New privacy/security concern: "trap" ads on Backpage

[N6_in_the_village]

I'm posting some information that I've seen recently elsewhere (ECCIE). There have been several reports of "trap" ads on Backpage that are designed to capture your phone number and any personal information you may leave in a voice or text message.

If you call the number listed in such a "trap" BP ad, your phone number and contents of your voice or text message will be posted on a web site such as "Exp#######hns.com" or "Esc#######ers.com" (see links for details). And the web site will show an offer to take down your information in return for sending them money.

http://www.eccie.net/showthread.php?t=939865

http://www.eccie.net/showthread.php?t=941838

I Am Not A Lawyer, but the scumbags running these sites are likely violating several state and federal laws. LE (fortunately, in this case) may be taking an interest in closing down these types of sites. However, while there is a chance that the sites are operating, extra caution is advised in responding to "unknown" BP ads.

See also recent threads in this forum "Use own phone: how secure?" and "Hobby phone or no?" for information on getting a separate hobby phone. Even from a hobby phone, it may be best to avoid leaving a voice message in response to an "unknown" ad (if a live person doesn't answer, just hang up).

http://www.theotherboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37332

http://www.theotherboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37055

[Guest]

Wow! That's a new low.

Be careful out there!

[Velvet Valentine]

The sites are owned by some shady men, based out of Manilla. The provider photos associated are fake, also used on several Russian dating websites. If you do your research and use tinyeye you can get all the info. Be careful out there.

[mrvegas63]

Agreed. Hobby phone. And don't leave a last name.

Per the hobby phone thread links N6 provided, as stated in one of them, a Google Voice number might be another option (I know I've dealt with providers that are doing that). One thing I'm going to try this week, if you have an iPhone: Burner. A service similar to Google Voice (hides your real number behind a different number), generates, in essence, single-use numbers (a number good for x minutes of talk and or y texts). Guessing something similar out there for Android phones.

[ideomar]

I remember that I went to a porn site and then all the sudden I was redirected to a FBI website stating that my computer has been locked, my ip number forwarded to the federal agency and all my moves in my house was videotaped because I got caught watching [snip} porn which are prohibited under the federal law( was not true). Since that was the first time I must pay a certain amount as fine to the Fbi in order to unlock my computer by using green dot.com. I was a in total panic run to the first convenient store I could find to buy the prepaid credit card. I then called an IT friend to tell him what happened. He started laughing at me and insisted that the FBI will never operate like that, they will come at my place and arrest me. This was a scam. He told me what do to get ride of the malware.

yes be careful there are lot scammers out there.

Edited January 8, 2014 by boink36
Forbidden topics removed.

[Wendy Whitney]

Agreed. Hobby phone. And don't leave a last name.

Per the hobby phone thread links N6 provided, as stated in one of them, a Google Voice number might be another option (I know I've dealt with providers that are doing that). One thing I'm going to try this week, if you have an iPhone: Burner. A service similar to Google Voice (hides your real number behind a different number), generates, in essence, single-use numbers (a number good for x minutes of talk and or y texts). Guessing something similar out there for Android phones.

Yes, you can get a Google number and use your Android. You just need to download the Google App