Hive! I need your help! Potential telemarketing scam.... new twist.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Hive! I need your help! Potential telemarketing scam.... new twist.

Posted: 9/21/2005 4:53:54 PM EDT

Hive,

I just recieved a telemarketer call from (caller ID) AWARDS VERIFICATION, 817 area code. I answered the phone as it wasn't one of the usual suspects.

The lady told me that I won sizeable merchandise from a drawing I entered.

She told me to call a Mr. Mark Jones ( different return number)

Is this...

1. Legit?

2. Total Scam?

3. Time share/ real estate scam?

4. Expect call from Nigeria?

5. Aliens?

6. Answer to have my name on every email and call list in the known universe?

Thanks as I haven't heard this angle before.

Posted: 9/21/2005 4:56:20 PM EDT

[#1]

Ummmm, call em and ask.

Posted: 9/21/2005 4:59:47 PM EDT

[#2]

Dude. Did you enter any drawing? And why should you need to call someplace else, after they've called you?

Scam.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:00:48 PM EDT

[#3]

what's the return #

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:02:46 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Dude. Did you enter any drawing? And why should you need to call someplace else, after they've called you?

Scam.

My thoughts. However, I am hesitant to call, because if it is a scam (likely) they will give me the run around forever. I am not above being duped, and those who claim to be are usually the easiest targets.

Just wondering if someone was on top of this angle.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:03:08 PM EDT

[#5]

Run the return number thru Google and see what it turns up. There are numbers you can call that charge hundreds of dollars to your phone bill.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:03:29 PM EDT

[#6]

call the phone company first and see if it is a toll call and ask what state/entity it is from.

Call. They won't steal your birthday.

Fuck with them if necessary.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:04:14 PM EDT

[#7]

it's probably a carribean phone number to the tune of 10 bucks a minute

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:05:02 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
what's the return #

1-800-539-3615. I have a verification number and have to answer by the name I usually use to sign things (first initial, middle name, last name) I don't use this for normal, legal or financial purposes, just subscriptions, raffles, etc...

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:08:37 PM EDT

[#9]

Comes back as a Ft.Lauderdale number

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:09:11 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Comes back as a Ft.Lauderdale number

That's what I got. But nothing else...

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:11:25 PM EDT

[#11]

Do you have any outstanding warrants?

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:13:19 PM EDT

[#12]

Internet 800 directory comes up with nothing also for that number. Proceed with caution

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:22:20 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Do you have any outstanding warrants?

Not that I'm aware of, but I do get to pick up my free DVD player downtown tomorrow.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:30:29 PM EDT

[#14]

I called it...

Recording "Thank you far calling the Awards Verification center, we are currently closed...." I hung up after that.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:34:23 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
I called it...

Recording "Thank you far calling the Awards Verification center, we are currently closed...." I hung up after that.

Thanks for your bravery. One reason I didn't call back is because some 800 numbers are toll numbers (care to guess how I know that?

)

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:36:08 PM EDT

[#16]

I Call SCAM!

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:41:10 PM EDT

[#17]

for $.35 you can call from a payphone. do you remember payphones? they used to be on almost every corner.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:41:21 PM EDT

[#18]

Extensive googling, especially "Awards Verification Center" has produced much anecdotal evidence that this is a time share/ telemarketing racket.

Thanks for all of your help and I don't think I'll be calling them back. I am so very fortunate to be able to afford the vacations of MY choice! (even if I can't afford the gas to get there

)

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:42:06 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
for $.35 you can call from a payphone. do you remember payphones? they used to be on almost every corner.

That was my plan. Or to call from a least-favorite colleague's office.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Hive! I need your help! Potential telemarketing scam.... new twist.

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