I'm new to this messaging arena, so my question may have an obvious answer. I get some messages at times, that I have no idea who they are from. They have no name associated to them, but have some number listed above them, that is almost long enough, to be a phone number, but not quite. Hows do you tell, just who is texting you?
Yesterday, I got a text, saying my address had been updated, to one in Los Angeles. I looked at, and figured it was some idiot, who sent it to the wrong person. I have not been to LA in about 30 years, and live where I always have, some 2,000 miles from there. So, it's obviously a bad text. But, how do you determine, just who it is, that has sent you a text, if they don't identify themselves? And just what do the set of numbers associated about the text, mean?
As I said, the answer may be an obvious one, but I don't know it. Can someone please explain this to me? Thanks.
are the numbers 5 digits?
Sometimes you'll get a text from your carrier (sprint, verizon, etc) that will match the description your getting. I've also seen spam texts come to my phone as well. With text messages, if its coming from another phone, it will almost always include the area code so the number you see will be 10 digits.
Maybe spam? it's bad to post your number online i learned my lesson with emails.
The numbers I speak of, are either 8 or 9, not the 10 needed for a phone number. AT&T unfortunately is who I was stupid to choose instead on Verizon. Where I live, Verizon has 3G that works, but AT&T only has 2G, which takes 4 or 5 minutes, to connect to, using EDGE. IF YOU CAN EVEN CONNECT. Paying to have your own WIFI, is the only way I can use my Captivate, on the web. But with a couple of text messages from AT&T, they identify themselves. The text message I asked about, was saying my address was now switched to Los Angeles. It gives a zip, but no name or clue, on who it is. I may have got out of whack by it, but I texted them back, and saud THANKS. BUT WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? No response back, but it may very well be a fishing attempt, to see if anyone answered back. I noticed when I turned my Captivate on last night, there was an odd looking icon in the tool bar at the top of the phone. I open the screen to see what it was, and it was an offer to MEET SEXY WOMEN AROUND WHERE I LIVE. Never had that one before, and it may be tied in to my getting, and texting back, that change of address text. But the numbers I speak of, are at the very top of the message, and like I said, those I don't understand, are 8 or 9, not 10, so it can't be phone numbers. But, what are they?
Okay. I learned from an AT&T Techster, that the numbers associated with SMS TEXT, are called SHORT CODE, for 4 to 6 numbers, and LONG CODE, for more numbers. This id's the textster, in much the same way, that your IP address, ID's you, while on line. I gave him the 9 digit number, that was associated with my spam text, but he was unable to ID just who, or what, had texted the spam to me. He said that AT&T had a software program, that allowed them to search for the id's of texting spammers, but this was a paid for version. He said he was sure there was personal versions, some free, that people who own a cell phone, can use to try and id those texting them. He was unable, to give me names of software, and so far, I haven't found personal software, either for my computer, or my Captivate. I realized, that maybe for the Captivate, someone in this forum, would have a suggestion. It's like the CALLER ID, of landline phones, and might be able to id, just who is trashing, or spamming you. Any ideas, on SHORT or LONG CODE software one could install?
Related
Whatever happened to this? On my old phone years back, it would show my name AND number on landline IDs....
There possibly a way to write software that could send the appropriate data to the landline?
p.s.... on t-mobile
Oh yeah... and doesn't it seem like cellphone providers should catch up with the times and figure out how to get cells reading incoming detailed info?
Hi all,
I found this site by searching on this question. I have a friend that needs to block a number. As many of you know the cell companies will not block numbers. In looking around I've found programs that you can load into win based phones that will accomplish this. These smart phones are a little out of their price range. I want something that will just disconnect the call. The silent ringer to voicemail will not work in this case as the person leaves highly insulting messages and they would rather not have to go through 20 messages to get to the one good one.
i have found some references to Nokia phones that have this option on their phones under the "Security" section. I went to the Verizon store but the counter help was worthless. None of the phones that they had on display (that I could look at) had that feature. I'm thinking its a newer version of firmware thats not loaded by verizon by default.
Is anyone here using a phone on the verizon network that has the ability to add numbers to a blocked list? If so can you please post the name and model number of the phone. Please also post if you had to download a new/different version of the phone firmware. I'd like to get my facts straight before I recommend anything to them. Maybe a smartphone is the only way to go.
thanks for any information you can provide
Not a phone, but good software...
PocketMax PhoneAlarm allows you to block any numbers that you choose to blacklist. It has an option for pick up/hang up (immediate - phone doesn't even ring) as well as send straight to voice mail and/or reply via SMS. (It will also block text messages.)
I use it and swear by it. hth
There are plenty of programs out there that will block calls and sms.
Search for "BLACK LIST" or "BLOCK" in Windows Mobile and you'll turn up alot of them.
thanks for the reply's guys. At this point a smartphome is a little out of her price range. If it keeps up I'll just spot her the cash once i get a few checks in the bank. She's good for it
I'm also gonna pop into one of the bigger verizon stores around here and browse their phones to see if i can find the elusive block feature
I use my blacklist in SPB Phone Suite, then shoot it over to youmail.com where they hear a "your num. is blocked" message then hangs up on them.
So I was googling for an answer and my research has come up with absolutely squat to solve my solution. So I am hoping someone here can come up with an answer for me.
I had for the last few phones a bunch of WM phones where they have the option to block my outgoing caller ID to non contacts. I am fully aware that Android offers in the options setting to either block it to all outgoing (which isn't of value because it blocks it also to people who I could care less if they have my number) and the other option to show it to everyone (which I'd rather not some people have my number or it be left on a call log so random people couldn't call back from the phone or employees who I simply dislike not getting my non office number) or the last option to use the standard carrier option which is the same as the last which falls under the same reason.
Does anyone have a solution where I can block my number other than dialing *67 to non contacts to block my number as a standard option that the phone would automatically do like WM used to do?
I don't know if this has any truth to it, but I found this info
I have a Captivate from AT&T. It has the Android OS and it does have a setting to withhold your number from people who are not in your contacts. You go to call settings, all calls, show my number, and choose By network.
With that said, you should be aware that on AT&T's network this only works if you don't update your phone with firmware update 2.1 update 1. AT&T had this function turned off in this update because they want to charge people $2 a month to withhold your number from people that do not have you in their contacts. I found this out the hard way after I updated. I spent all morning talking to tech support for both Samsung and AT&T. Tech support at Samsung told me that it does not say in the release notes for the update that this function was going to be disabled in that update. Samsung also told me that AT&T decides what is in the maintenance updates. AT&T's customer service said I could pay $2 a month for the function and AT&T's tech support said all they can do is revert the phone back to the old firmware. Maybe if enough AT&T customers complain they will have the function turned back on in the next update.
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here
So it sounds like the Captivate could do it, but then ATT blocked the feature with a firmware update, and offered to give it back for $2/month. I'll keep digging and see if I can find anything else
Have you tried spoofapp? I don't know if caller ID spoofing would be acceptable for your need or not. I've never used it, so I don't know what kind of configuration it would take, but it seems like a hassle. You "place" the call, spoofapp calls you back, when you answer it connects your call with the desired spoofed ID
homeslice976 said:
I don't know if this has any truth to it, but I found this info
here
So it sounds like the Captivate could do it, but then ATT blocked the feature with a firmware update, and offered to give it back for $2/month. I'll keep digging and see if I can find anything else
Have you tried spoofapp? I don't know if caller ID spoofing would be acceptable for your need or not. I've never used it, so I don't know what kind of configuration it would take, but it seems like a hassle. You "place" the call, spoofapp calls you back, when you answer it connects your call with the desired spoofed ID
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yeah I looked at it but you have to pay credits into the thing which means paying on a regular basis. So kind of defeating the purpose of it. I do appreciated the look around for it though. I saw the same post either on here or android central.
Just an FYI, many people, myself included won't answer calls where somebody has blocked their Caller ID. That's why we have Caller ID in the first place, so we know who's calling
californiarailroader said:
Just an FYI, many people, myself included won't answer calls where somebody has blocked their Caller ID. That's why we have Caller ID in the first place, so we know who's calling
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You miss the point, if you are on the contact list you would be privy to seeing my ID come up anyways. Its people that don't need to have a non work private number that are not deserving of it since you really don't want people from work having the number unless its needed.
phil.W said:
So I was googling for an answer and my research has come up with absolutely squat to solve my solution. So I am hoping someone here can come up with an answer for me.
I had for the last few phones a bunch of WM phones where they have the option to block my outgoing caller ID to non contacts. I am fully aware that Android offers in the options setting to either block it to all outgoing (which isn't of value because it blocks it also to people who I could care less if they have my number) and the other option to show it to everyone (which I'd rather not some people have my number or it be left on a call log so random people couldn't call back from the phone or employees who I simply dislike not getting my non office number) or the last option to use the standard carrier option which is the same as the last which falls under the same reason.
Does anyone have a solution where I can block my number other than dialing *67 to non contacts to block my number as a standard option that the phone would automatically do like WM used to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make a Google voice account. When you don't want people to have your regular number, call them with GV and they will have that number.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
This may be totally irrelevant to the thread, not sure where else to put it.
It started on 3/11/14, I got a phone call from an 813-408-???? number. A boston sounding man pretending to be from a local pizza joint, saying I ordered 3 pizzas and my card I gave was declined and needed a new card. I figured it was a scam to take my info because I (and no one in my household) had ever ordered from this place). The man sounded scripted, pre-recorded or perhaps a mobile app just messing with me. Anytime I spoke, his speaking stopped and it/he wouldn't answer me when I spoke. I hung up, after a few minutes, I called back. I didn't get an answer both times I called back, just a man's voicemail for his home business.
Later, I got a call from another 813-408-???? number, but different from the first. It was a man claiming I was messaging his girlfriend on Facebook. His responses also sounded scripted or like recordings from an app. I assumed it was another prank, so I said little and hungup. I immediately called the number back and the man sounded confused and swore he didn't call me.
I thought these calls were weird because my number is also an 813-408-????.
Later in the same day, I was playing xbox with a friend of mine. My phone rang from his number, but he swore he wasn't calling me. Just after that, his phone rang from my number, but my phone wasn't calling him.
The next day, 03/12/14, I got a call from the same friend. The phone showed his name and correct number (i have it memorized). I answered and it was a female voice, claiming I was talking to her boyfriend on Facebook. Her voice ALSO seeming scripted or recorded. My buddy wasn't even near his phone, he was playing softball and swore he wasn't doing anything.
Not sure what I need to do to get this to stop. Don't know if changing my number will help or not and would prefer not to do that.
If it matters: I am running Cyanogenmod 11, up-to-date nightly's. I've been on Cyanogenmod as long as it's been available for the Nexus 5. It's a black 16GB US model and i'm on AT&T. I've never had anything like this happen before.
Faster version: I got a weird call from an unknown number from a recording or app. A second weird call from a different number comes in, same weird recording conversation and scripting. Illegitimate calls to and from my phone occur. Illegitimate call from a friend's phone that he didn't send. I have no problem sending or receiving calls or texts, nothing else seems to be off. I'm on CM11 3/12/14 nightly.
Any ideas?
Do you have a common friend between you and your other friends? Somebody is messing with you. And must be close enough to know y'all numbers. It's very easy to spoof a number to make it seem like somebody else is calling.
Also take note that many area codes like 419 817 737 ect....will get all your info within 3 secs if its a hacker lol. There's a huge list online just Google it. Hope that helps out. If not then get Mr. Number. You can block all numbers and voicemails texts.....except your contacts list
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I'm betting someone is playing a real crappy prank on you. A friend of mine showed me this app one time that would allow you to enter any "from" number of your choosing with a pre-recorded prank attached. Basically the app would prank call whoever you chose with the fake or made up number showing up in the caller ID. When the call comes in, it sounds super convincing, down to the voice of the guy who's threatening to kick your butt for messing with his girlfriend. What you don't know, is that app is also recording your voice responses so whoever is pranking you gets to hear a recording of the entire call, similar to a phone prank done by a radio station. I would just listen for the familiar details and just hang up when you realize its the prankster. They'll give up eventually and if they know you will probably come clean at some point.
It's not a prank. It's scammy phishing robo-calls. I get them infrequently. Typically the "you have won a free cruise" baloney. However the pizza call is another known angle. For me it's usually one of 3 numbers. A 1 877 number, a random US number and a number that is almost identical to my own phone number.
Just get a blocking app or don't answer the call if you don't recognise the number. If it is a valid call, the caller will leave you a voicemail detailing why they were legitimately calling you in the first place. The robocall will just disconnect once it hits your voicemail.
Sorry, I should update that the above was in regards to the pizza call. The Facebook call is a prank - just search "Don't Message My Girlfriend".
I'm in the UK but when I Skype my wife in LA its a local LA number. Freaked her first time. You got no idea where calls come from these days. I use a call block. Robot call centers after ambulance chasing buisness etc are big here. Not your phone, or rom and don't let it rent space in your head. Block n move on
Sent by mobile telephone.
If it's anything like the uk if you read the small print of your contact (especially if it's like a retail shop - carphone warehouse, phones4u etc over here) it actually says we will give your number out to these annoying marketing company's and there's nothing you can do about it if you want the contract!! (which is why their contacts are normally better than direct from the provider)
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Well, I can tell the calls I received were all similar sounding in their responses, so I did hang up. I figured it was a prank app or something along those lines. I just ended up hanging up the call. I can block the numbers I have gotten, I'm just getting a lot of them.
I guess I just have to rely on a voicemail from a legitimate caller.
Thanks for all the insight.
I had a very disturbing experience last night with some stalker texting me and I am concerned my phone and/or identity have been compromised. Here's what happened.
I have a friend whom I will call Bill Jones (not his real name). He and I text back and forth quite a bit. He texted me last night about something or other, and I texted back. A few minutes later I got a text from a number I didn't recognize that addressed me by my real name, even though almost everyone I know calls me by a nickname, Bill Jones included.
Our texting conversation went something like this:
Stalker: Hey [my real name]. What's up?
Me: Who is this?
Stalker: This is Bill.
Me: Bill who?
Stalker: Bill Jones. I want to tell you something, [my nickname].
Me: Is everything ok?
Stalker: Sort of, but I want to tell you something and I'm not sure how you will take it. LOL.
Me: Why are you calling me [my real name] and using a different number? [Note: The real Bill never calls me by my real name.]
Stalker: I got a new number but I wanted to say that I am attracted to you a lot...
Now, this is something that Bill would never say and I know immediately that this is an impostor. At this point I called the number I was receiving the texts from, and after one or two rings I heard a beep sound like the beep you hear when a voicemail starts recording, and then silence. I asked who was there and got no answer, and after several seconds I heard a computer-generated female voice say, "You can hang up now" and the line went dead.
I continued to text the stalker after this, and they continued to say they were "attracted" to me but were embarrassed to talk on the phone. I tried repeatedly to tell them to call me, but they wouldn't. Then I told them I wanted to meet them in person, and they tried to ask me where I was, but I wouldn't tell them. They wouldn't tell them where they were either. Finally they said they were going to bed and stopped responding.
I called that phone number repeatedly for the next 30-40 minutes, and each time I called I would get the same thing: a varying number of rings before they picked up, and then the voicemail-type beep, and after several seconds of silence the computer-generated female voice saying, "You can hang up now" and then the line goes dead.
I did a search for the number on Spokeo.com, and, even though they claimed they had full records on the owner of the number, after I paid the two dollars it said they didn't know anything about that number.
I spoke to Verizon, and they said no one had tried to access my account. They suggested I install and run a spyware detection app, which I did, and it didn't find any spyware except that it flagged Call Control and Handcent as being suspicious, but I'm sure they're not.
I have no third-party apps on my phone. All my apps are from the Google Play Store.
I believe that someone would need to have physical access to a phone to install spyware on it, and no one besides me has ever had physical access to my phone, and Bill Jones told me no one else has ever touched his phone either.
All of this happened at a friend's house, and when I drove home I pulled into my driveway, but then I realized I had my GPS on so I got back on the road and drove to the next town, where I pulled over in a subdivision, turned off GPS and mobile data, cutting off the trail, and then drove home. My phone is connected to my home wifi, but I use a VPN with encryption so I feel fairly safe that no one can get through that.
I suppose it is theoretically possible that this is some bizarre prank played by someone who knows both me and Bill Jones, but please take my word for it that no one I know pull a stunt like that.
It really bothers me that some stranger knows the following:
* My number.
* My nickname.
* My real name.
* The fact that I am friends with Bill Jones.
* Given the fact that they started texting me right when I texted Bill Jones makes me wonder if they can read my texts in real time.
I very much want to know what else they know about me and how they obtained this information and what I can do to protect myself. Please help me. I haven't been able to find a similar case by searching Google, so I'm really lost here. Thanks for your help people! If you need any more information please just ask and I'll be happy to tell you.
I run a Samsung Galaxy S4 running Android 4.3. Oh yeah, earlier that day I had installed CBS Sports app and iHeartRadio.
MITM
What you experianced could be the result of a "Man-In-the-Middle" attack... The whole idea of the attack is to see the messages in transit and get the identifying key from them (your phone number) then manipulate the orriginal messages with both users never knowing the manipulation. This can simply done by monitoring the connection... If your phone sends over Wi-Fi someone can easily see anything with a laptop near by... So if you sent messages from a public place and the "stalker" collected your ip-address from your phone it can be done remotely if even one of you is connected to a Wi-Fi signal regardless if you "think" your using it....
InfamusOne said:
What you experianced could be the result of a "Man-In-the-Middle" attack... The whole idea of the attack is to see the messages in transit and get the identifying key from them (your phone number) then manipulate the orriginal messages with both users never knowing the manipulation. This can simply done by monitoring the connection... If your phone sends over Wi-Fi someone can easily see anything with a laptop near by... So if you sent messages from a public place and the "stalker" collected your ip-address from your phone it can be done remotely if even one of you is connected to a Wi-Fi signal regardless if you "think" your using it....
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Interesting. How would such an attack allow them to discover both my nickname and real name and also the name of my friend? And should I be concerned about them stealing any other information from my phone such as passwords, financial information, credit card numbers, etc.?
Is there any other possibility for what could be happening?
By the way, no, my phone doesn't send calls or texts over wifi. Besides, as I said, I use the privateinternetaccess.com VPN which gives my phone a fake IP address and encrypts all my internet data.