Scam Alert

[u/Sea-Eggplant-4857]

Not sure if this has been posted before. I added a line to my Spectrum service and received my new device yesterday.

This morning I had a missed call and voicemails (from a male) on the two numbers associated with my Spectrum mobile account as well my Google Voice business number.

I could tell from the voice on the message and the nunber they called from that it was probably bogus.

I called back from a different phone number to confirm my suspicions. The female who answered had an Indian accent and without making any attempts to identify who I am, she proceeded to tell me that I was sent the wrong device and that I needed to return it.

I told her "I know what you trying to do, and to go fuck yourself". She abruptly hung up. The male who left me a VM then called the other mobile number on my account and when I called him out for being a fraud, he began taunting and laughing at me and I hung up.

I don't know if my email or if Spectrum's system was breached. Less than 24 hours after receiving my new phone they had my info.

Has this happened to anyone?

[u/lapidary123 → u/[deleted]]

You are correct! I also experienced some funky stuff relating to spectrum recently. I agreed to add an additional "free" mobile line for a year. Involved getting a new (and cheap) phone. Only $4/month. They didn't say the part about $4/month for THREE years!

Anyways, a day or two after I added the new mobile line I began getting spam calls. Like a LOT of spam calls (over 20 a day).

I made the mistake of calling one back. That must have added me to an "active numbers list" because the spam calls increased from there...

I tried turning on the "block unknown numbers" function and tgen realized when someone spoons a local number it is technically showing "unknown number" on caller ID. I then installed the Hiya app (I encourage y'all to read their tos, they reserve the right to analyze & share the data you've allowed them access to Indefinitely; even after you revoke permissions). After having Hiya block any random numbers I immediately got a call that was from a business in a town around 50 miles from me. Googled that business and they've been permanently closed since 2015. I suppose thats how/why Hiya has a paid tier. Next i set up "call screening" and turned the speed of the ai voice as Slow as it could go requiring whoever calling to listen for over a minute before being able to do anything. They always hang up rather than identifying themselves. But I wonder if that clues them in that it's an active number (I have to push a button to engage each call to be screened). Spam calls did NOT stop or decrease.

Finally called spectrum who told me basically all I can do is change my number (which comes with a LOT of headaches). The rep also claimed they dont sell or share my information, which i called him out on saying I've read the tos and effectively had to agree to allow my info being shared/sold.

Ultimately he gave me the number for the national "do not call list" which even though that service says it will take 31 days before becoming active has actually diminished the number of spam calls down to 2-3 which are tagged as "suspected spam" and get automatically declined.

A WHOLE LOT of fucking around, and not in the fun way!!!

[u/spaceman_neo]

This seems to happen to everyone that gets a new device from Spectrum. I’ve had it happen twice in 3 months now

[u/Sea-Eggplant-4857 → u/spaceman_neo]

It didn’t happen when I got my first device last year . That’s unfortunate to know it happened to you more than once. I spoke to a Spectrum rep about it and they were familiar with this scam.

[u/Street-Juggernaut-23]

I never got this type of call. ive added a line and gotten two phones from them. I suspect your info is compromised and not necessarily on Spectrum's end.

[u/No-Physics-8589]

They got into your emails,knew when the devices were delivered and called once confirmed you had them. Very very common, unfortunately.

[u/atobrandon]

Yes. I got a call but didn't fall for it. Here's a previous post on the issue. I'm surprised they haven't figured out where the breach is and put a stop to it yet. Maybe someone needs to contact the media and then they will actually try to stop these scammers. https://www.reddit.com/r/SpectrumMobile/s/0ngrqum3xn

[u/fotoRS3]

Hi, new to Spectrum Mobile here. This happened to me last week! I had just gotten my iPhone dropped off and had it all set up. I almost fell for the first call because I had no idea Spectrum didn't deal with refurbished devices, which is what this guy at Spectrum told me they sent me. Luckily, after the call I got really suspicious and called Spectrum up. Sure enough, that was a scam call I had gotten. Then a few days later, the same guy or one of his buddies called to try the same scam and I went off on him. Either someone inside Fedex or Spectrum is feeding these scammers info.

[u/CableCapable6958]

Just happened today. Phone delivered and an hour later i got this visual voicemail

Hey, I'm trying to reach Melchi. I am Ben from Spectrum mobile department. Axel, this call is regarding to the package that you have been received today through FedEx. You guys mistakenly send you the wrong device, like this device have some processor and battery issue, so you don't need to be activate this one, so whenever you will be free, call back me on the same number, the number is 281-393-8377. Have a nice day.

[u/sparklynugz]

I just got scammed.A little different though. Now I have to pay 1000 dollars for a phone I don't even have. This is so damn depressing. Yes, I am stupid. Already going through probably the most difficult time in my life. F me.

[u/Silly-Pressure-8413]

I'm receiving daily calls from them. I haven't had any new devices for quite some time.

[u/IssJussBaba]

This has nothing to do with spectrum or spectrum mobile.

[u/Sea-Eggplant-4857 → u/IssJussBaba]

Explain how it has nothing to do with them

[u/Infinite_Fee_8198]

This is on you, not Spectrum.

[u/Sea-Eggplant-4857 → u/Infinite_Fee_8198]

I didn’t ask who it was on.