Discussions

Since it's the season for scammers to scam you, there's the Netflix email scam, Manitoba Hydro has put notice about customers getting called that their power will be cut in less than an hour if they don't pay using prepaid cards. You know the typical iTunes or Google Play card in the amount you owe. You can watch YouTube videos on these power company scam calls and people trolling them.  
 
http://www.qcountryfm.ca/news-weather/news-sports-details/newsarticle/hydro-warning-customers-about-scam/  
 
Also if you get a call from 204-800-XXXX, it's likely a scam. The X's denote the various numbers used, seen 5 different numbers, 2 repeats. These numbers are provided by a VOiP numberwholesaler, Iristel, that resellers get, and eventually scammers use.  
 
http://www.iristel.com/blog/putting-a-stop-to-phone-scammers  
 
Looks like these numbers have been associated scams including the CRA scam.  
 
So just a heads up. If your not sure of a number, just type it into an internet search engine and should display various details including if it's been reported as a scam number. Now, If I don't recognise the number, I let it go to voicemail, if legit they leave a message. Of course you will still get the automated messages that you don't hear beginning of since it started the moment the voicemail system started and didn't wait for the tone.  
 
Just be careful with any calls and emails that look suspicious.

If your up for some laughs at how these scammers operate these are a couple entertaining Youtube channels.  
 
The Hoax Hotel  
This guy trolls the scammers. Caution for some foul language in English and Hindi used.  
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnNlJNSRxa3PF8XrKHOEPug  
 
Jim Browning  
This guy shows how these scammers operate and has saved people from being scammed. He just release his Dumbest scammers of 2018 video.  
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBNG0osIBAprVcZZ3ic84vw  
 
There are many Youtube channels that expose scammers, these are just a couple. Some of the good ones are where CRA/IRS scammers calls police, lawyers, tax officials, etc. and the scammer gets caught in their scam.

One good rule of thumb to remember when dealing with these guys, if you're unsure if it's legit or a scam ask for it in writing. Real writing, by mail. Certain entities, like CRA and Hydro, have notification rules that require them to send you things in writing. Even if you've elected to get electronic mail in the past, you can still request paper mail.

my home phone number is an 204-800 xxxx ...it is though Magic Jack which is an internet (VOIP) since I can't afford the costs of westman or MTS land lines. So please don't lump all numbers these days as scam callers. There are way too many providers besides your old time land lines.

Sorry about that. The scammers use of these numbers does make make it bad for legitimate users though.  
 
You just get to the point where you don't trust any numbers that aren't in your contact list. And scammers now can spoof local numbers as well.

never ends.  
 
My Apple account has been compromised many times. Funny thing about that is I've never had such an account.  
 
Yes, caller ID is a sham. I once received a call from my own number.  
 
Any suspicious call goes straight to VM. I let it ring through, because I surmised that if I refuse the call, they know they have a live number, and will keep trying?

It's worth noting that there is no security whatsoever in caller ID. I use VoIP and I can make both my displayed name and my phone number show up as anything I want it to be in a matter of seconds through some simple edits to my VoIP device.  
 
With VoIP, scammers can easily make themselves appear to be legitimate companies or organizations with very little effort. A lot of them are too dumb or lazy to figure it out, but not all. So regardless of what the caller ID shows, if it sounds off, you should be wary. This is why sometimes if you call a scammer back at their displayed number, it either doesn't work or the person answering has no idea what you're talking about. Name and number spoofing is a big problem and allows international scammers to appear local or legitimate.

There is a season for scamming? Lol. I thought it was all year round. It's just so sad that scum bags feel the need to do it. Better ways to make money.