Had a phishing phone scam call this AM--ended up talking to FTC

[Whoa_Nelly]

I received a phishing credit card scam phone call this morning. In seeking who to contact to report this to starting with my bank, then through several Better Business Bureau calls, (as recommended by my bank), I ended up by contacting the Federal Trade Commission, and made an official report to an FTC agent. So everyone can be made aware, and how to contact how to report, I want to share how the phishing phone call transpired:

(* = Me)
and
(# = Phone Call Scam People)

* Hello?

# (recorded voice) You have been selected to receive a 6.9% interest rate on your credit card. To take advantage of this offer, and to speak to a representative, please press 1. To be deleted from this offer, please press 2.

(So, I press 1 thinking, "This is weird. It's got to be phishing scam.")

# (Representative) Hello

* It's illegal in the state of California to do first solicitation contact using a recorded message. What's this all about?

# Well, ma'am, we represent Visa and Mastercard.

* Which Visa or Mastercard?

# We represent over thirty banks.

* Which banks?

# Very many. If you like, I can delete you from the list.

* Wait a minute. I was just informed by the recording that I can receive a 6.9% rate on my current card. What's that all about?

# They're just looking to update all of your information. If you like, I can delete you from the list.

* What you're doing is illegal.

# <<CLICK>> (She hung up on me.)

So, I made a bunch of phone calls, and subsequently contact the FTC, I finally got through to the Identity Theft section through the menu selections, and reported what happened. After taking some info from me, I was transferred to an FTC agent, and then was given a confirmation case number so I could follow up on this if I needed to do so. The agent also informed me that once I've received s phishing call such as this, I will probably be receiving a few more, and to report those as well.

The number the phishing scam came from was 206-415-8880 (the idiots didn't use an 800 number, and didn't block their number either.)

The FTC number to call ( and you have to go through a couple of menus and options to get the Identity Theft connection) is: 877-382-4357

[Booster]

1. Thanks for posting this info. I will save it for future use, since I

think we are all going to be scammed at some time or another because of all of the "lost" files that seems to be hitting banks these days. Very useful info.

[Redstone]

2. Knowing the number won't help you track them down.

Google it in the form you posted it, and you'll see what I mean.

But you'd think the Feds would be able to find out who owns the number, wouldn't you? Wonder why they haven't been shut down yet.

Redstone

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Maybe no one has gone to the lengths I did this AM

in seeking who to report this to. Maybe these people are "new" in phishing/scamming. After all, they used a traceable phone number that showed up on my Caller ID, and the "representative" hung up on me after getting flustered by my questions. She started "umm-ing" and "er-ing" almost right from the start.

Anyway, I thought it a good idea to post it here in the Lounge, and also posted this in GD, since DU reaches so many people. At the very least, people can now have a number to call to report these criminals, and hopefully alert others as to who to contact when they receive these calls.

[Redstone]

6. Oh, I wasn't trying to say you didn't do the right thing;

in fact you did EXACTLY the right thing.

Not enough people put the effort into fighting these crooks. YOu did great.

Redstone

[Whoa_Nelly]

8. And I didn't take your post as a negative response :-)

Hope my reply didn't come across that way either. Thanks for your support :toast:

[Mutley]

3. I'm tempted to call that number

the 206 number....

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. I did call that number

And got a recording that said, "All of our representatives are busy. Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you."

[Mutley]

10. Funny!

[Guy Fawkes]

7. Did a little research...

it seems that 206-415-8880 is a phone number being used by a company that does auto-dialing for hire. They have several numbers at 206-415-8###. So it's basically a middle man company- other companies hire them to do phone solicitations.

I found people who had gotten calls through them for Dish Network, Mortgage plans, Girls Gone Wild, and a few others.

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. Thanks

Good to know :)