I received a response to a Craig's List ad from this number. The text asked if I would "trade for this?". and left a URL address to pic-soft.net with a photo ID# 699BTX. I attempted, by my phone, to get on the website and view the picture only to see that the site said that this program was not compatible with the current device, and that I needed to be on a laptop or PC. There was still a place to enter the photo ID which I did, and it took me to a page where there were obviously pictures but still saying that this program was not compatible with the device I was using. I returned a text to the number saying that I couldn't see the pictures and if there was a different way to send the picture. I also asked, "what is it anyway?" and NEVER received a response. Later, I attempted to see what it was on my home laptop and was directed to a site saying that I needed to download picsoft. My gut was telling me otherwise; thus, I looked up picsoft and found this site where other people had similar experiences but from different numbers. I found that some people downloaded the program only to discover it's a virus. I wouldn't know if it is or not since I never downloaded it, but I wouldn't doubt it since the person or bot never responded back to my last text. BTW My number on CL was not numerically listed (I spelled the numbers out) so either someone is manually dialing or a there's a program that can literally read to decipher phone numbers from actual text writing.
I received a response to a Craig's List ad from this number. The text asked if I would "trade for this?". and left a URL address to pic-soft.net with a photo ID# 699BTX. I attempted, by my phone, to get on the website and view the picture only to see that the site said that this program was not compatible with the current device, and that I needed to be on a laptop or PC. There was still a place to enter the photo ID which I did, and it took me to a page where there were obviously pictures but still saying that this program was not compatible with the device I was using. I returned a text to the number saying that I couldn't see the pictures and if there was a different way to send the picture. I also asked, "what is it anyway?" and NEVER received a response. Later, I attempted to see what it was on my home laptop and was directed to a site saying that I needed to download picsoft. My gut was telling me otherwise; thus, I looked up picsoft and found this site where other people had similar experiences but from different numbers. I found that some people downloaded the program only to discover it's a virus. I wouldn't know if it is or not since I never downloaded it, but I wouldn't doubt it since the person or bot never responded back to my last text. BTW My number on CL was not numerically listed (I spelled the numbers out) so either someone is manually dialing or a there's a program that can literally read to decipher phone numbers from actual text writing.
Same thing happened to me a few minutes ago, but came from a different #. Wanted me to go to pic-soft.net & download GIMP viewer. I'm sure it's a scam ..... came across this -> "Not only is it a SCAM, it offers a Malicious download of GIMP=FAKE https://www.virustotal.com/file/d7bbc8b8e1a6f ... sis/1357492008/" .... found this at http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130106083527AA8bcad . Be mindful!!!
Yeah. Same number. Same M.O. Seems like so many people are on the take these days. So many ways to steal from people like us. Feels like the digital walls are closing in on me. Good responses you guys. Very helpful reading.
My first clue was the area code Obviously not local. Also the text message response to my Craigslist wanted ad was generic sounding and could have been applied to any wanted ad anywhere. So I used Spokeo to source the phone number where I found your experiences. I was therefore fortunate enough to delete that text without getting electronically VIOLATED.
So. Thanks guys for taking the time to type in your reports. And, kudos to Spokeo for providing the venue to at least save me from these thieves today!