Somebody just called me soliciting money for veterans

[reflection]

I can post the phone number here if it doesn't violate the TOS.

I may have handled it wrong, not sure, but I'll submit it to you without fear or favor:

He says "Hi I'm calling on behalf of disabled veterans." (This got my antenna up, not only because of no organization name, but the *behalf of* phrase, which indicates he was hired rather than a part of the group itself.) "These brave souls defend our freedoms, yours and mine, etc etc" and I interrupted "take a breath sir, let me save you some time, I'm not interested in giving any money today. Thank you though."

He said "so what you're saying is that these brave soldiers were there for you but you're not willing to be there for them" and I replied without skipping a beat "I'm there for them in the sense that I tend to vote for political candidates who don't send them into stupid wars to get their legs blown off, and I also vote for those who demand the federal government help those vets out upon their return, so that people calling ON BEHALF OF them who probably didn't serve either don't have to try to pry my hard-earned money from me while insinuating that I don't appreciate our military."

(click) he hung up.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt that they are a legit org, and that's a big stretch considering no organization name was presented at the outset of the phone call, I think it's horrible that the Republican arm of government has blocked so many funds and programs for vets that they are reduced to hiring people to call around and beg for money. I should have told them to call Trump and ask for $916B.

[haele]

1. If they don't start out with "Hi, I'm with (Organization)", they're a scam.

I've had organizations call where the phone bank person spoke too quickly, or had a weird accent and I had to interrupt them with "Can you tell me who are you calling for?", but any legitimate group asking for money or a survey or even a bill collector has to identify themselves first.

Which is how you know when it's really a Credit Card fraud checker, Microsoft Security, or the IRS is cold-calling you...

On edit - what I do if I think it's a scam is interrupt them with "Would it be alright with you that I'm recording this call on the advice of counsel, and I initiate the call trace?"

Haele

[Wounded Bear]

2. This ^ ^ ^

Has that scam-like feel to me, too. If you have the number, send it to the FBI.

And this vet thanks you for your support. You have the right idea. Vote for people that really want to help vets, which generally means blue.

[csziggy]

3. Go to 800notes.com and search for the number

That site is a collection of peoples' reports of calls they are dubious about or that they know to be scams.

I report ones I consider to be scams to the DoNotCall.gov site but just in case it is a legitimate charity I check it at http://800notes.com/ first.

[mfcorey1]

4. Boiler room callers! If you donate one time they will harass you continuously.

I know because I made the mistake of thinking they were legit. Then you will get one saying they are from firefighters and one for troopers, and police. Just hang up.

[Frank Cannon]

11. And they will sell your info to other scammers.

Best not to even engage with these people. Don't let them know that it's even a working number.

I send ALL calls to voice-mail. If it's important enough to call about, it'so important enough to leave a message about.

[safeinOhio]

5. Mail me the info

so I can check out your org..

Can I have your name and address......You called me.

[Cakes488]

6. search the phone number via google

[reflection]

7. I did. Only one return hit with a ton of spam flags

and otherwise, the number is non-existent. It is located in the same state I'm in, for what it's worth.

[Lint Head]

8. That number and location is a fake. I get calls all the time that are from

phone numbers that do not exist. It's called spoofing. Makes you think they are local.

[lpbk2713]

10. They can even add a name to it for caller ID.

Like FBI, or IRS or Police Dept.

And they may be on the other side of the planet using Skype.

[Lint Head]

13. I heard on NPR that India had busted some of the IRS scammers.

[rurallib]

9. I simply say I do not take solicitations over the phone

If they say anything I hang up.

Like many noted above, we now have caller ID. Therefore I do not answer if I do not recognize the number. Then I can look it up if it is legit.

Besides, they will leave a message if it is important.

[yellowcanine]

12. What you do is ask them the name of the organization.

They will probably say it real fast and try to keep going. But you then ask, "wait, could you spell that please so that I can write it down and do some research on your organization on Charity Watch. If they meet my standards I will consider making a donation on their website. Please take me off of your call list. Thank you and have a good day."

[Staph]

15. I have begun answering the phone with "Bonjour!"

The scam artists hang up. The automated robo-calling machines respond "I didn't quite understand that", and will hang up if you continue to respond in French.

My friends and family laugh, because they know I'm nuts!


FYI -- I don't think that would work in Spanish. I suspect that scam artists may expect that language, but French throws them every time.

[BainsBane]

16. Scammers love to use vets and firefighters

Do not give them the benefit of the doubt. Always investigate the organization. You can always give later if they are real.