Beware-active phone and/or Ebay scam.

[Nos4r2]

I've just had a really odd international phone call on my mobile. The phone number calling was +17738671399
It rang, I answered and an automated voice said 'this is Ebay, if you are expecting this call press 6'. I hung up.
It rang back 10 seconds later.I answered and an automated voice said 'this is Ebay, if you are expecting this call press 9'.
I pressed 9 (being certain they couldn't tap into my phone bill like this) and it said 'Your reference number is (4 digit number I can't remember)' then hung up.

I rang ebay because my mobile number is registered to an ebay account I haven't used for a while,thinking maybe someone was trying to hack the account but they say it was a spoof call.
I then rang Vodafone to make absolutely sure I couldn't have given out any details or had my phone bill/credit tapped into and they say the call originated in Chicago, (though the international dialling code suggested the call originated in the area of Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands ) and they confirm there's definitely no way it could have taken any details or stolen phone credit/calls. The credit on my pay-as-you go card hasn't dropped,so it wasn't a reverse charge scam.

This leaves me to think that it's either:-
A) a scam designed to get you to ring back and pay a fortune for a toll number, or
B)A very elaborate phishing scam to get ebay or Paypal account details relying on you ringing back.

If you receive a call like this,it's probably a good idea if you don't ring it back!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Beware-active phone and/or Ebay scam.

thanks for the warning.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Beware-active phone and/or Ebay scam.

There are a lot more scams around recently due to the current economic climate. E-Bay and Kijiji are just the tip of the iceberg unfortunately.
Thanks for the warning. We all need to look out for them.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Beware-active phone and/or Ebay scam.

773 is not a Puerto Rico area code. PR is been 787 for about 10 years, it was 809 before, they recently added 939.

 

[gtwhtgt]

Re: Beware-active phone and/or Ebay scam.

Check your cell phone bill. Alot of places can add a charge to your bill by your accepting the call. The phone company automatically pays them and charges you unless you have them block 3rd party charges. Learned the hard way.

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: Beware-active phone and/or Ebay scam.

I can't speak for Ebay in the UK, but I do know on US Ebay that if someone is trying to list an item(s) for sale and Ebay doesn't "recognize" the computer being used the automated security at Ebay may call you at a predetermined number and give you a four digit code. In order to list the items for sale you have to utilize that given four digit code to verify that you are who who say you are. all in an effort to keep your acount secure.

However, in your case it sounds like someone is trying to hack an Ebay account of phish for info.
"Husker" Dan

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Beware-active phone and/or Ebay scam.

A side note is to be very careful who gets your phone number. I discovered by accident that with just someones number you can find out WHO THEY ARE,WHERE THEY LIVE. AGE , RELATIVES NAMES AND even stuff like where your wife went to high school..etc...all for free in only a few minutes using google....