Bell long distance scam

[KBear]

Since we are sharing the scams we were caught in, I thought I would share mine.

Seems some time ago (last year maybe) the Bell rep. called and offered a long distance package at no additional cost, period. It was intended to make their standard long distance rates competitive with the other carriers, as I remember. So, I added it onto my main line and the rep offered to add it onto my second line, which is used for data/fax, maybe the odd phone call.

Looking at my bill I just noticed a $4.95 charge under Miscellaneous, seems that they decided to start charging for this long distance service in April?. The notice of this new charge was apparently sent out then, amongst all the other junk mail they include with their bills.

Check your bills.

 

[Sixer]

Re: Scam

Thanks for the warning KBear

While we are on the topic of scam, I would like to share my experience. Recently I got a few phone calls from someone who identify himself as a Consumer Gas employee. He told me that I am required to clean my furnace once a year. The cost would be around $ 150 +. He went on further to say that it is their company policy and for my safety. If I choose not to comply, he told me that I would be fully reliable for any damage in my furnace. I didn't quite understand what he meant by that. Anyway, I was unsure and I told him to leave me his name and extension. He kind of trails off and told me he will call me back. He called back a few time and he still hasn't left me with his extension. I got suspicious and called Consumer Gas. They told me that they would never call any households to have their furnace cleaned.

Consumers beware.

 

[peteeey]

call 1015945 + 1 + (area code) + (number).

You get charged 7 cents a minute for Canada and the U.S., slightly higher for other countries and it goes on your Bell bill as other carriers. It's YAK communications I think.

 

[TheNiteHwk]

Re:Scam = play on words

Thanks for the warning KBear
While we are on the topic of scam, I would like to share my experience. Recently I got a few phone calls from someone who identify himself as a Consumer Gas employee. He told me that I am required to clean my furnace once a year. The cost would be around $ 150 +. Consumers beware.

Duct cleaning, Furnace cleaning & A/C service/cleaning etc.
Years ago inbetween 'real jobs' I worked for a company who had a very similar name to Consumers Gas; telemarking all the above services. The idea is when you 'pitch' them you say the name quick enough that people think you are calling from CG. Telemarketers are paid anywhere from 20 to 30% commission, including anything they may 'upsell' you on once the tech comes to your house. Such as extended warrenty etc. Sell 3,4,5 deals a night in 4 or 5 hour shift your doing OK. Companies that do this are usually are covered legally in some sense in that they must send a real tech to your house and most do a legit and quality job. Afterall they would like to build a client base for repeat business. Also they don't want to be closed down. Their marketing methods however leave a little to be desired and leave a bad taste in many mouths. Yah BE CAREFULL. It's not only the pipefitter next door who open his own biz and thought to employ this marking method. Many large well known corperations such as Bell, Sprint, major dept stores etc are now doing the same. They hire sub-contarcters to do the telemarking for them. Why? There is REAL BIG MONEY in telemarking. Example (another one I worked at) don't ever buy or sign up for free trail offer on any type of insurance when someone calls saying they are calling "on behalf of" major dept store. Try to cancell the coverage later that is automatically deducted from your credit card and it will take you about 6 months to get through to their special 1-800 cancelation line. In the mean time thousands upon thousands of people are paying the $19.95 preimum auto deduct from credit card. Like I said BIG MONEY. Believe me I know. Been there, done that.

 

[MRMARCUS]

one word - Primus. they do the air miles thing as well