Has anybody else noticed a rise in calls from scam artists?

[Snaploud]

My girlfriend got a message from one the other day. I got two missed calls from different scam artists over the last couple days. That's three separate numbers.

I googled each of the three numbers and saw that there are a bunch of people getting these calls around the country. We're not stupid enough to give them our personal information (or call them back if they leave a message), so we're probably fine. It's just annoying.

The first one was regarding credit card rates. The latter two apparently would have been about shopping sprees we've *won.* We used to only get one periodically about a factory warranty expiring on our cars (cycling through "this is your first message" "second message" "third message" "final message" and back to the beginning ad nauseum).

 

[RandyS]

Yeah, I get these two or three times a day. Thankfully we now have caller ID. If I don't recognize the number I don't answer.

Problem solved.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Oh, I get several of these messages a day. My favorites are the people who try to sound like they're leaving an off-the-cuff message while I can hear them shuffling through papers on their desk. "Hey, Rick, I was looking through your file and I think I've found a couple of options for you to save money." Yes, I believe that I know you and I've talked to you before-- especially when you're a woman with a sexy voice.

 

[Starbreaker]

The car warranty thing was the first thing that popped into my mind.

 

[Mallory]

Yeah, I get these two or three times a day. Thankfully we now have caller ID. If I don't recognize the number I don't answer.

Problem solved.

Same here.

 

[Gil T.Azell]

Yeah, I get these two or three times a day. Thankfully we now have caller ID. If I don't recognize the number I don't answer.

Problem solved.

Yeah, I get these two or three times a day. Thankfully we now have caller ID. If I don't recognize the number I don't answer.

Problem solved.

Same here.

That may work, but what about your freinds who have blocked numbers?

 

[RandyS]

Yeah, I get these two or three times a day. Thankfully we now have caller ID. If I don't recognize the number I don't answer.

Problem solved.

Yeah, I get these two or three times a day. Thankfully we now have caller ID. If I don't recognize the number I don't answer.

Problem solved.

Same here.

That may work, but what about your friends who have blocked numbers?

None of my friends have blocked numbers. In fact, the minute I see "restricted" where a number should be, that's an automatic ignore right there.

As for unfamiliar numbers who might actually want to take to me, if they can't leave a voice message, also ignore.

 

[tharpdevenport]

This number here sometimes gets calls from a group raising money for the police department. Problem is, they're scammers. They operate in a grey area. They donate a small portion of the money and keep the vast majority. They'll even claim you've donated before, just to try and get your money.

 

[Guartho]

As soon as they say "Can we expect your support again this year." I always tell them "You've just lied to me so, no." And hang up.

 

[RoJoHen]

None of my friends have blocked numbers. In fact, the minute I see "restricted" where a number should be, that's an automatic ignore right there.

As for unfamiliar numbers who might actually want to take to me, if they can't leave a voice message, also ignore.

I'm exactly the same way.

I never answer unfamiliar numbers. I never answer restricted or blocked numbers. If you don't leave a message, even if you call me several times, I'm not going to answer the phone.

 

[sojourner]

I ditched my land line years ago. The number of sales/scammer calls my cellphone gets is nearly non-existent.

 

[Major Chord]

If I have the time, I like to play with them a bit. I see how far I can move the conversation away from the original topic. Once, I went on about how "the men come and ask me for money. You know, the ones in the white coats with the funny guns?". I've also responded in French, ranted on about the horrible things "illegals" are doing to our country, and tried to convince them of the benefits of joining a Church. Some will actually stay on the line, with hopes that I will in fact give to their 'cause'. Others hang up. It's their loss either way...I think I'm an interesting guy to talk to.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

I keep getting the Jamaican scammers (Mon!). I guess they figure if they keep calling I'll be stupid enough to think they're legit and will pick up eventually. Hey, scammers wouldn't keep checking up and following through to tell me I'd won $12 dollars, now would they?

I guess it's a sign that the economy really is bad- even the crooks are getting desperate.

 

[judge alba]

used to get quite a few scammers and marketing calls but my other half registered our number with the telephone preference service and most of them stopped.
just the more annoying ones from BT that we just tell them to **** off

 

[Lookingglassman]

I have caller ID so if I dont recognize the number I dont pick up.