9-2-09 Called my business phone and hung up on me. Here is a list of 200 telemarketing pests.
201-221-3014 No message
202-629-9389 No message
202-629-9389 Preapproved million $
206-629-8615 GRANTS
207-433-5421 L RICHARDS
210-351-3000 ATT free online business listing
213-291-1102 HALE VENTURES I
213-430-4260 Global Reach Int
213-537-1392 No message
213-797-1040 No message
214-283-1316 WIRELESS CALLIN
214-624-5721 MERCHANT SVC
215-525-6561 NCC phone savings
218-740-2135 CUSTOMER LINK
231-224-2031 No message
231-224-2034 No message
231-648-2002 No Message
231-732-2173 No message
231-732-2306 No Message
231-732-2310 No message
231-732-2660 No message
231-732-2768 No message
231-732-2788 No message
231-732-2800 Auto Warranty
253-242-1126 UNASSIGNED
269-768-2102 No message
269-768-2170 No message
269-768-2257 No message
269-768-2706 No message
270-438-1060 SOURCE CAPITAL
281-520-3779 Auto Warranty
301-997-2022 No message
302-737-9533 Innovative Consult.
303-280-8689 PRODUCT DEV
305-408-6643 No message
305-625-3064 No Message
305-836-7371 No message
310-599-5729 No message
310-599-9115 No Message
317-293-4912 No Message
323-208-3801 Medallion
323-429-7522 No Messsage
323-429-7524 No Message
334-493-3059 No message
336-343-4145 MortgageProtect
347-982-0064 BUSINESERVICES
386-304-9434 Daytona Beach, FL
386-409-3699 New Smyrna, FL
386-427-6893 No Message
404-524-0000 MCIVER LAW GROU
408-587-2120 Credit card
408-651-8124 No message
410-705-6007 Auto Warranty
410-774-8005 Extended car warranty
415-262-0266 No message PBIS
434-533-9028 Asked for person-RPM??
435-750-4933 INFORMATION ALL
480-123-9876 No Message
480-285-2000 Credit card
480-285-2017 CAP PROCESSING credit card
480-543-1367 merchantcircle.com
503-620-8554 OREGON
508-458-0199 Insurance Selec
510-214-7818 No Message
510-373-3863 PAYMENT SYSTEMS
512-687-1443 AUSTIN CALL
513-603-6340 OHIO No message
517-931-2214 Auto Warranty
517-931-2347 Free Satellite TV
517-931-2361 No message
517-931-2511 Satellite service
517-931-2526 No message
541-330-0640 FORTRESS FINANC
561-733-4697 Boynton Bea, FL
562-223-8807 No Message
562-289-8146 No message
562-394-0341 SOCAS
567-255-6121 No message
578-570-2233 SERVICE
603-214-3525 PRIVATE SUITE
603-214-3535 A Grayson
603-214-3539 PRIVATE OFFICE
603-214-3637 No message
609-279-1990 B R Interviewing
610-687-1030 Reminder Call
616-980-2581 No message
616-980-2589 No message
616-980-2990 No Message
619-801-8114 No Message
626-273-8206 No Message
626-273-8207 No Message
626-551-3384 No message
646-383-1475 No message
646-383-1477 No message
646-572-7883 TELE EXPRESS
647-258-6388 UNKNOWN telephone service
651-256-6181 Pioneer Press
651-457-1130 RECEIVABLES MGM
702-520-1248 No message
702-520-1275 No Message
702-520-1344 Auto Warranty
702-520-1466 Auto Warranty
702-520-1484 No message
702-520-1497 No message
702-520-9150 No message
702-520-9183 No message
702-736-3099 NOT PROVIDED
704-970-1942 BANK CARD SVCS
713-228-2902 IC LLC
714-364-4412 No message
714-607-5740 Auto Warranty
714-682-8307 No message
714-682-8311 No message
714-682-8314 No Message
727-499-6662
727-847-4738 FED CONTRCT ONL
732-242-6503 Repeated Calls
732-242-6504 Doctors Group
732-242-6510 Doctors Group
734-542-7758 MARKET STRATEGI
757-578-3500 VIRGINIA
760-204-8410 No message
760-526-8513 No message
760-526-8513 No message
760-536-8137 No message
763-392-5983 General Warrant
765-331-0000 5 Star Roof-No message
770-592-0400 S.S. I.
770-894-4718 Marble Hill, GA
775-297-8581 No Message
777-777-7777 b.s. about money for business
786-369-7342 WARRANTY ALERT
800-260-9125 No Message
800-328-0185 Unavailable
800-348-4271 No message
800-390-4812 No message
800-399-5166 GE Money
800-434-4240 No message
800-644-0296 Sprint Credit
800-663-1306 No message
800-716-3812 No message
800-888-8888 No message
800-919-8021 Energy service
800-931-6317 Bank of America
800-931-6381 No message
800-998-2900 No Message
805-560-1265 Amer Message-med plan
805-560-4500 Dial Page
805-560-5032 Dial Page
805-985-4838 No message
808-298-6114 No message
808-372-6602 No message
816-389-2729 TELEPHONE MANAG
818-450-5641 SPEC OL CA STH
818-656-4565 California
818-663-9405 No Message
818-804-3142 Callcatchers
818-870-5029 No message
832-366-1100 No message
847-250-6801 No message
850-432-3928 No message
850-473-1276 Penscola, FL No Message
858-309-5533 Transaction Service
858-380-4952 Bancard1
858-380-4958 Bancard1
858-633-8105 Transaction Service
866-428-8775 UNAVAILABLE
866-484-8278 No Messge
866-671-9489 No message
866-801-8623 No message
866-822-9401 Bank of America
866-890-4090 UNAVAILABLE
877-244-9183 No message
877-393-0850 UNVAILABLE-money dispersed
888-261-7859 Electric bill
888-338-6938 Unavailable
888-485-0975 Credit card
888-513-4993 No Message
888-638-4742 No message
888-665-9900 No message
888-678-3552 No message
888-686-8191 No Message
904-259-4351 Credit card
904-359-4745 No message
904-954-1091 CITIGROUP
909-502-9110 No Message
931-563-4182 No message
949-286-3311 No message
951-398-5060 SPEC OL CA STH
954-366-0317 Florida-No message
973-607-4260 AMERITEL COMMUN
973-685-2588 No message
973-932-1791 No Messagwe
978-445-4422 MASSACHUSETTS
978-570-2325 No message
978-570-2364 CANC
No number PRIVATE
No number Unavailable
Fooled me! "LRichards" on the CID. Picked up and got an automated message wanting me to apply for a loan. Next time, I'll know better than to pick up. More wasted time.
Our small business got the same call. These loan scams are all over the place lately. We get at least one call each day trying to take our money and run with various government grant scams and the like. If you press 1, it directs you to a voicemail box, where they ask you to leave all your contact info so they can harrass you some more. My message was:
I am reporting these calls to the FTC for violations of the TCPA.
grant scams
from consumeraffairs.com
Government Grant Scams
The "free money" scam has been around almost as long as the human species.
It has more variations than a bulldog has wrinkles but you can count on one thing: the government (any government) does not simply give money away to individuals. Anyone who tells you differently has larceny in his heart.
If you give him your bank account number, he will soon have your funds in his pocket.
It does no good to list all of the names used by these bunko artists because a.) they change all the time and b.) every single free-money government-grant offer is a scam. Period.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/grant_scam_ads.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/grant.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/ftc_stimulus_scam.html
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WEBSITE
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt134.shtm
‘Free Government Grants’: Don’t Take Them For Grant-ed
“Because you pay your income taxes on time, you have been awarded a free $12,500 government grant! To get your grant, simply give us your checking account information, and we will direct-deposit the grant into your bank account!”
Sometimes, it’s an ad that claims you will qualify to receive a “free grant” to pay for education costs, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills. Other times, it’s a phone call supposedly from a “government” agency or some other organization with an official sounding name. In either case, the claim is the same: your application for a grant is guaranteed to be accepted, and you’ll never have to pay the money back.
But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says that “money for nothing” grant offers usually are scams, whether you see them in your local paper or a national magazine, or hear about them on the phone.
Some scam artists advertise “free grants” in the classifieds, inviting readers to call a toll-free number for more information. Others are more bold: they call you out of the blue. They lie about where they’re calling from, or they claim legitimacy using an official-sounding name like the “Federal Grants Administration.” They may ask you some basic questions to determine if you “qualify” to receive a grant. FTC attorneys say calls and come-ons for free money invariably are rip offs.
Grant scammers generally follow a script: they congratulate you on your eligibility, then ask for your checking account information so they can “deposit your grant directly into your account,” or cover a one-time “processing fee.” The caller may even reassure you that you can get a refund if you’re not satisfied. In fact, you’ll never see the grant they promise; they will disappear with your money.
The FTC says following a few basic rules can keep consumers from losing money to these “government grant” scams:
Don’t give out your bank account information to anyone you don’t know. Scammers pressure people to divulge their bank account information so that they can steal the money in the account. Always keep your bank account information confidential. Don’t share it unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.
Don’t pay any money for a “free” government grant. If you have to pay money to claim a “free” government grant, it isn’t really free. A real government agency won’t ask you to pay a processing fee for a grant that you have already been awarded — or to pay for a list of grant-making institutions. The names of agencies and foundations that award grants are available for free at any public library or on the Internet. The only official access point for all federal grant-making agencies is www.grants.gov.
Look-alikes aren’t the real thing. Just because the caller says he’s from the “Federal Grants Administration” doesn’t mean that he is. There is no such government agency. Take a moment to check the blue pages in your telephone directory to bear out your hunch — or not.
Phone numbers can deceive. Some con artists use Internet technology to disguise their area code in caller ID systems. Although it may look like they’re calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.
Take control of the calls you receive. If you want to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive, place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. To register online, visit www.donotcall.gov. To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone number you wish to register.
File a complaint with the FTC. If you think you may have been a victim of a government grant scam, file a complaint with the FTC online at www.ftc.gov, or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
September 2006
Feds: Scammers Falsely "Guaranteed" Government Grants
Court halts operators' deceptive pitches for grant writing book and services
By James Limbach
ConsumerAffairs.com
July 24, 2009
A federal judge has stopped an operation from falsely claiming that it could help consumers secure a "$25,000 Grant" -- guaranteed -- from the U.S. government.
The case is part of a Federal Trade Commission crackdown on scammers trying to capitalize on the economic downturn by targeting people facing financial hardship.
In the complaint the FTC, jointly with the attorneys general of Kansas, Minnesota, and North Carolina, charged that Grant Writers Institute, LLC and its related entities (together, GWI) falsely told consumers that they were eligible for grants as part of the recently announced economic stimulus package .
According to the complaint, the false and deceptive claims by GWI violate federal law, state consumer protection laws, and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. The complaint seeks a court order permanently stopping the defendants' illegal conduct and forcing them to return money to consumers injured by the scheme.
"Stamping out grant fraud and other types of schemes that take advantage of consumers in dire financial shape continues to be one of the Federal Trade Commission's highest priorities," said David Vladeck, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. "There is no such thing as a guaranteed grant. But to consumers in financial trouble, the chance for extra income -- guaranteed or otherwise -- can unfortunately be a huge draw."
The FTC says since at least 2007, GWI has mass mailed postcards to consumers across the country falsely claiming that the consumers "are Guaranteed a $25,000 Grant from the U.S. Government." Consumers who call the number are pitched a $59 book titled "Professional Grant Writer 'The Definitive Guide to Grant Writing Success.'"
The company's telemarketers falsely claim that the book will explain how to get government grants -- including the "guaranteed" $25,000 grant. GWI and its North Carolina-based telemarketers, also named as defendants in the complaint, then call consumers who have bought the book, trying to get them to pay hundreds of dollars or more for grant research, writing, or coaching services, falsely claiming a 70 percent success rate in securing grant funding.
In reality, few, if any consumers ever receive any grant money.
The Commission contends that in addition to falsely claiming consumers were "guaranteed" to receive grants, GWI used the current government stimulus package to make its pitch. For example, when consumers called the number on the mass-mailed postcard, they heard a recording that said, "If you've been reading the papers you know that recently our government released $700 billion into the private sector. What you probably don't know is that there is another $300 billion that must be given away this year to people just like you."
The recording continues, "And if you're one of the lucky few who knows how to find and apply for these grants, you will receive a check for $25,000 or more, and we guarantee it . . . If you don't get a check for $25,000 or more, you pay nothing."
The following were named as defendants:
• Affiliate Strategies, Inc.;
• Landmark Publishing Group, LLC (d/b/a G.F. Institute and Grant Funding Institute);
• Grant Writers Institute, LLC;
• Answer Customers, LLC;
• Apex Holdings International, LLC;
• Brett Blackman, individually and as an officer, manager, and/or member of Affiliate Strategies, Inc., Landmark Publishing Group, LLC, Grant Writers Institute, LLC, Answer Customers, LLC, and Apex Holdings International, LLC;
• Jordan Sevy, individually and as a manager of Landmark Publishing Group, LLC;
• James Rulison, individually and as president of Answer Customers, LLC, all located in Kansas.
The complaint also names the following North Carolina entities as defendants:
• Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC (d/b/a Grant Writers Research Network);
• Martin Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC; and
• Alicia Nossov, individually and as a manager and member of Real Estate Buyers Financial Network LLC.
loan scams
Advance-Fee Loan Scams: ‘Easy’ Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons
Looking for a loan or credit card but don’t think you’ll qualify? Turned down by a bank because of your poor credit history?
You may be tempted by ads and websites that guarantee loans or credit cards, regardless of your credit history. The catch comes when you apply for the loan or credit card and find out you have to pay a fee in advance. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, that could be a tip-off to a rip-off. If you’re asked to pay a fee for the promise of a loan or credit card, you can count on the fact that you’re dealing with a scam artist. More than likely, you’ll get an application, or a stored value or debit card, instead of the loan or credit card.
The Signs of an Advance-Fee Loan Scam
The FTC says some red flags can tip you off to scam artists’ tricks. For example:
A lender who isn’t interested in your credit history. A lender may offer loans or credit cards for many purposes — for example, so a borrower can start a business or consolidate bill payments. But one who doesn’t care about your credit record should give you cause for concern. Ads that say “Bad credit? No problem” or “We don’t care about your past. You deserve a loan” or “Get money fast” or even “No hassle — guaranteed” often indicate a scam.
Banks and other legitimate lenders generally evaluate creditworthiness and confirm the information in an application before they guarantee firm offers of credit — even to creditworthy consumers.
Fees that are not disclosed clearly or prominently. Scam lenders may say you’ve been approved for a loan, then call or email demanding a fee before you can get the money. Any up-front fee that the lender wants to collect before granting the loan is a cue to walk away, especially if you’re told it’s for “insurance,” “processing,” or just “paperwork.”
Legitimate lenders often charge application, appraisal, or credit report fees. The differences? They disclose their fees clearly and prominently; they take their fees from the amount you borrow; and the fees usually are paid to the lender or broker after the loan is approved.
It’s also a warning sign if a lender says they won’t check your credit history, yet asks for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number. They may use your information to debit your bank account to pay a fee they’re hiding.
A loan that is offered by phone. It is illegal for companies doing business in the U.S. by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
A lender who uses a copy-cat or wanna-be name. Crooks give their companies names that sound like well-known or respected organizations and create websites that look slick. Some scam artists have pretended to be the Better Business Bureau or another reputable organization, and some even produce forged paperwork or pay people to pretend to be references. Always get a company’s phone number from the phone book or directory assistance, and call to check they are who they say they are. Get a physical address, too: a company that advertises a PO Box as its address is one to check out with the appropriate authorities.
A lender who is not registered in your state. Lenders and loan brokers are required to register in the states where they do business. To check registration, call your state Attorney General’s office or your state’s Department of Banking or Financial Regulation. Checking registration does not guarantee that you will be happy with a lender, but it helps weed out the crooks.
A lender who asks you to wire money or pay an individual. Don’t make a payment for a loan or credit card directly to an individual; legitimate lenders don’t ask anyone to do that. In addition, don’t use a wire transfer service or send money orders for a loan. You have little recourse if there’s a problem with a wire transaction, and legitimate lenders don’t pressure their customers to wire funds.
Finally, just because you’ve received a slick promotion, seen an ad for a loan in a prominent place in your neighborhood or in your newspaper, on television or on the Internet, or heard one on the radio, don’t assume it’s a good deal — or even legitimate. Scam artists like to operate on the premise of legitimacy by association, so it’s really important to do your homework.
Finding Low-Cost Help for Credit Problems
If you have debt problems, try to solve them with your creditors as soon as you realize you won’t be able to make your payments. If you can’t resolve the problems yourself or need help to do it, you may want to contact a credit counseling service. Nonprofit organizations in every state counsel and educate people and families on debt problems, budgeting, and using credit wisely. Often, these services are low- or no-cost. Universities, military bases, credit unions, and housing authorities also may offer low- or no-cost credit counseling programs. To learn more about dealing with debt, including how to select a credit counseling service, visit ftc.gov/credit.
Where to Complain
If you think you’ve had an experience with an advance-fee loan scam, report it to the FTC.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
April 2008
Just When You Thought It Was Safe...Advance-Fee Loan "Sharks"
A different breed of "loan shark" is preying on unwary consumers by taking their money for the promise of a loan, credit card or other extension of credit.
Advertisements and promotions for advance-fee loans "guarantee" or suggest that there's a high likelihood of success that the loan will be awarded, regardless of the applicant's credit history. But, to take advantage of the offer, the consumer first has to pay a fee. And that's the catch: The consumer pays the fee, the scam artist takes off with the money, and the loan never materializes.
Legitimate guaranteed offers of credit do not require payments up front. Legitimate lenders may require consumers to pay application, appraisal or credit report fees, but these fees seldom are required before the lender is identified and the application completed. In addition, the fees generally are paid to the lender, not to the broker or arranger of the "guaranteed" loan.
Legitimate lenders may guarantee firm offers of credit to credit-worthy consumers, but they rarely do this before evaluating a consumer's creditworthiness.
Advertisements for advance-fee loans generally appear in the classified section of daily and weekly newspapers and magazines. Often, the ads feature "900" numbers, which result in charges on your phone bill. Advance-fee loans also are promoted through direct mail and radio and cable TV spots. The appearance of ads in media outlets that you recognize - like your local newspaper or radio station - is no guarantee of the legitimacy of the company behind the ad.
The Federal Trade Commission says you can avoid being bitten by advance-fee loan sharks: Here's how:
Don't pay for a promise. It's illegal for companies doing business by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
Ignore any ad - or hang up on any caller - that guarantees a loan in exchange for an advance fee. Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say that you will receive a loan before you apply, especially if you have bad credit or no credit record.
Never give your credit card or bank account numbers, or Social Security Number, over the telephone unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.