Hey All,
Just wanted to toss out a heads up. There is a scam that has gone around (here in the States) before going around again. It's a phone thing. They have called here several times in the past. The phone numbers always show up as "out of area" or something along those lines on the caller ID. Normally, it's a recording saying they are calling to help lower your high interest rates on your credit cards. It goes on to say that if you are interested, you should push 1 to speak to a live representative.
Well, I push 1 just for the chance to annoy them. They always immediately begin asking for my personal information. Always starts with my name. I never tell them ANYTHING. I start asking questions. What's the name of this company? (usually "Client Services" yeah. Right.) How did they get my number? Etc. Their answer is usually that they "work closely" with visa, amex, discover, and master card. They also say that they want to lower my interest rates. They will also say that I have been referred to them by a credit card company as a client in good standing. However, they can never tell me which company it was that referred me, nor with which companies I have accounts. (keep in mind there are a plethora of ways to program phone systems so they would know all of that if it were legitimate.)
This is when I like to start messing with them. Things to remember: 1. Credit card companies won't farm out things like this; if your credit card issuer needs/wants to speak with you, they will call you directly. 2. If a credit card company (that you already do business with) calls you, they don't need to ask for your information; they have it right there and will only ask you to verify certain portions of that information.
Just asking questions like what company is this? how did you get my phone number? which company gave you my name? why didn't ___ call me directly? That's enough to make these folks angry enough to hang up on me. Which gives me SUCH a giggle!!
Please, please be aware of this garbage. It's all an attempt to get your personal information, like your name and account numbers. Once these crooks have your actual information, it's WAY easier for them to open fraudulent accounts using your name and info.
Depending on what state you live in, you can pass along any information you have on these calls to your state attorney general's office. Some states go after these types of criminals. Others don't. You won't know till you investigate that yourself. Ordinarily what the AG's office will want is the time and date of the call, the number (from your caller ID if it comes up) the name of the "company." Just the general details of the call. I know when I lived in Indiana, the AG's office kept all that stuff on file and would prosecute when they could. (it's difficult though.)
Best advice is just don't tell these folks ANYTHING. If you get a call like this you think might be from a company that you do business with, say thanks, this isn't a good time and hang up. Then get your card and call the customer service number listed there. That way you know for sure you are talking to your credit card company and not a scammer.
Off my soap box now. :)
Sharon