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I guess I could devote an entire blog just to scams; it seems there's a new one (or ten...) popping up every day.  This latest one is a new one for me, though.

I got a call on my cell phone from an 876 area code last night (Sunday) at around 10:30 PM. I received 2 more calls from the same number about 17 minutes later. Interestingly enough, the caller left a voicemail message from "Mr. Shaw" at "eService" from what I could make out.

money manAfter completing the call I was already on and checking the vmail message, I returned the call to "Mr. Shaw".  Now he says he's with "Lieners International" and I tell him that I'm returning his call and ask him how I could help him.  He hung up on me after repeated requests from me to spell his name and his company; his accent was so thick you could cut it with a knife and most of my part of the conversation sounded something like, "huh?", "what?", "could you repeat that, please?", and "could you spell that, please?"

Anyways, I called back (giving him the benefit of doubt). Who knows, maybe it was a dropped call? It just rang...

Fast forward to this morning at 8:26 AM. Why look, it's a call from "Mr. Shaw"!  And, he informs me that I am the winner of 2.5 million dollars from Publisher's Clearing House. "The Publisher's Clearing House?", I giddily reply. "Yes, the Publisher's Clearing House," he says.  Then he goes on to congratulate me, detail how the money will be dispersed, and explain that since this is soooo much money, it'll need to be insured....yada....yada....yada....you know the rest.

He wanted me to wire the "insurance money" in the amount of $100 to Jamaica.

I laughed hysterically in his ear and told him that wasn't going to happen today.  He said something oh, so clever like "F#@$ you!" and I uttered something not too nice about his mama.

I get emails all the time warning me about calling 876 numbers but this caught me off guard since it was to my cell phone. All total, I made about 2 minutes in calls to this number.

Just waiting on the phone bill to see how much I'm out...

_______________________________________________________________________________________

All the best,

Lanette in Bel Air

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Post is included in group: Home Staging 101
Post is included in group: You've GOT to be kidding

23 Comments on Yet Another Scam - Don't Be Fooled

MAR
17
2008
122,527 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
BTW, the number was 876-475-8473.
9:03am • #1
360,811 Points
Hahahaa.. can you believe people might fall for this... Oh and soooo professional, too bad they have to waste our cell calls on stupid stuff.
9:04am • #2
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If people that did these scams worked as hard at....I don't know doing something like helping the homeless, It would be a great world!

Thanks for the heads up!
9:06am • #3
122,527 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

You know, Kim, some people actually do fall for it and it's unfortunate that these folks are so trusting/naive and are being taken advantage of.

It's just such a sad commentary on the world in which we live, don't you think?
9:07am • #4
547,312 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
I'm getting more and more junk calls on my cell phone.  Guess they know we are seldom home so they'll get us where ever we are when ever they want to.  Nice blog and written well.
9:12am • #5
497,665 Points 103 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Man, if only half of the emails I have received in the last 2 weeks were were true, I would have over 10 billion coming from egypt, 80 billion from nigera, and 358 million from cuba!
9:14am • #6
180,733 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lanette,

I would have loved to be privy to that conversation. Your description of your exchange has me rolling in the isles. LOL

Thanks for the Tel # and the laugh.
9:14am • #7
122,527 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Think about it, Scott, if "Mr. Shaw" expended half of his energy on something worthwhile like the homeless, he'd make a significant difference in at least one person's life.

It all starts w/just one person...
9:15am • #8

What a complete waste of your personal weekend time...      

Surely these people could be doing constructive things in the world right??         

They are like Human Tapeworms of Society......         

9:26am • #9
122,527 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Barb, He really did catch me off guard on this one and I really hope this is not the first of many to my cell--uggh!

HaHaHa! I feel you, Jeremy, we would all be fithy, stinkin' rich off of all that international money, now wouldn't we?
9:35am • #10
212,171 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I love it, Lanette!  When those (and other sales calls) come to my cell, I've started doing what you did and finishing up with "this phone is registered on the national Do Not Call List.  Thank you for making sure I know exactly who is going to be fined, since your name, number and company are going to be reported.  I think that there are increases in the fines and even jail time for repeat violations."

Strange, but the number of sales/scam calls to my cell phone have been dramatically reduced...even though it isn't on the Do Not Call List...
9:36am • #11
571,409 Points 39 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master
Lanette - What really kills me is their response to you!  I had one that was a leads service - I said "no, thank you, I am not interested" and she HONESTLY said to me, "Well, you F%$ing should be!" and then hung up.  I couldn't BELIEVE IT!
9:38am • #12
122,527 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

You're welcome, Herb.

You truly would have been ROTFLYAO if you were a fly on the wall...

I have to say that it was worth whatever my per minute charge may be to be able to tell "Mr. Shaw" exactly what I thought about him and the lady that birthed him. (Not sure if birthed is a word, but surely you get my point?...)
9:39am • #13
122,527 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks for sharing that tibdit, Kent -- that's a great way to handle these types of calls. The very next call I get, I'll say what you've shared verbatim AFTER I talk about their mama!
9:56am • #14
362,890 Points
I too have had this same call. I too was foolish enough to call back. It added about $4 to my phone bill.
10:01am • #15
122,527 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Chris, it would be a lovely world to live in without the leeches sucking all the unsuspecting "hosts" dry, wouldn't it?

Wow, Leesa! Did you follow up on that one? That is UNREAL!

Kevin, did you at least get your name-call on for your $4? LOL!
10:05am • #16
I have gotten these before. Watch out. Thanks for sharing. Royal..
10:15am • #17
122,527 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
No problem, Royal. It's just such a shame we always have to keep our guard up 24/7.
1:34pm • #18
MAR
18
2008
1 Featured Post
Lanette,
That stinks.  The sad thing is, these people prey on the elderly and others who may not realize this is a scam.  If I get one more email from the Prince of RandomCountryofTheWeek saying how he wants to buy a house here for his bride, I'm gonna scream!  Another one I got recently was from a "widow" who decided to give me her husband's millions of dollars so I could donate it to charity as I saw fit.  Fit to be tied!  
12:09am • #19
180,733 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog
It is these constant attacks that help to keep us sharp. I don't think that calling obvious scammers back is that good of an idea though.
9:15am • #20
MAR
31
2008
584,243 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Too bad it wasn't from Publishers Clearinghouse, I doubt they would call your cell phone anyway.  Scammers make me sick, and how stupid do they think we are, sure...I'll wire the money right over!!
9:10pm • #21
APR
11
2008
I've received 7 calls from 876-365-9468 in the past 48 hours. I have not answered or calledback. I really wish that verizon allowed you to block numbers.
Frank
3:48pm • #22
JUL
11
2008

i got called and they attempted to scam me from the following jamacian numbers....

876 896 6505 and 876 407 3038 and 876 412 5792 and 876 884 8994

so far...where's chris hansen when ya need him?
sean
8:30pm • #23

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Lanette Branch, - Bel Air, MD REALTOR

Fallston, MD

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Address: 2103 Belair Rd., Fallston, MD, 21047

Office Phone: (410) 638-6661

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Hey, y'all! It's me, Lanette in Bel Air, and I love sharing my take on Real Estate and whatever else comes to mind. Read it, digest it, then let's engage in some written banter, shall we?


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