Phone Call Scammers

[Wapiti1]

So, my mother-in-law got a robo-call from 1-844-441-7400. They were quite worried that her Microsoft license was in dire jeopardy of expiration. She, not knowing what they wanted, called my wife. My wife called the number they left, knowing it was B.S., but what the hell.

First call: Hello, what is about to expire? "Your computer" was the response.
Oh, dear, my computer? What part of my computer?
The software.
Which software?
Microsoft.
That sounds bad, Office, or Windows?
Windows.
What if I close my Windows?
That won't work.
But if I leave my Windows open, the house will get cold at night.
F' you!
F' you too, thank you for caring.

My wife has spent the last hour calling that number constantly. She is having quite a fun time, but has yet to talk to a voice that she recognizes, or one that is not Indian or Pakistani. They finally stopped answering her call, so they at least have caller ID.

This is the fun we have in Indiana in the evening.

Jeremy

 

[bowhnt]

My poor wife got a call from someone saying they are from the irs last year while I was in Colorado elk hunting. She called me that night in tears she was so scared she was going to jail. I called them repeatedly the next day messing with them and they finally left her alone. I guess people fall for it more after than you’d think.


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[Wapiti1]

Well, this is the first time my mother-in-law followed our advice, and asked us first. We've cancelled bank and credit card accounts a couple of times in the last few years to keep her from actually losing money. They hit the elderly ruthlessly. Pisses me off to no end, but there is little more one can do except report the call and number.

We got a bit of entertainment this evening, so that helps a little.

Jeremy

 

[netman]

Jeremy post the phone number on other forums you visit. There are guys working and lounging around that would love to join in and give these scammers hell.
As a LEO I worked a case where scammers were targeting WW2 veterans. I posted the case information and the phone number of the scammers on a duck hunting forum I’m always on. There were guys from all over the U.S hammering those suckers.

 

[mfllood3800]

If I see the number is clearly a 1-800 type, I just answer it, " FBI western regional office, Director ".........click - dial tone .
If they put me on the call back in 24 hr list, I will just speak in a foreign language they don't know, and again - "click"

 

[Cgeb]

Anyone calls my home and butchers my name obviously doesn't know me. If they ask for me I tell them "he died" then I break up a little. They usually hang up after a few seconds of silence. Do not seem to get a lot of return calls from those numbers.

I'm on every "do not call list" know to man on my home phone.

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

The people pushing these scams are the lowest of the low. It's funny to hear a story of you turning the table but the sad reality is there are people who don't know better who lose a lot of money to these crooks.

I was on my way to hunt Colorado last year when I got a message saying there has been a warrant issued for my arrest.

 

[colersu22]

The warrant for your arrest one was going around in Wa a couple months ago and I guess they would ask for $800 or something or they would arrest you. The local police where interviewed about it and said it’s a scam we won’t call and tell you or ask for a payment. I think they just hope to get one person to fall for it for some easy money which seems like the majority of the tome is the elderly.

 

[Wapiti1]

A fellow I work with relayed a recent scam call he got where the IRS is after him, and he needs to pay up or they'll be on his doorstep in a jiffy. He has had this message a couple of times now from different numbers.

This year our local news has run two different segments on IRS phone scams.

Technology brings us great things, like this forum, but also has some negatives. Not that scammers haven't always existed, but it makes it easier for them, and that isn't right or good. If their hit rate is even 1% (which I hope is way high), 1000 phone calls later and they made a tidy sum for almost no investment. A robo-caller can bang out a few thousand a day.

Makes me wonder how they got the phone number list to call, and what information came with it. In my mother-in-law's case, I am certain she is a target more often that I am because she is 83 years old. She is a sharp lady, but has an old school view of the world from her small town experience. Until recently, she had little to worry about in terms of scams. The world changed and she isn't equipped to deal with it.

Just accept that your info is out there.

Jeremy

 

[Mosby]

I put a block on every scam/marketing call phone number I receive. They change numbers frequently. When I am in the mood I do answer and screw with them. I am easily amused though.

 

[netman]

My preacher stopped by my home last night for me to listen to the message that charges were filed against him and he needed to call the number to avoid being arrested.
He knew it was a scam but wanted me to see it.
I was so tired from mushroom hunting I don’t think I caught but every other word or so from him.

 

[CorbLand]

A fellow I work with relayed a recent scam call he got where the IRS is after him, and he needs to pay up or they'll be on his doorstep in a jiffy. He has had this message a couple of times now from different numbers.

This year our local news has run two different segments on IRS phone scams.

Technology brings us great things, like this forum, but also has some negatives. Not that scammers haven't always existed, but it makes it easier for them, and that isn't right or good. If their hit rate is even 1% (which I hope is way high), 1000 phone calls later and they made a tidy sum for almost no investment. A robo-caller can bang out a few thousand a day.

Makes me wonder how they got the phone number list to call, and what information came with it. In my mother-in-law's case, I am certain she is a target more often that I am because she is 83 years old. She is a sharp lady, but has an old school view of the world from her small town experience. Until recently, she had little to worry about in terms of scams. The world changed and she isn't equipped to deal with it.

Just accept that your info is out there.

Jeremy

Phone numbers are considered public information and can be bought from a few different agencies and companies.

It is also really easy to program a computer to generate phone numbers. Wouldn’t take much to hammer through a couple thousand a day with a computer doing the calling.


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