Telemarketer Fun
I hate telemarketers, I really do.
I just received two telemarketer calls within a very short period. One was 6:19PM, and the other was 6:38PM.
The 6:19PM was received at my Skype number.
The 6:38PM was received at my Home distinctive ring number.
The 6:19PM call originated from 206-415-8739.
The 6:38PM call originated from 206-278-9390.
The 6:19PM call left a message telling me that I had been selected as part of their “Jacksonville Area Marketing Study” to attend some scam cruise leaving from Miami.
The 6:38PM call left a message telling me that I had been selected as part of their “Jacksonville Area Marketing Study” to qualify for some scam satellite tv promotion.
Wrong city, wrong state, nice try.
Since I really dislike telemarketers, I think I am going to change my current approach– it could be called the “overwhelm them with legaleeze and shuffle papers while you ‘take down their information’ approach– with a new approach. Maybe we can call it the, “appear like a business who is legitimately interested in their services and string them along as much as humanly possible.”
I can come up with a fake corporate telephone announcement to really get them interested.
It could start something like:
Thank you for calling MikeCo Hotels Executive Office. MikeCo Hotels now provides 28 free cable channels for all guests in the Jacksonville Area. Please hold while we transfer you to the executive secretary. Please note that this call may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance.
Then, after a moment of music and a few blips and bleeps, I can answer, recording the call, and see how much of these people’s time I can waste.
I would be the dream sale! A hotel owner who is proud to be offering a crappy 28 cable channels in their rooms, conveniently located in Jacksonville, where they seem to be targeting!
What do you think?
Edit: For anyone interested in listening to the original call (do you enjoy torturing yourself?), you can listen to an MP3 of the message here: http://mikesblog.americasdebate.com/uploads/telemarketer.mp3
I too received a VM from 800-779-9962 ext. 8064 – Tami – from the Award Claim Center telling me that I “won” a Cadillac Escalade in the “Grand Sweepstakes Giveaway”, and to call back as soon as possible. I also tried every reverse 800 look-up I could find to no avail… then just Googled the number and found this blog! Thanks Mike for the service!!
Thanks for this blog. I just received a call in Atlanta from Carmen, saying that I’d won a Ford Explorer and to call her at 800-918-4224 with claim number HH592. Well, there you have it.
We also got a call – “You are the winner of the grand Prize – Cadilac Escalade, 1-877-237-9458 x#306 Claim #CDS306″ From a person by the name of Curtis Mathews. We are also to go see a “presentation” here in Broomfield, CO. Tommorrow 3/29/07 pm. We are going even though we know it is a scam. We are trying to find out how they got our private # (this is a number that only our family has). We like to go & harrass the people who harrass us. We will also be taking digital pictures of the people & place running the scam & giving them the third degree. We will let you know what their scam is on friday.
I got a call from Carmen on my work number too. My claim was also HH592. She tried to schedule me to go to to Global Service Network in South Carolina to pick up my prize ticket. I live in North Carolina, so when I told her I wasn’t going to go, she said she would enter my claim number to see what I won -a trip, surprise, surprise. She said all I had to do was send my SASE to a PO Box in Daytona Beach Shores and she would mail me back my trip information. I can’t beleive they are calling businesses now!!
I got a message on my answering machine from a Stacy Day at 708-758-2243 that said I won a Cadillac Escalade my claim # ITC777 I should call 800-476-2243 I called a few times and didn’t leave my number.
Then she called me back.I asked if this was a telemarketer,she said they got my number from a contest on line I told her I didn’t enter any contest and I was on the no call list nationally and in Wisconsin
and that it was illegal for a telemarketer to call she said she would remove my number now.
I just received a call from “Rebecca Harris” – the phone number on my caller ID was a 708 number. She told me I had won one of five ‘grand prizes’, which included a 2007 Cadillac Escalade, $2500 cash, two trips (one to Hawaii, I don’t remember where the other one was to), or a 32″ tv. I was very skeptical. She told me I’d entered some online contest, or a contest in a mall, etc. Which is unfortunately very likely with me. She said the contest had been going on for a year, and that it had only just ended. Also asked my marital status, confirmed I was over 25 and under 72, and asked if I made over $40K a year.
When I asked her what the company was, she said the name of the company is Event Planners, and that they are a new travel agency in Washington DC. She gave me the address of 1900 Connecticut Ave. NW, which is a Courtyard Marriott. She wanted me to go in person tomorrow, with two forms of ID, at 2pm to attend a 90 minute presentation regarding travel and then I would be able to ‘pick a prize’. Oh and if I brought anyone with me, they couldn’t attend the presentation, which makes it sound even fishier. When I told her I had to work tomorrow she seemed upset that I couldn’t run to this scam. She wants to reschedule me for ‘a Wednesday’ and gave me this phone number to call her back on: 1-800-577-7137 x8074. I Googled that number and that’s how I found this place. She also told me my claim # was ITC777 (so, Ken, I guess we’re going on that trip together…).
I definitely thought it sounded extremely fishy, thanks for having this site up – I doubt I would have called back, but seeing others with the same ‘claim number’ makes me certain it’s a scam. God knows what I’d find if I actually showed up!
guess what folks…carmen called me today in charlotte nc….straight to voicemail, and the good old explorer again…lol
Today, my friend calls me and says this lady called her about winning a contest (Ford Explorer, Bahamas Vacation, 32″ TV) and told her she just had to show up with her husband to hear a 60-90 minute presentation, with no obligation to buy anything. My friend informed this “Janet Smith” person (877-351-8026 ext. 105) that her husband passed away 6 months ago. Well, this very *helpful* scam artist tells my friend, “If you know a couple you can trust, ask them to go in your place, and they can give you the prize. You’re guaranteed to win at least the TV!” My poor friend is all excited and asked my husband and me to go to the presentation in her place…hoping to win the Explorer so she can fit her 8, count them 8, kids to go to Colorado to visit her folks. She’s on a VERY limited budget, and this is going to break her heart when I tell her the news…Good thing I’m such a skeptic, though. I would have been VERY UPSET to have shown up to suffer through some timeshare presentation!
I came in to work today (4/9/07 in Austin) and saw I had a voice mail message. A woman with the Awards Claim Center said that I had won either a Ford Explorer or $25K, that they had been trying to reach me, and that this is my “final notice.” I work in a law firm and I never enter any contest in any form (online or otherwise) with my direct work number. I don’t know how they got my number. My “clam number” is SNAU3112. The caller ID indicates that she called from Richmond VA (434-878-9976, unlisted) last Saturday (4/7/07) at 7:34PM. I searched her callback number 1-800-918-4224 and found this site. Thank you. You are doing a great public service!
Great website. I received a voicemail from “Bill Johnson” at some Award Center claiming I had won a Ford Explorer. He said to call him back at 1-877-237-9458 ext.248. Hope this info will be of help to someone else who gets the call.
i like to talk to telemarketers if i got the time.I like to ask them and target the person there by ansvering his /her questions with inproper incorect informations but in mean time i addressing there job/position with guestions like.You could not find beter job like this?Do you get retirement plan.I hope thay pay you for this more than 40k year……you got the idea .I’m not really used any of this questions but when i talk to the person there i try to get connected with him/her and with out any hate i preaty much waste there business time,i try to make it fun for the person but also let them realise that the job they have sucs and beter to least think about getting beter position in there live.
They got me too! Meilssa from the claims center called and let me know that I had won a Ford Explorer or a cruise. This is crazy, I am an employee of the state of georgia. How are they getting these numbers? I got permition to call back from my supervisor just to find out more, so I pretended to be nice, they wanted me to send a self addressed stamped envelope to P.O Box 7154 Daytona Beach Shores, Fl 32116. I then let them know that I was a state employee and that I would be reporting this call. I got an expletive and a hang up!
Just got a call on my cell phone about the Escalade from Daniel Peterson 877-237-8458 ext. 226. I too work at a law firm, and am on the no call list in Wisconsin. I’m not a skeptic but the minute I heard the voicemail I knew it was a scam. My caller said he was from Awards Claims Center and the ticket had been drawn last night and it was imperative I call back.
Not.
I am sooooo happy that google works so well. Too bad, an Escalade would have been nice. Caller ID picked up the 866-845-8587 number I tried the number but was not able to make a connection. Thank-You!!! We are also on the do not call list. Lisa from CT
Got call from Carmen stating “we’ve tried to contact you several times. “It’s important that you call the claim center at 800-918-4224 to claim new Ford Explorer. Reference claim number HH592.” I actually called the number back to see what they were scamming because I had already Googled the phone number and saw it was a scam from this site (THANKS). I talked to an operator who first asked if I was single or married, if I used a credit card or check book when I go on Vacation, and the number on which I was contacted). She then told me that I had been selected to win a cruie for two to the Bahamas. ALL I had to do was sent a self addressed return envelope to “The Welcome Center” P.O. Box 7154 Daytona Beach Shores, 32116″ for my cruise tickets. YEAH RIGHT – SO THEY CAN GET MY HOME ADDRESS!!!!
I read numerous comments and its quite surprising that this scam has been going on for so long and has reached people from all over the country. I read a comment from “An employee” who states that they are ligit and they are regular people trying to make a living like everyone else. Lets get their number and call their homes and cell phones time after time, during dinner, at midnight, during their child’s baseball game, at work. Hell, Let’s even call on Sunday during a little afternoon delight. IT’S NOT NORMAL – SO B**TCH STOP CALLING ME!!!!!
I get the same calls about the Ford about once a week lately. Just for fun I googled the 800-918-4224 and read here that they want you to send them mail to their PO Box. All the junk mail that I get with paid reply postcards I will send in with their address on it.Fight junk calls with junk mail! The address is PO BOX 7154, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32116 The junk mailers will spend their postage money to send junk to jam the telescam’s PO Box and to possibly call them as well. (I’ll write my work number as 800-918-4224) Anytime you can get one enemy to hurt another enemy, you win.
My call in Mesa AZ came from Mark Anderson and it was my 15 year old son that won! 2 calls in one week.
They are still at it……Jandar Travel on Fruitville Rd in Sarasota. No listing in the phone book, but the reverse search lists Sterling, David F
2801 Fruitville Rd
Sarasota, FL 34237-5343
(941) 366-6402
If I win, I get the Escalade in five days, presumably after my check to them for the tax liability clears
so anyway. this is a pretty widespread group of scammers. one wonders what/who the group is. after all this time, i suprised there isn’t more info about these folks, who called me from 708 441 8064. won a caddi .. ok.. sure.
someone said jandar travel.. well that’s a pakistani travel agency, so perhaps these folks are an al-quaeda front group.. gonna have to look into that one…
heads up abdullah.. predator inbound you location jandar..
We just got our 2nd call from the “Prize Claim Department” this week for our son
They say he won a Cadilac Escalade
First call was from caller ID # 708-441-8068
Second call was from caller ID # 708-441-8077
Call back was to: 800-779-9962 x8077 Devin Birch
all these people being called is that not funny? its got to be homeland security they ask me about my wife of course i said i was unmarried they ask if i had a girl friend ? they were phising for info and then they say you get a post card its all bull someone wants to know about eveyone the number was 1-866-845-8587 for a cadilac escalade
I just got a call from Rhonda in Deland to stay at the Spinnaker Resort next weekend. THANK YOU for posting this site! I did a search for “Quincy Marketing” and this came up. Rhonda says “They haven’t given away the Explorer yet so you could win it – it’s VERY possible.? BULLSCHIIIIIIAAAT! I live in Florida so it wouldn’t be TOO much of a waste of money, however, I don’t feel like having to take a cruise on a specific date and my house is nicer than most hotels anyway so I’m not even going to bother! What a friggen scam. THANK YOU David B for your post on December 13th. You have saved a lot of people a lot of trouble from this, I’m sure!
I got a call today from 1(800) 918-4224 saying that I won a cruiz to Daytona Beach Florida. What’s funny is that I called them back and made up a bogus claim number and I still won a trip to Florida and I ask her how that was possible. She never answered?
Ricky, San Diego, CA
I was called at home, on my cell and emailed. I was tempted to go, but it HAS to be a scam. Too many hoops to be genuine. All similar details to those posted here.
SC here. I just got off the phone with Janet Smith 877-351-8026. Decided to do some checking because let me be honest- I never win anything!
Anyhow, like many of you, I was told that I was a finalist to win a 2007 Ford Explorer. She was certainly digging for information. She stated that someone had submitted my name, along with inaccurate annual income information. Of course, I did not deny that. Didn’t think it was her business. Anyhow, told her that I was going through a divorce and she asked me if I was dating anybody! Come on now. Gotta draw the line somewhere. She stated that I had to be part of a “couple”. Thought that was odd. Great site, thanks for letting me vent!!
Awards and Claims center is hitting Maryland, got a call Friday from 866-999-3703. Same MO as the rest, someone has entered your name…claim one of 5 prizes….etc.
Just got off the phone with “Paul” for like the third time, from the Prize Claim Center. Was first supposed to go to a “presentation” in Fort Myers, missed that one then was going to go to Sarasota to “claim my prizes” A 2007 Escalade, 10 night trip to Hawaii, 7 night Florida/Bahama vacation, $25,00, or a 32″ Flat Screen TV. Any of which I was “GUARANTEED ONE OF THESE 5 MAJOR GIFTS”. The first company was Travel Partners USA, LLC, 6150 Diamond Center Ct.,FT. Myers, FL, 33912 I am goingt o further investigate them.
The second was for andar Vacations on Fruitville road 866-257-9544 (which I have discovered doesn’t seem to exist). When I disputed the age requirements left on my voicemail and those that were sent to me under their terms and conditions I was told that my “representative” would call me, Paul did, and told me that THIS contest was for a certain age group and the I was emailed the wrong terms and condidtions. Paul has never seemed to know too much of what is going on with the contest, often stumbling around at a loss for words, putting me on hold, and when I asked him where he was, he said Indianapolis, then I asked him for their company name and address, he seemed nervous and said Prize claim center, that doesn’t sound like a company name to me, so I again asked for the address, he said “why don’t you just email us” I said I want to get to the bottom of this scam and that he was handling this very unprofessionally. Here is the address he gave me 3535 Ridge Road, Gary, IN 46408
#340 is almost the exact thing I got. Received call from (caller ID) 708-441-8063 and was told I have won a Cadillac Escalade in the Grand Sweepstakes Giveaway. I was told to call 800-779-9962 extension 8063 and ask for JoAnne. I am suspicious by nature–I see too many phishing schemes at work–so I Googled their 800 number. This blog was great. Thanks a bunch.
I received a call from a Danielle B. from 800-779-9962 with extention 8071 and was told I was entered and won something. I tried to find out more of where the company was located and when I asked for that information I got a quick “I’m calling from Chicago” and then they hung up. This is making me very leary of this. So if anyone has any good information could you please let me know. thanks.
NJ here. Received a v/m on my direct line at work from “Carmen” with Awards Claim Center. She wanted to return the call. They apparantly had been trying to reach me for a while. (funny no one else has had the same problem and I get about 50 calls a day). She wanted me to call (800) 918-4224 and refer to claim number FMJ3112. Of course I knew it was a scam, but just googled the number to see if there was anything out there about it. This site rocks! Wanted to include my info so that the next person who googles the number can find out before they give them their personal information.
I received a call from a young lady (she left a voice mail on my cell) indicating I entered a drawing within the last 12-15 months and won a……I had deleted the message prior to listening to the whole message. However, I was at the auto show last year and entered many drawings to win a 2007 vehicle in which the winner would be notified some time in 2007. Therefore, the incoming number was 773-493-1069. I called the number very late at night because I thought it may be a scam (but who knows, I could have won the new car…yeah, right). The number is out of Chicago, IL and the recording asked for my claim number (which I don’t know because I erased the message). Well, thank you to “Mike’s Blog”, you have saved me a lot of time and energy as a new car is always nice, howeer, I am not up for dealing with telemarketers and scams. In addition, this is interesting, that I indeed registered at a “new car” show last year. New Car shows are help all over the US in major cities and I am beginning to believe anyone who fills out the little piece of paper to enter a drawing will eventualy have their name and telephone number sold. Only a few people have my cell number and I have had the same number for 11 years. This was the first time I listed the number in a drawing. Again, thank you, Mike and everyone for the insight on this scam.
NJ also. Got the call from “Carmen” at work last night. Caller ID revealed 434-878-9976. Request was to call 800-918-4224. Now I DO enter a lot of competitions, but there was no way this was real. You have to appreciate that anyone calling you to say that you have won something is required by their employer to sound excited about giving you the news. Carmen sounded a little less energetic to say the least.
Keep this blog going. It seems Carmen is very persistant!!
just got a call today at work from Samantha. Same number, 1-800-918-4224. I guess I don’t win the Ford Explorer. Dang.
I could tell you stories, but what would that do to better the situation..
Glad I found this blog. I received a message from 434-878-9976 today to call 1-800-918-4224 with claim #HH592. Perhaps they got my number from a drawing I entered every time I went to a grocery store that recently opened in south Atlanta, GA. Now that I know this is a scam I will leave it alone.
Ken & Kris: Make it a 3-some. I am from Sarasota-Florida, and guess what, my claim number is also ITC777. Also told about the Caddy, the Hawaiin Trip, yada yada yada. I made an appointment for this Monday at 11 AM. Told me since I am married that I MUST BRING my wife as the Caddy is considered marital assets if we win that prize, also told that if we get the TV someone will load it right there, if we win the cash we will get the check right there (if I win the cruise will the ship dock to the building?), and the taxes for the Caddy will come to $1900, and if we win the Caddy he also gets a free vacation. The company name is Jandar Vacations @2801 Fruitville Road in Sarasota. I am going and I am also going with the intent to tell them right off that I have no intention of vacationing anywhere as I live in the vacation capital of the world! So, save time and give me my damn prize. And will see what I get. Probably a replica of a $50,000 car that I have to assemble and paint myself. As in a model car kit!
Received a message on June 15, 2007 same B.S. I needed to call 1-800-918-4224 claim # AZ530 the wiener of a ford explorer or $25,000 I guess they are in Arizona GREAT THANKS Mike for the site.
Got a good chuckle from entries here. Regarding Jandar Corp (Star Vacations in Sarasota, FL at Fruitville & Tuttle): showed up to get our airline tickets–turns out, $35 per ticket activation fee required online; figured airline savings would be worth it, so I’m awaiting receipt in the mail. Paid through Paypal, not sure which attempt worked but saw it on my debit card statement. This IS NOT a timeshare offer; it seems to be legitimate savings on travel, especially outside the US or at a resort and all-inclusives available. Office folks friendly and personable. Yes, no children permitted at the presentation; they usually present to up to 6 couples per session (space limited). We had our 6-month-old with us, but since 4 other couples cancelled/rescheduled we got to sit down for an informal overview and were encouraged to come again for a full presentation (plus another gift promised). The company works with travel agents to offer an inventory of options which the agents then mark up for profit but still at a savings to the traveler. The company has been offering these packages direct to consumers for even greater savings to the traveler member. Yes, the cost of membership is $2000-5000 depending on options and then an annual fee (less than $200) IF you travel that year–you can wait until you’re gonna travel to pay it unless you already know you’ll be using the service. Airline, resorts, cruises, car rental, etc. are available without “timeshare” limitations. Go to Costa Rica, France, you ask it and they’ll check for it. The company invests the fees into more resorts so it sound pretty solid. Yes, you need to be married (or committed – proof of shared domicile, etc; in our case, the baby was proof enough). Preferred income of $50k/yr combined minimum (means you have disposable income not to balk at the joining fee); if retired, it may be $40k. The Sarasota office is like a distributorship instead of a franchisee. Another company calls on their behalf (those telemarketers we love); they get paid $300 for show-ups (sign-ups?) so they are not always eager to “disqualify” potential clients and thus these telemarketers are not always forthright. FYI, the gas vouchers offer is redemption by mail (gas receipts) in $5 pops–postage eats some of that now; but hey, saving money, getting money still helps cash flow. Well, if I get more tidbits, I’ll share.
Isn’t this great… I just got a call from the Awards Claim Center(1-800-918-4224 the winners code is WB764) with a Richmond VA number (434-878-9976), about me winning a brand new Ford Explorer… This is awesome. Until I got a little bug up my “you know what” and had to investigate. Thank to this web site I found out what I was already expecting… It’s just a B.S. Scam!!!! I guess there in Virginia Beach too… Nobody is safe…
I got a phone call from someone at 1-800-918-4224 telling me to call back that it was urgent and give my claim number. I’ve had someone try to steal my personal information in the past and I hate these calls. Is there anyone we can report these people to?
Got a call on my work number from “Carmen” with a Virginia number (434) 878-9976 saying I had won a brand new Ford Explorer or $25,000.00 cash.
I should call 800-918-4224 with a claim number. I called and it was engaged all the time. Even the Virginia number was engaged. This is a SCAM.
got a call from same number 434-878-9976 from Carmen” it spoke to fast so I didn’t hear the number to call back so I looked on caller ID to see the number and pulled it up online and got all this other information and found a tll free number. So I called them back and said what is the name of your company the lady said the claim center I said ok whatever. Then I said do you have a web site claim center she said NO. This is Truly a Scam!!! I’m Upset I really needed that car!!!! definitly the CASH!!!
Just like the previous poster, I also got a call on my work number from “Carmen” saying I had won a brand new Ford Explorer or $25,000.00 cash and that she “had some very good news for me.” I was to call 800-918-4224 with claim number FNJ3112. I’m about to file a complaint with campus police. Thanks to Mike for this thread.
I got a call from “Carmen” too saying I had won the Ford Explorer and I was supposed to call 800-918-4224 to claim the big prize. I guess they’re in atlanta now too.
I too got a call from Carmen to clam my Ford pickup truck claim number FMJ3112.
Strange a lot of other folks have the same claim number. One of the first questions was my marital status. As soon as I said that this was an inappropate question they hung up on me.
I also got call from Carmen, citing that I’d won a Ford Explorer or my choice of $20K. I jotted the number down (also, 1-800-918-4224) and the claim number (WB764) w/the intent to Google it later. I can’t say that I was surprised when I found this site, in fact, I’m happy this thread exists. I’m glad my voicemail picked up & not me!
Thanks for the site ! In Virginia, just got the message at work number that I had won a Ford Explorer or cash. My claim number was the same as Nicole’s (above) WB764.
My wife just got a call from “Lisa Burns” at 1-800-779-9962 ext. 8073. Apparently, we have won either a 32″ flat screen, a Cadillac Escalade, $2500 (man, I thought it was $25,000), or a trip to Vegas. We are in Maryland, and they asked us to come to a Hilton in Washington,DC on Wisconsin Ave. They gave her all of these alternate times (8pm tonight – Friday night) and some times tomorrow. They did not say we needed to bring a credit card, but did mention that we would have to sit through a 90 minute presentation (no purchases necessary). My wife thought it might be legit, and we would have to bring our 2 year old son (no babysitter this late in the day). Our claim # is ITC2200. They gave us a number of 800-476-7183 to call back. I dialed that number, and this was the message I got, ” This is uhmmmm the Awards Claim Center. No one is here right now OR we are on the phone with another client.” Oh, and the information they gave my wife on the call was from a job that I left about 16 months ago.Ridiculous. This blog is gold.
If someone needs the Ford Explorer or $25k I apparently won, call Carmen at 800-918-4224 with claim # snau3112. You’re welcome!
Yes, you must not have claimed it fast enough because Carmen called me and offered me YOUR FORD EXPLORER or your 25K! I call these people back because its Friday and I’m bored anyway and Carmen won’t take my call but someone else “can help me”. She seemed annoyed that I called but isn’t that exactly what they want? Anyhow, I could barely hear her over the noise of the call center. She asked me if i was married and hung up on me, refusing to asnwer my questions. THESE PEOPLE ARE HIGH CLASS!!