Spam or Legit Text Message from Mendelsons Lawyers?

trabug on 11/06/2021 - 14:53
Last edited 11/06/2021 - 15:52 by 1 other user

I got a new phone number in April to replace my second number which expired after no use. I haven't given this number out, but I have been getting texts as per below.

"Please contact Mendelsons Lawyers on 1300XXXXXX and quote ref:XXXXXXX. Click on https://mendelsons.app.whispir.it/s/XXXXXXX to access details."

"Please contact Mendelsons Lawyers on 1300XXXXXX and quote ref:XXXXXXX. Click on https://mendelsons.app.whispir.it/s/YYYYYYY to access details."

The reference number is the same in both messages, but the web link reference is different.

I tried to google the 1300 number but nothing came up. I'm hesitant to click on the link. I tried calling back the number and it rang out and went to voicemail saying something along the lines of "you've called Prushka and Mendelsons. Please leave your name, number and reference number and we will get back to you".

Google suggests this is a debt collector company. I have no outstanding bills.

Also googling the number for Mendelsons Lawyers comes up with a different number.

I highly suspect it is spam. But I think I also got this text message on my old (now expired) phone number, which I've erased everything from that number so can't check, which makes it seem more than a coincidence. I haven't received this message on my main phone number.

Has any one heard of these guys?

Mobile

Related Stores

mendelsons.com.au
mendelsons.com.au

Comments

  • QuicheLorraine on 11/06/2021 - 14:55
    +8

    If the message doesn't address you by your first name, I'd just ignore it. Likely spam or something intended for the previous owner of that mobile number (assuming it is a recycled number and not issued from a brand new number range)

  • Hybroid on 11/06/2021 - 14:58
    +3

    Block and ignore.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 11/06/2021 - 14:59
    +2

    If you are worried, call the number that you Googled, that was on their site.

    Sounds like a Scam to me.

    • pharkurnell on 11/06/2021 - 16:19

      I never understand why people dont do that.

  • bazingaa on 11/06/2021 - 15:01
    +2

    ".it" in the web address? are they from Italy ? looks like a scam

    edit: I browsed "whispir.it" and it got redirected to ".com" and it has an address in Melbourne, looks like a bulk sms provider. So the link "could be" legit.

    • Baysew on 11/06/2021 - 15:54
      +1

      are they from Italy ?

      They might make you an offer you can't refuse.

  • trabug on 11/06/2021 - 15:03

    Glad and reassured it's a resounding "spam".
    Blocked!

  • GG57 on 11/06/2021 - 15:04

    Contact these people to sort it out:
    https://www.prushka.com.au/?CFID=4628187&CFTOKEN=ef7815220a5…

    • Misplaced on 12/06/2021 - 07:49
      +2

      This is the answer. Why downvote it? CALL THEM.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 11/06/2021 - 15:17
    +5

    They buy old debt.

    It won't be an outstanding bill. It'll be related to some old account you had. Probably phone, internet, electricity or gas retailer.

    Ignore it but expect a letter.

  • Yummy on 11/06/2021 - 15:23

    Has any one heard of these guys?
    ….
    I'm hesitant to click on the link.

    Can someone be a bait and click the link? Kthxbai

    j/k
    Please dont.

  • 87percent on 11/06/2021 - 16:36
    +1

    Why would a law firm contact you via sms??

  • pegaxs on 11/06/2021 - 16:51
    +2

    I got something similar to this last time I went to Malaysia and got a local sim card. Started firing off with lots of demands for payments and when I logged into Whatsapp using the number, I was flooded with messages and calls from the guys she had scammed or tried to scam.

    It is likely the previous owner of that number or someone who gave out a random fake number and it just happened to hit yours. If they dont call you or adress you by name, dont entertain it.

    If they do call you, give them nothing, no information at all about yourself. Ask them what or whom they are looking for and tell them if it is not you they are looking for that that person no longer owns that phone number… If they ask for your details, politely decline and then hang up on them.

  • c64 on 11/06/2021 - 17:43
    +1

    if you haven't given out your new number then how else would they get it? sounds suss to me

  • upended on 11/06/2021 - 18:52
    +1

    Had a similar experience from a couple of years ago. Got contacted by a debt collection company advising that we have outstanding debt. Nothing came to mind as we are always on top of our bills. So I called the company (which was legit) and it turned out that we owed Centrelink $6 because they had overpaid us by $6 with the child care subsidy rebate. They had sent us an email via mygov which we overlooked. We paid $8 (after interest was added) and we also got a notification that the debt was repayed.

  • mskeggs on 11/06/2021 - 19:22
    +2

    It is a debt recovery company messaging a number that was in use by somebody else.
    It will have been in quarantine for 6 months at least before you got it, but they will likely keep trying if they have no other contact for the debtor.

    Not something to worry about, but you might be able to get your number off their list if you complain to the finance ombudsman or similar.

  • websterp on 11/06/2021 - 20:41
    +3

    Whispir is a bulk SMS provider in Melbourne and they are legit - Some sort of Telstra subsidiary or Telstra has some investment in it, one or the other.

    Mendelsons Lawyers quite possibly are using their SMS platform to contact clients/debtors and the message will most likely be legit too so I don't see any harm in clicking those links. Just to be safe ring them at some point and inquire about the messages. I understand you haven't had any dealings with this mob but in case there was some debt you had no idea of it is best to sort out before it hits your credit file. I know of someone who had an outstanding mobile bill and forgot all about it, moved home, changed numbers over the years and only to find out while applying for a mortgage so don't disregard messages from a debt collector just because you had no past dealings with them.

    On the other hand if this was a case of them trying to contact the previous owner of your number before it was pulled out of the pool to be assigned to you, just tell them this and get them to stop pestering you.

  • happylime on 12/06/2021 - 07:57
    +1

    I would check my credit report from Equifax. Someone might have used your identity info to apply for credit cards and other things.

    • trabug on 12/06/2021 - 10:38

      Good call. Just requested my report.

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