Ring, ring. [abridged office phone call - actual lasted about 20 minutes]
Gaelic: This is Gaelic.
Caller: Hi, Miss Gaelic. This is Marcus Brown. I'm calling to tell you that you won three five five million dollars.
Gaelic: [mental alarms going off]
MB: We want to deliver the check to you today. Can I have your address?
G: Do you know who you're calling?
MB: Yes. Miss Gaelic. What is your address?
G: [decides to play along] U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC.
MB: I'm sorry. That's not a valid address.
G: Try this. One one zero zero Longworth Building, Washington, DC 20515.
MB: Our company will pay 99% of the tax bill. You just have to pay 1% of the tax bill.
G: Oh, really?
MB: Just send a money order to Courtney Evans, Brownstown, JAWI, St. Ann. As soon as the check is deposited I'll call you back.
G: Do you know where you're calling?
MB: Yes. Miss Gaelic. I'll call you back as soon as the check is deposited.
G: Okay, but before I go I just wanted to make sure you know who you're talking to. I work for the United States government and I've had you on the phone long enough to have this call traced.
MB: [dial tone - he hung up]
Dial, dial, dial.
Committee Staff: Financial Services Committee. How may I help you?
G: [explains preceding phone call]
CS: Just a minute. We have a Secret Service agent detailed to the committee. Let me get him.
Secret Service Agent: Can you give me all the details you have?
G: [repeats story to SSA complete with notes taken during phone call]
SSA: [finds the phone number registered as a cell phone in Sarasota, FL]
SSA: It's probably a Nigerian scam that wires the money through Jamaica.
G: But he called on my office phone.
SSA: It's probably some sweat shop where they're going down a list of numbers.
SSA: [finds address that I gave him in, wait for it... Jamaica]
SSA: There are one-star generals who have lost thousands of dollars in scams like this. It's a good thing you were smart enough not to get hooked.
G: [thinking to self - If I won $355,000,000, I don't think they'd be asking for 1% in taxes. And besides, don't people watch TV, read the paper, or listen to the radio to know about these scams?]
Just in case you didn't know about these scams or you assumed they would never call you, think again. They're out there. And you've been warned.
Oh, and if you ever do get one of these calls, take copious notes and let me know. I'll put you in touch with a really nice Secret Service agent who'll send the report to Headquarters.
For Pete Sake!
3 weeks ago
That is just too flipping funny... in a very sad way. I can not believe that people actually fall for these sorta things!! Someone outta the blue calls you up and says you won something??? Pulease!! I would have hung up instantly.
ReplyDeleteMy Ole Pappy used to say... (one of the few I can print in mixed company)..." If it sounds too good to be true....IT IS" Grab your wallet and run!"
ReplyDeleteNice work. You're like Agent 99.
ReplyDeleteNo fair, I'll have to stop calling you at your office I guess ...
ReplyDelete@Nadine, It was a long day at the office and I needed a diversion. :)
ReplyDelete@Dave, I'd love to know what your ole pappy used to say that you CAN'T print in mixed company.
@dbs, Thank you, Chief.
@Laoch, That was you?!?! Where'd you get Three Five Five million dollars?
LOL I can't believe people still fall for these things! There's been soooo much publicity about scams, what to watch for, etc. how could they?? Well, I guess all they need is for one or two to bite and they've paid their expenses and more... Wish I'd win three five five million!lol
ReplyDeleteOoooh, have I ever found the perfect solution for calls like these! A buddy gave me three JetScream survival signalling whistles (http://www.basegear.com/jetscream.html) for my wife and daughter to carry on their key rings and a spare to play with. We no longer get any calls from solicitors, scammers or even political surveys since I started blowing my whistle into the phone when they call. Even if they do call it's easy to track the perp down. He'll be the one in the local ER with blood running from his ears:-)
ReplyDeleteJust got an email like that...good work, Mrs. G!
ReplyDelete