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07/23/2006 11:45:10 PM · #1 |
This is a scam that has popped up in our area. I don't know if it has happened where you live but I thought I would post so everyone would be aware of it. Tell you friends and family if they don't know.
Here's how it works. The scammers call you on the phone, identifying themselves as court officials. What they want is your identity.
It involves a false claim of missed jury duty and an imaginary arrest warrant.
But when you deny you've missed jury duty, the scammer says all you have to do is give up your social security number and birth date. That's when they've got you.
Be careful before you answer the phone, a scam artist could be on the line. It's a new attempt to steal a person's identity and their money in the process. But you could stop the scammer in his tracks.
"Our message always is to never give out any of your personal information over the phone, never do that under any circumstances." said Leonard Craine, Better Business Bureau.
This particular jury scam has now been reported in eleven states including Georgia. But in local courts, juries are contacted by mail. And the grand jury is contacted by local sheriff deputies.
"Or if you miss jury duty no body would call so if you get a call about it that's an improper call. You should not respond." said Judge Bobby Peters, Superior Court Judge.
If you do get a call asking about jury duty, Judge Peter's advice, hang up and ignore it.
But whatever you do, don't think you have to respond immediately. Ask for the name of the caller's company or try to get their address. Do some research.
"Just the idea of that call is to pressure you into releasing that information don't do that, give yourself some time, get some advice calla neighbor if you like." said Craine.
If you believe you've been scammed, the Better Business Bureau says you should immediately check your credit records. You can have a fraud alert put on your accounts and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Because chances are the scammer has already tried to use your personal information.
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07/23/2006 11:56:43 PM · #2 |
This is called phishing. A general rule of thumb here is to never give your SSN or any other account or pertinent numbers to anyone you didn't call yourself.
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07/23/2006 11:58:20 PM · #3 |
what karmabreeze said.
The other calls that make me nervous are the ones calling on "behalf of" the fraternal order of police, or the local (or not) sheriff's association, etc.
You just don't know who to trust anymore, so I trust very few people. . .:( |
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08/02/2006 04:43:58 PM · #4 |
i usually blow off most of the emails forwarded me by my dad (bless him), but this one had too much of a ring of truth in it...he even bothered to snopes it ;-)
check it out at snopes. |
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08/02/2006 05:16:53 PM · #5 |
| My solution to any of these type of things, plus just in general, is an Answering Machine! I never answer my phone, I let the machine do it, then if it is someone I wish to speak with I can pick up or call them back. Plus, I'm just not a 'phone' person. Even in the days before answering machines, I just could never get into or understand the people that would like make mad dashes to try and get the phone when it rang. If it wasn't convenient I didn't worry about it. If important, they'll call back, is what I always thought. |
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08/02/2006 05:20:51 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by taterbug:
My solution to any of these type of things, plus just in general, is an Answering Machine! I never answer my phone, I let the machine do it, then if it is someone I wish to speak with I can pick up or call them back. Plus, I'm just not a 'phone' person... |
Amen, brother, taterbug... |
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08/02/2006 05:23:04 PM · #7 |
Something else to think about regarding phones and security in general:
If you are doing ANY transactions financially, such as making an order for ANYTHING over the phone, especially if a credit card is involved, Do NOT use a cordless phone, and ask if the other party is using one. Cordless phone calls can easily be picked up by scanners. Switch to a corded phone and ask the other party do the same. Most major companies understand and will comply. |
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08/02/2006 05:29:00 PM · #8 |
Please do yourself and anyone else you know a favor. If you know of anyone that is older and may not know about this, please let them know. I have emphasized over and over to my parents to NEVER, EVER give SS#, DOB and/or CC info over the phone. So far it's worked. Telemarketers have called inquiring about mortgage payments (house is paid for), CC balance, etc and everytime they have asked for a callback number. Then it gets forwarded to me and I handle it.
BTW...if you have telemarketer problems, sign up here. |
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