I got the same message and accidentally pressed '1' to apparently volunteer during working hours today. I'm supposed to 'report' to a public school in queens that is nowhere close to where I live. This number has called four times since then.
I'm thinking this has to be a phishing scam. I'm just pissed that they now have my number.
I was a school teacher for one year back in 2008-2009. Does anyone else here work for the government?
It was the New York City Office of Emergency Management... although I don't know how they got our numbers. They have left me 3 messages today about hurricane shelters.
NYC Office has been calling me since 3pm (I didn't pick up any of those 3 times) -- they left me the same automated message warning me about Hurricane Irene. They also added, "You may be called upon to work at one of the NYC shelters." I found THAT a bit bizarre. They can't just volunteer me to work. I wouldn't have mind if it was a volunteer opportunity. I wouldn't have minded that, but I don't appreciate them telling me that I HAVE to volunteer if I'm "chosen."
Received several phone calls - the last one telling me to report to "a shelter" at 10am - but never did they use my name or tell me which shelter. They give websites, but anyone can do that. Look Shirkinerd did it above - big deal. Giving a legitimate website is one common method of scammers. There's no info there about reporting, so it seems you're being forced to call back.
An OEM phone number is 718-422-8888 not 718-422-8818 which is the calling number.
Furthermore, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) has phone number 718-422-8585 but these individuals are giving a 10-week training. As a city-employee I've never been informed of this, never received any training and the only source telling me to report to a shelter is this odd phone number which I cannot find linked to OEM.
I'm treating this like a phishing scam at the moment. I will not be giving these people any information until I can verify who they are first
Sorry Shirkinerd - just recopied my post from the other website. I'm not trying to say anything negative about you. I know you're here trying to help and figure this one out as well.
I am just pointing out that their providing a legitimate site doesn't make the caller legitimate.
This could be legit, but I can't find support for that.
I'm playing it safe and assuming that this is a really good scam/phishing scheme.
Was unable to confirm or deny this one. So two possibilities:
1) excellent scam since their number so closely resembles the OEM # - except for the fact they don't really ask you to call them back....
2) It really is the OEM and they were conducting what they believed was a test of their system (which they haven't used before) and well... mission accomplished. I've had that happen before.
It is 9am and no further calls from that # - so if anyone learns anything new, please post.