Seriously thoughtful new phishing tactic

[kindlekitten]

(at least it's new to me) I got a call yesterday saying "we see that you recently purchased gas with a Visa card with the last 4 numbers of xxxx. you have been chosen to receive $120 worth of gas coupons. there will also be dining and other entertainment offers in your package. I will now transfer you to the verifier that will go over what you have won and how to continue to receiving these great offers!" I was then transferred to a fast talking very nasal woman (a-la Fran Drescher). she told me about this "great" deal and that I would continue to receive these coupons for the low low price of $29.95 a month, and to get my first set of coupons I simply needed to pay $2.95 for shipping and handling. I got off the phone as quickly as I could.

I find it EXTREMELY disturbing that some... marketing company/scam artist was able to glean information that I had used my card to purchase gas. looking back I am sure that there were times in my life that I would have fallen for this hook line and sinker.

have any of you experienced any clever phishing tactics lately?

[desertgrandma]

All our information is out there.

As for clever phishing scams? I am very rude to those who call my phone trying to sell anything, especially when they use my first name like they know me....and I can hear the boiler room conversations in the background.

Making a living is one thing..but don't intrude on my private home life.

I don't give them a chance to start.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

All our information is out there.

As for clever phishing scams? I am very rude to those who call my phone trying to sell anything, especially when they use my first name like they know me....and I can hear the boiler room conversations in the background.

Making a living is one thing..but don't intrude on my private home life.

I don't give them a chance to start.

are you not on the do not call list? it is really quite effective!

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

are you not on the do not call list? it is really quite effective!

No, actually its not!!! I joined that when it began.......my city also has a "do not solicit" list that supposedly, if you put your address on it, solicitors are not supposed to be able to call on you.

Stupid people apparently don't think it applies to them....after all, they are offering valuable services..they want to give me house protection, tv service, lawn service, and save my soul.

Like thats gonna happen.........

[FizzyWater]

...and the frickin' politicians....and fundraisers....and phone companies.

Oh, and the lazy collection agencies who call my phone number because it's the only one listed in a six-unit building, and they're trying to collect my neighbor's student loans...

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

...and the frickin' politicians....and fundraisers....and phone companies.

Oh, and the lazy collection agencies who call my phone number because it's the only one listed in a six-unit building, and they're trying to collect my neighbor's student loans...

Oh Lord, the politicians!!!

If I could just answer the phone once, and be greeted by a real live one, instead of a recording........................

I would be on THEIR "do not call" list!

[jes1]

I personally think joining the no call list should protect you from all the politicians, charities and commercial calls. Unfortunately, that is not what happened. Joining the list helped cut down, but it did not eliminate all of those calls. Everytime one annoying charity calls asking for donations, I tell them to remove me from their list, So far that has not helped. I thought they were supposed to remove you if you asked, but I guess that is not true. I don't even answer my phone anymore. I just let the answering machine screen my calls for me. I used to work night shift and developed a strong disgust for all breeds of telemarketers.

[MJK2111]

If you are on the Do-Not-Call list, and receive a solicitation via phone, make sure you inform the caller that you are on the list and want your information removed from their database. Make a note of who called, their number, and when they called. If they call again, go to the D-N-C list website and report them. If they are in violation of the law, they WILL be fined. If you've been on the list for more than 31 days, you can report anyone (there are exceptions - charities, politicians, etc.) that calls - I generally give them one chance...never two.

[jes1]

The charities and politicians are the problem. I don't believe they should be exempt from the list.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

All our information is out there.

As for clever phishing scams? I am very rude to those who call my phone trying to sell anything, especially when they use my first name like they know me....and I can hear the boiler room conversations in the background.

Making a living is one thing..but don't intrude on my private home life.

I don't give them a chance to start.

No need for rude, I just hang up.

[Sandra Edwards]

Originally Posted by jes1

The charities and politicians are the problem. I don't believe they should be exempt from the list.

I hear ya! If "Las Vegas" calls me one more time...I just might go postal. lol. I know they're political calls because I made the mistake of answering one of them and got a recorded "vote for me" pitch. Now "Las Vegas" calls me several times a day (according to my caller ID) and hangs up when I let it go to the answering machine.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by wodin

No need for rude, I just hang up.

I don't even pick up the phone if it's an unknown number. Unless I'm expecting a call. But I must say, since we don't appear in the phonebook anymore (not the paper one, not the internet one), we've not had one call. While at our previous address (and different number), we had them very often!

I'm still using my maiden name, and my husband his name, so when they called and asked for a Mr. {my name}, I simply told them he didn't live there, and when they asked for a Mrs. {his name}, the same. The rest I immediately told, not interrested and hung up.

[dsvick]

When we had a home phone we were on the DNC list and it worked fine. The only calls we would get would be from groups/companies that we had a previous association with, and when they called we would tel them to remove us from their solicitation list.

Now we just use our cell phones so it is not much of an issue except for the once a month or so call from "card holder services". The last time they called I pushed "1" to talk to a person and when they answered I screamed as loud as could into the phone

They'll call back next month I'm sure

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by dsvick

When we had a home phone we were on the DNC list and it worked fine. The only calls we would get would be from groups/companies that we had a previous association with, and when they called we would tel them to remove us from their solicitation list.

Now we just use our cell phones so it is not much of an issue except for the once a month or so call from "card holder services". The last time they called I pushed "1" to talk to a person and when they answered I screamed as loud as could into the phone

They'll call back next month I'm sure

LOL. I did that once, I'm not quite embarrassed to say.

I had someone calling several times a day and hanging up on my voice mail. Over and over and over. I finally picked up and screamed 'Stop Calling Me!"

They stopped calling me.

[lestatar]

Originally Posted by wodin

No need for rude, I just hang up.

Indeed! But folks, here is where modern tech is inferior to old school stuff. Remember actual telephones with handsets? So MUCH MORE SATISFYING to slam down a handset to hang up a call than pressing a wimpy End Call button...