On Wednesday my parents got a call from someone asking for my brother, who happens to be visiting right now. My mother, ever the kind woman, did something she normally would not do. She said, "He doesn't live here."
Well, that's absolutely true, but Mom didn't know why she said that instead of just saying that he wasn't at home.
The man said that he was with the U.S. Treasury, and that it was very important to speak with my brother -- that he could be arrested if he didn't get in touch with them! :o
My other brother heard about it and said, "Yeah right. It's a scam." I was going to anyway, but at that point I looked up the phone number that the guy had left, and guess what? NOT an official number of any kind! As a matter of fact, it was the number of a confirmed scammer, although in the complaints I read online, the guy claimed to be with the Department of Justice!
That evening the guy called back, and my brother happened to be at home and answered the phone.
OH how I wish I had been there to hear him tell that guy off!
When I saw him Thursday morning, I asked him what he said to Mr. "U.S. Treasury." He sounded a bit embarrassed as he recounted the story, but it went something like this, "No, shut up, I'm talking. You tell me your department, your badge number, and a website with a phone number so that I can confirm that you are who you say you are. I will not accept any number give me, so don't even try. If you *can't* give me that info, then you're not legit, and we have no reason to keep talking."
Now it just so happens that the guy had the gall to call -- again! -- right before I got there on Thursday, at which point my brother basically hung up on him... and then called the police.
Here's the scary part.
When he talked to the police, they confirmed that these were indeed scammers, and that they're smart. They're getting the names and information on REAL police officers and company employees, so that if you start asking questions, they'll seem legit.
NEVER give out personal information over the phone -- or on the internet! -- to strangers! Not your birth date (the one I use on the internet is not accurate,) not where you were born (they can figure out the first three digits of your social security number with this info,) not your family members' names... NOTHING! Not even your real name! Sure, you know that my name is Colleen, but is it my real name?
Be safe, all, and ASK QUESTIONS!! If something doesn't sound legit, do the research! It might save you a whole lot of pain later on!
Well, that's absolutely true, but Mom didn't know why she said that instead of just saying that he wasn't at home.
The man said that he was with the U.S. Treasury, and that it was very important to speak with my brother -- that he could be arrested if he didn't get in touch with them! :o
My other brother heard about it and said, "Yeah right. It's a scam." I was going to anyway, but at that point I looked up the phone number that the guy had left, and guess what? NOT an official number of any kind! As a matter of fact, it was the number of a confirmed scammer, although in the complaints I read online, the guy claimed to be with the Department of Justice!
That evening the guy called back, and my brother happened to be at home and answered the phone.
OH how I wish I had been there to hear him tell that guy off!
When I saw him Thursday morning, I asked him what he said to Mr. "U.S. Treasury." He sounded a bit embarrassed as he recounted the story, but it went something like this, "No, shut up, I'm talking. You tell me your department, your badge number, and a website with a phone number so that I can confirm that you are who you say you are. I will not accept any number give me, so don't even try. If you *can't* give me that info, then you're not legit, and we have no reason to keep talking."Now it just so happens that the guy had the gall to call -- again! -- right before I got there on Thursday, at which point my brother basically hung up on him... and then called the police.
Here's the scary part.
When he talked to the police, they confirmed that these were indeed scammers, and that they're smart. They're getting the names and information on REAL police officers and company employees, so that if you start asking questions, they'll seem legit.
NEVER give out personal information over the phone -- or on the internet! -- to strangers! Not your birth date (the one I use on the internet is not accurate,) not where you were born (they can figure out the first three digits of your social security number with this info,) not your family members' names... NOTHING! Not even your real name! Sure, you know that my name is Colleen, but is it my real name?
Be safe, all, and ASK QUESTIONS!! If something doesn't sound legit, do the research! It might save you a whole lot of pain later on!
