Dealt with a phone scam today

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Got two recorded phone calls from a guy claiming to be a Treasury agent who threatened legal action if I didn't call back. The calls were pretty generic and sounded more like a phishing expedition. Both calls originated out of Annapolis MD according to the caller ID.

I didn't bother to call back. Debt collection is almost never done this way. Usually one gets a registered letter at least.

I ended up reporting this to the FTC.

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

A lot of bogus scams going around so everyone be careful.

[brush]

1. I got a similar a couple of months ago

This guy claimed to be treasury agent also, from the Oakland office.

I kinda felt it was a scam so I called back. He told me I was to be arrested the next morning for tax evasion of some other phony baloney.

I final got him to say what it would take not to be arrested and he mention a monetary figure.

That's when I told him to go fu_k himself and hung up.

[MADem]

4. You should have said "Agent Johnson, is that enough, or should I stay on the line?"

Heh heh...!

[MADem]

2. I don't answer calls I don't recognize. And I don't answer calls from my OWN NUMBER.

That's the latest one--they spoof your own number to try to persuade you that you need to switch your energy provider or buy a home alarm system. Insane!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

9. I didn't answer the first call

It was on my message recorder. I did answer the second one when I recognized it was the same caller ID.

Both calls had a recorded message on the other end as opposed to a real person.

[B Calm]

3. I'm so glad I did away with my land line.

[MADem]

5. They go after cellphones, too. nt

[B Calm]

10. I have had a cell phone for over 15 years and never have been bothered.

Maybe I'm just lucky?

[MADem]

12. Yes, you're lucky. I just got a BS call on my cell before I posted that.

I didn't answer, I never do. I block!

[B Calm]

13. Have you listed your cell number on the national do not call list?

[MADem]

17. Yeah--it doesn't do much good, especially when they're calling from OUTUS. nt

[hobbit709]

22. The do not call list only works for legitimate businesses.

The scammers don't give a flying fuck about any list. and most of the time they spoof their originating number.

[chillfactor]

8. me too..years ago

why pay for two lines when I always have my cell phone with me....can't answer a land line if I am not home...

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. People I really want to talk to have my cell number

I use my land line to screen other calls. I.E. when I have to leave a phone number for a warranty and such.

[bobalew]

6. I had to deal with a live version of this, and what they do is try to convince to go to Home Depot

& get a remittance card with which to pay them. Unfortunately, Several have actually done this according to the FTC website, Poor souls. I finally responded with the statement that this guy was nothing but a terrorist operation, and We'd send Seal team Six to dispatch Mr "Jenkins" (Who BTW had a thick east indian/ Pakistani accent) Right there at his Bangalore call center booth & splatter his Brains out all over his fellow call center workers, perhaps convincing them that really needed to get a new Job & stop working for these thieves. This was of course when I was at the end of patience, receiving over 10 phone calls at home from this jerk, trying to convince me that I was in trouble with the IRS, and should Pay him now.

[Vogon_Glory]

7. I Ran Into The Same Sort Of Scam

I ran into the same sort of scam. Unfortunately for the scammer, I ran across an acquaintance who really DOES work for the IRS shortly thereafter. I gave the man the scammers' phone number.

[hunter]

14. I play nice with all of them, even the legitimate debt collectors.

Honestly, if you are not the mortgage, water, or electric company, then there are plenty of more important people standing ahead of you in line.

Nothing changes a person's perspective on these matters like random-shit-falling-out-of-the-sky medical bills one can't pay.

It's likely I'll never be a responsible borrower and consumer again.

But we're alive and we no longer sweat the small stuff.

The worst job in the world has got to be trying to collect money by telephone from people who have experienced hard times.

The total scum among the debt collectors will hate you if you are cheerful, and those that are doing it because it's their work of last resort and worst job ever will appreciate the kindness.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

15. It was pretty obvious from the lack of specifics the call was not legit.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. I got the spam IRS call, and reported it to the State AG, like a good girl.

'Cause they say to report that stuff online so they can keep track of what scams are out there.

So I get a letter back from the ever helpful Ala. State AG office, directing me to provide the spammer's name, phone number, and business address!

And THAT, right there, is why we can't have nice things!

[MADem]

18. OMG, that's sadly HILARIOUS....doesn't acquit your state very well, does it?

That's worth a Letter to the Editor, that account--seriously!!!!

[dixiegrrrrl]

19. Ala. is so FUBAR on so many levels.

I could write books about the characters running the various systems I have worked in down here.

btw....our newspaper comes out once a week, is owned by a Republican, and last year they quit printing letters to the editor because someone dared to
point out a similar inane issue caused by City Hall employees.
A criticism. Can't have that.
NO more letters to the editor.

[MADem]

21. Pity--sounds like something I'd enjoy reading in the paper or hearing on the local news.

And by "enjoy," I mean "react in a horrified, visceral faction while exclaiming and 'What in hell is WRONG with these people?' type of 'enjoy' ..."

Alas/alack!

[uppityperson]

20. I got the call from Rachel today, except she'd been replaced by Anne. When the nice Indian accented

man answered "hello this is Robert" I told him Anne had called but I really wanted to talk to Rachel. He immediately said his name was Rachel and tried to get into his spiel. I asked him how much he got paid, if it was enough to deal with pissed off people tired of getting these bogus calls, he said yes he made a really good salary. He was confused when I told him his parent should be ashamed of giving him a girl's name, Rachel, then hung up on me when I said "put me on your do not call list". We were both oh so polite with each other.

[mfcorey1]

23. When I get those calls, I answer: This is Satan. You have reached Hell. Do

you have a reservation? Sometimes the conversation is so animated and I am laughing uncontrollably when they hang up.

[Vinca]

24. I don't know about this scam, but the Life Alert people are driving me nuts.

The "do not call" list is worthless.