Trev's place

Month: March 2012

  • Should we get a 13 or 1300 number?

    These numbers are a good idea and have some advantages. For example, you can have the same number with different locations and depending on the caller, it will route to the closest branch.

    BUT the world is changing. More and more people are starting to use the Internet for their phone calls because of cost. Example: we changed from normal Telstra landline to Engin VoIP and our bill went from about $100/month to about $20/month.

    Two problems arise with the 13 and 1300 number system then.

    1. The 13 or 1300 phone system no longer knows where the caller is. When we first got the system, I would call a cab using 13 number and ended up talking to Sydney (I’m in Adelaide).
    2. The most annoying for me, it costs money to call a 13 or 1300 number and the call cost is comparably high! They also show up on the bill as expensive calls, so people soon start to become more aware. (Most move to VoIP to save money).

    So the tip: If you’re going to do 13 or 1300 numbers, make sure you also publish the traditional landline numbers so you don’t annoy your customers. Give them the choice!

    You want to make it as easy and convenient for customers to call you. Not annoy them I’m sure.

  • robertwarner1965@gmail.com – Gumtree / Paypal buyer scam

    We’re selling our Ford Focus on Gumtree and got an SMS which we replied to as requested.

    NOTE: Didn’t check the phone number the SMS came from. It was +16786617688. Obviously not an Australian phone number which for anyone reading this, is the first hint that they are about to get a scammer trying them.

    SMS Message from +16786617688:

    Is the car still available for sale and whats your final price email me robertwarner1965@gmail.com my battery is flat so we can talk better  – Sent from iPhone4

    So sent the reply via email

    On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 1:27 PM, name_removed <mailto:address_removed> wrote:

    Hi Robert, just organising some pics for you

    Recieved

    From: Robert Warner [mailto:robertwarner1965@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, 15 March 2012 3:58 PM To: Name_Removed Subject: Re: ford focus

    May i know your asking price please?

    Sent

    On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 1:33 PM, name_removed <mailto:address_removed> wrote:

    As advertised at $7000  , if you wish to negotiate would like it to be done in person

    and recieved

    From: Robert Warner [mailto:robertwarner1965@gmail.com]
    Sent: Thursday, 15 March 2012 4:14 PM
    To: name_removed
    Subject:Re: ford focus
    Thank you for the message, i will take it for that amount since i am interested in the purchase for my daughter who just moved to Malaysia where this is needed and due to my inability to walk i will be making use of a shipping company to have this picked up from you and have it delivered to her. Further arrangements will be made with you in regards to the pick up once i have paid you.
    I would appreciate if you email me with more pictures (if available) too since i won’t be be able to see this in person, what’s the Paypal email to send funds to in order for me to pay you.

    Anyway:

    If your wondering, no we stopped responding to Robert at this point as it became very obvious very quickly that it’s a scam. But did want to post it on-line so when someone google’s Roberts email or any part, hopefully they will see Robert does this a lot. Well I say Robert, we all know he’s not using his real name.
    Detail summary of the scammer:

    The phone number comes up at http://cidlookup.com/lookup/6786617688/ with the following:

    • CIDLookup for 678-661-7688
    • Current Telephone Company: Bandwidth.com Wireless – Syniverse
    • Original Telephone Company: Charter Fiberlink “Georgia Llc“ Ga
    • Original Telephone Company Type: Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)
    • Estimated City: Bogart
    • Estimated Region: Georgia
    • Estimated Postal Code: 30622
    • Equipment Location Code: ATHNGAIJCM1

    Another scammer email – mi.richie540@gmail.com from the same number.

    We recieved a few messages from the same phone number just with different email addresses, but same text.

    For those interested in learning what sort of thing happens next (ie you send him the paypal email) one of a few things happen, but the most common can be read about at http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1845478 or http://www.christianbiggins.com/2010/04/very-poor-scam-attempt.html.