Original call was a simple hang-up. We called back on a spoofed number of our own. It was a VERY convincing computer call attempting to collect money on behalf of the Illinois State Police. At first I thought the computer was real. Its only when you try an interrupt that you realize its a con.
I went through the motions after realizing this was fake and when asked if I'd be willing to pledge any money for the cops I said OF COURSE. The computer took on a new tone and asked me for the amount I'd be donating. I told it $2,000. It asked me to repeat the amount. I did, asked if I was comfortable with the amount I pledged and I agreed. It asked one final time. After that - it said something like "I see you really want to help out.." and I enthusiastically agreed.
From there I was transferred to a very live "Cynthia Whittlesey" who asked me for the amount. I told her I had no intention of donating and that this was a phone number in Germany (which it was spoofed from) and to stop calling me in the middle of the night and waking me up!!! She was very apologetic and promised my number would be removed. That was the end of that call.
But....being the mischievous ones, we called back again, this time pledging 1 MILLION dollars! Same computer, same routine. I was connected to Ann. She didn't buy my pledge for one minute and chastised me for fooling around. I told her she called me initially and that I had recently won the lotto and wanted to disperse the funds quickly. If she wasn't interested in the "cool mil" I'd take my business elsewhere. Was put on hold and after a few...click!
Finally, we called yet one last time. This time offering ONE PENNY! Through the computer, to the representative. She asked me my pledge amount. I told her as much as I think they deserve. "Oh very good sir!" and how much will that be? "Let me check to make sure I have enough to cover it." I responded. Back and forth a bit then I announced One Penny! and waited for the response. "Sir!" Well, I said. "I'm still a bit pissed about that ticket they gave me back in '93!" Sir, how much are you planning to pledge? One penny, one cent. Really sir? Oh okay, two cents, one for them and one for you to buy a new hat!. Sir? What? I asked, not enough?
Original call was a simple hang-up. We called back on a spoofed number of our own. It was a VERY convincing computer call attempting to collect money on behalf of the Illinois State Police. At first I thought the computer was real. Its only when you try an interrupt that you realize its a con.
I went through the motions after realizing this was fake and when asked if I'd be willing to pledge any money for the cops I said OF COURSE. The computer took on a new tone and asked me for the amount I'd be donating. I told it $2,000. It asked me to repeat the amount. I did, asked if I was comfortable with the amount I pledged and I agreed. It asked one final time. After that - it said something like "I see you really want to help out.." and I enthusiastically agreed.
From there I was transferred to a very live "Cynthia Whittlesey" who asked me for the amount. I told her I had no intention of donating and that this was a phone number in Germany (which it was spoofed from) and to stop calling me in the middle of the night and waking me up!!! She was very apologetic and promised my number would be removed. That was the end of that call.
But....being the mischievous ones, we called back again, this time pledging 1 MILLION dollars! Same computer, same routine. I was connected to Ann. She didn't buy my pledge for one minute and chastised me for fooling around. I told her she called me initially and that I had recently won the lotto and wanted to disperse the funds quickly. If she wasn't interested in the "cool mil" I'd take my business elsewhere. Was put on hold and after a few...click!
Finally, we called yet one last time. This time offering ONE PENNY! Through the computer, to the representative. She asked me my pledge amount. I told her as much as I think they deserve. "Oh very good sir!" and how much will that be? "Let me check to make sure I have enough to cover it." I responded. Back and forth a bit then I announced One Penny! and waited for the response. "Sir!" Well, I said. "I'm still a bit pissed about that ticket they gave me back in '93!" Sir, how much are you planning to pledge? One penny, one cent. Really sir? Oh okay, two cents, one for them and one for you to buy a new hat!. Sir? What? I asked, not enough?