September 10, 2016

  • Looking Scammed

    One of the nice parts of giving up our land line in favor of the cell phones has been the end of the sales calls. The phone calls at dinner time have evaporated. We don't have to deal with the companies trying to sell us vinyl siding or new windows. There aren't any calls asking us for a donation to "save the endangered 12 spotted newt" or to buy circus tickets so disadvantaged kids can have a little joy in their lives. I can't say I miss those calls and callers. However nature abhors a vacuum. So the devious minds of the unscrupulous have worked over time and come up with alternative methods to try to part me from my money.

    1. The collection call - The phone call goes something like "May I speak with Mr. Clarence Dupree?" When you inform them that they have the wrong number. They insist that this is the number Mr. Dupree listed on his store loan when purchasing his $8,000 big screen TV. You patiently explain that either he made up a number (which happens to be mine) or they have transposed numbers on the paperwork at some point. After a few minutes they apologize and hang up. They then begin the constant calls trying to collect Mr. Dupree's debt. Finally you block the call but they have your number and lots of phones. Eventually they tell you that for a small fee they can expunge your number from Mr. Dupree's account. What works is to inform them that you have all the numbers from the phone calls recorded and you are going to talk to the State's Attorney General. The calls end.

    2. The emergency call - The voice on the other end sounds panicked. "Grandma? Can you hear me? I've been in a terrible accident and my car is totaled. I am trying to get home for (insert the holiday of choice). Can you wire me some money to get a rental car? I only need $300." I'm guessing this must work on some elderly people or they wouldn't do it. Too bad for them I'm not a grandmother, I don't have a grandson, and if I did I wouldn't be wiring any money. I would say, hold on while I get your grandfather. He's the one that knows how to do that kind of thing. Then I'd be making a call on another phone to the suspected grandson to see if he had indeed been in an accident.

    3. The outstanding warrant call - The calls start coming in from all over the country. You look at your phone and ask "Who do I know in Bangor, ME? Who's calling me from Fargo, ND? Why would I be getting a call from anyone in East St. Louis, MO?" You don't answer the calls. Then they leave the voice message. "This is an important and urgent message! Warrants have been issued for your arrest in multiple states. You must return this call within 24 hours or a Federal Marshall will be sent to take you into custody. You must act immediately or face arrest and incarceration!!!" Really? A warrant for MY arrest? What could I have possibly done? Is it illegal to eat Cheetos after 9:00 PM? Did I return that library book in time?! Mercy no - I will be arrested because I didn't "round up" my bill at Goodwill and donate to their education fund! A coworker started getting the calls at lunch. We all listened to the voice message. Then we all had a good laugh. She didn't erase the message and is going to let her neighbor the State Trooper listen to it... They probably already know about that scam...

Comments (16)

  • Personally, I hate all telephones. I use when I absolutely have to.

    (Good blog, by the way)

    • Thanks for the lovely compliment! I' thrilled beyond measure that you liked this one! I have to use the phone at work but I'd rather text than call!

  • We keep the landline to give out when we have to supply a phone number for businesses, doctors, appointments, etc. We don't give out our cell phone numbers to many people beyond friends and family. I recently replaced our landline phones with some that provide Call Blocking. It's been fun to block the annoying calls and see "Blocked Caller" pop up in the Caller ID. I know they'll eventually call from a different number, but I can block 250 before I have to start unblocking numbers to make room. I'm hoping 250 will get me through this election cycle.

    • When we had the landline we let the phone go to the messages and then decide if we wanted to speak to the caller! We didn't have call blocker at the time but I can see me using it extensively.

  • Also, I never answer a number I don't recognize, and I Google unfamiliar numbers before blocking. Now the crooks are spoofing local numbers to get you to answer.

    • I've taken to the same tactic. If I can't recognize the number I won't answer it.... though I've been fooled before~

  • The advertisers have found my cell phone #! I'm Not happy about it.

  • They're all over the place. I've had a call from my grandson (I don't have one), but not the collection calls. An annoying version of #3 has popped up here -- the IRS calls saying they are going to sue you for unpaid taxes and penalties. I had one like that a couple of weeks ago, then a couple of days ago there were 5 calls from different numbers with the same message, all in one morning! In fact, it reminded me that the State owes me a refund!

  • The IRS is coming after us. lol Or I get the Donald's voice screaming at me before I hit the pound key several times hoping to screw up his recording. I don't really think that works cause he keeps calling back from NY, VA etc. So he is using a Democrats call list. rotfl.

    • Gee! That takes some real chutzpah!! I wonder how he got those call lists?? I bet it wasn't on the up and up!!

  • @murisopsis: This is an old refund for a donation I missed reporting in my 2014 return! I did amended returns along with my 2016 returns!

  • so annoying! :(

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