It seems almost every day I get a suspicious call or email from someone alerting me that my credit is in jeopardy or my social security number has been compromised or my PayPal password needs changing.
If I wasn’t so wise to all this fraudulent activity I’d be a fool to it as they all seem so damn convincing.
So please please, please never give your social security number, your bank details or passwords to anyone over the phone – and always check the email address.
Most scammers have an unrecognizable email (you can find this out by actually hitting the respond to button. And you’ll more than likely see something like fjshehdjeheh4748>|£~>{£|!@edu.ga , even though it comes into your mail box and reads something like: Chase Bank, Paypal, American Express, etc. and in the body of the email it will look very legitimate.
And then there are the phone calls. The people calling will ask you to stay on the line or press one to speak to an agent (agent will likely have a foreign accent, which is a dead giveaway. They will know your name and address. Usually because they found it in your trash, or someone else did and sold the info. They will ask you to confirm your Social Security number – DO NOT do this!
The phone companies are getting wise to these fraudulent artists and have started alerting people with the caller ID stating “Scan Likely” I never bother to answer these calls, but today I got a call from 888 724 6512. It was an automated voice. “THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE – regarding your social security number. Please press 1 to speak to an agent.”
I thought I would play along so pressed 1.
“Hello, is this Mister Young?” An African-0accented man asked.
“Yes it is” I replied in a slightly Worried tone.
“Do you live at….” he went on.
“Why, yes I do.”
“Can you please confirm your social security number?”
I responded with a fake one.
“Thank you please hold the line while we verify that information…
I held.
“Well sir, have you been in Texas recently?”
I actually had.
“Yes” I replied.
“Well sir it appears there is a warrant out for your arrest. There was blood found in a car in Corpus Christi and some paperwork with your name on it was found”
“Wow, that’s crazy… I rented the car in Fort-Worth and returned it to the rental company.”
He continued reading his script. “Yes sir and a 22lb bag of cocaine was also found”
“Jesus Christ on a stick…’I left that behind? I wondered where that went” I said.
“Are you admitting that it’s yours sir?”
“Well not anymore. Did they find the body?”
“The body?”
“Whoops you said they found blood.”
“Sir, you are in a lot of trouble.”
“No shit! What happens now”
“You will be taken into da cells and stay for a very long time.”
(I’m assuming he’s gone off the script at this time.)
“Oh well, I’d better finish off this other kilo I’ve got here before the cops arrive then. Don’t worry I’ve invited my friend Sweeney Todd over to share in my delights. He’s a barber, hence the blood… oh and by the way what is your full name, address and social security?”
Beeeeeeeeep.
What a shame he hung up I was having so much fun.
But jokes aside. This is becoming a greater problem and they are thinking of craftier ways in which to get at us.
If in doubt use the internet to check up on internet and phone scams – there you will find reputable sources that will let you know that it’s a scam.
Also check in with older members of your family who might be less tech savvy, make them aware of these scams and let’s not let them get away with it and tip off the naive and vulnerable, because once they have got the info, they’ve got you and before you know it your bank account might be completely empty.
Stay vigilant breeps!
Love
Craig
