Got a call from this number today (9/18/2016) at around 4 PM. Caller ID showed "Out of area 1-720-403-8503". Let the call roll thru to voice mail. The caller left no message. Did a *67 to block my own Caller ID, then called the number back. An automated answering system (a "robo-answerer" if you will) picks up on the first ring, and just says "Hello ... Hello". If you don't say anything, the answering system will simply disconnect your call. If you actually respond to the "Hello" though -- whether you say "Hello" in response, or simply "F*** You" -- the robo-answerer starts up an automated sales pitch with the following message:
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"Thanks so much for calling back. This is Joel Collins calling from the Colorado Police Officers Foundation. (Sir or Ma'am) The reason for my call is the Foundation just kicked off their fund drive ... " etc. etc.
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And the sales pitch continues on from there to ask for a donation to this "foundation". The robo-answerer is sophisticated enough to detect the pitch of your voice when you answer. If you answer with a deep male sounding voice, it addresses you as "Sir". If you answer with a higher pitched female sounding voice, it addresses you as "Ma'am". They think they're so very clever. If you indicate that you're not interested, the robo-answerer will apologize for bothering you, and then disconnect the call. If you indicate that you might want to contribute something, it will tell you that you're being transferred to the "Records Department". Then after a couple seconds, your call gets picked up by an actual live person, who will then try to get you to provide a credit card number.
In any case, DO NOT fall for this scam. There is NO such organization as the "Colorado Police Officers Foundation" -- at least not a legitimate one. Note that there are a number of similar sounding groups which ARE legitimate. Some of those similar sounding ones include "Denver Police Officers Foundation", "Colorado Peace Officers Foundation", etc. But again, the "Colorado Police Officers Foundation" is completely bogus, and nothing but a scam.
The best advice. If you see this Caller ID pop up on your phone, don't answer it. Or better yet, go ahead and proactively just block the number.
Just a side note to the 800notes website here. I selected "Non-profit organization" as the "Call type" for this entry here; since that's the closest "Type" that you provide. But you should really consider including a new option on your web form here to indicate that the caller is a "Scammer".
Let ring to answering machine, did not leave message. Probably another spoofed number. I'm getting around a half dozen spoofed number/scam calls a day.
Got a call from this number today (9/18/2016) at around 4 PM. Caller ID showed "Out of area 1-720-403-8503". Let the call roll thru to voice mail. The caller left no message. Did a *67 to block my own Caller ID, then called the number back. An automated answering system (a "robo-answerer" if you will) picks up on the first ring, and just says "Hello ... Hello". If you don't say anything, the answering system will simply disconnect your call. If you actually respond to the "Hello" though -- whether you say "Hello" in response, or simply "F*** You" -- the robo-answerer starts up an automated sales pitch with the following message:
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"Thanks so much for calling back. This is Joel Collins calling from the Colorado Police Officers Foundation. (Sir or Ma'am) The reason for my call is the Foundation just kicked off their fund drive ... " etc. etc.
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And the sales pitch continues on from there to ask for a donation to this "foundation". The robo-answerer is sophisticated enough to detect the pitch of your voice when you answer. If you answer with a deep male sounding voice, it addresses you as "Sir". If you answer with a higher pitched female sounding voice, it addresses you as "Ma'am". They think they're so very clever. If you indicate that you're not interested, the robo-answerer will apologize for bothering you, and then disconnect the call. If you indicate that you might want to contribute something, it will tell you that you're being transferred to the "Records Department". Then after a couple seconds, your call gets picked up by an actual live person, who will then try to get you to provide a credit card number.
In any case, DO NOT fall for this scam. There is NO such organization as the "Colorado Police Officers Foundation" -- at least not a legitimate one. Note that there are a number of similar sounding groups which ARE legitimate. Some of those similar sounding ones include "Denver Police Officers Foundation", "Colorado Peace Officers Foundation", etc. But again, the "Colorado Police Officers Foundation" is completely bogus, and nothing but a scam.
The best advice. If you see this Caller ID pop up on your phone, don't answer it. Or better yet, go ahead and proactively just block the number.
Just a side note to the 800notes website here. I selected "Non-profit organization" as the "Call type" for this entry here; since that's the closest "Type" that you provide. But you should really consider including a new option on your web form here to indicate that the caller is a "Scammer".