I just got this call and the guy kept saying the same thing, that he's with AMEX and that he wanted to verify the company's info. I used to be in sales and when the person on the other line asks you a question that does not follow the script it's obvious there is a script when they just repeat their question. A company like AMEX would have a much better script than just "I'm calling to verify the company's information". I'm labeling it as a scam because my gut tells me so.
3 tells are
1. Vague intro and request
2. Using a 201 area code that I could call back. (usually it's a menu based 1800 number that they call from)
3. He didn't give his name and answered as soon as I called the number back.
AMEX is too big for all of these little mistakes. This is someone who is getting paid to get info from new businesses for a database or scam. Don't be too gullable and give out info.
I just got off the phone with American Express, having told them my concerns about a possible phishing scam being committed under their name (I received a call last week from 201-373-8406 in which they said they wanted to "update" my information, and I had told them that I don't provide information to strangers over the phone). According to AmEx, the company calling from 201-373-8406 is, in fact, affiliated with them. I told AmEx that the caller had left a very bad impression, sounded very sketchy, and had a lot of negative feedback from people all over the Internet. They said they are going to look into the matter.
Received a call from this number and the woman (with a very Slumdog Millionaire accent), saying she was calling on behalf of American Express. She repeated her name 3 times and I couldn't understand her. She wanted me to update my information over the phone! Ha, when I asked why, she just said "thank you for talking to American Express" (I think, based on the thick accent it is hard to determine), and hung up on me.
Call today 6/25/'10 at 12:01PM. Caller asked for me by first name (correct name). Instead of answering that question, I asked who was calling. I didn't get the answer to that question, but got another question: "Does someone in your family have diabetes?" I angrily answered "NO" and told them angrily to "take me off your F****** list!' The male caller then asked "you want me to [***] you wife?". I informed him that there is no wife, and demanded that he "take me off your F****** list!" After that I hung up. I have previously posted my number on the "Do Not Call" list, but am in the 30 day effectiveness waiting period
I had a call on my Magic Jack from 201.373.8406 I never did talk to anyone because I normally don't let anyone bother me on the phone. I always call back anyway if it is someone of importance.