It sounds like someone tried to create a fake account with your email address. Ignore it.

If it is genuinely from Gmail that is its purpose, you ignore it to prevent the fake account being ratified.

I've already deleted it.

FAKE:

Very clever, but I received 5 in one day to different email addresses and with different FROM numbers.

You have received a picture message from mobile number +447825424147
To save this picture, please save attached file.
You can reply once to this message via MMS for free!
To send a reply containing pictures, audio or video, click here to visit our on-line composer.
Alternatively, you can send a text-only reply (limited to 500 characters), simply by clicking your usual reply button. By replying to this message you agree to our terms and conditions. Please see our Website Terms and Conditions at http://www.vodafone.co.uk/termsandconditions for full details.
Only one reply is possible until 11/11/2011.

Didn't you just save time by sending them your bank details?

Quote: keewik @ November 5 2012, 6:40 PM GMT

Didn't you just save time by sending them your bank details?

View original

Those are clever, because they do really come from vodafone; someone seems to have figured out how to use the vodaphone system to send malware, or whatever was in the attached file. I did not open it.

More likely that it didn't come from Vodaphone, and the malicious spammer has just spoofed an address so that it looks like it comes from Vodaphone.

Not sure how wise it is to include URL links in your examples, by the way, even if they *appear* legit.

Quote: Badge @ November 6 2012, 10:44 AM GMT

More likely that it didn't come from Vodaphone, and the malicious spammer has just spoofed an address so that it looks like it comes from Vodaphone.

Not sure how wise it is to include URL links in your examples, by the way, even if they *appear* legit.

View original

That is usually the case, but the eMail header lines (not normally displayed by email programs) show that in these cases they really do come from Vodafone.

I got another batch of them today.

>Not sure how wise it is to include URL links in your examples, by the way, even if they *appear* legit.
Don't worry, I checked that the URL is genuine first.

I recently received an email claiming to be from My bank (Santander), asking for my log-in details etc. The link sent me to a fake website, but it look very real. I went to the real Santander website, and after taking ages finding their fraud email, I forwarded it to them.... A few minutes later my email provider sent back a message saying they couldn't send the email, as that address didn't exist !!!!!

Quote: Charlie Boy @ November 8 2012, 10:53 AM GMT

I recently received an email claiming to be from My bank (Santander), asking for my log-in details etc. The link sent me to a fake website, but it look very real. I went to the real Santander website, and after taking ages finding their fraud email, I forwarded it to them.... A few minutes later my email provider sent back a message saying they couldn't send the email, as that address didn't exist !!!!!

View original

I wish Santander didn't exist!

I tried to send them a dodgy email and it didn't get there.
I then rang them and the security(?) bod said to just delete it. I asked didn't they want to see the email and he said he wasn't bothered!

I don't think I'll 'bother' paying back my overdraft.

Phone scam, or email fearmongering about phone scams.
Quite an interesting idea nonetheless

I Received a phone call from BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00 or it would be £ 118.00 to re-connect at a later date.
The guy wasn't even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage For line rental!
I asked the guy's name - he gave me the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number -0800 0800 152. Obviously the fellow realized I didn't believe his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone - he would disconnect my phone to prevent this. AND HE DID !! My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned me again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT.
I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then. I said that I didn't know how he'd done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT. He hung up.
I dialed 1471 -number withheld I phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognized. So I phoned the police to let them know. I wasn't the first! It's only just started apparently, but it is escalating. Their advice was to let as many people as possible know of this scam.
The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it's real, so please make as many friends & family aware of this. How is it done? This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been 0800 800 152 which takes you through to BT Business.
The cutting off of the line is very simple, he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool many. By the way this is not about getting the cash as this would not get past merchant services - it is all about getting the credit card details which include the security number, to be used for larger purchases.

I read about that scam in a newspaper a while back. You really can't be up to them. I suppose the rule is NEVER give your details to anyone. I even refused a valid request recently when somebody from RSPB phoned to see if I'd join in their monthly lottery which I was willing to do. I absolutely knew the boy was genuine and I was embarrassed and apologetic about refusing bank details but nevertheless I insisted he send it in writing which he did.

There have also been more complicated scams, relying on the fact that the caller holds the line.

After suggesting that you call, say the police or whoever can verify their identity, they hold the line, but use a box to simulate a dial tone. The victim dials, but it does nothing. Then a second rogue 'answers' the phone and confirms the identity, then as above the original caller calls in again.

If you get this just say, "Hang on, I will call the Police (or whoever) on my other line"; that will usually drive them away.

I've just had the following to my gmail account ...

Thursday 29 Nov.
Dear fellow-travellers,
I'm a little the worse for wear after a dickfight, but I enjoyed Vin's birthday lunch for his employees at El Socorro and I made them laugh with funny stories and all was merrie and ding dong.
I didn't go down for lunch today as American Sandra told me that the dickfight was my fault, not hers, and I didn't want to see her.
I'm still trying to work out what she meant. Maybe I should have got in my blows first and knocked him out. After all, I was trained by El Venezolano, El Cueche.
I wrote to Rome this morning - not to Fogarty, who must be shattered as he was vice-provincial when the reports started to come in, and so joined in the cover-up. Everyone did, God help us. I wrote to the three Africans on the General Council.
Half-an-hour ago I went down for a snack, not having had lunch; saw the dickpest lunching with his back to me, backed out and am finishing this missive as an addition to the Forsythe Saga.
I've revised the first part of Mr Walker to fit the way I'll sing it in Terra Santa, and I'll learn Melba and a few others from Sparrow to have encores ready. I hope a few others will come, and we could borrow a double-bass for Yerushelayim. I could bring tamboo-bamboo from here and chac-chac and of course the trombone to boop through the basse-ville.
Give gifts for St Nicholas on the 6th. That will be my Confirmation anniversary and I can do with some strengthening. As the Nigerian said, I'm fighting against tremendous odds and ends. (Another Nigerian said of a batsman: "He retired hurt as he got a wrap on the balls.")
Booper.

I read it carefully and for the life of me I couldn't see any possible scam. I think I've had stuff before from him and I've just deleted it because I don't know him. Do you think he's just mistaken somebody else's address for mine?
There's a profile where it says .. 'port of Spain, Trinidad' and his name is down as Roland Quesnel.

FAKE !

Dear User,

Due to a new vulnerability which is exploited by hackers to steal your online details. Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit in 2013 has hereby developed a new security measure. All users of the Internet and Microsoft products are hereby required to validate there email account information irregardless of their Internet service provider or Host company.

To validate your email account and to prevent hackers from exploiting the new vulnerability. Please download the attached software and ur computer will authomatically be secured.

Please note that if your email is not validated ,your email will be at risk for hackers getting into your personal or business email account there by getting access to classified or privileged information.

2013 Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit

Imaginative spelling - the dead giveaway.