Unofficial or 'scam' websites offering Skype products and services are becoming ever more prevalent.
Over the last few months they have been appearing with growing frequency.
In the past 24 hours two new ones have been reported on this Forum charging for software.
It might be a good time, therefore, to remind customers - especially new ones - that the official Skype website is:
http://www.skype.com
and that Skype software is FREE to download.
Full Version: Unofficial 'Skype' Websites.
Thank you for bringing this to the notice of everybody. Such sites string up in tens on daily basis and skype users really must watch as some of them even engage in many fraudulent activities
If you see any of those websites then I would appreciate that you send link to this website to me via private message.
I've pinned this topic to let users to get to know about this issue more easily.
QUOTE(Raul Liive @ Thu Dec 21 2006, 03:04) [snapback]334156[/snapback]
If you see any of those websites then I would appreciate that you send link to this website to me via private message.
Noted and actioned.
I have receieved a message this morning claiming to come from SKYPE..Iam copying its contents for your comment as I believe it is a 'phishing' attempt...
Message is:
Dear valued skype member:
It has come to our attention that your skype account informations needs to be
updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect your account and to
reduce the instance of fraud on our website. If you could please take 5-10 minutes
out of your online experience and update your personal records you will not run into
any future problems with the online service.
However, failure to update your records will result in account suspension.
Please update your records on or before April 14, 2008.
you are requested to update your account informations at the following link.
Click Here To update your informations.
Please note the top of the message has the SKYPE logo( but I could not get that copied)
Appreciate your comment
Best regards
Eddie Haynes
Message is:
Dear valued skype member:
It has come to our attention that your skype account informations needs to be
updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect your account and to
reduce the instance of fraud on our website. If you could please take 5-10 minutes
out of your online experience and update your personal records you will not run into
any future problems with the online service.
However, failure to update your records will result in account suspension.
Please update your records on or before April 14, 2008.
you are requested to update your account informations at the following link.
Click Here To update your informations.
Please note the top of the message has the SKYPE logo( but I could not get that copied)
Appreciate your comment
Best regards
Eddie Haynes
QUOTE(Flyine @ Sun Apr 13 2008, 11:23) [snapback]530881[/snapback]
Appreciate your comment
Hello Eddie,
This is a well known scam.
Ignore.
Thank goodness you posted this. I'm a new skype member and am having problems with a site that I believe is called CuPhone. Its somehow disconnecting my call saying I need to by an upgrade in order to continue to use my Skype Ready Philips USB adaptor. It didn't have some correct spellings, and it sounded fishy, so I've submitted a help request on it through the official skype website. Thank you for posting!
thank you for this article.
i have a question, if i try to call a skype number using a cellphone, will it work?
i have a question, if i try to call a skype number using a cellphone, will it work?
QUOTE (adiksakape @ Mon Jun 2 2008, 23:56)
Go to the original post
Go to the original post
thank you for this article.
i have a question, if i try to call a skype number using a cellphone, will it work?
i have a question, if i try to call a skype number using a cellphone, will it work?
As long as you enter the dial code correctly as part of the Skype number there is no reason why a cellphone should not be able to call a SkypeIn number.
It is a landline !?!?!?!
I actually have a non-geographic number pointing to one of my SkypeIn numbers and it works fine ringing either the SkypeIn or the premium non-geo number using my cellphone.
hi mate
Good topic
Good topic
I guess to prevent this kind of "scams" make sure you use the correct URL of skype before jumping to any bait from scammers. This should be stopped, scammers really are all around, tsk...tsk... why they just don't look for a decent job!
This is without doubt the worst site I have found for finding what I want to know.
I find a name that may be someone I know from years ago. How do I send them a message without asking to add them to my contacts. Or do I just try an add, and if they say yes but I don't know them, just bar them. This should be clear in your knowledge base.
I find a name that may be someone I know from years ago. How do I send them a message without asking to add them to my contacts. Or do I just try an add, and if they say yes but I don't know them, just bar them. This should be clear in your knowledge base.
I made the mistake of ever looking at Skype. Once I went to a Skype site, I have been LOCKED IN. I cant use my computer without the DAMN SKYPE pop-ups poping up. I CANT DELTET SKYPE, I CANT MAKE IT STOP. Whoever wrote this software is the most inconsiderate son-of-a-bitch I have ever seen. If i have to take my computer to a repair shop I will get SKYPE off of it. You people think you can force me to use skype by driving me crazy with your never ending pop-ups, you have almost done it. I would not use skype to communicate if I have to go back to writing letters and mailing them at the post office. You have displayed extremely BAD FORM.
Shelbytube ☺
Shelbytube ☺
Strange i have had zero problems like the one your talking about. I think Skype is great but a bit limited in some areas.
Hi I Seem to be paying as I go and monthly
21/08/2008 PAYPAL *SKYPE 35314369001 LU £11.50+
27/08/2008 PAYPAL *SKYPE 35314369001 LU £6.27+
Skype do not seem to have a clue when I contact them the $£6,27 is so I'm lead to believ for free calls plus a land line number. The £11 charge is for pay as you go. bit confusing dont you think?
Regards Mikyloskyvitch
21/08/2008 PAYPAL *SKYPE 35314369001 LU £11.50+
27/08/2008 PAYPAL *SKYPE 35314369001 LU £6.27+
Skype do not seem to have a clue when I contact them the $£6,27 is so I'm lead to believ for free calls plus a land line number. The £11 charge is for pay as you go. bit confusing dont you think?
Regards Mikyloskyvitch
Hi Norman or other skype admins,
I recieved the following message in skype yesterday. I belive this is a scam, please confirm.
I recieved the following message in skype yesterday. I belive this is a scam, please confirm.
QUOTE
[9/26/2008 8:37:56 PM] Miss. R E Turner says: You ID Won $500,000.00 Skype Congratulates You!!!
Skype Prime Beta:
2-3 Triton Square,
London - NW2 3AN, United Kingdom.
HELLO WINNER,
We happily announce to you the draw of the Skype Beta International programs held on this September, 2008 in London. Your Skype ID attached to ticket number: 56475600556 188 with Serial number 5388/06 drew the lucky numbers: 30-6-2613356, which subsequently won you the draw in the 2nd category. Skype decided to establish this program as a way of thanking its numerous customers/subscribers for their unalloyed support and loyalty to the Skype Network.
You are therefore, been approved to receive a total sum of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS ($500,000.00) for the month Beta win promotion which is organized by SKYPE BETA INT'L Every month. Skype collects all the ID of the people that are online on messenger, among the millions that subscribe to Skype! We only select Ten people every Month as our winners through electronic balloting System without the winner applying, we are congratulating you for having been one of the lucky people that won for this month.
PAYMENT OF PRIZE AND CLAIM:
You are to contact your ATM Card Center today.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ARRANGED YOUR PAYMENT THROUGH OUR SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTER: ASIA PACIFIC.
THIS CARD CENTER WILL GIVE YOU AN ATM CARD WHICH YOU WILL USE TO WITHDRAW YOUR MONEY IN ANY ATM MACHINE IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE CONTACT THE CARD PAYMENT CENTER TODAY AND ALSO SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
1. Your Full Name:
2. Telephone Numbers:
3. Contact Address where you want your ATM Card be sent:
4. Age and Current Occupation:
CONTACT PERSON: DR. MARC BENIOFF
INTEGRATED PAYMENT DEPARTMENT IN UK
EMAIL: drmarcbenioff@gmail.com
TEL PHONE: +44 704 575 6519
THE ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER HAS BEEN MANDATED TO ISSUE OUT $500,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY)
Beta Prize must be received no later than 15 days from date of Draw Notification after the Draw date in which Prize has won. Any prize not claimed within this period will be forfeited and retrieved.
NOTE: YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO KEEP ALL YOUR WINNING DATA CONFIDENTIAL TILL CLAIM IS MADE TO AVOID WRONG CLAIMING. ANY BREACH OF CONFIDENTIAL DISQUALIFIES YOU FROM GETTING YOUR PRIZE.
Congratulations!!! Once more.
Yours Faithfully,
Miss R.E.Turner.
FOR: SKYPE BETA COORDINATOR...
Skype Prime Beta:
2-3 Triton Square,
London - NW2 3AN, United Kingdom.
HELLO WINNER,
We happily announce to you the draw of the Skype Beta International programs held on this September, 2008 in London. Your Skype ID attached to ticket number: 56475600556 188 with Serial number 5388/06 drew the lucky numbers: 30-6-2613356, which subsequently won you the draw in the 2nd category. Skype decided to establish this program as a way of thanking its numerous customers/subscribers for their unalloyed support and loyalty to the Skype Network.
You are therefore, been approved to receive a total sum of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS ($500,000.00) for the month Beta win promotion which is organized by SKYPE BETA INT'L Every month. Skype collects all the ID of the people that are online on messenger, among the millions that subscribe to Skype! We only select Ten people every Month as our winners through electronic balloting System without the winner applying, we are congratulating you for having been one of the lucky people that won for this month.
PAYMENT OF PRIZE AND CLAIM:
You are to contact your ATM Card Center today.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ARRANGED YOUR PAYMENT THROUGH OUR SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTER: ASIA PACIFIC.
THIS CARD CENTER WILL GIVE YOU AN ATM CARD WHICH YOU WILL USE TO WITHDRAW YOUR MONEY IN ANY ATM MACHINE IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE CONTACT THE CARD PAYMENT CENTER TODAY AND ALSO SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
1. Your Full Name:
2. Telephone Numbers:
3. Contact Address where you want your ATM Card be sent:
4. Age and Current Occupation:
CONTACT PERSON: DR. MARC BENIOFF
INTEGRATED PAYMENT DEPARTMENT IN UK
EMAIL: drmarcbenioff@gmail.com
TEL PHONE: +44 704 575 6519
THE ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER HAS BEEN MANDATED TO ISSUE OUT $500,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY)
Beta Prize must be received no later than 15 days from date of Draw Notification after the Draw date in which Prize has won. Any prize not claimed within this period will be forfeited and retrieved.
NOTE: YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO KEEP ALL YOUR WINNING DATA CONFIDENTIAL TILL CLAIM IS MADE TO AVOID WRONG CLAIMING. ANY BREACH OF CONFIDENTIAL DISQUALIFIES YOU FROM GETTING YOUR PRIZE.
Congratulations!!! Once more.
Yours Faithfully,
Miss R.E.Turner.
FOR: SKYPE BETA COORDINATOR...
Yes indeed it is a scam. Please just disregard it 
Please be aware that about the problems with correspondence by skype personal. First many times there is a need to speak with someone to clarify things but since this does not exist on a phone company I have written about 50 e mails an only get answers which are stock not looking into the issues that I write about. Who can help me? Perhaps Norman? I have saved all correspondence and copies of my phone records. Please contact me at xxxxx
Post edited by Moderator.
Personal e-mail address removed for your privacy/security.
This is a public internet site.
We don't respond to private e-mail addresses from the Forum.
Norman Musgrave.
Post edited by Moderator.
Personal e-mail address removed for your privacy/security.
This is a public internet site.
We don't respond to private e-mail addresses from the Forum.
Norman Musgrave.
QUOTE (ckm8ed @ Sat Oct 4 2008, 10:17)
Go to the original post
Go to the original post
I have written about 50 e mails an only get answers which are stock not looking into the issues that I write about.
Please advise what the problem is and we will try to assist.
HI NORMAN
PLEASE SEE ONE OF MY E MAILS TO SKYPE. NOW THEY HAVE REBILLED MY CREDIT CARD 2 X $25 AND ANOTHER $10 HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF MY ACCOUNT. iF I DISPUTE AGAIN I KNOW MY ACCOUNT WILL BE BLOCKED AGAIN. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
JEFF
Re: GQW: BLOCKED ACCOUNT FOR 3RD TIME <<#32586-2564538#>>
From: Patrick - Skype Support (billing@skype.net)
Sent: Sat 9/06/08 5:01 AM
To: xxxxx
Hello JEFF, Thank you for contacting Skype Support. Your account was flagged for verification. This issue should be solved now, please try to place a call again. We apologize for the inconvenience Best regards, Patrick P.Skype Support Visit www.skype.com for latest news, updates and tips. --- Original Message ---From: JEFF CHECK xxxxx Received: 30.08.2008 0:27:45 GMT Standard Time (GMT - 0:00 )To: support@skype.netSubject: GQW: BLOCKED ACCOUNT FOR 3RD TIME Name: JEFF CHECKSkype Name: ckm8edE-mail: xxxxx Topic: My Account (username, password, account status, etc.)Subtopic: Blocked accountSubject: BLOCKED ACCOUNT FOR 3RD TIMEMessage:-----------------------------------------------------------------------I HAVE SENT MANY MESSAGES AND I WONDER IF THEY GET READ AND THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION BETWEN THE PEOPLE WHO READ THEM. I HAVE EX[LAINED WHAT HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND WHEN I RECIEVE A REPLY IT IS LIKE THE PERSON ONLY HAS SEEN ONE E MAIL AND SO THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GET CORRECTED. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME EVER SINCE SOMEONE STOLE MY ACCOUNT AND WAS MAKING CALLS TO UBECKERSTAN, 3 PAGES OF CALLS! I HAD AUTO RECHARGE OF $25 AND THEY WENT THROUGH THREE $25 CHARGES + THE CREDIT WHICH WAS REMAINING ALREADY ON THE ACCOUNT. I WROTE MANY TIMES WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON AS TO WHY MY ACCOUNT WAS FLUXUATING WITH CREDIT AMOUNTS AND DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER. I LOOED ON MY HISTORY AND THERE WAS NO CALLS NOT MADE BY ME BUT FINALLY WHEN I LOOKED IN A DIFFERENT PLACE WHICH WAS NOT TOLD TO ME I SAW THESE CALLS TO UBECKERSTAND. WHEN THIS WENT ON I CALLED MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY AND ASKED THEM TO HOLD FUNDS ON THESE THREE $25 CHARGES SINCE THESE WERE FRAUD. I HAVE WRITEEN MANY TIMES MY ACOUNT WAS UNBLOCKED THEN BLOCKED THEN UNBLOCKED THEN BLOCKED. THIS WENT ON FOR THREE TIMES AND THIS IS WHERE I AM NOW. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO RESTORE MY ACCOUNT SO IT DO NOT GET BLOCKED AGAIN? THERE IS TO MUCH LAG TIME BEFOR I GET ASWER OF WHAT TO DO.THANK YOIU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS.8/29/08
Post edited by Moderator.
Personal e-mail address deleted for your privacy/security.
Norman Musgrave.
PLEASE SEE ONE OF MY E MAILS TO SKYPE. NOW THEY HAVE REBILLED MY CREDIT CARD 2 X $25 AND ANOTHER $10 HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF MY ACCOUNT. iF I DISPUTE AGAIN I KNOW MY ACCOUNT WILL BE BLOCKED AGAIN. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
JEFF
Re: GQW: BLOCKED ACCOUNT FOR 3RD TIME <<#32586-2564538#>>
From: Patrick - Skype Support (billing@skype.net)
Sent: Sat 9/06/08 5:01 AM
To: xxxxx
Hello JEFF, Thank you for contacting Skype Support. Your account was flagged for verification. This issue should be solved now, please try to place a call again. We apologize for the inconvenience Best regards, Patrick P.Skype Support Visit www.skype.com for latest news, updates and tips. --- Original Message ---From: JEFF CHECK xxxxx Received: 30.08.2008 0:27:45 GMT Standard Time (GMT - 0:00 )To: support@skype.netSubject: GQW: BLOCKED ACCOUNT FOR 3RD TIME Name: JEFF CHECKSkype Name: ckm8edE-mail: xxxxx Topic: My Account (username, password, account status, etc.)Subtopic: Blocked accountSubject: BLOCKED ACCOUNT FOR 3RD TIMEMessage:-----------------------------------------------------------------------I HAVE SENT MANY MESSAGES AND I WONDER IF THEY GET READ AND THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION BETWEN THE PEOPLE WHO READ THEM. I HAVE EX[LAINED WHAT HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND WHEN I RECIEVE A REPLY IT IS LIKE THE PERSON ONLY HAS SEEN ONE E MAIL AND SO THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GET CORRECTED. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME EVER SINCE SOMEONE STOLE MY ACCOUNT AND WAS MAKING CALLS TO UBECKERSTAN, 3 PAGES OF CALLS! I HAD AUTO RECHARGE OF $25 AND THEY WENT THROUGH THREE $25 CHARGES + THE CREDIT WHICH WAS REMAINING ALREADY ON THE ACCOUNT. I WROTE MANY TIMES WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON AS TO WHY MY ACCOUNT WAS FLUXUATING WITH CREDIT AMOUNTS AND DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER. I LOOED ON MY HISTORY AND THERE WAS NO CALLS NOT MADE BY ME BUT FINALLY WHEN I LOOKED IN A DIFFERENT PLACE WHICH WAS NOT TOLD TO ME I SAW THESE CALLS TO UBECKERSTAND. WHEN THIS WENT ON I CALLED MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY AND ASKED THEM TO HOLD FUNDS ON THESE THREE $25 CHARGES SINCE THESE WERE FRAUD. I HAVE WRITEEN MANY TIMES MY ACOUNT WAS UNBLOCKED THEN BLOCKED THEN UNBLOCKED THEN BLOCKED. THIS WENT ON FOR THREE TIMES AND THIS IS WHERE I AM NOW. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO RESTORE MY ACCOUNT SO IT DO NOT GET BLOCKED AGAIN? THERE IS TO MUCH LAG TIME BEFOR I GET ASWER OF WHAT TO DO.THANK YOIU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS.8/29/08
Post edited by Moderator.
Personal e-mail address deleted for your privacy/security.
Norman Musgrave.
Hello Jeff,
Thanks for the information.
Can I ask you not to post in all uppercase?
It's the equivalent of shouting and the text is difficult to read.
Please advise your username so I can progress this issue.
Is your account blocked at the moment or not?
Moved to ''Payments, Billing''.
Thanks for the information.
Can I ask you not to post in all uppercase?
It's the equivalent of shouting and the text is difficult to read.
Please advise your username so I can progress this issue.
Is your account blocked at the moment or not?
Moved to ''Payments, Billing''.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.