We seem to have gone off at a tangent. My original posting contained 2 questions.
(1) Having foolishly given the scammer the verification code (and then hanging up) are there any other steps I should take - I have asked my provider to lock my account which they’ve done and I’ve changed all my passwords.
(2) I was concerned that if this is a sim swap scam and associated with google voice, should I be concerned because I don’t want my phone number to be used to scam other people.
I’m really not interested in this thread about the NHS as that was not the purpose of my posting. But I would likd to add that I have had bona fide verification text requests from my Bank and Mobile Provider in the past which is why I was taken in by this one. I gave them absolutely no other info and once the penny had dropped on my side (agreed a bit slowly) I hung up.
Therefore can I respectfully ask if my original posting be addressed if possible and perhaps the NHS discussion can now be put to bed. Please.
Hi
Your thread has certainly stimulated some interest and it’s clearly developed in a direction of its own. It happens - and often-times is interesting in its own right.
For that reason we’re not inclined to wrestle the topic back to the original theme. If there’s sufficient interest in others to respond to your original points, then - great.
Your provider has responded by freezing your account on request. I’m also not sure if Google Voice even supports porting in UK numbers, but I’d have to check that and I’m lazy to do so
Just thought I’d give you all a final update. My phone provider has now unlocked my acccount and enabled me to set up a new password. Ironically they asked if they could text me a verification code in order to proceed. I told them that this is how I had been (nearly) scammed in the first place but this time it was OK as I had previously given them pre-agreed phrase which I asked them to read out to me. So you can see how easy it is to fall for this scam. I did everything I could to protect myself and apparently it is to do with sim swapping and google voice (though I don’t fully understand how it works). You can only set up a business google voice account in the UK. Because I hung up quickly on the scammers and reported it immediately, no damage appears to have been done. My advice is, don’t be complacent as I have been on this one - the scammers seem to be always one step ahead. Thanks for all responses - stay safe.
