Today, January 22, 2015 I just got a call from a middle-aged woman claiming her company "represents a group of domestic oil and gas producers" and she wanted to "ask just two questions" as part of some sort of an confirmation survey. Her accent combined with the background sounds matched that of a international telemarketing group probably based in the Philippines where they have extremely low-wage workers trained to be polite and unemotional when calling Americans. However, even the legitimate companies completely ignore US laws related to "Do Not Call Lists."
Her first question was "Do you still live in Massachusetts?" I answered "yes." And then before she could ask the next question, I asked where she was calling from. She replied "Texas." How interesting. I looked down at my caller ID and here's the name and number for this call:
Gillespie, Debra 508-206-6732
Of course I knew this wasn't Debra, but I figured I'll answer their question (to find out what's going on), but only if they answer my questions, and what the heck, one for one. So, I let her ask the second question, which was "Do you own $1,000,000 or more in property assets or have income over $200,000 per year?"
Now, to see how badly they want to know, I asked "What's the name of your company?" She then repeated her spiel about "representing a group of oil and gas producers.....". So I said, "You may be representing this group, but your company must have a name. What is it?" Click! "Hello, hello....?
Very efficient. Oh well.
Now, a quick Google search for "Debra Gillespie 508-206-6732" brought up www.peoplebyname.com revealing that this number is indeed associated with this name in more than one place. But when I called the number directly to see who's on the other end, I only got "This Number is Not in Service."
So, this particular scam group has figured out how to use telephone numbers that are no longer in service in the local area of the person they are calling (we use 508 area here in Massachusetts). Then they get that dead number and person's name to appear on the caller ID. Very clever. It makes you pick up.
While they could be identifying wealthy homeowners for any number of purposes, the fact that they ignore the "Do Not Call" laws and have no intention of identifying themselves except deceptively and falsely, one can only assume they are have criminal intentions.
So, let me suggest that we go ahead and answer their second question by simply claiming poverty. In a very sorrowful and pleading voice say something like, "I'm sorry, but we don't have any money and we don't own anything, and our phone is going to be shut off at any time now." Then wait a tearful moment in silence and......hang up. Think of it as a way to help keep the interest rates low, at least a while longer.
For those of you who are scrupulously honest or you just can't help boasting about your wealth, it might be best just to hang up without saying anything.
Today, January 22, 2015 I just got a call from a middle-aged woman claiming her company "represents a group of domestic oil and gas producers" and she wanted to "ask just two questions" as part of some sort of an confirmation survey. Her accent combined with the background sounds matched that of a international telemarketing group probably based in the Philippines where they have extremely low-wage workers trained to be polite and unemotional when calling Americans. However, even the legitimate companies completely ignore US laws related to "Do Not Call Lists."
Her first question was "Do you still live in Massachusetts?" I answered "yes." And then before she could ask the next question, I asked where she was calling from. She replied "Texas." How interesting. I looked down at my caller ID and here's the name and number for this call:
Gillespie, Debra 508-206-6732
Of course I knew this wasn't Debra, but I figured I'll answer their question (to find out what's going on), but only if they answer my questions, and what the heck, one for one. So, I let her ask the second question, which was "Do you own $1,000,000 or more in property assets or have income over $200,000 per year?"
Now, to see how badly they want to know, I asked "What's the name of your company?" She then repeated her spiel about "representing a group of oil and gas producers.....". So I said, "You may be representing this group, but your company must have a name. What is it?" Click! "Hello, hello....?
Very efficient. Oh well.
Now, a quick Google search for "Debra Gillespie 508-206-6732" brought up www.peoplebyname.com revealing that this number is indeed associated with this name in more than one place. But when I called the number directly to see who's on the other end, I only got "This Number is Not in Service."
So, this particular scam group has figured out how to use telephone numbers that are no longer in service in the local area of the person they are calling (we use 508 area here in Massachusetts). Then they get that dead number and person's name to appear on the caller ID. Very clever. It makes you pick up.
While they could be identifying wealthy homeowners for any number of purposes, the fact that they ignore the "Do Not Call" laws and have no intention of identifying themselves except deceptively and falsely, one can only assume they are have criminal intentions.
So, let me suggest that we go ahead and answer their second question by simply claiming poverty. In a very sorrowful and pleading voice say something like, "I'm sorry, but we don't have any money and we don't own anything, and our phone is going to be shut off at any time now." Then wait a tearful moment in silence and......hang up. Think of it as a way to help keep the interest rates low, at least a while longer.
For those of you who are scrupulously honest or you just can't help boasting about your wealth, it might be best just to hang up without saying anything.