I put some tools on Craigslist and almost immediately got two texts telling me to respond with a six digit code they sent me to make sure I am a " real person" I told them to just call me, no response. I assume this is a scam but how does it work?
I put some tools on Craigslist and almost immediately got two texts telling me to respond with a six digit code they sent me to make sure I am a " real person" I told them to just call me, no response. I assume this is a scam but how does it work?
Dennis
Found this description by Googling:
The scam:
- You put your own personal telephone number (mobile or landline number) out in public somewhere (on a classified ad, or a dating website, or wherever).
- Some scammer contacts you via text or email about your ad. They tell you a story about how they need you to prove you are real person, or a legitimate seller, not a bot, and, that they are using a special phone service that requires that you give them the six-digit code number that will be played to you by an automated verification call you will receive from Google, or via a text message.
- The scammer is, in reality, going through the Google Voice setup process. They tell Google Voice to call your personal number, and then the call speaks the code, along with a warning to not share the code with anyone. Somehow, you ignore that explicit warning and give the scammer the code number. When you do that, THEY, not you, are issued a Google Voice number, using your personal number as the forwarding number for their account.
Thanks for posting that scam. I had not heard of it.
Mike
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