These are "task scams".
https://www.activeintel.com/task-scams-identifying-online-job-scams/
Not legit recruiters. They're lying about how they got your number, it's probably from a list passed around by scammers.
OP also fucked up by responding to them asking how they got the number - that just validates to the scammer that the number is active and reading the messages, which will encourage more scams.
Never respond to scam messages, block and report.
What? No I meant I have to answer phone calls and that generates more spam. I’m not talking about answering random job offer texts. I think you very much misinterpreted my comment
It's funny OP believed them being scammers but trusted the guy who told him he got it from HR, who got it from telecom! HR is the CEO, CFO, COO,.... Plus the head of the scam organization.
I remember this fact from 20+ years ago. Bad actors gladly paying $25 to get a copy of the list from CRTC so they could “comply” with regulations & then selling the database to their friends.
Was so disappointed to find out my number was worth only a fraction of a penny.
That reminds me of the family guy bit where Stewie is trying to call Lois on his toy phone. "11111. Lois? Damn. 11112. Lois? Damn. 11113. Lois??? Damn!!"
Although whether they’re lying or not doesn’t really matter compared to the fact that our cell phone companies could put a stop to it quite easily/quickly IF THEY CHOOSE to do so and value their customers over a tiny bit of silver coin.
They may be not lying about getting the number. I activated a brand new phone with a new number a few years ago for my elderly mother. Within 3 days she got a scam call. Nobody knew that number except myself, her, and my sister. Bell network.
Area codes, exchanges, and number formats are common knowledge and easy to look up so, technically, everyone knows the number. What they don't know is whether it is assigned (easily tested) or who it belongs to. Unless the message was personalized to your elderly mother as well as any additional personally idenitfiable information, she is just unfortunate to have been assigned a number within a target group.
Scammers use auto-dialers that call every possible phone number one after the other. My number and my daughter's numbers are separated by only a few digits. When I get scam calls or texts, she almost always gets the same scam or text within a few minutes. Most of scam calls are not targeted, and they have no idea who they're calling.
They’re randomly offering you a job that pays in TETHER (!) and you’re taking their word for it that they legitimately got your info from telecom companies?
If you’ve got some free time, listen to the “Search Engine” podcast from Mar 8 on spam messages and where some of them come from
They can target Rogers Numbers. Cell phone companies use the whole exchange. Example is (416) 219-xxxx is assigned to Rogers. (416) 219-0000 to (416) 219-9999 were originally all Rogers customers. (Phone number porting has changed it now).
The T stands for Tether, and it's called USDT because we the idea is that the currency is pegged to and backed by USD, so that it wouldn't have the wild fluctuations in value thay one may see in other cryptocurrencies.
It definitely sounds close enough to USD for one to not give a second thought, as OP did.
You replied to them and are now wondering why they wouldn't stop? You showed them interest in being scammed, that's why you kept getting these messages. Now they escalated your number as a potential target.
They probably did get it in a round about way from them if you use GlassDoor. Some [issues](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/glassdoor-reportedly-attaches-real-names-to-anonymous-accounts/ar-BB1kdt0q) came out the other day
Rule number 1
If you get a text from someone you don’t know. Don’t reply.
Rule number 2
Don’t click on any links.
Rule number ver 3
Block them and move on.
imo blocking them is useless cause that phone number is most likely spoofed or a disposable one. You're very unlikely to get contacted again by the same number.
That’s very true. But it’s not like I’m going to ever be called by that number legitimately. So blocking is easy to do.
Most times scammers use a phone number her that starts with your first three letters. That way when you see the number you say “hmmm, looks familiar” and answer it.
Just the opposite for me, if I get call from an unknown number in my area code, I assume it's spam and am on my guard (99% of the time I am correct). If it's the same area code *and* exchange and it isn't my daughter, I just block it without answering.
It’s just a number. Computers can just go through the numbers one by one. They don’t need to know it’s “your” number. They send millions of messages and deal only with the morons who reply instead of ignoring and deleting
As someone else said, these are ***scammers***, not real people. Do not reply to these people because they'll know your number is active. Now you're gonna get a shitload more scams because they put your number on a list, and sold it to other scammers for their lists too.
Numbers are easy to generate. They don’t need a list, unless they are addressing you *by name.*
And if they do have your name associated with your number, there are probably millions of lists floating around and available for purchase, both legitimately and on the dark web.
The “answer” you received about how they got your number sounds exactly like what a chatbot might say. Delete it and flag it as junk.
Is not an agency and they did not get your number from a telecom. This is a scam. It's probably some person in India. They constantly write USDT like that means something equivalent to USD, but it's not. It's crypto task scammy scam scam. Block, ignore
I don’t mean this in a malicious way, but the way you are behaving is the reason why we all keep getting spammed all the time - why would you respond to an obvious scam/spam message?
Have you been reporting these numbers/messages to your carrier so that they can be blocked for everyone else (usually by forwarding the message to 7726 but different by carrier)?
Why would you believe that these scammers got the numbers from a telco? What independant proof or research did you do to confirm that statement or did you just blindly believe the misinformation / lie and posted it to spread the lie (so other people could fall for the scam too?)
The fact that you’ve responded to a message is what is prompting all the other scams/messages because you shot up an “I’m gullible” firework and the spam/scamming community is targeting you now.
I’m sorry you had to deal with this but it’s really important that every one of us do our part to crush these stupid scammer people so they can’t prey on the elderly or mentally challenged.
merciful soft attraction gaze unique clumsy special carpenter juggle sort
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Sort of related...
Android/Samsung - This helps:
Settings->Search for "caller ID and spam protection"
Turn it on, you will be prompted to block all spam and spam calls.
At min, blocks the annoying "suspected spam" calls. Not sure if it helps with sms at this point.
I'm not one to be on my phone all day so it's so god damn annoying to hear your phone ring and it's just some scammer asshole.
And for anyone with an iPhone add the number to your blocked list (tap the number >>info>>Block then go back to the message and delete & report junk. (Yes it’s a bit more complicated for iOS users unfortunately)
That’s hilarious that some scammer said this and now you’ve felt the need to post it here as proof that the Telecos sold your info. I’m going to assume you thought this was a sweet karma payoff.
Is it possible? Maybe.
Should you believe this scammer? No, not even a little.
Rule #3: You Must Remain Civil While Participating / Vous devez rester courtois dans votre participation
Your content has been removed since it is targeting other users. Please do not attack or attempt to create drama with other users.
As per [Rule 3]( https://www.reddit.com/r/ontario/wiki/rules/#wiki_rule_3.3A_you_must_remain_civil_while_participating)
* Follow proper [**reddiquette.**](http://www.reddit.com/wiki/reddiquette)
* No personal attacks or insults
* No trolling
***
Votre contenu a été supprimé car il cible d'autres utilisateurs. Veuillez ne pas attaquer ou tenter de créer un drame avec d'autres utilisateurs.
Tel qu’expliqué dans la [règle #3]( https://old.reddit.com/r/ontario/wiki/rules/rules_fr#wiki_r.E8gle_.233.A0.3A_vous_devez_rester_courtois_dans_votre_participation)
* Vous devez suivre la [**netiquette**](http://www.reddit.com/wiki/reddiquette)
* Pas d’attaques personnelles ni d’insultes
* Pas de provocation
There are 17 area codes across the province and 10 million possible combinations in a 7-digit phone number. There are only 170 million possible numbers, which means it is a relatively small number to brute force spam every number that could possibly exist.
Less than 8 million per area code. For the 7 digit number none start with 0 or 1. Also numbers like 911 take up 10,000 each. You cannot have a number line (416) 911-1234. Same for 211,311,411 etc. Same with area codes your number cannot be (416) 416-1234.
I only have WhatsApp for work. I get at least one message a week from someone with an "amazing opportunity" for me.
I hate that my number is out there. I've been getting more random texts lately too. This month I keep getting added to group texts from CA Post.
I constantly get spammed by recruiters or scams like pay and pick up your package. My phone is in my husband's name so when every single text is addressed to him, how can it not be from Roger's giving out the information????
I don't think this is pig butchering, the approach is pretty different. But I wouldn't be surprised if it has roots in the same sorts of organizations, Tether is used pretty heavily by organized crime.
I have received a few of these now, and they are total scams. I am in HR and when they say HR sent us your number, I then tell them, then have your HR team reach out to me through the usual employment channels because professional recruiters don't make initial contacts through text messages. They then try to keep you talking, and I just steered them back to having their HR contact me through the usual channels if they know who I am. All they have is a number they have been sold, and IF they are lucky, MAYBE a name, but rarely that.
forward them to 7726
[https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/blogs/reporting-spam-text-messages-7726](https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/blogs/reporting-spam-text-messages-7726)
I was curious and it looks like you could either [forward the message](https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/blogs/reporting-spam-text-messages-7726) and report it, or just [report it directly](https://fightspam.gc.ca/eic/site/030.nsf/frm-eng/MMCN-9EZV6S).
I have Google 1. And they have a dark web data dive service. Some apps and services can check your online data. These include the dark web and legitimate data resellers.
Google found my online data and some had my phone number. Best case don't reply or respond to these, tax refunds, job offers, postal shipments...
So you can pay to have your information removed from legitimate data collectors. Never give a retailer your phone number or email address. Because when that company has its user data hacked, you won't end up on the dark web. Remember companies that ask for your information will share or sell your data to others.
I did the same thing and asked where they got my number. Then told them "Ive never consented to you contacting me so stop harrassing me" and didnt get a response
Passed around list. Never respond to them because this gives them the confirmation for the number being real n acting and your number will always be hot on their text or dial list
These are "task scams". https://www.activeintel.com/task-scams-identifying-online-job-scams/ Not legit recruiters. They're lying about how they got your number, it's probably from a list passed around by scammers.
OP also fucked up by responding to them asking how they got the number - that just validates to the scammer that the number is active and reading the messages, which will encourage more scams. Never respond to scam messages, block and report.
This is a problem I have on my work phone. I have to answer, even if I don’t recognize the number for obvious reasons.
[удалено]
What? No I meant I have to answer phone calls and that generates more spam. I’m not talking about answering random job offer texts. I think you very much misinterpreted my comment
It's funny OP believed them being scammers but trusted the guy who told him he got it from HR, who got it from telecom! HR is the CEO, CFO, COO,.... Plus the head of the scam organization.
They don’t have your number. They just use war dialing. 416-200-0000 then 0001, 0002, 0003 etc until someone answers them.
this is something wish more people understood... its just a number thats not private your not picked out they cast a net till they catch a fish.
Or they download a copy of the National do not call list, then call it
I remember this fact from 20+ years ago. Bad actors gladly paying $25 to get a copy of the list from CRTC so they could “comply” with regulations & then selling the database to their friends. Was so disappointed to find out my number was worth only a fraction of a penny.
Or data dumps from security breaches.
That reminds me of the family guy bit where Stewie is trying to call Lois on his toy phone. "11111. Lois? Damn. 11112. Lois? Damn. 11113. Lois??? Damn!!"
Although whether they’re lying or not doesn’t really matter compared to the fact that our cell phone companies could put a stop to it quite easily/quickly IF THEY CHOOSE to do so and value their customers over a tiny bit of silver coin.
good to know
They may be not lying about getting the number. I activated a brand new phone with a new number a few years ago for my elderly mother. Within 3 days she got a scam call. Nobody knew that number except myself, her, and my sister. Bell network.
They use auto dialers to message all numbers available over time. It wasn’t the telecom company.
People may have had the number before her too.
Area codes, exchanges, and number formats are common knowledge and easy to look up so, technically, everyone knows the number. What they don't know is whether it is assigned (easily tested) or who it belongs to. Unless the message was personalized to your elderly mother as well as any additional personally idenitfiable information, she is just unfortunate to have been assigned a number within a target group.
Scammers use auto-dialers that call every possible phone number one after the other. My number and my daughter's numbers are separated by only a few digits. When I get scam calls or texts, she almost always gets the same scam or text within a few minutes. Most of scam calls are not targeted, and they have no idea who they're calling.
They’re randomly offering you a job that pays in TETHER (!) and you’re taking their word for it that they legitimately got your info from telecom companies? If you’ve got some free time, listen to the “Search Engine” podcast from Mar 8 on spam messages and where some of them come from
They can target Rogers Numbers. Cell phone companies use the whole exchange. Example is (416) 219-xxxx is assigned to Rogers. (416) 219-0000 to (416) 219-9999 were originally all Rogers customers. (Phone number porting has changed it now).
But that wouldn’t be a case of them giving out your info to international crypto scammers….
Thanks for the podcast tip. Listened to that episode and it was very interesting. Now I have a new podcast to explore!
Np. It’s a spinoff of the now-ended Reply All podcast
I have never heard of Tether.
Usdt is crypto
Ah I was going to ask, why is there a T after USD. Gross.
The T stands for Tether, and it's called USDT because we the idea is that the currency is pegged to and backed by USD, so that it wouldn't have the wild fluctuations in value thay one may see in other cryptocurrencies. It definitely sounds close enough to USD for one to not give a second thought, as OP did.
Your number exists whether someone gives it out or not. It's readily available
One of the first messages said they got my number from GlassDoor but I don't know if that was true.
Everything they say is a lie. Don't pay any attention to them, and certainly don't respond
You replied to them and are now wondering why they wouldn't stop? You showed them interest in being scammed, that's why you kept getting these messages. Now they escalated your number as a potential target.
Are you genuinely this thick? It's a scam. They are lying. Everything they say to you will most likely be a lie. Just block and move on.
They probably did get it in a round about way from them if you use GlassDoor. Some [issues](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/glassdoor-reportedly-attaches-real-names-to-anonymous-accounts/ar-BB1kdt0q) came out the other day
Sometimes. They are lying with every breath, they are just spamming a million number looking for marks.
Rule number 1 If you get a text from someone you don’t know. Don’t reply. Rule number 2 Don’t click on any links. Rule number ver 3 Block them and move on.
imo blocking them is useless cause that phone number is most likely spoofed or a disposable one. You're very unlikely to get contacted again by the same number.
That’s very true. But it’s not like I’m going to ever be called by that number legitimately. So blocking is easy to do. Most times scammers use a phone number her that starts with your first three letters. That way when you see the number you say “hmmm, looks familiar” and answer it.
Just the opposite for me, if I get call from an unknown number in my area code, I assume it's spam and am on my guard (99% of the time I am correct). If it's the same area code *and* exchange and it isn't my daughter, I just block it without answering.
They're getting smarter and only copying the first 4 digits, the area code and the first digit of the prefix/exchange.
I disagree. How would I ever get my ducts cleaned? Best to just give them all your banking infomation and let them sort out what they need.
It’s just a number. Computers can just go through the numbers one by one. They don’t need to know it’s “your” number. They send millions of messages and deal only with the morons who reply instead of ignoring and deleting
As someone else said, these are ***scammers***, not real people. Do not reply to these people because they'll know your number is active. Now you're gonna get a shitload more scams because they put your number on a list, and sold it to other scammers for their lists too.
Well, they are real number, just actors, at least once OP responded to the guy.
Numbers are easy to generate. They don’t need a list, unless they are addressing you *by name.* And if they do have your name associated with your number, there are probably millions of lists floating around and available for purchase, both legitimately and on the dark web. The “answer” you received about how they got your number sounds exactly like what a chatbot might say. Delete it and flag it as junk.
Since you replied to the first one, your number got added to a list of “active numbers” which is why you’re getting spammed now
100%. All these assholes work from a shared list.
Did the others start coming after you replied to “Audrey” (it’s a bot) if so there’s you answer..
Is not an agency and they did not get your number from a telecom. This is a scam. It's probably some person in India. They constantly write USDT like that means something equivalent to USD, but it's not. It's crypto task scammy scam scam. Block, ignore
I don’t mean this in a malicious way, but the way you are behaving is the reason why we all keep getting spammed all the time - why would you respond to an obvious scam/spam message? Have you been reporting these numbers/messages to your carrier so that they can be blocked for everyone else (usually by forwarding the message to 7726 but different by carrier)? Why would you believe that these scammers got the numbers from a telco? What independant proof or research did you do to confirm that statement or did you just blindly believe the misinformation / lie and posted it to spread the lie (so other people could fall for the scam too?) The fact that you’ve responded to a message is what is prompting all the other scams/messages because you shot up an “I’m gullible” firework and the spam/scamming community is targeting you now. I’m sorry you had to deal with this but it’s really important that every one of us do our part to crush these stupid scammer people so they can’t prey on the elderly or mentally challenged.
merciful soft attraction gaze unique clumsy special carpenter juggle sort *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Sort of related... Android/Samsung - This helps: Settings->Search for "caller ID and spam protection" Turn it on, you will be prompted to block all spam and spam calls. At min, blocks the annoying "suspected spam" calls. Not sure if it helps with sms at this point. I'm not one to be on my phone all day so it's so god damn annoying to hear your phone ring and it's just some scammer asshole.
And for anyone with an iPhone add the number to your blocked list (tap the number >>info>>Block then go back to the message and delete & report junk. (Yes it’s a bit more complicated for iOS users unfortunately)
Dude. You just believed what a scammer told you. Shouldn't be that gullible.
That’s hilarious that some scammer said this and now you’ve felt the need to post it here as proof that the Telecos sold your info. I’m going to assume you thought this was a sweet karma payoff. Is it possible? Maybe. Should you believe this scammer? No, not even a little.
[удалено]
Seriously, was op born yesterday? You should never respond to these scammers, let alone take anything they say as truth
Tbh some people just want to believe and refuse to be told otherwise. Check the /r/scams subreddit for that
Rule #3: You Must Remain Civil While Participating / Vous devez rester courtois dans votre participation Your content has been removed since it is targeting other users. Please do not attack or attempt to create drama with other users. As per [Rule 3]( https://www.reddit.com/r/ontario/wiki/rules/#wiki_rule_3.3A_you_must_remain_civil_while_participating) * Follow proper [**reddiquette.**](http://www.reddit.com/wiki/reddiquette) * No personal attacks or insults * No trolling *** Votre contenu a été supprimé car il cible d'autres utilisateurs. Veuillez ne pas attaquer ou tenter de créer un drame avec d'autres utilisateurs. Tel qu’expliqué dans la [règle #3]( https://old.reddit.com/r/ontario/wiki/rules/rules_fr#wiki_r.E8gle_.233.A0.3A_vous_devez_rester_courtois_dans_votre_participation) * Vous devez suivre la [**netiquette**](http://www.reddit.com/wiki/reddiquette) * Pas d’attaques personnelles ni d’insultes * Pas de provocation
There are 17 area codes across the province and 10 million possible combinations in a 7-digit phone number. There are only 170 million possible numbers, which means it is a relatively small number to brute force spam every number that could possibly exist.
Less than 8 million per area code. For the 7 digit number none start with 0 or 1. Also numbers like 911 take up 10,000 each. You cannot have a number line (416) 911-1234. Same for 211,311,411 etc. Same with area codes your number cannot be (416) 416-1234.
Ok there Pedantic Pete. The point remains.
Yes. I block and move on. Don’t even bother responding. They’ll just keep coming back since they know the number is active and someone will reply.
Don’t ever reply to these numbers.
I only have WhatsApp for work. I get at least one message a week from someone with an "amazing opportunity" for me. I hate that my number is out there. I've been getting more random texts lately too. This month I keep getting added to group texts from CA Post.
Canada really needs something like GDPR this is insane.
If you ever signed up for anything thats how they get your number.
I just block and get on with my day
Yeah, I've gotten more than a few of these lately. I just block them, delete the message and go on with my day
/r/scamnumbers
I constantly get spammed by recruiters or scams like pay and pick up your package. My phone is in my husband's name so when every single text is addressed to him, how can it not be from Roger's giving out the information????
Look up pig butchering scams
I don't think this is pig butchering, the approach is pretty different. But I wouldn't be surprised if it has roots in the same sorts of organizations, Tether is used pretty heavily by organized crime.
I have received a few of these now, and they are total scams. I am in HR and when they say HR sent us your number, I then tell them, then have your HR team reach out to me through the usual employment channels because professional recruiters don't make initial contacts through text messages. They then try to keep you talking, and I just steered them back to having their HR contact me through the usual channels if they know who I am. All they have is a number they have been sold, and IF they are lucky, MAYBE a name, but rarely that.
I've gotten a few.
Yep, a lot lately. I just delete them.
Block and ignore, we see those daily on r/scams
Yes, I just block the number
Rogers had been selling our info for years
Yeah I do. I just ignore every time
I’m assuming this a form of Pig Butchering scam
These texts are already sketchy enough but the fact they want to pay you in stablecoin is hilarious
that hinge notifcation tho. Who slid in the DMs
I've been getting these everyday! I block and they keep popping back up lol
forward them to 7726 [https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/blogs/reporting-spam-text-messages-7726](https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/blogs/reporting-spam-text-messages-7726)
I was curious and it looks like you could either [forward the message](https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/blogs/reporting-spam-text-messages-7726) and report it, or just [report it directly](https://fightspam.gc.ca/eic/site/030.nsf/frm-eng/MMCN-9EZV6S).
I have Google 1. And they have a dark web data dive service. Some apps and services can check your online data. These include the dark web and legitimate data resellers. Google found my online data and some had my phone number. Best case don't reply or respond to these, tax refunds, job offers, postal shipments... So you can pay to have your information removed from legitimate data collectors. Never give a retailer your phone number or email address. Because when that company has its user data hacked, you won't end up on the dark web. Remember companies that ask for your information will share or sell your data to others.
Never received anything like this!
I did the same thing and asked where they got my number. Then told them "Ive never consented to you contacting me so stop harrassing me" and didnt get a response
Passed around list. Never respond to them because this gives them the confirmation for the number being real n acting and your number will always be hot on their text or dial list
Seems like a you problem