An identity theft ring is targeting the residents of DelMarVa. They have also hit other parts of the country.
There are engaged in a cold call in what is known as a phishing scheme They appear to be targeting the elderly, the desperatre or the gullible.
This theft ring has been traced to Pensacola, FL, but there is no further information since the wheels of justice are backlogged.
This identity theft ring has been going on for well over the last two months
Numerous complaints have been filed with the Federal Trade commission ( Who is suppose to regulate this, but so far they have done nothing. Even though the exact location can be traced! )
Here is how to recognize the scammers.
If you have Caller – ID, The number will come up as “Unknown Name” or “Name Unavailable” ( depending on your phone service). It WILL show the following number:
850-432-3928
If you call the numder back you will get a recording that it is no longer a working number. If it isn't "working" how do they call us? and its a non working number!
If you answer you will get a recorded robo-call calling about "your credit card" but it never mentions what card, who they're calling,
If you wait and get a “live person” you will encounter a woman with a heavy spanish accent. Her pitch is that she can help lower your credit card bills. They will only identify themselves as “Credit Services”
If you ask her what credit card she is talking about, she will answer “Both Visa and Master Card”.
Yet she knows nothing about your account. If she asks for your credit card or account number, don’t give it to her. Instead ask “Don’t you already have that information?”
Typcially, these schemes work by them asking for your credit card number or the name of your bank and account number.
If you ask to be taken off their list, you will usually get a rude remark then they will hang up only to call a day or two later.
One person acuually got a little further:
“They offered to lower my credit card payments, as long as I had more than $3,000 in debt. Eventually the first representative transferred me to a floor supervisor. I asked where they were based, and they said Atlanta, Georgia. I asked if they could give me the name of their company, and they asked why. I said because you are asking me to give you my credit card number, so I'd like to find out how you are. Then they hung up.” - Brooklynite - Source:
http://whocalled.us/lookup/8504323928
While the following techniques usually work on others phishing. This one doesn’t seem to take the hint that you are not interested. The will keep calling about every other day.
This works for most theft rings
First, make THEM wait! I answer, and don't say anything. Just put the phone down and walk away. They don't like wasting their time waiting on you, even though some calls make YOU wait for an "available representative" when they tell you stay on the line.
Sing in the phone...Row, Row, Row Your Boat works like a charm!
Evidently, they also don't like talking to crazy people? Works a lot better than asking them to take you off their list.
My modem is equipped with caller ID. It can be programmed to hang up on any number.
For information on phishing schemes, go to wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing
Other links about this number
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=850-432-3928&btnG=Search
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
11 comments:
they arent targeting delmarva. they are targeting everyone.
wikipedia is not a real/trusty source. do your HW
they target the same fearful folks who really believed Obama was a muslim and that he'd head us into socialism. Stupid people, mostly.
I take after my father for this habit, if it's somebody I don't know I just say, "I don't want any." Click-up. Beware of strangers baring gifts.
I have been getting calls from Florida but never bother to answer it because I don't know any one in Florida! The calls start as early as 7:30 and I have gotten them as late as 9:45. I don't owe anyone money so there is no reason to think it is a bill collector. All I know is these people are ruthless, we average 10 calls a week since the beginning of December.
computer called first, I answered the questions, a person got on the line. I played along and a supervisor called Chip Jones got on the phone and gave me a hard sell about reducing interest rates on credit cards. he said the computer wasn't working and he couldn't pull up my name. I asked about the do not call list and he said it doesn't work. I asked him to take me off the list and he said he would. number originated from pensacola, FL but they said they were calling from atlanta.
computer called first, I answered the questions, a person got on the line. I played along and a supervisor called Chip Jones got on the phone and gave me a hard sell about reducing interest rates on credit cards. he said the computer wasn't working and he couldn't pull up my name. I asked about the do not call list and he said it doesn't work. I asked him to take me off the list and he said he would. number originated from pensacola, FL but they said they were calling from atlanta.
Keep a sports whistle by the phone, or an air horn. When they ask for your name, blow it REALLY LOUD.
Hopefully, you'll cause them physical pain - maybe even hearing loss.
That's all I can think of, since our government is completely useless in these cases.
I use my cell phone for all personal calls, and never give it out to retail businesses. I have the house phone ringers turned off and the phone connected to my fax machine. If the caller's number or ID is not recognizable, it goes straight to the fax and they hang up. I check the caller ID every other day or so to see what idiots have tried to call me. It works great and I am not bothered by unwanted calls.
They have been calling once a week: each time with a different Florida number (makes call blocking useless).
Credit Services of Atlanta, GA will provide me with their secure web address just as soon as a representative takes down all of MY information.
Claims that their system is having trouble filtering out DNC registry numbers.
I've just gotten a call from them -- no voicemail as far as I know -- in NYC.
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