Phone Scam alert: 610-404-3141 and info

[supernova]

I wanted to pass this on to everyone since so many people read DU, not just post.

I've had several calls from this number since Thanksgiving. It's the old "This is Credit Card Services. Please press 9 now to lower your interest rate.." It's a phishing scam. Don't answer it.

I answered once to tell them not to call my land line since I'm on the Do Not Call list. That was back in the spring and they haven't pestered me since then. But it seems they've started up again. Lots of posts from this October and now December. I did some digging and for free, I was able to find out this number originates in Berks County, PA, specifically Birdsboro. but I don't know the name of the business. My Caller ID log reads "FreeSWITCH" If they keep pestering me, you bet your sweet swindling ass I will be finding out who you are!

Messages left at http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-610-404-3141">800notes.com say that it could possibly be used for porn calls charged to you for for a third party to use your long distance service.

I just filed a complaint with the FCC.

If you get any of these calls from "card services" please report them so the FCC can investigate. I now have a file open and I intend to report that scummy outfit every time they call.

File a complaint with the FCC: https://esupport.fcc.gov/form1088/1088bform.do

[virgogal]

1. Thanks for that info and I will pass it along.

[supernova]

3. You're welcome

These idiots won't stop unless we report them everytime they call, diminishing their ability to defraud people.

[seabeyond]

2. 404 437 6446. we got that at 3:03 a.m. this morning. googled. a lot of posts

from texas stating they have received this number, middle of night. no messages. but it is some christian group? from georgia calling texas. curious about it. dont know what is up

[supernova]

4. 'Ages and Stages Christian Academy?

Seems early am calls are their specialty.

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-404-437-6446

I remember you send your kids to xtain school? Boy, you might be on some real fun mailing lists. :P

[Warpy]

5. I'm glad they didn't pull that shit on me while my parents were alive and ill

because I'd have been sorely tempted to go Ted Kaczynski on their butts.

[supernova]

6. LOL

I can't imagine why a real business, a school, would want to piss people off by calling at odd hours. Anybody who wants my business will call me during business hours. Or send mail. I don't respond to early am or late night calls except from family and friends of course.

[seabeyond]

13. pulled them out nov 2004. about spring 2003 they started becoming really messed up

and fundie.

after 2004 election i pulled them.

it has been so long didnt think of that. but maybe that is why they have my number

[defendandprotect]

7. Thank you -- and why the hell is our Congress letting all this phone/mail crap go on????

[supernova]

8. It's a low priority

These low lifes don't bother enough people expensively enough, I guess. But they sure do get the low info folks and the lonely elderly.

[AllentownJake]

9. It's an Allentown number

and no I am not behind it :rofl:

[supernova]

10. I knew it was you!!

:rofl:

They're probably set up in some anonymous office park in one of those warehouse buildings with 10 doors all in a row.

edit: Is Birdsboro an Allentown suburb?

P.S. My mom was from tiny Smithton, PA.

[AllentownJake]

14. That is in Montgomery County

Woo Hoo Allentown off the hook!

[bvar22]

11. We're also on the No Call list,

and have suddenly been receiving calls again.
Does this list expire?

[supernova]

12. I'm not sure

I think originally, you were supposed to be good for a certain time (5 years?)

But I just reverified my DNC status and it didn't say anything about it expiring. I've been registered since 10/2003.

edit: If anyone can help verify that our registration doesn't expire, I'd be grateful.

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. People call even if you are on No Call list.

They hope not enough of us will bother to report it.
The bad guys come and go in cycles, depending on soon the authorities crack down on them.
In some states, you can actually take them to small claims court and get money.
there are people who do that as a sideline, the how-to info is on the web, google for it, under Telemarketer laws, small claims court.
I got 500.00 by writing to one outfit, ( there is a form letter available) threatening to take them to court.
They apologized and sent a check to hush me up. This was in 2004.
Since i have no phone access now, I get no calls.

[supernova]

17. Hell of a P/T job!

:wow:

Wow, I could so see myself doing that.

Thanks for the info dixiegirrrrl.

[dixiegrrrrl]

19. Seriously, do it. Research your state law, see if you can.

I can envision a lot of unemployed folks letting the scammers pay the bills.
and btw..same law applies to illegal faxes.

[Bitwit1234]

16. You also get calls from a company like that wanting to sell

you "extended warranty" for your vehicle. Both at different times have the same phone number. They go to persistant and would not stop calling I sent any email to the FCC and asked them why in the hell they had a Do Not Call List and it wasn't inforced. And that if they didn't stop this company from both scams I would sent my next email and follow it up with a letter to the white house. And I would ask the white house why we have this department if they dont' do the job they were created for. After about a week I have never got another call from them.

[Nikki Stone1]

18. Kick for the public service

Thank you.

[gratuitous]

20. Once you've reported them

Go ahead and stay on the line until you get a real person. I have no sympathy for these people. I'd dig ditches wearing sneakers in freezing weather before I'd lower myself to do this for money. Once you get one of these fuckwads on the phone, ask them for their company's name. Ask them for their name. Ask them for their supervisor's name. Stay calm, and proceed with a bunch of other nosy questions. If you run out of questions to ask, just go back to the top of the list. Don't betray one iota of personal information (well, I suppose they could guess whether you're male or female from your voice).

As long as they're on the line with you, getting annoyed, they won't be on the line with anyone else. If they start to get pissed off, ask them why they sound so defensive. If you get them to swear, inform them that you're telling Mom. Have fun, be young, drink Pepsi.

[SeattleVet]

21. Yep, get as much info as you can, then file a complaint with the FTC

at the www.donotcall.gov website. I always try to get (at an absolute minimum) their name, their alleged company name (no legitimate business ignores the DNC list!), and a 'callback number'. They are legally required to check their numbers against the federal Do Not Call every 30 days. If they do not, they can be subject to a $16,000 federal fine - PER CALL - in addition to whatever other state penalties you can help them get. A Do Not Call entry does not expire now - if you added your number to the list, it's permanent. Lots of good info at the FCC/FTC DoNotCall web site.

I try to keep them on the line and get all of the info, then I explain to them that I am filling out the complaint form as we speak, and I would appreciate if they would help by giving me the required information. I pressed one guy for info about his company (you're NOT 'name of company I do business with', are you?). He finally said "Are you stupid?" My response was "Am *I* stupid? You're calling me, trying to get money, won't give me any information, and I'm the stupid one? I'm not the one having the federal complaint filed against me. I hope that the potential $16,000 per call fine is enough to either make you think twice about doing this, or it puts you out of business. F^&% you." Never heard from *that* one again!

Some of them are truly shocked that what they are doing is illegal. I brought one young woman to tears explaining that whoever is making her place these calls is scamming scum, and she should seek another line of work before she got caught up in the legalities of it all. I don't blame the callers, usually - I blame it on the vendor that sells them the numbers without screening them, and their employer for also not screening them as they are legally bound to do. If they ignore the Do Not Call law, do you REALLY expect that they'll bother to ignore any other laws? 100% scammers - and they get NO information whatsoever from me.

[supernova]

22. I'll try that next time they call

They called last wednesday and 2x today and I've reported each instance so far.