8883010702

Today is May 25, 2012 and I too received the same message from Ellie with the same return phone number.  The phone call originated from 1-888-323-5162.  This too was for a $50,000 home makeover.  I'm so grateful I didn't call it and found this site instead!  I am a lucky girl after all!  Thanks to all for the posts.

And Ellie - if you read these messages - go find yourself a real job!  Keep in mind young lady, what goes around comes around!

The caller said to call her back at 1-888-323-5162 extension #412 I got an answering machine message today from the same type of caller.  The caller said to call her back at 1-888-323-5162 extension #412.  She said that she had some very important news for me and that my name had been "pulled" from either a movie theater, shopping mall or internet site.  And that I had won a $50,0000 home makeover.  So glad that I googled and found this site.  Don't answer it!  Thank you for all your post.

Same number same story.  $50,000 Kitchen makeover from 'Ellie'.  5/29/2012.  I might call back and give them my 1060 West Addison address.

Susie & Andrea,
I received the same call today, May 30th. I too was looking for a job and  since applying on CareerBuilders.com I have received so many telemarketer calls and solicitations from insurance companies. I wish I knew how to stop them.

You cannot block your number when you call toll-free numbers because toll-frees pay for incoming calls and are entitled to collect incoming numbers. Gotta call from a pay phone.

I received the same message on yesterday... 1-888-301-0702 ext.421.....I understand that everyone wants to work but DAMN!!! just send me the check minus whatever fees.

We got the same call on Fri, June 1st. They left a message saying we'd filled out at a mall or on-line, etc. within the last 12 months and lucky me, I'd won $50,000 home make over!! I tried to call back figuring it was a scam, but there was no answer. What threw me was she left an extension # 421 which made it sound more legit even though I had my doubts. I definitely would not give them any information. So sad everyone has to go through this sort of thing.

Got same call from Kelly saying I won 50k home make over call 888-301-0702 ext 421 call on Id is from 888-323-5162 funny I would remember filling this out, if I actually did.  Called 6-4-2012 in afternoon

I got the same message from "ellie" and called. Deborah said that my ballot was pulled last night. If I listened to a 90 minute information session from Direct Buy - I would get a key to open the treasure chest. Of course, if I did not go and listen to the informercial I could not win. No thanks.

Just got the exact same call this morning..June 5th....Thanks for posting so I won't call them back....

Wait I won the $50,000 home make over! Glad I researched before I called Ellie back at ext. 421. Thanks for all the info.

On June 6th I received a voicemail from by the sounds of her - a very young lady (no name) identifying herself as from the Verification Center. She sweetly and enticingly said she had some "veeerrry good news" for me. It was regarding a 50K home makeover and my name had been pulled from either a movie theatre or shopping mall drawing that I participated in. Bear in mind, she carefully did not say I won. I did recently fill out a drawing at a new Home Goods store opening. Maybe they sell those lists for way more than the cost of one prize (if anyone ever really even gets a prize?) Anyway, for the record not sure where they got my number and no one mentioned my name at all. I called back 1-888-301-0702 X421 and NO ANSWER. Then I googled the number and as I suspected all along - SCAM CITY! I wouldn't worry if you call back as they already have your number anyway. Just don't give out any personal info at all.
NOW HERE IS THE BEST PART for all of you out there. Google U TUBE video for "disconnected phone message stop telemarketers". Save it in your favorites and have it ready to queue up for when they next call. When you see their number on your handy caller id, pick up the phone, say nothing but play that recording. The phantom "Ellie" will cross you off the list. YES - SCAM THE SCAMMERS. One for our side.

Prize Offers: You Don’t Have to Pay to Play!
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel17.shtm

excerpt from FTC CONSUMER ALERT
A Dozen Ways to Protect Yourself
The next time you get a "personal" letter or telephone call telling you "it’s your lucky day," the Federal Trade Commission encourages you to remember that:

Legitimate sweepstakes don’t require you to pay or buy something to enter or improve your chances of winning, or to pay "taxes" or "shipping and handling charges" to get your prize.

If you have to pay to receive your "prize," it’s not a prize at all.


Also covered here on 800notes since Nov 2008 - 16 Ways You Can be Phone Scammed

2.Another phone scam involves calls from “Prize Distribution Centers” that claim that you are the winner in sweepstakes or a lottery. Of course, you are not the only “winner” in the lottery and tens of thousands of people received the same call. The goal of the scheme is to entice you to make a relatively small payment (for example, shipping and handling fee, a sales tax) promising that a much bigger prize will be sent your way.


Once the payment is sent, you will most likely not hear from the company again, and a promised “Lincoln Navigator” will not find its way to your driveway.


WESTERN UNION and Money Gram are how they get the money - THIS IS A RED FLAG  - Never wire money to anyone you do not personally KNOW!

I received a $50K home makeover vpocemail call and was asked to call 1-888-301-0702, Ext 421 immediately.  I didn't return the call and I haven't filled out any contest entry forms during the last year.  

Since I retired in April 2011, I have received monthly calls from supposedly the Publishers Clearing House, Golden Nugget Lottery, etc., telling me I've won millions and a new Mercedes Benz.  Not sure of the connection, but I never received such calls before I retired.  When I happen to answer the calls I tell the callers to take out their handling fees, etc., and send me the remaining money.  They usually tell me that's against company policy or they must send the money by Fedex, etc.  I tell them I trust the US postal system so go ahead and send it.  I'm then told I don't appreciate the seriousness of the situation.  I tell them to give it to charity.  They usually hang-up, but I still get additional calls

By the way, the Publishers Clearing House and lottery callers usually give me a 1-876-xxx-xxxx number to call.  876 is the area code for Jamaica.  If you are asked to call a 1-876 number, don't do it (even to tell them you know it's a scam or tell them to stop calling you), you will be charged a substantial amount for making an overseas call.  (You can call 1-876 numbers without having to dial the country code.)

888-301-0702 x421 just loves dishing out cash! We all have hit the $50,000.00 home makeover jackpot!!! So my question is: what is this recession I keep reading about? Direct Buy can afford to give thousands upon thousands of folks like you and me these great prizes, all from a contest that we did not even enter to win, with an Escalade tossed in to boot! I can't believe I'm typing this message when I really should be calling to claim my riches!!!! Heck, I'll call twice and then I can get $100K and two cars!!!! Is this a great country or what?! See all of you chumps at the country club!

I got a call from Ellie about a 50,000.00 home makeover. called number back no one answered it is a scam and we are on the do not call list.

I won the $50,000 home makeover with the 888-031-0702 ext421. I thought it was too good to be true, my son called me at work to tell me about it, I checked here before calling. I think I'll file this with my Hawaii & Bermuda vacation.

Got the same call from Ellie about the $50,000 home makeover. I was suspicious but called the number anyway and after one ring somebody picked up on their end and immediately hung up before I could even think about typing the 421 extension. SCAM ALERT!!!

Gosh, I got ripped off!  I only won a $3000 kitchen makeover.  Not a Cadillac, not $50,000.  Not fair!  SERIOUSLY...don't call.

Got the same message today. Thanks for the post. Same extension everything.