I just got this too. I'm sure it's not true. When I searched for the number I got natasha johnson and I mapped it it looked residential to me (apartments).
yep, tony called me, I WON, SOMETHING.
DID A *69 number 708 833 8716
said I know you are on the do not call list, but since you entered our contest and WON i am authorized to call you. can you say crook!
I received a call from this number this morning and the caller left the following message "Hi this is Tony calling from the prize service center, I have made numerous attempts to reach you regarding an entry form that was filled out in your name within the last 12-18 months to win a new car, this will be my final attempt to notify you that your name was pulled as a winner and we are going to award you one of our top 4 major prizes, it would be in your best interest to give me a call back as soon as possible, my number is toll free at 877 866-4202 ext.1001. We're not a telemarketing agency or a time share, this is not a cold call, so please (undicernable) this message, and I am very aware of the do not call list so I would not be calling unless you actually entered, this is a time sensitive matter, I do look forward to hearing from you, once again, my name is Tony".
This seems very fishy to me. Firstly, there were no prior attempts made to contact me regarding this. Secondly, the call sounded extremely scripted,... as if they were making many of the exact same calls one after another. In addition, I feel if this were legitimate, more information regarding the callers company and the contest that I supposedly entered would have also been relayed in the message, especially with all the news of the many scams that are continually going on.
However, I decided to call anyway. My call was answered by an automated answering service which stated that I had reached the prize fulfillment center (again, no mention of a company name, or the name of the contest) and that the calls may be monitored for quality assurance. It then stated that if I knew the parties extension that I would like to reach to please enter it,... which I did. That took me to a voice mail box for Tony which then asked me to leave my name and number and he would return my call,... but then I could'nt leave my information because another recording then stated that his mail box was full and could not accept any more messages.
Now, if he had called me with regard to my winning "one of four major prizes" that leads me to believe (if this were legitimate) that maybe he called the three other prize winners as well,... so even if all four of us returned his call and left a brief message should his voice mail box have been full?,... or are they making so many calls that they can't return the amount of return calls that they recieve quickly enough before their voice mail boxes fill up?
Seems pretty suspicious to me. And if I did get through to someone I woud'nt give them any of my information until they gave me their company information (their full company name and address, and the specifics with regard to the supposed contest). I would then need to verify their legitimacy (as I'm sure they would understand with all the scams going on today) with consumer protection agencies such as the Better Business Bureau, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Federal Trade Commission, etc.,... and if it turns out they are legitimate, I would then, and only then, very happily and appreciably accept my prize!