JohnH Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 Caller ID showed 703.828.0423. I didn't answer but they left a threatening message on my voice mail about suspected fraud and all sorts of dire consequences if I or my attorney didn't call back. The person had an accent (Hispanic I think), and the syntax was a little convoluted, but not enough to notice if the hearer wasn't tuned in enough to know it's fraudulent. I can see how unsuspecting people can get sucked into this scam because overall they make it a very intimidating conversation. I feel sorry for the people who answer these calls and don't know up front that it's OK to hang up on them. 1 Quote
Elrod Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 Sad to know there are so many bottom scrubbers on such a wonderful planet.... 1 Quote
Pacun Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 What did the police say? You have his voice on record, you should make a police report. Who knows, maybe the phone they are using is a real phone that was reported as stolen and the police could do something. Quote
JohnH Posted March 20, 2015 Author Report Posted March 20, 2015 They called back about 30 min later, then another call after 15-20 more minutes. I didn't answer - no message left either of these times. I'm guessing it's a part of their scam - they begin by raking you over the coals for not responding to their message. If I weren't trying to get out of the office for a weekend getaway, I'd tie them up on the phone for a while. At least that would delay their getting to their next victim. But they do have me a little paranoid now, because I'm wondering if they work various area codes in sequence. So I've called a couple of my elderly clients to personally warn them about this type of scam. Bottom line is, these idiots are cutting into my play time. Quote
JohnH Posted March 20, 2015 Author Report Posted March 20, 2015 Pacun: Our local police aren't going to involve themselves in something like this. A couple of years ago, they couldn't even take time to figure out what to do about an illegal gambling establishment operating in the same office complex I'm in. They didn't shut it down until someone broke into the place and an officer had to enter it to see if there was anyone injured inside. When the poker machines were staring him in the face, he had to do something about it. If they won't deal with something in their own jurisdiction, they're sure not going to take on a problem across state lines. Quote
Lee B Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 Caller ID showed 703.828.0423. I didn't answer but they left a threatening message on my voice mail about suspected fraud and all sorts of dire consequences if I or my attorney didn't call back. The person had an accent (Hispanic I think), and the syntax was a little convoluted, but not enough to notice if the hearer wasn't tuned in enough to know it's fraudulent. I can see how unsuspecting people can get sucked into this scam because overall they make it a very intimidating conversation. I feel sorry for the people who answer these calls and don't know up front that it's OK to hang up on them. Sounds exactly like a call left on my answering machine at home about 10 days ago. I thought about reporting it, but I am just too busy right now. Quote
Pacun Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 If you are the lucky one, you should play with them. You should say "I am sorry, I want to make payment arrangements with you, please send me the contract and I will sign it. I can afford $20 per month and bla bla bla". Tell them that your bank cancelled you bank account because you are so poor. Tell them that you clean casinos but there are not that many in your area and therefor you are not making that much money. Or you can tell them that you are the shampoo guy but all you clients are bald now and that your job is in decline. I would play with them a lot if I get a call from them. 4 Quote
NECPA in NEBRASKA Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 My step-daughter received one on her answering machine and she called them back. Fortunately, she doesn't think that she gave them any information. I can't believe that as much as I preach to my family members about fraudulent calls, emails, etc., that she would be so gullible. It's been all over the news and in the papers here. She's also one that let the "Microsoft" people into her computer after being warned many times. I guess this is why there are so many scammers. 2 Quote
kcjenkins Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 Yes, that's a perfect example of why con artists are never out of business for long. 2 Quote
Catherine Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 I would still call the police. Some of these scum have called in fake "murder in progress" calls to terrorize people for NOT paying. Calling the cops at least makes it far LESS likely that they send the SWAT team out to your house because of the "hostage situation in progress." 1 Quote
ILLMAS Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 I am surprised they didn't have an Indian accent. Quote
Catherine Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 I am surprised they didn't have an Indian accent. Nah; those were the folks a couple of days ago looking for cheap fast last minute returns for FAFSA filings. Quote
MsTabbyKats Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 I am surprised they didn't have an Indian accent. Mine did. I told him that I'm a special agent with the IRS and I was having his call traced. 4 Quote
ljwalters Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 They called me a couple of months ago. My husband answered and went into a panic. I told him not to worry we owed nothing. The called again last week while a client was in the office. I put them on speaker phone and let them rant. Then explained to what happened to be an elderly client that it was a scam and to never return the calls. It Could be dangerous and if she was truly concerned to always have her daughter handle it. PS her daughter is up on most of the scams 2 Quote
jklcpa Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 Oh, I can't wait to get one of these calls and play with them. I got one last week from the Microsoft technical center wanting to help me "fix" my computer. I just kept laughing at them and they finally hung up. Next call I told them I had a MAC now. Then I answered one of these at my mom's house and I told that one that there's no computer at the home (truth). I was not so politely informed by that caller that all Americans are rich and all have computers. I just about fell off the chair laughing at that one! Several of my clients got the scammer calls complete with spoofing of the caller ID. The latest was an elderly Japanese man who is brilliant retired college professor. He played along and told the caller he was so upset over the call that he had to go lie down and would wait for the police to arrive. Next call he received, the caller ID said " local police". We have only state or county police, both of which show on caller ID, and again my client said he'd be resting until the police arrived to arrest him. He said the callers got more belligerent as he wasn't cooperating and falling for their lies. Then he called me laughing about the whole thing. I love my smart, funny clients. 3 Quote
Jack from Ohio Posted March 21, 2015 Report Posted March 21, 2015 The scammers use internet phones and spoof the phone number. Impossible to trace. Police won't get involved. The best defense, if your clients are savvy enough to listen, is to simply hang up. Stats are one out of seven end up giving money. 1 Quote
SCL Posted March 24, 2015 Report Posted March 24, 2015 my latest mo when i get an 'indian' accent robo call. i tell them to quit bothering me...go suck off a cow...and hang up. they don't like that and haven't called back! Quote
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