The FTC warns complaints of scammers impersonating government agents are at an all-time high. Here's what to look for and how to protect yourself from being scammed.
At no level of government is there ever a telephone call requesting personal information the government already has.
You have rights as a citizen such as various places in the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).
If, by Constitutional mandate records need to be updated you will receive a mailer to fill out, or be contacted in person by a Federal employee who must self identify and show you official picture identification.
I recently got a phone call from someone with a very distinct Hindu accent who said they were from Social Security, and wanted to alert me to the fact that my SS number had been breached. They wanted me to confirm my SS number and other personal information, which sounded very suspicious, as they would never request that kind of info in a phone call.
So I played along for a bit to confirm my suspicion without providing any of the information they were asking for. When they got angry that I would not give them the information they wanted they abruptly hung up.
The best phone scam is when someone with a foreign accent tells you that your tax return showed illegalities on your part and a U.S Marshall is on their way to your house to arrest you UNLESS you give the caller your credit card number so they can use it to get you out of trouble. I played along with one for about 10 minutes one time. It was fun.
I have told a scammer to fuck off, tho. That was fun
I have this fantasy where I can hack a scammers computer or phone and cause a power surge that melts the cpu and motherboard. Then, somehow, I'd know every time he got new equipment and do it again as soon as he turned it on, for a year. That would be awesome!
There is a YouTube video where a hacker interacted with a scammer pretending to be Microsoft. He got the scammer to give him access to their machine and while in the machine he deleted all the files.
I know, some of these bozos are pathetic. There are YouTubers who purposely play along with these thieves to waste their time and frustrate them. Building up their hopes only to let them realize that after days of effort they are not going to get their gift cards form of payment.
When I get the calls from Microsoft I give them a few seconds to start their spiel and then I tell them, "I am a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) which I really am, and then let them know that I am an MS Technical Beta Tester (which I really am), and an Access Database Developer (which I really am), and a computer programmer (which I am not), sooo, how are you going to help me?"
Then I hear a 'click' on the other end as they hang up.
One thing that I notice about many of the scam callers, they have a pretty sloppy Hindu accent, sort of like street slang, so the people who are hiring them to be scammers must be getting people off the streets who will work the cheapest.
A few years ago, I answered the IRS call on a cell phone that is not registered to me.
The guy started his pitch about how I owed the IRS and must pay immediately. I just laughed and said in my usual Ozark hillbilly accent "Nope. Y'all don't know who y'all is talkin' to." He insisted that he did... that he knew who I was. I said "No. No you don't." This actually went back and forth like this for several minutes with him making dire threats at what was going to happen to me if I didn't take him seriously....and me just continuing to say that he had no clue to whom he was threatening.
Finally, I grew tired of his bullshit - called him the scum of the Earth in less than polite words and told him that he really should learn how to speak English properly if he wanted to make his scam seem credible. He still continued to protest that he was a legit IRS agent and I ended the call.
These days, I have turned off my answering machine and only answer calls that I recognize the caller.
Some of the scams I get calls from are ones claiming to be some Law Enforcement or Fire dept. association asking for donations. They want to send someone by to pick up my donation. I tell them I don't donate to anyone over the phone and take me off their list. Then I call the supposed LE or Fire dept and ask them if they are soliciting donations by phone and they say no, so I give them the info and they take it from there.
Those are the worst ones, playing on people's sympathy. This kind of scam was really popular after the 9/11 horror and they were asking for donations for the 1st responders who were killed and/or injured.
One time it was the IRS someone was scamming for - said the police would be at my door. When they called me back I called them fucking scammers. I forgot that they would never call you, just send a letter. I had a call recently, some bullshit about how I was up for a federal crime. I called that number back and called them fucking scammers.
It's always some company soliciting donations for cops who died in the line of duty.
Yeah, they like to play on people's good hearts to feed their scams. I tell them I don't make donations over the phone or to anyone coming to my home, and have often asked where their office is located and I would come there and make a donation in person. At that point they quickly hang up.
I've gotten the IRS, Microsoft, SS, a police fund, a women's cancer something or other, school loan which uses the same reference number for every call and one that was in an asian foreign language so I have no clue what the scam is.
What I don't understand is when they want you to go buy gift cards and give them the serial number that people don't get that it's a scam
I must lead a charmed life I had one call about having won a cruise and to call back with a credit card to guarantee my prize (I never called) years ago and that's it.
They actually caught the guy behind the nigerian prince scam, (seriously), I believe it was an older white guy in Alabama. Long time ago so I forget the specifics.
I got a fax yesterday with the Nigerian prince scam, but with a twist. It was a terminally ill heiress in Canada who wanted to leave me her millions, because she was sure I would donate them to charity.
That indeed is very funny. I had a bit of a time clearly understanding his accent at times, but, with the wordings of each part it was pretty easy to follow.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I really needed a good laugh today. (smile)
He is really a good comedian. He know very well how to lead into the punch lines. It would likely have been easier for me to follow the dialog if he had not spoken so fast, some of his words seemed to run together.
But, the whole thing was really very funny and I fully enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
"If there is no name attached with the number calling, I won't answer it. The "Voice Mail" service part of your phone will get it for you. There is nothing saying you must call back either.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Dear Friend Tig: Good article.
At no level of government is there ever a telephone call requesting personal information the government already has.
You have rights as a citizen such as various places in the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).
If, by Constitutional mandate records need to be updated you will receive a mailer to fill out, or be contacted in person by a Federal employee who must self identify and show you official picture identification.
The government doesn't "smile and dial".
Ever!
Thanks for this public service article.
P&AB.
Enoch.
I recently got a phone call from someone with a very distinct Hindu accent who said they were from Social Security, and wanted to alert me to the fact that my SS number had been breached. They wanted me to confirm my SS number and other personal information, which sounded very suspicious, as they would never request that kind of info in a phone call.
So I played along for a bit to confirm my suspicion without providing any of the information they were asking for. When they got angry that I would not give them the information they wanted they abruptly hung up.
Made my day. (smile)
Dear Sister Raven Wing: You just made mine.
Thanks.
Smiles.
E.
The best phone scam is when someone with a foreign accent tells you that your tax return showed illegalities on your part and a U.S Marshall is on their way to your house to arrest you UNLESS you give the caller your credit card number so they can use it to get you out of trouble. I played along with one for about 10 minutes one time. It was fun.
That scammer actually left me a voice mail message but he didn't speak with an accent. Too bad I didn't actually answer that call.
I have told a scammer to fuck off, tho. That was fun
The sad part is that some people must fall for these scams and give the con man money. Otherwise why would the scammers keep doing it?
Why do people fall for this stuff? I'm not the brightest star in the galaxy but even I know when somebody is trying to scam me
Usually the elderly. I have control over my mother's finances but not everyone has someone looking out for their best interest.
I have this fantasy where I can hack a scammers computer or phone and cause a power surge that melts the cpu and motherboard. Then, somehow, I'd know every time he got new equipment and do it again as soon as he turned it on, for a year. That would be awesome!
I like the way you think
Same here. Mom doesn't even have her credit card or checkbook, so nobody can scam her.
As for her SSN - between the OPM hack, the Blue Cross/Blue Shield hack, and the Experion hack, anyone who wants her SSN already has it!
There is a YouTube video where a hacker interacted with a scammer pretending to be Microsoft. He got the scammer to give him access to their machine and while in the machine he deleted all the files.
Would that work for you?
Here it is:
Yeah, I saw this one and yes indeedy, it does work for me. The banana dog was nice, too.
I know, some of these bozos are pathetic. There are YouTubers who purposely play along with these thieves to waste their time and frustrate them. Building up their hopes only to let them realize that after days of effort they are not going to get their gift cards form of payment.
Here is an example (funny):
That.
Was.
Awesome.
And the nerve of the POS scammer to be offended when called out.
I got the Microsoft call. I told him I have a Mac (I don't).
My son wastes their time, then finally starts insulting them. "Bro, nobody cares about you, bro. It's so sad. Nobody cares, bro."
When I get the calls from Microsoft I give them a few seconds to start their spiel and then I tell them, "I am a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) which I really am, and then let them know that I am an MS Technical Beta Tester (which I really am), and an Access Database Developer (which I really am), and a computer programmer (which I am not), sooo, how are you going to help me?"
Then I hear a 'click' on the other end as they hang up.
One thing that I notice about many of the scam callers, they have a pretty sloppy Hindu accent, sort of like street slang, so the people who are hiring them to be scammers must be getting people off the streets who will work the cheapest.
A few years ago, I answered the IRS call on a cell phone that is not registered to me.
The guy started his pitch about how I owed the IRS and must pay immediately. I just laughed and said in my usual Ozark hillbilly accent "Nope. Y'all don't know who y'all is talkin' to." He insisted that he did... that he knew who I was. I said "No. No you don't." This actually went back and forth like this for several minutes with him making dire threats at what was going to happen to me if I didn't take him seriously....and me just continuing to say that he had no clue to whom he was threatening.
Finally, I grew tired of his bullshit - called him the scum of the Earth in less than polite words and told him that he really should learn how to speak English properly if he wanted to make his scam seem credible. He still continued to protest that he was a legit IRS agent and I ended the call.
These days, I have turned off my answering machine and only answer calls that I recognize the caller.
I heard that same shit and I called them back and yelled at them that they were fucking scammers.
I had one about a week ago telling me my social security number had been canceled..... They said they could get me a new one for $500.00.
Seriously, too stupid to make it up.
I did indeed...
I got a text saying my SSN was deactivated. I was overjoyed, as I figure that means no more taxes.
I don't answer calls whose numbers are in other states or ones I don't recognize. Then I look up the number to see who or what it might be.
I do that as well, Paula. It is amazing just how ignorant some scammers are when they can't even tell they've been had.
When my phone says the Las Vegas Police Dept is calling I panic and block the number.
Some of the scams I get calls from are ones claiming to be some Law Enforcement or Fire dept. association asking for donations. They want to send someone by to pick up my donation. I tell them I don't donate to anyone over the phone and take me off their list. Then I call the supposed LE or Fire dept and ask them if they are soliciting donations by phone and they say no, so I give them the info and they take it from there.
Those are the worst ones, playing on people's sympathy. This kind of scam was really popular after the 9/11 horror and they were asking for donations for the 1st responders who were killed and/or injured.
I just hang up on those guys. It's always some company soliciting donations for cops who died in the line of duty.
One time it was the IRS someone was scamming for - said the police would be at my door. When they called me back I called them fucking scammers. I forgot that they would never call you, just send a letter. I had a call recently, some bullshit about how I was up for a federal crime. I called that number back and called them fucking scammers.
Yeah, they like to play on people's good hearts to feed their scams. I tell them I don't make donations over the phone or to anyone coming to my home, and have often asked where their office is located and I would come there and make a donation in person. At that point they quickly hang up.
LOL! They don't know I don't have a good heart so they waste their time trying to talk to me
LOL!! I have a good one, but, it is reserved for those who truly deserve it. Scammers hear the other side of it.
This guy literally built a career fucking with telemarketers.
Call, text, or E-mail me at your own risk, as there R NO MODERATORS to
corral
my
creativity, and i'll take these people places they could never ever even imagine existed.
I NO KNOW Boundries, Y i live in a gated community
"Iggy Unchained"..
Danjo got
nuthin on me
I've gotten the IRS, Microsoft, SS, a police fund, a women's cancer something or other, school loan which uses the same reference number for every call and one that was in an asian foreign language so I have no clue what the scam is.
What I don't understand is when they want you to go buy gift cards and give them the serial number that people don't get that it's a scam
Maybe it was just a wrong number?
I don't think so because I did get it a couple of times from different numbers
I must lead a charmed life I had one call about having won a cruise and to call back with a credit card to guarantee my prize (I never called) years ago and that's it.
Who needs these bastards, I got the inside line on a Nigerian Prince.
hey......Hey..... HEY!!! I got first dibs on that Nigerian Prince! He's gonna make me the Queen of Nigeria if I give him all the info he needs.
They actually caught the guy behind the nigerian prince scam, (seriously), I believe it was an older white guy in Alabama. Long time ago so I forget the specifics.
I wondered why the Prince was no longer contacting me. My feelings were really hurt (sniff) because I thought he had found someone else (sniff).
Glad to know he was just caught and didn't cheat on me.
I got a fax yesterday with the Nigerian prince scam, but with a twist. It was a terminally ill heiress in Canada who wanted to leave me her millions, because she was sure I would donate them to charity.
Emm......my middle name is Charity.....does that count?
Go for it.
I'm sure she won't be wanting your routing number or anything
Here is another humorous adventure in this theme:
That indeed is very funny. I had a bit of a time clearly understanding his accent at times, but, with the wordings of each part it was pretty easy to follow.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I really needed a good laugh today. (smile)
He is a professional comedian.
He is really a good comedian. He know very well how to lead into the punch lines. It would likely have been easier for me to follow the dialog if he had not spoken so fast, some of his words seemed to run together.
But, the whole thing was really very funny and I fully enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
How is it that I see people in that audience who are not laughing? I've seen this video before, and it still has me cracking up.
I wondered about that as well. Most of the audience was totally cracking up, but, a few didn't seem to get it.
Oh, that was sooooo good!
"how to protect yourself from being scammed."
Don't answer your cellphone EVERY TIME it rings ?
I have a rule when it comes to my cell phone use:
"If there is no name attached with the number calling, I won't answer it. The "Voice Mail" service part of your phone will get it for you. There is nothing saying you must call back either.