Having fun with Phone scammers
So, while sitting in the guard post at work yesterday, I get this random phone call that has the number blocked out. "Huh, I wonder what that means." I said.
I immediately hear this middle eastern voice come over the phone and I know EXACTLY who it is, this guy who kept harassing me a few months ago. I thought he had given up, but apprenttly not. I decided I would get him off my case forever.
Here is the transcript of the conversation (to the best of my memory)
Me: Hello?
Him: Hello, is this Gregory Nelson?
Me: Yes.
Him: Gregory Nelson who lives at (address withheld to protect ME) in Gilroy, California?
Me: Uh, yes.
Him: Gregory Nelson who has a bank account at Bank of the West in Gilroy, California?
Me, growing somewhat concerned: Um, yeah...
Him: Mr. Nelson, I am pleased to inform you that you have been randomly selected for a government grant of $5,000!
Me, rolling my eyes: Really? Wow.
Him: Yes sir, congradulations. All you need to do is first, give me your zip code.
Me, a bit surprised, stupidly gives it, then realizes his mistake: 95020
Him: Uhhhh... 95030?
Me, siezing my oppurtunity to make up for my stupid move: Um, yes! That's correct!
Him: Ok sir, now all you need to do is-
Me, rudely interrupting: So how was I randomly selected to recieve this generious gift?
Him: You were randomly selected from the tax payers in your area.
Me: Ah, I see.
Him: Yes sir, are you excited?
Me: I sure am!
Him: Yes sir, all I need you to do is give me your bank account number and your router number so we can deposit the number directly into your account.
Me: Really?
Him: Yes.
Me: Huh, that doesn't sound very wise.
Him: Excuse me sir?
Me: Well, you're asking me to give a complete stranger my personal bank information over the phone.
Him: Well, how else are we going to give you your money?
Me: Well, apprenttly since you know exactly where I live, you could mail it to me or give it to me in person.
Him: Sir, legally we cannot do that. We must have your bank information.
Me, smirking: Where are you calling from?
Him, hesitating betfore answering : Um, 241 First Street, Washington D.C.
Me: Wow, that's awfully far away. This call must be costing you a lot of money!
Him, ignoring me: All you need to do is give me your 9 digit credit card number and routing number.
Me, ignoring HIM: So what's your phone number?
Him, I can almost hear him smile, apprenttly he thinks he "has" me: I will give you that information as soon as you give me your routing number and-
Me: Rudely interrupting again: This sounds an awful lot like this scam I read about on the net, (and my own personal experience with these people) right down to guy with the middle eastern accent.
Him: I assure you, this is not a scam, this is real-
Me: If it's real, then how come you won't let me let me know what your number is so I can check on it before giving you such private information.
Him: This is all very simple! All you need to do is give me your routing and-
Me: Hey, you know what? If you call this number again, I am going to call the police and have them trace this call to find out who you really-
Him: You are a mother f****r! You F****** idoit!
Me: Hey, you just made my list!
*click*
Me: Hello?... Hello?
I hang up the phone.
Me: Huh... what a jerk.
***
The conversation actually went on a bit longer than this, he repeated himself a lot and I repeated most of my arguments to him. But this is as good of an attempt as any.
So yeah folks, if someone randomly calls you asking for your bank information, don't give it out! I shouldn't have to say it but there must be SOME people out there doing it.
Cheers!
I immediately hear this middle eastern voice come over the phone and I know EXACTLY who it is, this guy who kept harassing me a few months ago. I thought he had given up, but apprenttly not. I decided I would get him off my case forever.
Here is the transcript of the conversation (to the best of my memory)
Me: Hello?
Him: Hello, is this Gregory Nelson?
Me: Yes.
Him: Gregory Nelson who lives at (address withheld to protect ME) in Gilroy, California?
Me: Uh, yes.
Him: Gregory Nelson who has a bank account at Bank of the West in Gilroy, California?
Me, growing somewhat concerned: Um, yeah...
Him: Mr. Nelson, I am pleased to inform you that you have been randomly selected for a government grant of $5,000!
Me, rolling my eyes: Really? Wow.
Him: Yes sir, congradulations. All you need to do is first, give me your zip code.
Me, a bit surprised, stupidly gives it, then realizes his mistake: 95020
Him: Uhhhh... 95030?
Me, siezing my oppurtunity to make up for my stupid move: Um, yes! That's correct!
Him: Ok sir, now all you need to do is-
Me, rudely interrupting: So how was I randomly selected to recieve this generious gift?
Him: You were randomly selected from the tax payers in your area.
Me: Ah, I see.
Him: Yes sir, are you excited?
Me: I sure am!
Him: Yes sir, all I need you to do is give me your bank account number and your router number so we can deposit the number directly into your account.
Me: Really?
Him: Yes.
Me: Huh, that doesn't sound very wise.
Him: Excuse me sir?
Me: Well, you're asking me to give a complete stranger my personal bank information over the phone.
Him: Well, how else are we going to give you your money?
Me: Well, apprenttly since you know exactly where I live, you could mail it to me or give it to me in person.
Him: Sir, legally we cannot do that. We must have your bank information.
Me, smirking: Where are you calling from?
Him, hesitating betfore answering : Um, 241 First Street, Washington D.C.
Me: Wow, that's awfully far away. This call must be costing you a lot of money!
Him, ignoring me: All you need to do is give me your 9 digit credit card number and routing number.
Me, ignoring HIM: So what's your phone number?
Him, I can almost hear him smile, apprenttly he thinks he "has" me: I will give you that information as soon as you give me your routing number and-
Me: Rudely interrupting again: This sounds an awful lot like this scam I read about on the net, (and my own personal experience with these people) right down to guy with the middle eastern accent.
Him: I assure you, this is not a scam, this is real-
Me: If it's real, then how come you won't let me let me know what your number is so I can check on it before giving you such private information.
Him: This is all very simple! All you need to do is give me your routing and-
Me: Hey, you know what? If you call this number again, I am going to call the police and have them trace this call to find out who you really-
Him: You are a mother f****r! You F****** idoit!
Me: Hey, you just made my list!
*click*
Me: Hello?... Hello?
I hang up the phone.
Me: Huh... what a jerk.
***
The conversation actually went on a bit longer than this, he repeated himself a lot and I repeated most of my arguments to him. But this is as good of an attempt as any.
So yeah folks, if someone randomly calls you asking for your bank information, don't give it out! I shouldn't have to say it but there must be SOME people out there doing it.
Cheers!