Pax on both houses: A Fail-Safe Method For Avoiding Telephone Scams

Saturday, December 2, 2017

A Fail-Safe Method For Avoiding Telephone Scams

Dear M and D,

I know we've "been down this road" before but the growth of telephone scamming has been so rapid -- and with such dire consequences -- that the following alert from Duke Power moves me to discuss it again.

When anyone phones you about an "issue" involving payment -- or asking for information -- immediately tell them: "STOP AND LISTEN TO ME."

Then say (shouting over them if you must): "What company or organization do you represent?"

When they identify their company or organization, say, "Please send me a snail-mail letter about this matter."

Then, IMMEDIATELY say "Goodbye" and without listening to ANYTHING ELSE they might try to say, simply hang up, or put the phone down and walk away. (If you set the phone down and walk away -- which, for some people, is easier than hanging up -- return to your phone 10 minutes later and hang up. You will have the satisfaction of wasting their time.)

Many scammers are geniuses at psychological manipulation.

In "no time", they will have you believing that, not only are they authentic representatives of a company or organization, but that they are your "savior" - the only person standing between you and Great Loss -- either money, or cancellation of "service"... or both.

CH, who is a very smart guy, came within a hair's breadth of "giving away the farm" when -- at the last possible moment -- a voice in his skull said: "Oh my God!!! I'm being scammed."

DO NOT ENGAGE these "sweet talking saviors" in ANY conversation.

NONE WHATSOEVER.

TELL THEM TO LISTEN TO YOU, AND IF THEY DON'T, HANG UP IMMEDIATELY.

To review The Process:

1. Tell the caller: "STOP AND LISTEN TO ME."

2.) Tell the caller to send you a snail-mail letter about the matter.

3.) Hang up -- with or without saying "goodbye."

4.) Contact the Reference Desk of a public library to get the actual phone number of the company or organization which the caller claims to represent and then phone the company or organization using the number the library gives you (NOT the number the caller gives you). Most companies and organizations have a Fraud Division you can consult, explaining what happened and asking if there is any "outstanding issue" in your "account" or "record." If there is not a Fraud Division, explain your situation to the person who answers the phone number given to you by the library and they will direct you accordingly.

A Final Note: Typically, these scammers "play on a sense of urgency," saying that if this matter is not dealt with IMMEDIATELY, you will end up in a very costly situation.

Love you tons!

Daddy man

PS Remember that scammers' websites and web addresses look VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL to the websites and web addresses of the company or organization they pretend to represent.

PPS Another type of scam offers you an award, prize or other free enticement... if only you provide personal information... or send a "small sum" of money (typically by surrendering your credit card information).

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Duke Energy
Date: Sat, Dec 2, 2017 at 4:22 AM
Subject: Shutting down phone scammers!

Find out how to spot scam and how to report one. Trouble viewing? View in browser.

Be aware of growing scams
targeting utility customers.

Scammers posing as your utility provider use phone, in-person and online tactics to target customers and steal money. They may threaten to turn off power to your home or business or tell you to put money on a prepaid debit card and ask for the card number. Don’t believe it.

LEARN MORE

Some common scams include:

CALLS THAT APPEAR TO BE FROM YOUR UTILITY

Scammers may rig caller ID to make it look like the call is from a service provider.

POWER DISCONNECTION

You may receive threats to turn off your power, water or natural gas service if a payment is not made quickly.

IMMEDIATE PAYMENT REQUESTS

If someone requests immediate payment – especially by prepaid debit card – it is a scam.

Suspect a scammer? Here’s what to do:

Hang up the phone. Then, call your utility provider by using the phone number provided on your bill, followed by a call to the police. DO NOT pay over the phone if immediate payment is demanded to avoid a disconnection.