On 12/12/2016, at 11:06am EST, received a phone call from 740-520-2674, with this word for word voicemail;
"This is Mark Stephenson, calling from the offices of mediation. This is a documented call on record. You are hereby notified that we need to speak with you or your attourney immediately regarding an ongoing investigation. In the event we do not speak with you in our offices today, we will document that you waived your rights to counsel and submit your file to the state. I need you to give me a call immediately upon receiving this message. The number I can be reached is 440-201-9731. Again 440-201-9731. Again this is an urgent matter that does require your immediate attention. Thanks and good luck."
First of all, my name was not asked. They do not know who they are calling..
Second of all, I am not involved in any ongoing investigations.
Third of all, the call back number does not match the number they called from. The call back number is registered to the Cleveland, Ohio area. I am from the Westerville, Ohio area. I have never been to Cleveland in my whole life, nor associated with any company from that location.
Fourth, I attempted to first call back the original 740-520-2674. It does not ring. It stays silent for about 5 seconds, then says an automated, "goodbye."
Fifth, when dialing out to the call back number, 440-201-9731, a female answers very rapidly, "legal mediation, how can I help you?"
And lastly, it is a scam.
I had placed an ad on BackPage of Columbus, Ohio, and the number I had listed was public. However, joke is on them. I am a Fraud Prevention Specialist with a credit card company, I know the tricks, and the urgent script-written calls leaving out specific details to con people into calling their company for them to trick you into telling you that you need their legal services.
The reason I know it is a scam? They do not know who they were intending to reach. The number I listed on my ad was a fake phone number, (because obviously I am not going to post my real phone number on a public website to be, SCAMMED.) The fake number I use is interchangeable, and is through the free texting app affiliated with, "Pinger." THEREFORE, has no connection to my name or my real personal information whatsoever.
Nice try,
But hopefully people will see this message, think carefully, and please to God, DO NOT give people ANY of your personal information no matter how real or aggressive they intend to sound.
Working in a secure call center, handling fraud and sensitive information, take the advice.
The man who called was an awfully good actor, speaking as if he was very aggressive and intends to get what he wants. But with the poorly written script, lack of details, the setting, and mis-matched numbers, I think you get the picture.