Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: Are they phishing over the telephone now?!

Yes, I've even received calls of this kind on my cell phone. Most of them appear to have caller ID blocked.

I tried staying on the line for one of these calls to pump the person at the other end for more information. The operator hung up on me after about ten seconds when he realized I wasn't a sucker.

Although another person who posted here said that calls like this have been making the rounds for decades, I've only started receiving them in the past two months or so. Maybe my home answering machine is screening them all out on the land line.

I find myself wondering why the cell phone scammers appeared so suddenly. Did some database get released into the public domain recently, or did some law recently change?

Hello Judy .. A small trick, never, ever, give your information online especially if you shall ask your bank trust .. the portal is a false portal performing a redirect at sites that then use the information for the purposes dejanja

As others stated this to is phishing!
My wife and I never give any info over the phone. If any legal organization can obtain a phone number they caan send the information by mail (without you giving it to them).
BEWARE OF GRIFTERS
GREG

I have received the same type of phone calls usually with no specific credit card just mentioning "your credit card account". It seems I am getting these 2-3 times a month. It caught me a little off guard at first until I recalled what the caller said. It is more disarming than a phishing email or fax because with an email or fax you can reread the information. It is harder to recall what exactly was said over the phone. I just hang up but I now will stay on the line to tell the caller to put me on a do not call list.

Yeah, I received about three calls regarding my debit card I hang up because they were recording telling me to hang on. Finally I received a call from a live operator and I hang up, she called right away and explain that they have been some suspicion charges lately. I listen and found out that some how security was breech and someone was able to charge item to my card. Which my bank investigated and removed from my account. Because of these stupid advertising over the phones, it almost cost me lots of money and almost ruin my credit.

My experience duplicates yours; in addition to the rather feeble-minded email scams, I'm getting more and more on my work phone. My cell phones and home phone are on the do not call list, so I haven't been gettin the calls on them. However, I've had the same calls you have, as well as a great many other telemarketing nonsense calls. The work phone belonged to someone else before I got it two and a half years ago, and she apparently did a lot of buying on credit, in addition to a mortgage and student loans.
Unfortunately, calling the numbers these folks give to get off the list just gets you more calls, 'cause they then know that the number is valid.

Judie,

You have it exactly right; you are the target of phone phishing. Unless they give you specifics, such as "This is Ms. Jones from American Express and we have some questions regarding charges on your Platinum card", do exactly what you've done -- ignore or hang up. No reputable credit card company ever leaves a vague call regarding and inspecific credit card or account. Ditto for the so-called car warranty. If the call is ever truly in question in your mind, always call the customer service number on the back of your card. No reputable card company will ever request all the specifics on your card before telling you whcih card they called about.

Nemo

Judie, I have sent some other answers but I see so many "partial" and "maybe if you did this or this" answers that I will send you this one:

THIS IS THE FBI's DIRECT INFOMATION SITE.

YOU CAN HAVE THEM SEND YOU UPDATE EMAILS ALSO IF YOU LIKE!

"http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm#telemarket"

THIS SPECIFICALLY BEGINS WITH TELEMARKETING FRAUD AND GOES INTO OTHER TOPICS IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER. GO TO IT AND YOU WILL SEE A GREAT AMOUNT OF VERY VALUABLE INFO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

Lately, because of the introduction of the federal no call list, these companies moved their calling centers abroad. I regularly receive similar messages, and thecaller ID shows it coming from Bermuda. I called them back, gave them false SSN, phone nimber, name, but they immediately checked it out and refused to disclose the name of the business they represent. I see only one way to fight it: right to your representative in Congress. In my view, this is serious matter, and it will only get worse.

Hi Judie,
Don't know if these calls are more common, but they certainly are quite common. I've recently experienced all three types... and all are different.

1) Pre-recorded "no credit card problem calls" / Typically, these actuall do come from the credit card company or a vendor authorized by them. They attempt to sell you an enhanced service for their credit card [like Disablity Insurance to pay your balance if you become disabled]. If you are interested in such options, it's best to either (a) perform a search to find a plan that addresses all your credit cards, or (b) simply go directly to the credit card company's website and evaluate them on your own.

2) Auto Extended Warranty Marketing Calls / Due to the sheer volume of the number of these calls, they can be really annoying. Several companies are heavily marketing extended warranties for almost any vehicle. [Just this year they wanted to sell me one for a 2001!] If you are interested in such a warranty [typically not a good deal - VERY expensive], I recommend completing an Internet search for "extended vehicle warranty". You may also check with a reputable site such as edmunds.com where a single inquiry will get you several competitive quotes.

3) The unsolicited call requesting that you provide the caller information is the most dangerous. Never provide these details to anyone. [Think about it... to initiate such a call, your credit card company would already know this information!]

A similar scam involves an unsolicited email asking you to click a link to the credit card's website. While the proper logo may be displayed and it may look official, it's not. Instead, you are directed to a faux website where you'll be asked to provide personal info that the real credit card company already knows.

Can we stop this?... Perhaps someday... You have up to three options. (1) Report the activity to the actual credit card company. They may want to investigate or at least warn other cardholders. (2) Get listed on the Nationwide "Do Not Call" registry at www.donotcall.gov/. This will put an end to most of these calls. (3) Report the scammer to the Internet Crime Complaint Center [ICCC] at www.ic3.gov/. Partered with the FBI, you can file a formal complaint. Be advised, however, that it asks for the amount of the loss and, when there is little or none, it's unlikely they'll take action. [They also deal with Internet porn, etcetera.] You can also learn of the latest Internet scams of which the ICCC is aware. Associated resources are the FBI's Internet sites at www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/cyberhome.htm & www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/internetschemes.htm.

As you can see, Judie. We're pretty much on our own but there are some things we can do to eliminate most of the annoyances.
Don

where have You been all these years.

What You wrote is old hat, how have You managed to avoid it for this long?

Yes, it's all fraud, ment to con gullible people, and why not, good riddance to them.

First, everyone TRIED to answer Judie's question --good for them --you didn't do the best job either.

The best place to go, as I've reported before, is to the FBI info site that answers all the questions in one location:

"http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm#telemarket"

Most of the other stuff is really pretty useless. Just do not talk to them, absolutely do not ever give them your name --THEY USUALLY DON'T KNOW (OR CARE) WHO COMES UP ON THEIR SCREEN WHETHER IN TANZANIA OR NIGERIA.

PLUS THERE ARE SIMPLE TO PURCHASE SYSTEMS TO COMPLETELY DISGUISE THE CALLER ID SIGNATURE AND THE PHONE NUMBER PLUS SOPHISTICATED VOICE ALTERING PROGRAMS SO YOUR NEIGHBOR CAN CALL YOU, HAVE THE ID SAY IT IS FROM THE LOCAL BANK AND HAVE HIS VOICE SOUND LIKE JESSICA SIMPSON.

DON'T OPEN UNKNOWN EMAILS OR ANSWER THE PHONE. GO SIT IN THE TOLIET AND READ THE MORNING PAPER AND DO THE SUDUKO PUZZLE, YOU'LL BE FAR BETTER OFF IN THE "END".

You said what? "ONLY how to recognize scams AND avoid being conned"?

That is EXACTLY HOW YOU DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.

"Do Not Call" lists don't stop that many of them;
The States AG absolutely cannot fine anyone in Nigeria, India, Columbia, Canada, Mexico, Norway, China OR my favorite, Nigeria where the streets are lined with wide open computer rooms with no security for those signing on whatsoever;
And their URL --forget it. there is disguise software all over the web you can get to make your system think it is receiving from any url they wish to put in;
AND elected officials? Are You Kidding Me? They are only concerned with local lobbyists and contributors who are standing outside on the "steps" waiting their audience with their "personal" Congressman/woman with check(s) in hand. Ha Ha Ha.

Hey, Call Hillary Dillary. I emailed her office regarding health care concerns over greatly increasing costs due to laws unfavorable to medical personnel last year (our group wanted her answer as she had long announced for President) and we received a very short reply that she is a New York Senator and her only concerns are to her State constituents. Baracko never answered and I already knew what McCain's opinions were BECAUSE HE HAD ALREADY TOLD US and the ANSWER WAS PRETTY FAVORABLE TO WHAT WE WERE HOPING FOR!

My question is: "Judie, are you reading any of this?"

I'd call you but, by now, you probably are smart enough to know not to answer the phone or, if you do, to never give your name and keep asking "who is calling please?", over and over until they hang up in downtown Nigeria.

Oh, yeah, "JandNLarson", I'm a retired Special Agent so I speak with some experience. Gotta get back to my sailboat, there's a breeze coming up from the SW.

Thanks, Mark. But since this is the branch of our government that deals with spaminators, those spammers would get what they deserve!

Hi Judie,
Most likely you are on someone's "auto-dialer" data base and you are getting called.
I used to work on these type of computer systems and know how they work. With any of these systems they can be abused or mis-used.

Valid banking firms that use these systems can use them legally to collect on past or current debt. All of the systems I have worked on displays their "caller-ID" when these messages go out. There is a way of "hiding" your "caller-ID" if you use this system, but all of the "valid" banking firms I have supported - want to use "caller-ID" - so they will not be mistaken as a "bogus" message...(they are trying to collect!).
Messages that are sent out from these "valid" banking firms usally are presented in about three different levels of importance:
(For example)
1. "This is a call from "City Bank"...we need to talk with you now regarding your account, please call 555-123-4567 as soon as possible, again the number is 555-123-4567. Thank-you."
2. "This is "City Bank" calling regarding your Gold Visa Card that is past due. Please call 555-234-7654. We are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm Pacific Standard Time. Again the number is 555-234-7654.
3. "Hello, this is "City Bank", and we thought you would be intrested in learning about how you have been pre-approved for a Platinum Visa Card from "City Bank". Please call 555-909-1234 to take advantage of this one time offer. Thanks for using "City Bank" and have a great day.

The main items to look for:
1) If you have a "caller-id" does it show it came from a bank / firm that you are = Currently = using?!!
2) If they leave a message with a number (regarding your credit card),
call the number = ON YOUR CREDIT CARD = not the number they gave you. Why? When you call -you know who you are calling (from a valid number that you have printed down in front of you), and they will transfer you to the correct department as needed regarding the message that was left!
3) Just because it "SAYS" it is a "TOLL-FREE" doesn't mean that it is!
Numbers like "800" can roll over to a "809" number which can be a "pay-per-call" number. Here is a link regarding this:
http://www.scambusters.org/ScamBusters9.html
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As for your "extended" warranty on a vehicle, I received one of these in the mail stating about the same words that your phone call was about. Mine was a scam, but that doesn't mean that your's is! Some questions to ask yourself:
1)What state do you buy your vehicle in? The "lemon law" and other laws are different from state to state. If you are intrested in obtaining a "extended" warranty, your current state might have some restrictions (e.g. - they sell you a warranty for 5 years, but the state will only allow for 3 years!).
2)Most car dealers will sell you an extended warranty =at the time of purchase= and only then! Why? They know the current condition of the vehicle...after 1 year, no one would know the condition of the vehicle but you! The only thing I have gotten from a car dealer was:
...come buy a new car or your vechile has a manufacture's defect and you need to have it repaired (the Federal Government requires auto companies to send these repair notices out.
== Note: A required repair is different than a "extended" warranty ==
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My last comments...
1)Don't give out your address, credit card information, SSN, birth date, mother's maiden name, etc. to:
a) Anyone who CALLS you.
b) Any number someone leaves on your answering machine that you call.
c) If you get something in the mail, it might be fake. Don't just call the number on the statement (even if it says it is from the bank! There is fake letter head out there!).

2)Only give out your address, credit card information, SSN, birth date, mother's maiden name, etc. to:
a) People you have called from numbers you know their TRUE source (back of credit cards YOU USE and account statements).

3)If you do get another call that you suspect is fake and would like to do something about it:
a) Don't give out any information... but collect as much as you can.

1) "Is there a number I can call you back at...?"
2) "Where are you located?
3) "Do you have an address to mail my payment to?"
4) "Whom should I address it to to make sure I get it to the right person?"
5) "Whom am I speaking to?"

b) Collect this information and contact your state Attorney General office regarding this. You can find your state Attorney General office on the web.
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Hope this helps!
Cheers