Telephone scam alert

scamLocal telecommunication company, Digicel, is warning of a scam which appears to be targeting it customers.

Over the past few days customers have reported receiving a text message which says that their mobile number has won a prize of $2.5-million and they should respond by email to [email protected] to claim the prize.

But marketing manager of Digicel, Natalie Walsh, said the message is not coming from the company. “That message is not coming from Digicel,” she stated. We have no contact with these customers in terms of a promotion …. so persons who have been receiving text messages and calls can call our customer care department to report the numbers so we can block these numbers as quickly as possible.”

She stated that Digicel has been recieving ‘quite a few calls’ on the matter in recent days. “We have been able to block some of those numbers but these people (the scammers) are changing the numbers,” she explained.

Walsh encouraged customers to never return calls to the number from which the text originates but instead, they must call Digicel’s customer service number at 616-1500.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused, this is not coming from Digicel and we will do our best to block these numbers,” she said.

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14 Comments

  1. December 18, 2013

    So Why is only BLOCK? Why Not trace and Aprehend? :evil:

  2. Justice and Truth
    December 18, 2013

    The police department should also put out an alert to all nationals.
    It appears that crooks do not sleep. They busy themselves scheming on how to trick people and steal from them. These days there are all sorts of scams. They could originate from within the country or out of it.
    Crooks use all sorts of information to see who they can catch and how much money they could get from unsuspecting people.
    Keep in mind your name is precious. Therefore, try not to utilize it especially when you receive such calls.
    Should you receive such a telephone call and you wish to listen to it, say nothing to the caller. At the end of their message simply hang up. Some of those messages may be recorded ones. They usually give links to press an extension number to obtain additional information and to record your personal information.
    If you receive these types of text messages, do not respond to them. Immediately delete them.
    Those scammers utilize different phone numbers and also change them frequently. It is difficult to trace them. Never dial those numbers. They could be long distance which you will have to pay for.
    Another scam some of you may not be aware of is, they state “they can lower your bank loan, credit and/or mortgage interest rate”. If you agree, they will ask for personal bank information and account number including social insurance number. In Dominica, soon to be Voter’s ID number or whatever official card and number are utilized. Simply hang up. The less they hear your voice, if not at all, the better for you.
    Ignore any such strange callers with their strange and unusual requests for personal and confidential information. Those calls could also originate from Nigeria or the Middle East, etc.
    If you can access this Website, do so: http://www.bbb.org or http://www.bbb.ca – Better Business Bureau and follow the link for relevant information. There, you will note how much people are scammed in addition to stealing their identity.
    I once accessed it and was shocked to note the type of scams some people use to get money and to also steal identities.
    I have heard of a case of identity theft which occurred in a Canadian bank by a male Nigerian employee.
    We are also told to check our bank accounts frequently, even daily and to immediately report discrepancies to the bank authority.
    There is also much we do not hear and know about. Nevertheless, we are warned. Pay heed. Better to be safe than sorry.

  3. say sa mem
    December 17, 2013

    d last time i get a tex telling me i win money.I tex the person one cool PAT TAT MA MAW i never get a next tex like that again.

  4. shawty
    December 17, 2013

    this same text messages is happening in St Martin also… I received them on all 3 cell numbers I have

  5. SD
    December 17, 2013

    Is it at all possible that DNO could start a campaign to eradicate the use of “PERSONS” in Dominica.

    We and some parts of Africa are the only ones in the English speaking world to use the term persons when referencing more than one person. The Correct term is PEOPLE…PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE.

    While it’s not grammatically incorrect, it is part of old English. It is no longer in modern use. The Government, News organisation etc in Dominica surely can’t have missed this?

    Stop it, it’s makes us sound very uneducated and backwards.

    • dog bite
      December 17, 2013

      You are so right. It not only sounds backward but also STUPID.

    • SLLJ
      December 18, 2013

      Like my English lit professor would say…”are there no more people in the world?” :lol: :lol: .. guess we only got persons now… ha ha ha… bad habits are difficult to change…

  6. TamRam
    December 17, 2013

    People should also used their brains to know that this is a scam. Iam sure if digicel had a promotion going on,there would be some kind of advertising on tv and radio. If it too good to be true then it should be question.

  7. Give Thanks
    December 17, 2013

    Is it too expensive to pursue these scammers legally? Isn’t the customer’s interest of any importance to Digicel? If yes to the second question then why not pursue the scammers and ensure that they have second thoughts about their ways by ensuring that they pay? Digicel, please protect your customers by taking action to deter these worthless offenders.

  8. Christmas Broker
    December 17, 2013

    And People so broke for de Christmas dere!!! I had started writing up my Christmas list which also included a cruise on de Carnival Ship. Weh weh weh!!!

  9. Anonymous
    December 17, 2013

    Are you investigating to see where it is coming from?

  10. December 17, 2013

    This is happening everywhere, all around the world. These messages appear on people’s emails too. I hope everyone realizes that messages such as these are not legitimate and they DO NOT RESPOND to them. You have done part one, BLOCKING THE NUMBERS, part two is to IGNORE the messages, part three, if on your email, SPAM them. By-the-way, when you do all of the above with one number, they use another; therefore, ALERT YOURSELVES for any other INCOMING messages. There is no need to panic. NO RESPONSE IS BEST.

    Some ask for your BANK ACCOUNT and your PERSONAL INFORMATION, DO NOT RESPOND. If you DO NOT KNOW who is sending these messages DO NOT RESPOND.

  11. Surething
    December 17, 2013

    You have to be very foolish or very desperate to respond to these text messages. For a start, would a reputable company use an email address such as ‘kevin’ and ‘hotmail’? Come on peoples!!

    • Bob the builder
      December 18, 2013

      Or your name has to be scambrose?

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