John of Lower Merion's profile and activity

(973) 671-6959 Political robo call recorded 7 November 2016 [Vote YES, Public Question 2, NJ gas tax (endorsement by Engineer's Labor Employer Cooperative)]
Caller ID: "Millburn NJ"

A political robo call (and therefore exempt from Do Not Call restrictions) endorsing a YES vote for Public Question 2, the New Jersey Gas Tax. Sponsored by the Engineer's Labor Employer Cooperative (973) 630-1010.

Here is a transcript of this political robo call:

[male voice] "I'm...I'm calling from Road to Repair. Vote YES on public Question 2. Don't let Trenton raise your tax dollars. Voting YES on 2 will put the gas tax in the lock box to fix roads and bridges. That's why groups who oppose the gas tax endorse Question 2. It's just common sense. Vote YES on 2. Tell Trenton hands off. Paid for by the Engineer's Labor Employer Cooperative. (973) 630-1010."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recorded call on my Spam Calls web page:

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(765) 133-4752 Robo call recorded 24 October 2016 (Susan, Credit Card Release, "We've been monitoring your files over the last six months..." Credit Card SCAM)
Caller ID: "Indiana"

"Susan" calling from "Credit Card Release" with a disturbing message "...we've been monitoring your files over the last six months..."

If she really has been monitoring my files, then she'd already know if I had an unpaid balance of ten thousand dollars or more and wouldn't have to ask.

The recording of this spam robo call is especially insulting to our intelligence, don't you agree?

Their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethics, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of this call:

[female voice] "Hello, this is Susan with Credit Card Release. We've been monitoring your files over the last six months. If you are still carrying a balance of ten thousand dollars or more you are qualified to receive up to fifty five percent reduction on your current account and you can pay back the remaining balance with a zero percent interest rate. For more information press [9] now. Press [9] to speak with a representative." [10 second pause] "Goodbye".

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(561) 717-0248 Robo call recorded 14 October 2016 ("This message is for anyone stuck with Federal student loan debt. If you have ten thousand dollars or more in Federal student loans and are having trouble making the payments..." HA!) SCAM

Caller ID: "Boca Raton FL"

Also calls from: (561) 717-0227 | (561) 717-0231 | (561) 229-0752 | (561) 229-0755 | (330) 475-8362 | (585) 376-9062
They seem to have the block of numbers: (561) 717-022x, 023x, 024x

Another misleading robo call announcing a new program for Federal student loan reduced monthly payments and possibly complete loan forgiveness. What surprised me about this recording was that not only did they change the key press options to respond to their offer (9 and 5 instead of previous 1 and 5) but they put the negative "opt out" response first ("...9 to decline this offer...or press 5 to find if you qualify...") Usually the positive response is announced first, and repeated several times.

Their "shotgun" approach to making mass phone calls, hoping to find a few people who owe student loans, and their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethic, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of the call:

[male voice] "Attention. This message is for anyone stuck with Federal student loan debt. If you have ten thousand dollars or more in Federal student loans and are having trouble making the payments, you are eligible for a new government forgiveness program. Press 9 now to decline the offer or press 5 to find out if you qualify to have your loan payments cut in half or in some cases, completely wiped clean. Press 5 now for your free eligibility check."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

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(878) 205-1021 Robo call recorded 11 October 2016 ("Alice Jacobs", automated voice recognition call soliciting donations for The Pro-Life Committee, SCAM)
Caller ID: Connellsvill[e] PA

I've actually waited over a year to record a call from this organization. They've called in the past and their screening consists of the question "Are you pro-life, pro-choice, or somewhere in between?" and I guessed wrong so they terminate the call. They're looking for pro-lifers to solicit a donation. Then "NoMoRobo" intercepted and blocked their calls, so it wasn't until today that they just happened to call while I had NoMoRobo disabled.

A few years ago you could "play" with these automated voice recognition spam callers but over the past couple of years they've "tightened up their programmed responses and you can't put them into "loops" anymore, and they're quick to terminate the call if their programming "thinks" you're not cooperating with the question voice. So for this call I played it straight and answered their questions, thinking I'd get a live person who would ask me for a credit card donation, but I was wrong. The guided automated voice queried me for my name and address to send me a pledge form that I could return with a donation. So it gave me great pleasure to provide a false name and address to waste their time and postage, and when the pledge form goes back to them with an invalid address, they'll waste more time calling me back when I give them an invalid credit card or two or three and make them wonder why it doesn't work.

Do I feel bad about doing this? No! Typically, professional fundraisers keep 85% or more of the donations as their fee, giving only 10% to 15% (or less) to the charity. That's just too inefficient, in my opinion. Not only do I not want to donate to an organization who relies on that level of inefficiency, I feel obligated to add to that inefficency by giving them a hard time and causing them to spend extra money on postage and waste time calling me back to see if I will donate by a credit card, which allows me to waste even more of their time by using fake information (courtesy of FakeNameGenerator.com

I didn't want their call in the first place, I signed up for the Government "Do Not Call" list. What? They're exempt? Perhaps they are, but I feel they have a moral obligation not to call those who have taken the trouble to sign up for Do Not Call. And think about this. Why would they intentionally call somebody who they know in advance doesn't welcome a call from them? What's wrong with these greedy SOBs? They deserve far worse than I dish out.

Thanks to Google Voice, here is a transcript of their automated, voice recognition screening and donation solicitation call:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[me:] Hello? (electronic beep heard) Hello?
[they:] Hello, this is Alice Jacobs, how are you today?

[me:] I am fine, Alice Jacobs.
[they:] I'm with the Pro-Life Committee and we're dedicated to saving unborn babies from abortion. Now are you pro life, pro choice, or somewhere in between?

[me:] Pro life.
[they:] It's an honor to speak with you, thank you. Um now we're trying to reach every pro life household with a very important message uh because in the United States alone over three thousand babies are dying every single day from abortion and that's more than a million deaths every year. There is good news, though. Now the Pro-Life Committee is working to save these babies. Um it's because of our educational and our political efforts many precious babies have been saved uh it's only with the prayers and the support of friends like you that our efforts are even possible, so we're asking, if we were to send you a letter in the mail, would you help us to continue the battle for life with a special one-time gift of $75 or $100? .

[me:] Yes.
[they:] What with your permission may I put you down for a gift of $100.

[me:] Yes.
[they:] Fantastic. Now are you 100% comfortable in sending that donation in, in the next two to three weeks?

[me:] Yes.
[they:] Great. So I just need to check your address so we can send that letter out to you. Um could you please tell me your mailing address?

[I provide fake name and address information courtesy of FakeNameGenerator.com]

[they:] ...ok, and your preferred title is "mister"?

[me:] Yes.
[they:] Fantastic. So please be looking for your letter in the mail within the next few days. Uh there is a telephone printed on the outside of the envelope. Please use the return envelope enclosed to send in your pledge to the Pro-Life Committee. And I just need to remind you that this call has been paid for by The National Campaign and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee um and we're on the web at the ProLifeCommittee.org Thank you so much for your support. God bless you. Good bye.

[me:] Good bye.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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(724) 769-0181 Robo call recorded 04 October 2016 (Julia with Honeywell Special Promotions dept., "Free" Alarm system and small sign) SCAM
Caller ID: "California PA"

The "...free alarm if you allow us to place a small sign in your yard..." folks haven't bothered me in many months, just long enough ago to make me appreciate "silence is golden". To my surprise, they have a totally new recorded message, complete with nice sounding elevator music.

Note that when she claims to call from "Honeywell Promotions" department it doesn't mean she's calling from Honeywell Corporation, only that her company has a current promotion of Honeywell products. Somewhat misleading how it's currently worded.

Do they mention that if you accept their offer, there will be some minimum time you have to keep their service and monthly fee? If you don't ask, you might be setting yourself up for a minimum one year, two years, or longer contractual obligation for the system. Get the details in writing before you agree to anything!

These people call whether you're on the Do Not Call list or not. Doesn't that suggest something about their business ethics? Don't bother to press [2] to be removed from their predictive dialer, they won't. Much better not to answer calls whose Caller ID you don't recognize.

[female voice] "Hello, this is Julia with the Honeywell Special Promotions department. Your home was selected to receive a free wireless security system that gives you smart phone access and alerts remotely. We just ask you to help us advertise by placing a sign in your front yard. This system is valued over $100 in equipment and installation cost and is free if you agree to pay a small monthly monitoring fee which covers your twentyfour seven for police, fire, carbon monoxide and medical emergencies. If you have an existing system you will qualify for free upgrade and potential rate reduction. Press [one] if you are interested in hearing options. Press [two] to be taken off the list. Thank you."

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(970) 235-5557 Robo call recorded 04 October 2016 ("Bridget at Cardholder Services...reduce your rate...consider this your final notice..." Credit Card SCAM)
Caller ID: "Estes Park CO"

Also called recently from: (727) 683-6120 ("Heather") | (732) 893-1128

"Bridget" calling me despite recently assuring me, "...consider this your final notice..."

I find it quite interesting that yesterday, Heather offered to lower my rate to "...as low as 6.9%..." and now Bridget offers to lower it to only 1%. Isn't that great consistency? Well, this recording of Bridget is from two years ago and they don't bother to keep their offers consistent, figuring that those they call aren't intelligent enough to notice these details. Hows that for insulting our intelligence and adding insult to injury?

The recording of this "lower your rate" call is exactly the same as calls from two years ago and earlier, but from a new number to avoid call blocking. The recorded message is their usual patter (see below) and I love "Brigit's" accent when she says "thank you" (it comes out closer to 'think you').

Their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethics, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of their latest offering:

[female voice] "Hello, this is Bridget with Cardholder Services calling in reference to your current credit card account. There are no problems currently with your account, it is urgent that you contact us concerning your eligibility for lowering your interest rate to as little as 1%. Your eligibility expires shortly so please consider this your final notice. Please press the number 1 on your phone now to speak with a live operator and lower your interest rate or press the number 3 to discontinue further notices. Thank you. Have a great day." [7 second pause, "Goodbye"].

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

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(727) 683-6120 Robo call recorded 21 September 2016 (Heather, Account Services, "lower your rate, final notice..." yeah, heard that before!)
Caller ID: "Clearwater FL"

This is the first "Heather" call I've decided to document in over one year. The recording of this "lower your rate" call is exactly the same past calls including the improper use of a singular verb with a plural noun ("...there is no problems...). The recorded message is their usual patter (see below) and I love "Heather's" accent when she says "thank you" (it comes out closer to 'think yew').

Isn't it great how Heather still tells us "...consider this your final notice..."? (if I had a nickel for each time she...)

As I've noted before, their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethics, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of their latest offering:

[female voice] "This is Heather at Account Services and we're calling in reference to your current credit card accounts. There's no problems currently with your accounts. It is urgent however that you contact us concerning your eligibility for lowering your interest rates to as little as 6.9%. Your eligibility expires shortly, so please consider this your final notice. Please press 1 now on your phone to speak with a live operator and lower your interest rates or press 2 to discontinue further notices. Thank you and have a great day."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

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(414) 219-0007 Live call recorded 23 October 2014 ("Card Member Services, you qualify for a lower credit card balance interest rate..." SCAM)
Caller ID: "V102311502100031" (derived from date and time so no two recipients get the same Caller ID)

A feeble attempt to get name, Social Security number and credit card details under the guise of lowering my credit card balance interest rate.

Of course they ignore the Federal Do Not Call list, which certainly tells us something about their business ethics, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of this "lower your credit card balance interest rate" offer (all fake name, address, Social Security and credit card numbers and information thanks to FakeNameGenerator.com):

[me:] Hello?
[they:] Hell-oh?

[me:] Hello?
[they:] Hi, good afternoon, this is Karian Brown calling from Cardmember Services [unintelligible] on behalf of Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express. You are receiving this call today because you are pre-qualified through the credit bureau Experian to have your interest rates reduced. Are you currently carrying an outstanding balance of three thousand dollars or more and paying an interest rate of ten percent or higher?

[me:] Did you say three thousand or more?
[they:] Yes.

[me:] Uh, yes, I do have a balance more than that.
[they:] And...what is the interest rate you're paying?

[me:] Oow Lord, I believe it's eighteen per cent.
[they:] Eighteen per cent....and what is the balance?

[me:] Uh, I don't know it exactly, but it's in the neighborhood of $8,500
[they:] Have you received your billing statement for this month or next or last month?

[me:] Uh, no, the billing statement for this month has not been out it, it won't be for another week or more.
[they:] Ok. And the last one you look at, this is the balance you saw on it, correct?

[me:] Yes, uh, it was right around eight thousand, five hundred.
[they:] Oh, ok then. So, what's the minimum payment?

[me:] Um, the minimum payment was $149.
[they:] Ok, so maybe it's around eight thousand three hundred or something like that. alright?

[me:] Yes.
[they:] Ok, now, um, based on the information you just gave me, this account is qualified for the interest rate reduction. Would you like to get it reduced today?

[me:] Uh, can you tell me how much it would be reduced?
[they:] Well, the accounting manager will be more than happy to let you know. What I do I just verify the account information with you and get you qualified for the rate reduction. Once we're through I'll get him on the line with you so you can speak with him. Our rate that we offer would be anywhere along the line between zero and six per cent and that will be a lifetime guarantee of your account.

[me:] That would be tremendous if you could reduce me from eighteen per cent to six percent or less. This must be my lucky day.
[they:] Ok, now, um, can you confirm your first and last name with me please?

[I provide false name, address information, starting at minute 3:17 through minute 6:15]

[they:] Ok. Now Mr. Baker, you told me that you didn't have the statement or you said you received it. The one for last month.

[me:] Yeah, uh, the one for last month, I don't have it in front of me but it's, it's here somewhere.
[they:] Ok. alright. Um and this account, it's a Visa, Master Card or Discover?

[me:] It's a Visa.
[they:] A Visa. And who is your lender?

[me:] It's the, uh, bank in Wilmington, Delaware. Uh, I'm drawing a blank here.
[they:] What? What's the name of it?

[me:] It's, I think it's called First Bank. Oh, I'm sorry, it's Chase. It's a Chase Visa of course. It's Chase Visa.
[they:] Ok. Just a moment here, ok?

[me:] alright.
[they:] I see [unintelligible] New Jersey...ok...alright, ok, so...let us move on here. What's the expiration date on this account on the card Mr. Baker?

[Again, I provide false information]

[they:] alright, and could you go ahead and, you have the card with you?

[me:] Uh, yes.
[they:] Can you just verify the numbers beginning with four please?

[me:] Yes. What do you have in front of you?
[they:] I'm not allowed to say that.

[me:] Oh, uh, well it's...[again I provide false information]
[they:] Ok, let me go ahead and repeat that to make sure it's correct, ok?

[me:] I thought you couldn't say that.
[they:] You told me so I'm going to repeat it.

[me:] alright, I'm ready. [she repeats the fake number I just gave her]

[they:] Ok...alright...Just give me one second here. Let me just validate something here...[unintelligible]...ok. What's your date of birth Mr. Baker?

[Again, I provide false information]

[they:] Thank you so much. alright now just for security purposes, could you just confirm the last four digits of your social please.

[me:] Uh, do, do you need my Social Security number?
[they:] It's on record, yeah, I just need you to confirm it please.

[Again, I provide false information]

[they:] Ok. alright, I'm going to pull up the card and get the most accurate information on this card as of four AM this morning, ok?

[me:] alright.
[they:] That will be the balance, the last statement, the amount, the date, the next payment, the amount, and the date, ok?

[me:] alright.
[they:] So just bear with me one moment, ok? And you said this is the only card you have, correct?

[me:] Correct.
[they:] Ok. [background noise disappears, as if on hold, my chair squeaks,silence through to minute 14:11] Hello Mr. Baker?

[me:] Yes.
[they:] Thank you for holding. Do you still have the card with you?

[me:] Uh, yes.
[they:] Can you look at the back of it and let me know what is the customer service 800 or 888 number on the back?

[me:] Uh, let's see here...uh...I can't read it, I don't have my glasses. It's faded and it's small. 800...four...oh, I can't see if it's a six or an eight...or a zero. Just a second here...oh, where are my...it's too small and too faded for me to see without my glasses, and...where are my glasses...I don't...oh darn, I left my glasses upstairs, uh, I don't have a magnifying glass. I would have to get my glasses in order to read this, I'm sorry...
[they:] And your...your glasses is nowhere near you?

[me:] No, I was reading in bed and I had to get up to let the dog in, the dog was barking and I just left them upstairs...and I can't see fine print without them and my Credit card is faded on the back, so...
[they:] Ok, but you said it's a Chase Visa, right?

[me:] Right.
[they:] Ok, and are you sure it's a Chase card?

[me:] Yes.
[they:] Ok...because my record here is saying it's not a Chase card.

[me:] Well can't you just look up the number?
[they:] For Chase?

[me:] Yeah, that matches my card, my number.
[they:] I, I have um the Chase number and Chase is not recognizing this Visa card.

[me:] Well uh, I could get my statement, uh, I'm not sure where it is...or I could go upstairs and get my glasses.
[they:] But the...ok, you want to do that for me, please.

[me:] Uh, yes, can you hold?
[they:] Yeah, sure, no problem.

[me:] alright, I've gotta get my cane and hobble up the steps and go all the way back to the bedroom and get those glasses. I'm sorry to be such a pest...
[they:] No no no, that's alright, don't worry...

[me:] Ok, hold on, let me go get it...
[they:] Ok.

[I put the phone down at minute 17:27 into the call and I actually go outside to empty the trash. She remained on the line until minute 25:50, an additional eight minutes!]

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear the recording on my Spam Calls web page:

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(561) 717-0231 Robo call recorded 19 September 2016 ("This message is for anyone stuck with Federal student loan debt. If you have ten thousand dollars or more in Federal student loans and are having trouble making the payments..." HA!) SCAM

Caller ID: "Boca Raton FL"

Also calls from: (561) 717-0227 | (561) 229-0752 | (561) 229-0755 | (330) 475-8362 | (585) 376-9062

Another misleading robo call announcing a new program for Federal student loan reduced monthly payments and possibly complete loan forgiveness. What surprised me about this recording was that not only did they change the key press options to respond to their offer (9 and 5 instead of previous 1 and 5) but they put the negative "opt out" response first ("...9 to decline this offer...or press 5 to find if you qualify...") Usually the positive response is announced first, and repeated several times.

Their "shotgun" approach to making mass phone calls, hoping to find a few people who owe student loans, and their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethic, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of the call:

[male voice] "Attention. This message is for anyone stuck with Federal student loan debt. If you have ten thousand dollars or more in Federal student loans and are having trouble making the payments, you are eligible for a new government forgiveness program. Press 9 now to decline the offer or press 5 to find out if you qualify to have your loan payments cut in half or in some cases, completely wiped clean. Press 5 now for your free eligibility check."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

http://donotanswer.netne.net

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(317) 364-8086 Robo call recorded 15 September 2016 ("IRS official final notice...IRS is filing law suit against you...") SCAM
Caller ID: "Wireless caller"

I was surprised when I answered the phone and heard this early version recording of the IRS law suit scam because it has all the old errors that I thought they corrected some time ago. They even say the name of the IRS wrong!

The call almost sounds professional (except for a subtle grammatical error that somebody with a 6th grade education would probably notice. I don't want to specifically mention the error and rough spots in case these scammers are savvy enough to do Internet research on their own spoofed phone numbers, why give them the benefit of my critique to help them make their patter sound more professional than the horse manure it is?) but we all know these IRS impersonators are foreign scammers calling because of peculiarities in their wording that sounds more like a non native English speaking person.

Anybody with half a brain cell working would probably know immediately that the call is not from the IRS, but then again, there are a lot of gullible people out there answering their telephones, so I guess scammers like these are able to stay in business.

Thanks to Google Voice, following is a transcript of this scam call:

[automated female voice] "Hello. We have been trying to reach you. This call is officially a final notice from IRS, Internal Revenue Services. The reason of this call is to inform you that IRS is filing lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case file, please call immediately on our department number (317) 364-8086. I repeat, (317) 364-8086. Thank you."

Thanks to Google Voice ( Google.com/voice ) you can hear the recording on my Spam Calls web page:

DoNotCall.netne.net

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Robo call recorded 14 September 2016 ("National Student Loan Relief Center" your account has been flagged for a loan forgiveness program...HA!) SCAM

Caller ID: "Clearwater FL"

Also calls from: (330) 475-8362 | (585) 376-9062 | (561) 229-0752 | (561) 229-0755 | (561) 717-0227

This misleading robo recording is designed to sound as though you have a Federal Student Loan and your account was selected for loan forgiveness with up to 60% off monthly loan payments. That would be great if you have a Federal Student Loan and if the offer were genuine.

They've renamed themselves since their last call (now National "Relief Center" instead of National "Help Center") and I notice that the audio quality of this new recording is much higher than most other scam robo calls.

Their "shotgun" approach to making mass phone calls, hoping to find a few people who owe student loans, and their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethic, doesn't it?

There are two places with odd wording. First they say "...eligible to receive more than 60% off of your monthly Federal Student Loan payment and your eligibility into this program expires." Expires when? Shouldn't they say it "...expires soon"? Why the sudden drop? Are they actually foreigners? Odd wording nonetheless.

Next they say "...press 9 to forfeit this information and be removed." Don't they really mean "forfeit this offer"? Again, odd wording. They must be foreigners.

Here is a transcript of the recorded call:

[female voice] "Hi, this is the National Student Loan Relief Center. Your account has been flagged for a loan forgiveness program. You are eligible to receive more than 60% off of your monthly Federal student loan payment and your eligibility into this program expires. Press 1 to be connected with a live agent and enroll today or press 9 to forfeit this information and be removed."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

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(470) 200-0082 Robo call recorded 12 September 2016 ("Kevin Mason" calling "regarding an enforcement action executed by the US Treasury intending your serious attention...") SCAM (readers, try not to laugh, a mistake of theirs gets even better)
Caller ID: "Belleville NJ"

A call threatening Federal criminal legal action from US Treasury impersonators riddled with awkward English and demonstrating lack of knowledge of legal suits and court proceedings.

It is easy to see that these recordings are foreign scammers calling because of peculiarities in their wording (they pronounce the letter "v" more like the letter "w", peculiar to India and Russia) that sounds more like a non native English speaking person.

Anybody with half a brain cell working would probably know immediately that the call is not from the US Treasury, but then again, there are a lot of gullible people out there answering their telephones, so I guess scammers like these are able to stay in business.

Calls himself "Kevin Mason", a good Anglo name. How clever he is, just listen to his brilliant opening sentence: "This message is intended to contact you." Duh...

FLASH! I detected a gross error on his part. Previous calls always provide a call back number that is the same number as the robo call that called you, but this call, from a number ending in 8252, asks you to return the call to a number ending with 8225. I think they are going to be plenty surprised when they discover that they are not receiving any call backs from this round of threatening calls! Dummies!

Oh, and how about their brilliant opening sentence: "This message is intended to contact you." Duh...

"[male with slight British English accent voice] "Hi, this message is intended to contact you. My name is Kevin Mason and I'm calling regarding an enforcement action executed by the US Treasury intending your serious attention. Ignoring this will be an intentional attempt to avoid initial appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for a Federal criminal offense. My number is (973) 528-8225. I repeat (973) 528-8225. I'd wike you to cooperate with us and help us to help you. Thank you."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear the recording on my Spam Calls web page:

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(202) 864‑0121 Robo call recorded 8 September 2016 (unknown telemarketer pushing a "Social Media VIP web site...") SCAM
Caller ID: "Washington DC"

This is an unknown and totally new robo call to me, offering "...to get more Instagram followers..." if you visit their web page.

My firewall is up and Windows Defender up to date, but I'm not about to visit their unknown web site and its potential dangers.

Their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethics, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of this unwanted intrusion by phone:

[female voice] "Hi, we are giving you a call today to let you know that if you would like to get more Instagram followers, then visit www.SocialMediaVIP.net and try it for free today. Once again, the website is www.SocialMediaVIP.net Thank you. Have a great day."
[disconnect]

NOTE: I purposely masked the URL to prevent accidental clicks to it since I don't know what the page represents. I have since visited that page and it is safe to visit, so the link, above, will work now.

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

http://donotanswer.netne.net

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(205) 440-4477 Part II Car warranty screening recorded 21 April 2016 (Agents Mike & Paul probing me for information and screening)
Caller ID: "Birmingham AL"

To see Part 1, please go to: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-615-810-0191/2#p1091113630891529865

Background.

I received a computer voice recognition screening call to pre-qualify me for renewing a bogus automobile warranty. After giving all the "right answers" (link above) I received the following call to further qualify me, and to close the sale.

This call was from "Mike" calling to explain some general information to me to see if I was interested in speaking with the next agent, cheerful "Lisa". She questioned me and took me at my word that I properly keep the car in proper running order and change the oil regularly.

I was handed over to "Paul" who informed me "good news", they accepted my car as eligible for their warranty extension. All on my word that the car is in great shape! However, I put him on HOLD as he was clicking into the call.

Earlier, when they put me through to their specialest to explain the policy, I quickly put the call on HOLD. The agent was surprised to hear HOLD music and she uttered "what the heck?"

It was also very annoying to have both guys constantly repeating "Ok?" after almost every sentence.

Thanks to Google Voice, here is a transcript of their initial call that matches the above recording.

me: "Hello?"
they: "Hello Scott? This is Mike. I was just calling you back. Did you get a chance to talk to the - we had a high call volume at the time when I transfered you to our specialist. I don't not sure if you had a chance to talk to him. Are you still interested in hearing your options?"

me: "Uh yes, I I got transferred and someone came on, there was hold music and someone came on and said "Hello?", and I don't think they could hear me."
they: "Okay. Let me try uh bringing them on the line with you one more time sir. Hold on a second. I'll be right with you." [pop]

me: "Alright." [pop]
they: "Thank you for holding. My name is Paul. I'm the representative in charge of the extended coverage on your vehicle..."

me: "Uh, hello Paul."
they: "...and I'm sure you'd like to know exactly what's covered as well as the cost to get your vehicle back under warranty. Am I right?"

me: "Yes."
they: "And I'll be happy to help with that today, and I see here you've got about 90,000 miles on the vehicle as of today, is that right?"

me: "Uh, yeah, the car's in the driveway if you'd like me to go out and take a look I can tell you exactly."
they: "Yeah actually that would be even better yeah, take your time, sir, not a problem."

me: "Alright. Just hold on it's probably going to take me about 3 minutes to get out there and get back just a second."
they: "Okay. Yeah, I figured." [my HOLD music]

me: "Uh, hello?"
they: "Yes, sir."

me: "I was a little shy. It's actually 97,253. I think it was."
they: "97,253 okay."

me: "Yeah."
they: "And, I, here, I have it's a 05 Chrysler was not made it model of the vehicle sir?"

me: "Imperial."
they: "Okay? Yeah, I mean, uh, just give me one moment here. Is that the style by chance, because I have that, one second, okay, just give me one moment, hmm, trying to find that model in our system here. I have for the 05s I have a Chrysler Crossfire, Pacifica, PT Cruiser, Sebring, Chrysler 300. Let's see."

me: "Oh. It's the Sebring. I'm sorry."
they: "Okay. Perfect. Yep, that makes sense and make sure we're getting the most accurate information, sir. Are you still in uh Pennsylvania?"

me: "Uh, yes."
they: "Also are you planning on keeping the vehicle a while?"

me: "Yes."
they: "Alright great in that case. I will go over everything with you in detail. What what I need to do since your original warranty on your vehicle has expired already and also because you currently have more than 60,000 miles on the vehicle as of today. I do need to get permission from my authorization department upstairs to see if your vehicle so qualifies for warranty. Now they're going to get on the line with us and ask you a few qualifying questions about the running condition of your vehicle, and if everything checks out okay with them upstairs, sir, I'm going to get back on the line with you, go over the details, tell you the cost as well as what it'll cover so thank you for your patience, and I really hope we can still help you out. One moment."

me: "Alright." [my HOLD music]
they: "Hello? Yeah. This is Lisa. How are you? Hello, Scott?"

me: "Yes?"
they: "Hi. My name is Lisa. I was just listening to your background music."

me: "Uh, background music?"
they: "Yeah."

me: "Oh, were you on when I ran out to get the mileage?"
they: "Yeah, they received background..."

me: "I put the other gentleman on hold while I ran out to get the mileage. Good thing I did because I was about 7000 miles shy of what I told the first person."
they: "Okay? Well what is the exact mileage?"

me: "Uh, ninety seven thousand, two hundred fifty three."
they: "Okay. Now I will ask you a few qualifying questions on the running condition. Everything checks out your agent can go over details, meaning, what the cost is, and what is covered, okay?"

me: "Okay."
they: "Now, it looks like you're driving a 2005 Chrysler. Is that correct?"

me: "Chrysler Sebring, yes."
they: "Okay, and when you're driving the vehicle the check engine light? Does it ever come on and stay on?"

me: "Uh, it's it's come on one time. It was the uh gas cap was loose, but no, it never comes on and stays on."
they: "Okay, and are you aware of any current electrical or computer problem?"

me: "No."
they: "Have you noticed any fluids leaking?"

me: "Uh no we have a clean driveway. I would definitely see if we had stains."
they: "And have you modified the way it looks or performs?"

me: "No."
they: "And are you keeping up with oil changes and maintenance on a regular basis?"

me: "Yes."
they: "Okay. Now, because you've indicated your vehicle is in good running condition, I will approve it for the highest level of protection available. Your agent will go over what that will cost and cover. Now the only thing that we do ask of you today because your your warranty expired you will need to let your agent know at the end of the call if you're going to either accept or decline the coverage and there are no call backs allowed at a later time. It's nothing personal or against you, it simply eliminates the possibility of someone declining today and calling back later to purchase when the vehicle has a problem. Does that make sense?"

me: "Yes."
they: "Okay, great. Thank you for your patience, please hold for your authorized agent."

[my HOLD music]

they: "Great news sir, it does look like everything did check out ok with them upstairs, hello, sir sir? Are you still there? Hello hello? Sir are you still there? Hello? He has his HOLD music playing...that's true."

[They called two more times but gave up because I put them immediately for HOLD for 10 minutes. Crazy, greedy SOBs!]

Please visit my Scam Call web page, visible at: http://donotanswer.netne.net

(615) 810-0191 Part I Automated screening (voice recognition then live call) recorded 21 April 2016 ("One last courtesy call, your automobile warranty has expired, renew today..." SCAM)

Caller ID: "Nashville TN"

Cheerful automated voice recognition "Kate Patisec" calling with "one last courtesy call" to inform me that my automobile warranty has expired, or is about to expire, and to offer me a new warranty. To qualify, I only needed to have a car built between 2004 and 2014, have less than 200 thousand miles, assure them the car is currently in good operating condition, and have a burning desire to spend money.

Then I was put on with Sam Duncan, who screened me for general qualification.

I could tell immediately by a number of tip offs, that this call was by phony scammers. First, they never even mentioned the name of their company. Also, they don't respect the Do Not Call list. Then they don't require any proof that your vehicle is in good operating condition, they take your word for it that mechanically your automobile is in good condition. Disallowing a claim would be easy for them. And did they explain the detailed records you must keep to be eligible to make warranty claims? Nooooo!

When they put me through to their specialist to explain the policy, I quickly put the call on HOLD. The agent was surprised to hear HOLD music and you hear her utter "what the heck?"

It was also very annoying to have both guys constantly repeating "Ok?" after almost every sentence.

Thanks to Google Voice, here is a transcript of their initial call that matches the above recording.

me: "Hello?"
they: "Hi. This is Kate Patterset. How are you doing today?"

me: "Just good, Kate...Patterson."
they: "This is one last courtesy call to inform you that the warranty on your vehicle has expired or is about to expire, but you still have an opportunity to keep the vehicle under coverage. I just need to ask you a few questions to see if it still qualifies, okay?"

me: "Okay."
they: "So is everything running okay on your car?"

me: "Yes."
they: "Is there less than 200,000 miles on the car?"

me: "Yes."
they: "Is your car a 2004 to 2014 model?"

me: "Yes."
they: "It looks like we're going to be able to help you out today. One of our specialist is on the line, and they will go over the program options with you, okay?"

me: "Yes."
they: "Hold on. [pop] Thank you." [pop]
they: "Hi, my name is Sam Duncan. How may help you today?"

me: "Uh,good afternoon, Sam Duncan."
they: "Yes, sir."

me: "How are you?"
they: "Pretty good...yeah, can I help you?"

me: "Uh, I don't know, I just got the uh screening call, and they said they were putting on a specialist for warranties."
they: "Okay um, was there a particular vehicle that you would wanted to get coverage for today, or at least hear your options on?"

me: "Uh, yes, a 2005 Chrysler Imperial."
they: "Okay, do you know about how many miles is on the vehicle?"

me: "Oh, uh, I can't tell you exactly, but it's in the neighborhood of about 85 to 90,000 miles."
they: "Okay great. Alright, I just need your ZIP Code, sir."

me: "One nine one three five."
they: "Okay, and your first name? "

me: "Scott."
they: "Okay, and your last name?"

me: "Boyce. Bee oh why ce e."
they: "Okay alright, sir when we have a number of different policies available. I'm going to bring the policy specialist on the line, they'll explain the different policies, tell you exactly what they cover on your vehicle and answer any questions that you have. Please hold sir, they'll be right with you." [pop]

they: "Hello?" [I put my end on HOLD, music plays] [she laughs] "What the heck? Hello?"

[my HOLD music plays...]

automated voice: "You have been kicked from this conference." [disconnect]

Spoiler #1: the next month he had to call me back because he discovered that the **fake** credit card I gave him was refused.

Spoiler #2: on a subsequent call he actually asked me if the credit card I gave him was authorized for overseas use. Of course this tells me that he is overseas and most definitely a scammer.

Listen to a voice recording of this call on my Spam Calls web page at: http://DoNotAnswer.netne.net

TO B E C O N T I N U E D

next installment can be seen documented at phone number (205) 440-4477 Part II Car warranty screening recorded 21 April 2016 (Agents Mike & Paul probing me for information and screening) Caller ID: "Birmingham AL"

(814) 753-4736 Robo call recorded 16 May 2016 ("Scar cream available from undisclosed prescription medicine provider..." bogus topical scar cream offer) SCAM

Caller ID: "State College PA"

A robo call message so filled with inaccuracy that it should tip off the receiver of the call that it is as bogus as a three dollar bill.

Honestly, have you ever heard of "...revolutionary new scar healing creams..." that are no longer classified as cosmetic and health insurance providers can make them available to insurees at no cost? Doesn't that sound a little ridiculous?

And how does this caller know "...health insurance companies now cover 100% of the cost..." of these bogus creams? Surely the mention of "revolutionary scar healing creams" is a tip off that they're making exaggerated claims.

Seriously, isn't this entire recorded message insulting to your intelligence?

Thanks to Google Voice, here is a transcript of their illegal and insulting robo call.:

[female voice:] "Attention. This is a very important message for all Americans that have unsightly scars from injury, surgical procedures, C-sections or stretch marks from weight loss or gain. Due to recent rule changes in health insurance coverage for both men and women, scar treatment cream is no longer categorized as a cosmetic medicine. So health insurance companies now cover 100% of the cost of the newest scar healing prescription cream. These revolutionary scar healing creams are now available at no charge to every American...[abrupt cut off]"

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear the recording on my Spam Calls web page:

http://donotanswer.netne.net

Signup for your own free Google Voice account at www.google.com/voice and avoid telephone call spam

(561) 717-0227 Robo call recorded 25 August 2016 ("This message is for anyone stuck with Federal student loan debt. If you have ten thousand dollars or more in Federal student loans and are having trouble making the payments...HA!) SCAM

Caller ID: "Boca Raton FL"

Also calls from: (330) 475-8362 | (585) 376-9062 | (561) 229-0752 | (561) 229-0755

Another misleading robo call announcing a new program for Federal student loan reduced monthly payments and possibly complete loan forgiveness. What surprised me about this recording was that not only did they change the key press options to respond to their offer (9 and 5 instead of previous 1 and 5) but they put the negative "opt out" response first ("...press 9 to decline this offer...or press 5 to find if you qualify..." Usually the positive response is announced first, and repeated several times.

Their "shotgun" approach to making mass phone calls, hoping to find a few people who owe student loans, and their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethic, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of the call:

[male voice] "Attention. This message is for anyone stuck with Federal student loan debt. If you have ten thousand dollars or more in Federal student loans and are having trouble making the payments, you are eligible for a new government forgiveness program. Press 9 now to decline the offer or press 5 to find out if you qualify to have your loan payments cut in half or in some cases, completely wiped clean. Press 5 now for your free eligibility check."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

http://donotanswer.netne.net

Signup for your own free Google Voice account at www.google.com/voice and avoid telephone call spam

Robo call recorded 19 July 2016 ("New government programs have recently been made available for anyone stuck with Federal Student Loan debt...") SCAM

Caller ID: "Boca Raton FL"

Also calls from: (585) 376-9062 | (786) 655-5394 | (716) 263-9060 | (561) 229-0752 | (561) 229-0755

This misleading robo recording is designed to sound as though the receiver of the call ia hearing a special message that "...is being sent out to only a select group of people that are prequalified for..." new Government Federal Student Loan forgiveness programs.

Their "shotgun" approach to making mass phone calls, hoping to find a few people who owe student loans, is insulting to our intelligence, and their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethic, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of the call:

[male voice] "Attention. This message is to let you know that new government programs have recently been made available for anyone stuck with Federal Student Loan debt. This message is being sent out to only a select group of people that are prequalified for these new government programs. Our records indicate that you have more than ten thousand dollars in Federal Student Loan debt and have recently spoken to a loan specialest regarding your difficulty in making these payments. Press [1] now to see if you qualify for the newly passed Federal Government forgiveness programs. Imagine life with no student loan payments. Press [1] now and in 60 seconds you can find out if you're one of the lucky few who qualifies for these limited time offered programs. Press [1] now for your free eligibility check or press [9] to forfeit on this offer and be placed on our do not call list."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

http://donotanswer.netne.net

Signup for your own free Google Voice account at www.google.com/voice and avoid telephone call spam

Robo call recorded 13 July 2016 ("New government programs have recently been made available for anyone stuck with Federal Student Loan debt...") SCAM

Caller ID: "Tonawanda NY"

Also calls from: (585) 376-9062 | (786) 655-5394 | (561) 609-1808 | (561) 229-0752 | (561) 229-0755

This misleading robo recording is designed to sound as though the receiver of the call ia hearing a special message that "...is being sent out to only a select group of people that are prequalified for..." new Government Federal Student Loan forgiveness programs.

Their "shotgun" approach to making mass phone calls, hoping to find a few people who owe student loans, is insulting to our intelligence, and their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethic, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of the call:

[male voice] "Attention. This message is to let you know that new government programs have recently been made available for anyone stuck with Federal Student Loan debt. This message is being sent out to only a select group of people that are prequalified for these new government programs. Our records indicate that you have more than ten thousand dollars in Federal Student Loan debt and have recently spoken to a loan specialest regarding your difficulty in making these payments. Press [1] now to see if you qualify for the newly passed Federal Government forgiveness programs. Imagine life with no student loan payments. Press [1] now and in 60 seconds you can find out if you're one of the lucky few who qualifies for these limited time offered programs. Press [1] now for your free eligibility check or press [9] to forfeit on this offer and be placed on our do not call list."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

http://donotanswer.netne.net

Signup for your own free Google Voice account at www.google.com/voice and avoid telephone call spam

Robo call recorded 22 August 2016 ("Student Loan Help Center" your account has been flagged for a loan forgiveness program...HA!) SCAM

Caller ID: "Akron OH"

Also calls from: (585) 376-9062 | (561) 229-0752 | (561) 229-0755

This misleading robo recording is designed to sound as though I have a Federal student loan and my account was selected for loan forgiveness with up to 60% off monthly loan payments. That would be great if I had a Federal student loan.

Their "shotgun" approach to making mass phone calls, hoping to find a few people who owe student loans, and their total disregard of the Do Not Call list certainly tells us a lot about their business ethic, doesn't it?

Here is a transcript of the call:

[male voice] "Hi, this is the Student Loan Help Center. Your account has been flagged for a loan forgiveness program. You are eligible to receive more than 60% off your monthly Federal student loan payment. Press [1] now to be connected to a live agent and enroll today or press [9] to forfeit this offer and be removed."

Thanks to Google Voice ( www.google.com/voice ) you can hear this recording on my Spam Calls web page:

http://donotanswer.netne.net

Signup for your own free Google Voice account at www.google.com/voice and avoid telephone call spam