No doubt that these people are lowlifes, but drug addicted ? Come on. Ignore them, and they will go away. If anyone falls for this nonsense, it's their own damn fault.
I got a call from 305-368-3159. It came up on my caller ID as Florida - 305-368-3159. I looked the number up on Switchboard. It stated it was unlisted, but was out of Miami, FL. Thanks Tom for your warning. I don't answer my if I don't recognize the number. I also have an answering machine. They left no message.
It has been reported in various electronic and print media, including Readers Digest and the AARP Bulletin, that most of the "card services" and other scammers are recruited at Narcotics Anonymous meetings in South Florida. it was also stated that they "work" on a commission basis, cheating people, in order to "earn" money to support their addictions. It goes on to further state the main targets are the low income and the elderly, who sometimes due to financial considerations, do not have caller id or the internet to help them to avoid being taken advantage of. Ignoring the scammers doesn't work, as this scam has been going on for many years--spreading the word of the scam, especially to those most vulnerable, can be an effective tool in stopping the calls, by eventually cutting off the scammer's sources of income.
They called our landline a short while ago. It rang twice; they left no message. Thank you all for reassuring me that I hadn't missed a call from the Nigerian prince who wants to share his millions with me!