Credit Card Telemarketing Scam

[Dana]

Everyday at least 3 times each day we receive phone calls with an automated voice (female) saying that there is an urgent problem with our credit card. The phone number on the call display is always different (always a US area code, though) but the voice and the IVR message is always the same.

Call blocking doesn't work because they keep changing the phone number.

Finally today after the 4th call of the day I decided to listen to the entire message. At the end the message the options were:

#1 to speak with an operator or
#2 to be removed from the calling list.

I pressed #2 and was hung up on.

I just googled some of the phone numbers that these calls originate from and I found pages of complaints from people (mostly Canadians) who are having the same problem.

According to some of the websites I visited, it is believed that these telemarketers are scammers who are looking to get people's credit card numbers.

I am so frustrated. Who do I complain to? How do I make it stop?

I tried contacting "Phonebusters" but I couldn't get through and I don't think the 'Do Not Call' registry will be much help since the phone calls are from American numbers.

[Berubeland]

Since i have had a VOIP phone none of these people call me anymore.:)

[ghostryder]

I am so frustrated. Who do I complain to? How do I make it stop?

My wife took one of these calls. She strung them along for 45min-an hour before finally telling them that everything she said was a lie or phoney information. Never had another call.

I think we've been "blacklisted" from the scammer's phone list. Boo-hoo.

[Dana]

Since i have had a VOIP phone none of these people call me anymore.:)

We haven't had a landline for years. They are calling one of our cell phones. I assume they use an automated dialer.

[Dana]

My wife took one of these calls. She strung them along for 45min-an hour before finally telling them that everything she said was a lie or phoney information. Never had another call.

I think we've been "blacklisted" from the scammer's phone list. Boo-hoo.

What kind of information were they asking your wife? Is it a 'phishing' scam?

[ghostryder]

What kind of information were they asking your wife? Is it a 'phishing' scam?

Yeah, they were clearly phishing for information. Card #'s, balances, available credit etc.


My wife got a different kind of call today.

"We can help lower your credit card interest."

"ok"

"do you currently have a rate higher than 15%?"

"yes"

"what is your current balance?"

"who cares? I pay my bill in full every month"

"click"


Yep, they hung up on her.

[Oldroe]

I click #1 and asked why #2 didn't work click

[Dana]

Ironically, I haven't had one of these phone calls since I started this thread...I hope I didn't just jinx it!

[HaroldCrump]

Have you considered tools like the Telezapper?
http://www.telezapper.com/