Phone Scams

[koreanenvy]

Those automated calls that say something like: "this is a courtesy call from your credit card company, please press 1 to listen to an important message" ... etc.

I hang up immediately. But what happens if I pressed "1"? How do they scam you?

 

[blackrock13]

I can't say as I've never let it get that far. I'm guessing it's a consolidation and interest rate offer to switch over to them, not so much a scam.

 

[blackrock13]

Why do you feel the need to chime in when you admit you DON'T HAVE A CLUE?

To koreanenvy; It is a scam whereby the caller tries to get your personal and/or credit card information or to sell you either credit protection, overpriced insurance (often not backed by a legit insurer) or to say you won a prize etc.

You are wise not to answer. This only confirms that they have a valid phone number and can continue AND sell your number to other predators as part of a gullible suckers list.

I can't say as I've never let it get that far. I'm guessing it's a consolidation and interest rate offer to switch over to them, not so much a scam.

I did not ever say I didn't have a clue. Read a little more slowly next time and out loud if that will help. I also added it was a guess. We're all still allowed to offer a guess on TERB, aren't we? On the other hand, your last point is a very good and one that most don't realize.

 

[blackrock13]

My comprehension is fine. I understood your point. You said you didn't know. Yet you GUESSED that it was not a scam.

Pretty simple, I just asked why you feel the need to say something when all it is is saying you don't know but go on anyways.

I'm guessing it's to satisfy the same urges you have to pick nits. It sounds from your earlier comment you may have pressed #1.

 

[blackrock13]

Not nit picking. A fundamental question of why you have to opine on every issue when you don't know what you are talking about on many.

And no, I never pick up on these BS calls. Then again, I have taken great care to protect my numbers, addresses and personal info for many years so I don't get many such solicitations. And I figure that since my number is NOT 411 I don't give out ANY information to anyone who approaches ME.

These scams are well known to knowledgable people.

You're not paying attention then. There are many threads I don't participate in, 16 threads out of 25 on the first page of this forum alone, and we're not even considering the forums I'm not interested in.

 

[The Fruity Hare]

You're not paying attention then. There are many threads I don't participate in, 16 threads out of 25 on the first page of this forum alone, and we're not even considering the forums I'm not interested in.

With 10,777 posts in about a year and a half, maybe it just seems like you post in every thread.

 

[The Fruity Hare]

If the automated message correctly identifies my name and the exact brand of credit card I have, I press 1. This has happened twice, once when I fell behind on a Line of Credit payment (I always pay off in full), and just recently where after a vacation and holiday spending, I had my largest CC bill ever. I got that message, and they called to say that my payment was a day late. I told them that it had been sent - turns out something got lost in the shuffle.

That is actually the newest scam, as stated here:

http://www.globalmaritimes.com/health/RCMP+warns+Canada+wide+credit+card+scam/4069936/story.html

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The RCMP is warning of a sophisticated credit card scam that's spreading across the country and involves people being asked to hand over their security information to fraudsters.


An officer with the commercial crime section in St. John's, N.L., says several people have contacted police to report suspicious calls from supposed credit card agents looking for the three-digit security number on the back of their MasterCard or Visa.


Cpl. Vicki Chalker says the callers already have the person's address, phone number and credit card number, and claim that they're investigating unusual purchases.


Chalker says they ask the cardholder if they have bought a $500 device and when they say no, tell them they will be reimbursed for it.


But in order to complete the transaction, the caller needs the security numbers that can then be used by the con artist to make purchases.


Chalker says the scam started in Alberta but it's not yet clear how extensive it is.

 

[blackrock13]

With 10,777 posts in about a year and a half, maybe it just seems like you post in every thread.

The difference between fact and fiction.

 

[5hummer]

I never answer a call if I don't recognize the number. Simple.

 

[blackrock13]

Like the difference between crazy and insane?

Not even close, but keep trying

 

[kono]

I actually got that call. I hung up without even thinking about it. If you're a machine or if you're a telemarketer I don't give them the time of day. I have better things to do then to listen to your scripted sales pitch. Click.

 

[james t kirk]

I never answer a call if I don't recognize the number. Simple.

Ditto that.

Unknown name, Private name, 1-8xx, does not get answered, ever.

I only answer calls of names I recognize.

I've gotten calls from banks before about issues - always call the number on the back of the card back, never the number they leave.