Yet another scam

[momcat]

Hi PT friends -
We all know that scams are running rampant these days so I'm giving all of you a heads up and I hope a laugh with this one.

I got a phone call this afternoon, the caller had a very heavy foreign accent. He told me he was from the federal government and said I was selected to receive a $9,000 federal grant because I pay my bills on time and I don't have a criminal record. That's not something the feds would do so I terminated the call right there. A little while later I went to the call list on my cell phone, found the phone number and tried to call back just for grins. A message came on saying this number doesn't accept incoming calls. That may be so but this didn't feel right at all.

Even though Mike and I laughed over it, my fear is for those who will fall for it.

[Karen]

Boy, you'd sure have to be gullible for that! Hopefully no one will fall for it!

[Grace]

We have a Panasonic phone that we can program to block up to 250 phone numbers. It has been a God-send. Whenever one of those calls come through, I just program it to be blocked - because you know they won't take one "no" for an answer. We can also block all calls from "private", "out of area", or "unavailable".

When one of those numbers call, we hear one ring - and then nothing. The calling party just gets disconnected.

[mon]

I'm eloping tomorrow in Las Vegas!

[mon]

I'm so happy, how come no one gives a s*it? Oh well, never mind.

[mon]

Thanks SO much! Back at ya! Bye forever.

[cassiesmom]

I'm eloping tomorrow in Las Vegas!

Wait, what? Tomorrow is today now. What did I miss?

And Momcat, what was the catch to "get" that $9,000? Good for you for spotting a hoax.!

[phesina]

I'm eloping tomorrow in Las Vegas!

Congratulations, mon! Best wishes to you and your sweetie.

[pomtzu]

Thanks SO much! Back at ya! Bye forever.

Dear Mon,

Seriously - if you would post and start an appropriate thread, you just might get a response. You eloping has nothing to do with any scam...........or does it?????

And if I remember correctly - you posted a "bye forever" once before, when you got up on your high horse with that attitude of yours. You're a grown woman - start acting like one, rather than a spoiled brat kid. Sheeeeesh..........

And if you don't know how to start a new thread with an appropriate subject title - why not just ask?????????

[Lady's Human]

Okay, I'm confused.

Posting something like that in a thread about scams almost guarantees that:

a) No one will believe you

and

b) No one is going to comment on the announcement because they think it's part of the scam thread.

[momcat]

Well, tonight I got another call from some guy saying he's with the federal government and this time my grant amount from the Federal Reserve is $10,000! He said the money doesn't have to be paid back and I can use it for anything I want as long as it's not something criminal. This guy never said I was picked because I pay my bills on time and don't have a criminal record. This time I decided to listen to the entire pitch. He gave me an ID number then said I could get the money by direct deposit to my bank account, apply it to my credit card or I could pick it up at a Western Union office. My response was "This sounds like a scam" and his response was pretty evasive. He then said the amount will be kept on a prepaid card for 5 years if I change my mind. Strange, they never asked for me by my name (never gave it to them or any identifying or personal information)

This time I wrote down everything he said then I called the Trenton police to report it. Within a half hour, 2 police officers came here. They took my statement about both calls then said they have this on file with the police because I called it in. One of the officers said these scammers often call seniors and retired folks because they tend to be easy marks. He also said these scammers are extremely difficult to catch especially since they know all the techno tricks to hide their tracks. The police said if they call again don't answer since I wrote down the number that came on my caller ID. They both emphasized that if anyone shows up at my house about it to call 911 immediately.

[pomtzu]

Wow Eileen - these scammers are getting really bold. I've never had a phone call from any, but I also had my land line disconnected well over a year ago - too much money for nothing. I have my cell, and that's enough for me.

As far as the number that they use to call you - well that might be a problem to just not answer. I'm pretty sure that they have many different lines, so recognizing an incoming call from them might not be as easy as it sounds.

I'd just hang up once they started to spew their line of bull. When I still had the house line and got a telemarketing call, I gave them an unwanted response. I kept one of those very loud personal security alarms at the phone, and they would get a good dose of that piercing siren. I KNOW that hurt their ears - big time. A police whistle works good too. They tend not to call back for more!

[phesina]

Oh, that's a good idea about the whistle for those callers! Thank you, Ellie.

[smokey the elder]

You should let any caller you don't know roll to voice mail. Chances are scammers won't leave a message.

It's rare for them to show up in "real" space, but if you see anything suspicious calling 911 isn't a bad idea.

[momcat]

You should let any caller you don't know roll to voice mail. Chances are scammers won't leave a message.

It's rare for them to show up in "real" space, but if you see anything suspicious calling 911 isn't a bad idea.

Thanks, Smokey the Elder. That's exactly what the police told me to do when they were here last night should they try to call again. I'm also going to record the date and time should they try to call again. As for anyone connected showing up at my door, the police told me to call 911 if that happens. I hate to sound paranoid and think it's highly unlikely they'll come but I'll only answer the door if my son or a friend is here.