rwbeagles-so scammers call me at home now...lol

Good move, Gina.  I bank at Wells Fargo and whenever they've had a reason to call "Wells Fargo" always pops up on the caller ID. If you bank with them, they already have all your numbers.  If you don't, why would they need it? I've gotten so I use my caller ID big time.  If it's a toll free number I just push answer and disconnect so I don't have to listen to it ring five times before the machine gets it.  Ditto if it says "unknown." Everyone who isn't trying to scam you is looking for charitable or political contributions.

Joyce

haha!! That is BOLD! lol but I wonder just how many people fall for it and give their numbers!

I guess I can't say too much though, I had people phoning my cell phone saying they were from my cell phone company, and asked for my information to make sure it was me, and I stupidly gave it to them, then they used my information and such to buy a $550 cell phone on my account lol.

 I think I would have done more than *click*. But if I posted what I would say, it would be all ***s.

You know I may be really overly suspicious BUT when I called WF they took everything down THEN tried to sell me their "ID THEFT PROTECTION PLAN"...hmm...another scam LOL. Maybe THEY called the first time haha!

You know, I'm starting to think one of those ID theft protection plans might not be such a bad idea.  Anyone know anything about that one they advertise a lot on TV ... Lifelock? That one is supposed to protect you from up to a million dollars in losses if anyone does manage to steal your identity and if you don't want to spring for a year at a time, you can pay about $10 a month. I think I'm going to look into that one.

Joyce

I had one a few weeks ago that promised to lower my interest rate on credit cards and of course they needed my credit card number in order to "see if I qualified" for this wonderful service.

 Being at heart a skeptic I told the young man that I would be delighted to have my interest rate lowered and gave him a fake credit card number. He placed me on hold for a few seconds and then came back and told me I was indeed qualified! Playing along with him I said "great, what now" and he informed me that in a few minutes we would call the credit card company in a three way call but first he must have my checking account number.

 At that point I told him he was an idiot and the number I supplied him with was fake and he hung up on me.

 What is wrong with people? How can they do that and not feel so guilty?

fuzzy_dogs_mom

You know, I'm starting to think one of those ID theft protection plans might not be such a bad idea.  Anyone know anything about that one they advertise a lot on TV ... Lifelock? That one is supposed to protect you from up to a million dollars in losses if anyone does manage to steal your identity and if you don't want to spring for a year at a time, you can pay about $10 a month. I think I'm going to look into that one.

Joyce

Joyce, I thought I heard a news report that that guy has had his identity stolen about 50 times since he started putting the ad on the air.  People did it just to see if they could.

I had a call a week or so ago from the American Heart Assoc. asking if I would agree to send letters to my neighbors soliciting donations and then returning what I collect to AHA.  I said no.  The telemarketer practically begged me to, saying, "please Ms. A, we couldn't find any of your neighbors who were willing to help us.  Won't you?"  I simply hung up, although I was thinking, "gee, I wonder why they won't do it, you idiot" and "how the heck do you know exactly who my neighbors are anyway?  I don't even know their names!". 

sharismom

I had a call a week or so ago from the American Heart Assoc. asking if I would agree to send letters to my neighbors soliciting donations and then returning what I collect to AHA.   

I've done this before for AHA, cancer and a few other charitable organizations.  What they do is send a kit with the info, envelopes and return envelopes.  I just walk up and down my street popping them into mailboxes or under the door mats, they put their donation into the envelope (if they're making one) and give it back to me.  When it looks like I've got all I'm going to get, I just put it all in their big return envelope and send it back to them. It doesn't really  take much time at all but for some reason, even though there's usually a couple of months to get the stuff back, I wait until the last possible minute to do anything.  Procrastination must be my middle name.

Joyce

I always wonder why, when *I* call a company, and have to input my CC or account # via the number pad and then finally get someone on the line, why the first thing they always ask is for your account number?  Didnt I just put it in?!?!?  But at least I initiate the call so I know who I called.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

I've done this before for AHA, cancer and a few other charitable organizations.  What they do is send a kit with the info, envelopes and return envelopes.  I just walk up and down my street popping them into mailboxes or under the door mats, they put their donation into the envelope (if they're making one) and give it back to me. 

I got suckered into this one time too. There was no way I was going to my neighbors to ask for anything (some are not nice), so I just wrote a check for a modest contribution and mailed it back. Then they called me ever couple of months to do it again until I told them I just couldn't. They may still be calling, but I don't answer any calls where I don't recognize the # anymore.

cakana

 There was no way I was going to my neighbors to ask for anything (some are not nice), so I just wrote a check for a modest contribution and mailed it back.

I actually do this the sneaky way. I get all my little envelopes ready then as soon as it's dark I dash around the neighborhood leaving them in mailboxes or on door mats. I've even been known to bribe DGS to do it for me. I don't really ask anybody for anything, but sometimes it surprises me how much I get back. This is a really cool neighborhood though - everyone knows everyone else and we all get together for pot lucks and ice cream socials in the summer.

Joyce