Jump to content
ATX Community

Got My Call from the IRS Scammers This Morning


JohnH

Recommended Posts

Caller ID showed 703.828.0423.  I didn't answer but they left a threatening message on my voice mail about suspected fraud and all sorts of dire consequences if I or my attorney didn't call back.  The person had an accent (Hispanic I think), and the syntax was a little convoluted, but not enough to notice if the hearer wasn't tuned in enough to know it's fraudulent.  I can see how unsuspecting people can get sucked into this scam because overall they make it a very intimidating conversation. I feel sorry for the people who answer these calls and don't know up front that it's OK to hang up on them.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

They called back about 30 min later, then another call after 15-20 more minutes.

I didn't answer - no message left either of these times.

 

I'm guessing it's a part of their scam - they begin by raking you over the coals for not responding to their message.

If I weren't trying to get out of the office for a weekend getaway, I'd tie them up on the phone for a while.

At least that would delay their getting to their next victim.

 

But they do have me a little paranoid now, because I'm wondering if they work various area codes in sequence. So I've called a couple of my elderly clients to personally warn them about this type of scam.  Bottom line is, these idiots are cutting into my play time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pacun: Our local police aren't going to involve themselves in something like this.  A couple of years ago, they couldn't even take time to figure out what to do about an illegal gambling establishment operating in the same office complex I'm in.  They didn't shut it down until someone broke into the place and an officer had to enter it to see if there was anyone injured inside.  When the poker machines were staring him in the face, he had to do something about it.   If they won't deal with something in their own jurisdiction, they're sure not going to take on a problem across state lines.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Caller ID showed 703.828.0423.  I didn't answer but they left a threatening message on my voice mail about suspected fraud and all sorts of dire consequences if I or my attorney didn't call back.  The person had an accent (Hispanic I think), and the syntax was a little convoluted, but not enough to notice if the hearer wasn't tuned in enough to know it's fraudulent.  I can see how unsuspecting people can get sucked into this scam because overall they make it a very intimidating conversation. I feel sorry for the people who answer these calls and don't know up front that it's OK to hang up on them.

 

 

Sounds exactly like a call left on my answering machine at home about 10 days ago.

 

I thought about reporting it, but I am just too busy right now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are the lucky one, you should play with them. You should say "I am sorry, I want to make payment arrangements with you, please send me the contract and I will sign it. I can afford $20 per month and bla bla bla". Tell them that your bank cancelled you bank account because you are so poor. Tell them that you clean casinos but there are not that many in your area and therefor you are not making that much money. Or you can tell them that you are the shampoo guy but all you clients are bald now and that your job is in decline.  I would play with them a lot if I get a call from them.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My step-daughter received one on her answering machine and she called them back. Fortunately, she doesn't think that she gave them any information. I can't believe that as much as I preach to my family members about fraudulent calls, emails, etc., that she would be so gullible. It's been all over the news and in the papers here. She's also one that let the "Microsoft" people into her computer after being warned many times. :wall:  I guess this is why there are so many scammers.  

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would still call the police.  Some of these scum have called in fake "murder in progress" calls to terrorize people for NOT paying.  Calling the cops at least makes it far LESS likely that they send the SWAT team out to your house because of the "hostage situation in progress."

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

They called me a couple of months ago.  My husband answered and went into a panic.  I told him not to worry we owed nothing.

 

The called again last week while a client was in the office.  I put them on speaker phone and let them rant.  Then explained to what happened to be an elderly client that it was a scam and to never return the calls.  It Could be dangerous and if she was truly concerned to always have her daughter handle it.

 

PS her daughter is up on most of the scams

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh, I can't wait to get one of these calls and play with them.  I got one last week from the Microsoft technical center wanting to help me "fix" my computer.  I just kept laughing at them and they finally hung up.  Next call I told them I had a MAC now.   Then I answered one of these at my mom's house and I told that one that there's no computer at the home (truth). I was not so politely informed by that caller that all Americans are rich and all have computers.  I just about fell off the chair laughing at that one!

 

Several of my clients got the scammer calls complete with spoofing of the caller ID.  The latest was an elderly Japanese man who is brilliant retired college professor. He played along and told the caller he was so upset over the call that he had to go lie down and would wait for the police to arrive. Next call he received, the caller ID said " local police". We have only state or county police, both of which show on caller ID, and again my client said he'd be resting until the police arrived to arrest him.   He said the callers got more belligerent as he wasn't cooperating and falling for their lies.  Then he called me laughing about the whole thing.  I love my smart, funny clients.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...