SCAM New Phone scam
- Thread starter Bad Hand
- Start date
They are either desperate or stupid or both.
tnphil
Don't screw with an engineer
I love to waste a bunch of their time. Play a bit dumb, lead them on.
The most fun was the "electrical company discount" and refund scam. We went through and he said I qualified for a 30% discount for a year and a $300 refund. I said "that's great!"
Him: "how would you like to receive your refund? Credit or debit card?"
Me: "Just take it off my next bill."
Him: "No, we can't do that. Credit or debit card?"
Me: "Just mail me a check."
Him: "F**k you, you son of a b*tch!" <click>
I had strung him along for at least 6-7 minutes. Maybe saved someone gullible from becoming a victim.
The "TV service" update scams are fun too. They want you to turn your TV on. Waste time finding remote, then turn it on at maximum volume. Lol. Tell them you can't hear them, but can they hear your TV? LOL. When they ask you what it says on the bottom of your remote: "made in China" "No, the bottom of the front side!" "Guide" They are of course fishing for the name of your cable provider. If they finally ask for that, then tell them "you are calling from my provider, you already know that"
The most fun was the "electrical company discount" and refund scam. We went through and he said I qualified for a 30% discount for a year and a $300 refund. I said "that's great!"
Him: "how would you like to receive your refund? Credit or debit card?"
Me: "Just take it off my next bill."
Him: "No, we can't do that. Credit or debit card?"
Me: "Just mail me a check."
Him: "F**k you, you son of a b*tch!" <click>
I had strung him along for at least 6-7 minutes. Maybe saved someone gullible from becoming a victim.
The "TV service" update scams are fun too. They want you to turn your TV on. Waste time finding remote, then turn it on at maximum volume. Lol. Tell them you can't hear them, but can they hear your TV? LOL. When they ask you what it says on the bottom of your remote: "made in China" "No, the bottom of the front side!" "Guide" They are of course fishing for the name of your cable provider. If they finally ask for that, then tell them "you are calling from my provider, you already know that"
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
No need to be that polite: a hand held Air Horn suffices nicely.
Or, we just hang up at the first red flag syllable .. .. .. . .
Sacajawea
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yup, they're getting a lot more belligerant. After the 3rd such call, my overprotective D grabbed the phone and told him to F off... to which he asked if he could F her, so she hung up on him.
After the first call, I'd reported it to credit union. All they're warning about is text messages.... sigh. I'm thinking they got hacked awhile back... but that is happening so frequently, it's hard to remember WHO's been hacked.
After the first call, I'd reported it to credit union. All they're warning about is text messages.... sigh. I'm thinking they got hacked awhile back... but that is happening so frequently, it's hard to remember WHO's been hacked.
Repairman-Jack
Veteran Member
At this point in time I don't even bother answering the phone unless I know who is calling me.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
if your name shows up on ANY list that is 50+ age oriented - have a way for THEM to access you >>> expect a call or email or other communication - they are even working the direct mail ....
Dobbin
Faithful Steed
Owner pretty much "knows" who is calling him. They're all on his Contacts list and the phone screen gives their name.
But it used to be common a number would come up that he doesn't know or the phone doesn't tell him who.
These he will answer - but not say anything - ANYTHING. He just listens.
He doesn't hang up either.
He waits for them to hang up.
His rationale (quick to tell me) "If you say anything like there is a 'person' at your other end of the line - it confirms to them it IS a person - and your number has value to them. Maybe not them specifically, but they can turn your number over to others and profit from it as 'confirmed' - a 'mark.'"
"If you hang up - likewise it confirms there is a person doing it."
"If you let it go and THEY hang up - then they read it as a disconnected line - and the number has no value to them."
Your number doesn't get turned over to someone else to give it their try.
Owner today gets no more calls about extending his car warranty, storm windows, new roof, or hearing aids. In fact the only people he gets calls from are from those he knows and are already in his contact book.
He says it's hard. Your natural tendency is to say "hello" when you pick up the phone. But that is like the worst thing to do.
Dobbin