Another variation of prank calls
By
Jaanus on May 16, 2005 in Impersonation.
We get all sorts of pranksters/"hackers" on Skype. Some of them less serious, some more so. Here's another variation.
x says: people calling, saying it is a Skype admin test call and please leave your PC on and alone for a few hours
x says: sounds very dodgy and dangerous to me, sounds like hacking
x says: maybe you should publicise on the front page that Skype never initiate test calls
x says: what do they do when people leave the pc alone?, not entirly sure but some sort of hacking software to extract info from the PC
So, to make it clear, Skype never initiates test calls to random people. Unless of course it's previously agreed and you know to expect it. If you get a random user claiming a Skype test call and it hasn't been previously agreed, they're most likely tricking you into ... something. Don't exactly know what that would be, but be careful anyway. If in doubt, hang up. Don't give strangers your passwords and other sensitive data - you know, the usual advice.
The good news is, you can leave a Skype call on for hours, without any harm getting done. No hacks can come to you just through a call or text chat. With file transfer, it is different - malicious files can be transferred just as "good" files. So double-check all the files you receive before opening them. Accepting pictures of celebrities from strangers is a BAD idea.
Comments
Since last night, two never before known persons, supposedly with northern european names, kept inviting me into some group chats. I've proceeded to block them but up to no avail. How would you explain such incidents?
sre-kirby | Tuesday, Mar 28
Well, I have a new one. Getting death threats in calls spanning several hours last night. The authorities(sheriff department and FBI), have no way to find out who is calling and are trying to get the information from skype. It is unfortunate that the number shows as 1-000-012-3456 on caller ID. It is an invalid number and there is no way for my phone carrier(qwest) to block those calls. If the calls showed as anonymous, I could at least activate anonymous call rejection. Alas, I will continue to receive death threats to me and my family because of this easily exploitable service. Is there anything you guys can do to help?
seasharp1 | Monday, Jun 19
i got a call from this # also with a recording saying that the us drug enforcement agency was documenting me for drug sales and that i have to go drug test with my local sheriff's dept. and that if i fail the drug test that i would be arrested. i think it is a prank because i DINOT sale drugs!!!!
smittyfit | Thursday, Jun 29
That one seems to be a prank for sure!
ravi.parikh | Monday, Jul 10
I travel a lot and one of my regular destination is Saudi
Arabia. I tried using skype here and I had a horrible time getting connected with friends abroad.
Is skype available in Saudi Arabia?
daisy_sv | Monday, Sep 11
HI
I too have had an unwanted chat - conference call - initated - no matter how much I attempted to block the chat - I couldn't - I quit skype - re opened NOTHING. The chat was headed OFF SHORE INVESTMENT RETURN 300% PAY EVERY 30 DAYS
THEY KEPT TRYING TO RE INTRODUCEMENT TO THE CHAT - I KEPT CLOSING THE WINDOW.
Some of the chat was in Bahasa (how bizare - I am one of the few Aussie's that speak that language - not that they would have known)
So beware of the Indonesians scamming
Dont know how they get away with it but more important HOW DO U STOP THEM
leannedixon | Friday, Sep 15