OT: Phone Scams

[Atrocities]

Please Get The Word Out.

Phone Scam (Saturday 1/15/05)

I just got a phone call from some guy with a heavy Indian accent telling me that I have won $5,000 US grant. LOL I get a call from someone on a Saturday night at 9pm telling me that I have won $5,000 and all they need is my bank account number to deposited the money. I laughed so hard I hope I broke his eardrum. I then said to him: "Ok lets assume that I am so stupid that I would fall for this, and give you may bank account info right, on a Saturday night. By the time I check my account on the next business day, which is Monday, it will be empty right?" (Or something to that effect)
“Oh no sir, we are on the up and up.”
I hung up.

The man then called me right back. The number on the caller ID was 999-999-9999 Anonymous. I told him that there are plenty of stupid Americans out there, not to bother me. "Oh but sir this is on the up and up." He then told me my address to prove to me that he was telling me the truth.
“Ok, so you have a copy of the white pages on CD Rom from my area. Big deal.”
”Oh no sir, I am calling you from Washington DC to tell you that you have won a grant for $5,000 dollars.”
"Then why are you calling me at 9pm on a Saturday night?"
"Oh this is the end of my work day."
"Am I suppose to believe you? Lets see, add 12 hours to my time and I will bet it’s about 9am where you’re at."
"Oh no sir, I am calling you Washington DC."
"With a 999-999-9999 number?"
"Oh yes sir. It is the number we have here."
"And here is would say India or near abouts?"
"OH no sir, I am calling you from Washington DC."
"So give me the address that you’re calling from."
-Shuffling- Followed by a bogus address.
"Ok, I just entered that address into map quest and it came up as bogus. Just like you and this call."
"Oh but sir we are on the up and up."
"Right"
"All I need to give you your money is your bank account."
"Well that’s not going to happen."
“Oh but ….” I hung up.

For the most part that is pretty much what was said.

These guys just keep going. They will tell you what you want to hear to get you to give them your information. Don’t be fooled, ask yourself some basic question such as, when did I enter this contest, why me, and above all else, why would they call me AFTER hours on a weekend and ask me for my bank information. If you do not, then you are truly naïve and will be taken advantage of.

Additionally, keep in mind that this guy even read me my address to prove to me that he was telling me the truth. That is information they can get now simply by ordering the latest Version of Qwest Dex White Pages on CD Rom. Don’t get taken.

If any one calls you and tell you that you have won a grant, hang up. Grants are not won; they are applied for and awarded. You do not win grants

Raymond