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-   -   Off-Topic OT - Scam reminder/warning (http://forum.videofitness.com/showthread.php?t=204831)

gmfreund 08-06-14 02:23 PM

OT - Scam reminder/warning
 
I just got a call from my son -- it seems that someone called my elderly father-in-law pretending to be my son, asking for $2000 immediately in the aftermath of a car accident with a diplomat . . . sadly, my FIL, who is normally quite sharp but who is sick right now with pneumonia, fell for it and the money is gone. The thief told him that he didn't have cell phone reception, so he couldn't call to check on him, etc., etc.

This is an old scam, of course. It also happens with great regularity in faith communities. Someone gets a hold of a church directory and calls a number of people claiming to be so-and-so, stuck in Berlin, or some such nonsense. It's always an elaborate story, with 15 reasons why you don't have time to check on what's happening. They prey on the fact that most people are caring and loving and want to do the right thing.

I'm so upset - I'm sure my FIL is just sick at heart right now. And I worry about my other relatives and how we can avoid this happening ever again (or having it happen in my faith community). I figured a reminder would be good for all of us. I'll bring it up in church on Sunday, too.

Gwynn

AsSweetAsSugar 08-06-14 03:15 PM

Wow Gwynn, I'm sorry to hear this happened to your FIL, how sad is that. I wish there was a way he could get his money back.

Last year, we got a call from a foreign country, someone saying they worked for microsoft and they needed to get into the computer to fix something, my DP answered the phone, he started to get stressed and thinking his computer was going to "die" if the problem wasn't fixed, I rapidly asked hey... what are you doing? and took the phone, I asked the guy which computer have the problem as we have more than 10 computer here (which is not true I just wanted to check his reaction), he started to get stressed/pissed, while talking to him I was checking on Internet, and this have been reported before, on microsoft site they mentioned they never call anyone, etc. I just told the guy to never ever call me again and that I was contacting the police right away, he hung up on me. I still get those calls once in a while (I'M TIRED), I just ask them to /$?&*?%$/!! And as soon as I mentioned police they hang up.

I also once got an e-mail, "from a friend of mine" asking $5000 as she was in Ivory Coast (Africa), and she lost all her documents, money, passport, etc. so she didn't know how to get back, pay hotel, eat, etc. Well, my friend have never left the province. I never replied the e-mail and thankfully I have not get any other of that kind.

bzar 08-06-14 03:45 PM

sorry about your FIL. omg. some people are just horrible.

we just had a departmental meeting yesterday regarding these scams. people in our city are getting calls that their utility (water, electric, landline) will be cut off in 30 min if they don't pay $x money ASAP.

i got a random call on my cell phone that was from another country, and they were asking for money too (i won some lottery or some other BS). i hung up and then blocked the number on my phone for both voice and texts.

if you are ever in a foreign country and need money, you can go to the American embassy. it happened to my sister and her 2 friends when they went to Paris back in the 80s. their pockets got picked and they only lost money - passports were safe.

gladgirl 08-06-14 04:15 PM

So sorry for your FIL
Yes, there are such awful people out there!
We help take care of my FIL at 92 and it's amazing what people will try.

I hope he can forgive himself. I also hope he feels better from the pneumonia, poor darling. And, yeah, I wish there was a way for him to get his money back. Best wishes to your family.

BunnyHop 08-06-14 05:51 PM

Yeah, I got a call this morning from somebody who was entirely too vague about who they were or why they were calling.

The call began with a vague sort of greeting, as though I ought to know who they were.

When I asked, 'Who's calling, please?'

they said: "You don't recognize my voice?"

I hung up on them.

I can see how an unsuspecting person might fall for such a thing.

A friendly voice calls, seems familiar, but doesn't mention their own name until after they've persuaded you to make assumptions about who they are? Creepy, and kind of scary.

Cher 08-06-14 07:10 PM

Oh Gwynn, I’m so sorry to hear that. :( That is such a shame. Your poor FIL. I wish there were some way he could get his money back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AsSweetAsSugar (Post 2433685)
Last year, we got a call from a foreign country, someone saying they worked for microsoft and they needed to get into the computer to fix something, my DP answered the phone, he started to get stressed and thinking his computer was going to "die" if the problem wasn't fixed, I rapidly asked hey... what are you doing? and took the phone, I asked the guy which computer have the problem as we have more than 10 computer here (which is not true I just wanted to check his reaction), he started to get stressed/pissed, while talking to him I was checking on Internet, and this have been reported before, on microsoft site they mentioned they never call anyone, etc. I just told the guy to never ever call me again and that I was contacting the police right away, he hung up on me. I still get those calls once in a while (I'M TIRED), I just ask them to /$?&*?%$/!! And as soon as I mentioned police they hang up.

I have also gotten these calls and I've heard that Microsoft will not call anyone so I didn't fall for it. I LOVE that you asked him which computer had the problem! :D

ddj 08-06-14 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cher (Post 2433774)



I have also gotten these calls and I've heard that Microsoft will not call anyone so I didn't fall for it. I LOVE that you asked him which computer had the problem! :D

My FIL got one of those calls and he told the guy he was too late, the computer crashed yesterday.

pcdoctor01 08-06-14 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddj (Post 2433795)
My FIL got one of those calls and he told the guy he was too late, the computer crashed yesterday.

What about the people calling your house saying they are from your local police department but have a long distance phone number on the caller I'd. They are calling because they want a donation. I told someone once that I'll donate locally to a police department in person.

Maybe the next time someone calls the house, like a telemarketer I'll say, "While I have you on the phone. I have this problem. I have ------- itching and I need something to stop it. What do you suggest?" I bet that will keep them from calling.

Pam 08-06-14 09:44 PM

Thanks for the laughs pcdoctor1! Can I use your idea on nx sales call?

Honeydew 08-06-14 10:33 PM

Has anyone ever had a company spoof your phone number? A "credit card services" company spoofed mine. At the time, I didn't know that was it and answered because I thought it was weird that my husband's name and our home phone number showed up on our caller ID.


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