Scam alert1
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
Coopah, that's hilarious. Your dad was ornery, huh?
Back in the day before caller ID, and when junk calls were fairly rare, my mom almost answered the phone in the house. I still remember her retelling the conversation w/ a telemarketer:
Him: Is this so- and-so?
Her: Possibly.
Him: Is Mr. So-and-So there?
Her: Certainly.
Him: Then may I speak with him?
Her: He's busy.
Him: Is there a better time to call?
Her: Obviously.
Back in the day before caller ID, and when junk calls were fairly rare, my mom almost answered the phone in the house. I still remember her retelling the conversation w/ a telemarketer:
Him: Is this so- and-so?
Her: Possibly.
Him: Is Mr. So-and-So there?
Her: Certainly.
Him: Then may I speak with him?
Her: He's busy.
Him: Is there a better time to call?
Her: Obviously.
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 985
Only have a cell phone now, all junk calls get added to my contact list as ZJunk, ZZjunk, etc. Then those numbers are blocked. I use the Z's to keep them all together and at the bottom, so I don't have to scroll them to find a legit number. What really annoys me is the same call will come from a different number than the one you blocked. UGGH!
Might be fun to answer "do you want to go to jail?" with, "why, do you need someone to visit you there?"
Might be fun to answer "do you want to go to jail?" with, "why, do you need someone to visit you there?"
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: jacksonville bch
Posts: 2,069
I've had so many calls from the "virus" helpers. I sometimes keep them on the phone with stupid answers just to make them flustered. We get calls from extended car care (have new car), health alarms, and back or knee braces. With the alarm and brace people I ask how they got my name, and they tell me a friend gave them my name. I laugh and tell them it can't be my friend because I'm only 29.
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
this has been happening for a while now. IRS says they'll never call you. The one that has been going around for a few months now and has tried to hack two of my accounts are hotels, thank goodness my creditors were smart enough to contact me before running anything thru. Somehow they got my number, because I have my card and tried to use room service and the card over the phone. I cancelled my cards and got new ones. I still get calls from the Marriott saying I won something that I had entered, never entered and had never been to any of the places that called. Someone called the other day and asked for someone I didn't know. They then asked if I was over 25, I told them considering they had to ask they didn't know me and the call was over, I then hung up. Someone is always trying to get rich on someone else's hard work. In my case, I don't have enough to make anyone rich but it doesn't stop them from trying. You have to pay attention, no matter how much money you have (or don't have) or what your credit it. My sister had really bad credit and can't get a loan for anything, someone used her first name and a different last name and got credit under her SS. That just makes no sense, my sister has no idea who that person is.
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
I have been receiving these calls for 3 years. I had gotten so fed up, I decided to end it. So when I received the next call I ask the caller to help me understand what he was saying, He said I would go to jail if I did not give him my credit card # ASAP. So I wanted to clarify. He said or what I was hearing... I would get 3 meals a day, hot baths without cleaning the shower, my laundry done, could sleep as long as I want to, then he stopped me and said" no, no, no you don't understand. I said jail" I ask him where can I sign up for this fab. Vacation , because you see I am a hard working mom and work 2 small businesses, going to jail sounded like a little R & R to me. This man was very angry and the nerve of him, he hung up on me before I got to sign up for my vacation.But I have not received any more phone calls for about 9 or 10 months now.
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
Zozee, my dad wasn't ornery, as much as he just loved a joke...and he could take it in return. He took great delight in those "wrong number" calls. :-)
One thing he would not like are scammers who are too lazy to work an honest job, but take advantage of those who do an honest day's work. It's just sad to hear all these stories.
One thing he would not like are scammers who are too lazy to work an honest job, but take advantage of those who do an honest day's work. It's just sad to hear all these stories.
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 327
Years ago (the 70's) before answering machines got popular my grandmother was getting calls in the middle of the night and only would heavy breathing. She had seen enough tv shows to know the police could set up recorders on phones. One night she answered and said "it's them, turn on that recorder". Never had a problem again!
#58
Scammers are horrible. Can you imagine how much better our world would be if they just used that energy to do good?
Beware of giving them a hard time on the line. One elderly couple out here got swamped with calls after rebuffing them. The scammers spoofed their number when they made all of their next scam calls, so when everyone was returning the call, they would up calling this poor couple. http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-coupl...mmer-1.3344115
It's sick.
We do the same as everyone here. If we don't recognize the number, we let the answering machine pick up. If it's important, they'll leave a message. It's just not worth it to answer at all.
With all of today's technology, you'd think the telephone companies could crack down on these people.
Beware of giving them a hard time on the line. One elderly couple out here got swamped with calls after rebuffing them. The scammers spoofed their number when they made all of their next scam calls, so when everyone was returning the call, they would up calling this poor couple. http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-coupl...mmer-1.3344115
It's sick.
We do the same as everyone here. If we don't recognize the number, we let the answering machine pick up. If it's important, they'll leave a message. It's just not worth it to answer at all.
With all of today's technology, you'd think the telephone companies could crack down on these people.
#59
I recently moved to a new place and decided not to get a landline. I got a Tracfone with limited minutes and I only give the number out to a few people. So far, in a month, I have gotten calls from North and South Dakota ( I know no one there) and a few from the local area, must be people who knew the person who had this number before me.
I have joined the, "If I don't know who is calling, I don't pick up" club!! The phone is for MY convenience. Just the other night I was in the bath and thought, How nice not to worry about a phone call interrupting me.
I have joined the, "If I don't know who is calling, I don't pick up" club!! The phone is for MY convenience. Just the other night I was in the bath and thought, How nice not to worry about a phone call interrupting me.
#60
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