not for everyone! You can't just jump right into scam baiting a telephone scammer and NOT all of them are kids but all are in boiler rooms … most likely overseas somewhere!
Trying to trick a scam artist (include over the phone) is dangerous. It could backfire if you are not careful and know what you are doing!
Here is a post from a certain forum that discussed doing such baiting: "There were several long threads which took several weeks before the scammers gave up and it was an interesting and sometimes hilarious insight into the scammer mentality and organization.
---> Eventually though, it began to get more dangerous. Some of the baiters went to the length of using a 'burn' phone as a contact, but in two cases the criminals actually had people over here and made physical threats. <----
It takes a lot of perseverance, time and effort to fool these people successfully as they are well used to it. I am amazed that I still get emails from Nigerians wanting help to get cash out of their country - hard to believe that people still fall for it. The IRS/HMRC scam is the latest in a long line - the usual one here is to say that there is a rebate due but some cash is needed up front to free it up.
Remember that to them, any response at all is considered a success - it means a 'live' contact that can be pursued at some future date even if this one fails."
+3
William
| 4 replies
" ... two cases the criminals actually had people over here and made physical threats."
Most people need to be trained to recognize when a call is a scam. I've seen a lot of posts here where the called party argues with the caller instead of promptly hanging up. I am not an actor, but I am trying to train myself with some lines and a way different voice to throw at scam callers.
"Most people need to be trained to recognize when a call is a scam."
William, I do believe you summed it up nicely! Most people that get these scam calls aren't what can be called trained to recognize them... like you said, they either pick up and argue with the scammer or... in some cases mistakenly fall for it! Although there are those of us here (at this site) who have received enough of these type of calls to recognize them as scam calls and have found useful ways to deal with them; some by baiting and others by different means.
But your post was nicely worded and said it quite clearly!
I think a lot of that training is occurring, and this site is actually helping quite a bit. Sometimes I run down the numbers on the home page to see what all junk telemarketing is going on, and there are quite a few of the IRS/debt collection scams going on right now. There are many people that see these forums and realize it's a scam, so we are making a positive difference.
This site does help a lot... but honestly it takes more than just this site and all it's (and everyone's) efforts here as to baiting scammers but this site itself helps in exposing them. Well, there you're doing what a lot of us do when running down the numbers ... and agree there are a lot of those FDCPA violating DC's and phony IRS scammers to be found here lately! And as to others being informed of all the various scams as seen on this site yes we are helping in that way :). No argument there!
I rarely try to do a full-on baiting, mostly it's just consuming their time as a non-committal but interested consumer. Nothing aggressive or try to get them to do something silly. Just be a normal person. Although, I admit that I haven't gotten any of the IRS/debt collection scammers calling me, so at least for now, I'm off their radar. That could change.
I try to have a couple of pre-planned personas. I'll pick out a couple of easy to remember names (book characters, for example, but nothing as obvious as "Harry Potter" or "Katnis Everdeen"), a fake set of conditions (i.e. house size + dog for security alarm calls), and although I've rarely used it - a fake address (non existent, so I'm not hurting some random dude). I personally don't use different voices, but I can see how that would add to the fun. The main thing is to be able to naturally tell them that information, as if it's just a part of you.
Sometimes, I get a call for {Fake Name}, and I immediately know it's a telemarketer or other scammer. Also, for unknown callers, I almost always record my phone calls (check your State for local laws - I live in a one-party State).
+1
pem59
I would send them to the local police station. Also give them a number that corresponds to that address.
-4
loosingmyS&!Twiththisco
| 2 replies
I am getting so mad these people are changing my whole day at this point. It's like they are stalkers. I can say all the different things to say but they still call my cell # 4+ times a day from different numbers. I block a number they call from but it never EVER ENDS!!!! Does anyone know what can actually be done and please dont tell me about the "Do not call list" because that is a joke. Robo calls HA! I get about 4 a year of those big deal how do you stop this company?!!!!
Put the blame where it really lay's, with the criminals and illegal telemarketers. The DNC works just fine. It is for telemarketers only and honest business does indeed abide by it. It is the criminals (which includes illegal telemarketers), frauds and scammers that do not. However, the Fed. DNC does not cover some survey's, Political or Charities. You would need to check your states DNC laws to see if these are under your states DNC laws. The fact remains that they are not automatic call blockers though and can not protect you from the calls that are criminal, illegal or fraudulent.
Recently a contractor came over to bid the job. Got his card and brochure first, then asked "Why isn't your company name the same as the one given by the caller, Home Center?
Contractor: "They're supposed to give out the correct name."
Me: "I'm not interested in contracting w/ a company that hides its real name. Thank you."
The contractor knows they aren't supposed to reveal the name, because he knows darned well there was no NDNCR scrubbing. This helps build evidence for the "willful or knowing" violation standard under 47 USC 227 (c) (5) to recover treble damages.
And when they hide their face with their clipboard during the photo session, more good evidence is obtained for treble damages.
+5
Tinman
One caveat on messing with these scammers, they have your phone number, therefore they can get your real address and pay you a visit that may result in your injury or death. A lot of these scammers are tied to the Mafia/organized criminals and are nasty, dangerous people to cross. Remember these are hardcore criminals, out to cheat/steal from as many people as possible. The Russian Mafia is estimated to make billions a year at scamming and computer hacking. Do you really want to [***] the Russian Mafia, or any other organized criminals?
-3
CPO
| 2 replies
I am not afraid of telemarketers nor do I fear what group or organization they may be associated. I stand up for myself. I do not make fear based decisions.
My cell number is registered on the Federal DNC Registry. I have found that illegal telemarketer that contact me are in violation of Federal statute. I make appointments with solar telemarketers when they call. They typically have my name and address but if they do not I give it to them.
I record and document the call. I video and audio record the visit. They are not aware of what is happening until well into their presentation. Only at that point, in no uncertain terms, I inform them of what I think about their business practices.
I welcome their manager, supervisor, lead generator, or whomever to contact me. Two times I have had follow up contact. Once by a man that claimed to be legal council for the solar contractor. He wanted to know what I intented to do with the audio, video, contract, and business card of the company. The other time a lead generator called to say my number had been permenently removed from their list.
I do not seek confrontation nor do I desire for the sales representative to experience discomfort while in my presence. They can choose the outcome and I will accomodate.
I will not be bullied on the phone nor in my home.
Reply to topic