Am I being scammed?

[Atman]

My gut tells me yes...

I just got a call that got past the privacy manager, because the caller entered a valid ID and phone number. It was from 404 (Atlanta) area code, so I didn't answer it anyway, as I know no one in Atlanta, and didn't recognize the name. But, when I listened to the message afterwards, it didn't appear to be recorded, but it never mentioned me by name...casual-business sounding, not like a sales pitch "Hi, I, uh...hope I have the right number here...I've been trying to get in touch with you regarding a drawing you entered for a 2003 Chevy Tahoe...if you could please get back to me at..."

So, okay...I used to write this kind of crap, kind of, for corporate America. The fact that my name wasn't mentioned leads me to believe it was just a very clever new telemarketing ploy. Any ideas? Has anyone received this call?

I'd hate to let my cynicism cause me to lose out on a new truck!

[onebigbadwulf]

1. Seen matchstick men?

If they've really been 'trying to get in touch' that wouldn't be the first message.


Edit: However, if you want to play with them you might crack the skeem and become a hero.

[Dead_Parrot]

2. Call back from a phone booth...

If it starts sucking up money like it's going out of fashion, or you can't get through, walk away. If it's genuine, they'll talk at a standard rate...

[rogerashton]

3. Been there, didn't do that.

One of us -- I or, more probably, my wife, whose role model is Crusader Rabbit, tried to trace it back, and once it was realized that we were not buying any scams, we got the "we don't know anything about this" answer. No, you won't blow it open -- just ignore it.

Footnote -- you have to be of the original TV generation to remember Crusader Rabbit.

[bif]

4. Don't fall for it.

We almost did. You didn't win anything, believe me.

[rucky]

5. Timeshare

Ya know at the mall they have cars and forms to fill out to win that car (or one similar to that car). Timeshares.

whenever i get a call like that (too often), they always want you to come to a meeting to "claim your prize", then, i assume, you sit thru a dog & pony show for a coupla hours. But it is always for a timeshare in my experience.

[dofus]

6. Did you ever enter a drawing for a 2003 Chevy Tahoe?

If so, it might well be legitimate.

I ignored two phone calls trying to tell me of a drawing I'd won, and it turned out to be the real deal. Nothing as exciting as a new car, but I'd won a nice little grill, some barbecue sauce and a cookbook.

[radwriter0555]

7. Chances are... "if it seems too good to be true, it IS..."

Nah, it's a sucker bet. Waste of time.

[zbdent]

8. Try this first at Netscape.com

or any other main site with a reverse lookup.

Click on their yellow pages link.

Find where it says to look up by phone number.

Try entering the phone number there and see what you get.

Chances are, if it registers, it would probably be another timeshare thing like someone else here said.

[truthspeaker]

9. scam or at least sales

They got your number from a drawing (maybe), but they are going to try to sell you a vacation package. I get those calls all the time.