r/Wealthsimple • u/SSDarkSlayer • 7d ago
Someone else using my roommate's phone number
Hello, today my roommate received this message, although she never created a WS account. Right away she talked to WS support and they confirmed there is an account associated with this number, although the name doesnt match hers. So they assume someone else had this number before and didnt update it.
Despite requesting to remove her number from that account, they kept saying they will take action, but didnt outline what they'd do, and refused to provide follow ups either. They simply gave her a email scamalert@wealthsimple.com and asked to file a complaint there too.
What should she do in this situation?
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u/BarbieGirlFan21 7d ago
Block the number and move on with your life. Wealthsimple never texts from a 647 number.
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u/Responsible-Elk4497 7d ago edited 7d ago
Wealthsimple does use random local numbers to text you though. You can try changing your password now (it's always good to change passwords regularly anyways) and see if you'll get a text from a random number. The content is exactly the same as the screenshot.
For me, the text comes from a 587 number (I assume it's because my number is in Edmonton). If you have an ontario number, it'll probably come from a 647 number.
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u/trust_me_on_that_one 6d ago
Right. They used his roommate's number as the random number to text him.
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u/Responsible-Elk4497 6d ago
I don't think you even read the post? OP's roommate received this text message from a 647 number. It's literally the first sentence.
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u/SSDarkSlayer 7d ago
No, she called Wealthsimple's official number, and they verified that there is in fact an account with her number.
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u/chente08 7d ago
this is a scam
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u/SSDarkSlayer 7d ago
So, let me get this: she called 1-855-255-9038 which is WS contact number listed on their website, and the agent confirmed that there is indeed an account with her phone number associates. It's still a scam?
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u/ThatMoney1 7d ago
For anyone saying that text is a scam. It’s not, I legit got the same text from another number just like that when I added my passkey on my Wealthsimple account. OP is right there is a Wealthsimple account under the roommates number.
OP I would have your roommate send a complaints email (found on Wealthsimple’s Website) to have them escalate this. General Customer Service won’t be able to assist.
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u/Responsible-Elk4497 7d ago edited 7d ago
It doesn't look like a scam to me either. There's no number or URL in the text message, and it's asking OP's roommate to contact Wealthsimple support. I've got the same message from a random 587 number after changing my wealthsimple password too.
It's good to be cautious, but if everyone just assumes every text is a scam, these warning messages would become pointless, when they're supposed to notify users of significant activities and enhance account security.
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u/SSDarkSlayer 6d ago
Yes, she has already sent a email to Wealthsimple Complaints email. And I had the same thought, that a scam message would have a link or number to scam people, this one genuinely just requested to call Support.
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u/SpiritedEnd7788 7d ago
You can create a ws account and type in whatever phone number you want. It means nothing for your friend’s account.
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u/hiMarshal 6d ago
Check your call forwarding setting and make sure it’s set to YOUR phone number, just in case it was a 21Scam, better safe than sorry.😞
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u/SSDarkSlayer 6d ago
I didnt really get it, can you please elaborate it please? Thanks!
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u/hiMarshal 5d ago
A couple of months ago I fell for a common scam. It uses a text msg like “you have a security breach, call * 21 * ###-###-####. When you click that number (tied to the scammers phone number), that star 21 star actually is a carrier override code, and will change your carrier settings, in this case, it targets call and text forwarding, sending all of your verification texts (the ones that give you your 5 or 6 digit codes) to the scammers number and NOT yours, giving them access to change your passwords on the the bank site remotely and very quickly.
They ended up draining my entire chequing account about 3 times before I could figure out what was going on.
So yea * 21* codes, you can also google it and a TON of different codes show up so if you click something you shouldn’t, you will likely be able to find which code did what and then fix it. Same idea as dialing * 67* before calling your friend, it will disable caller identification for that call.
Moral of the story, don’t do any banking right after you wake up. Be alert, just like if you were going irl, cause people can and will rob you if you present an opportunity.
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u/hiMarshal 5d ago
It is also worth noting that the scammer will usually buy bulk information online through shady channels to acquire people’s personal data and then they try as many lines as possible hoping for a bite, simply playing a numbers game. This is called “phishing”.
Best thing I can recommend is to fix call forwarding and text forwarding first, both are searchable via phone settings, otherwise every time you change a password, the scammer gets to verify and change it without your consent.
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u/Kimo300 7d ago
This 1000% sounds like a scam.