virgin too.
Only one thing to do until these grubs are run to ground.
DO NOT RESPOND TO UNIDENTIFIED MISSED CALLS!
Wish I could find a way to switch off my missed calls log on my old Nokia.
By the way, I don’t think it is service provider related, just a random number generator would do this if it had area code input.
At the moment, the crims are smarter than we are!
Good luck and keep smart everybody (except the crims of course)
I entered a competition for a mobile phone.
They kept texting me back and I didnt realize until my prepaid was empty that I was paying for this.
I saw a ‘product disclosure’ on tv which stated that sms were billed at $1.95 so I suppose that is what I paid until my prepaid ran out.
Just got a call from 02 8404 2216.
DON’T GET CAUGHT PEOPLE!
I’ve been receiving missed calls as well lately, but I was just ignoring them all. The missed call numbers are :
02 8404 2215
02 8404 2236
As per above I think this is part of the ‘scam’ as these two numbers are listed part of this whole bizzare, twisted and strange mystery scam.
Look out for them and DO NOT call BACK – be WARNED.
My sister and I both got called today within a few hours of each other. I was going to ring back because I thought it may have ben my brother. So glad I searched this first!
Got another one…02 8404 2207
Yes
They call Optus phones too. Got a call late may and my son with Telstra has had a few too. Pretty common. If missed callers really want you they’ll call later or leave message!!
Got a call as well from 02 8404 2207 at 11pm last night. Just a couple of pesty rings as all the other blogs have sighted. Glad I Googled the number! Cheers for this site.
I got one yesterday from 02 8404 2298 and I had entered the coke competition with our spare mobile that dosn’t get used much. I called it back from our landline thinking I migt have won something in the coke competition.
I hung within 5 seconds as soon as I realised it was a spam call. Not sure how much it might of cost me, guess I will find out at the end of the month.
Does anyone know a telstra web site that I can enter the two numbers and calculate the call cost?
see http://www.4wisemonkeys.com/dc-phone-scam/
It is 2.95 per min I believe…
I got a missed call tuesday arvo only rang once but i ignored it. i checked the number after getting an email about this from a friend. it was an 07 number could this be one to?? dont know anyone in Queensland so didnt bother about it.
Hi all,
Somehow this blog post of mine came up in top spot searching for these phone numbers. Thank you for all your contributions! However, I know the guys at 4 Wise Monkeys have way better coverage than me, and may I suggest — if you have anything to add, please contribute it there.
I am also closing comments on this post to encourage people to move the discussions there.
Regards,
–Scott