Caller ID, Is there something stinky here?

[ArtLady]

We have caller ID here in the Gallery. The phone rang twice so the id pad picked up the following.

WIN 50000 CASH 214-615-3450.

When we picked up the phone the party on the phone hung up. Of course we are not going to call it back. But it makes me wonder what scams will come up next.

 

[Ron Eggers]

AL,

That's just plain spooky. I guess you didn't win!

I suppose all someone would have to do is take out phone service for a business called Win 50000 cash. You know for sure the phone company isn't going to police this as long as they get paid! It would be interesting to know how someone makes money with this, though.

That must be one of Murphy's Laws: As soon as someone develops some technology to make our lives "better", someone will figure out a way to abuse it!

 

[Reynard]

Its probably a premium rate phone number.If you phone it back it will probably charge you a tenner a minute or something like that.

A scam.

 

[BUDDY]

AL it looks like some engenius Telemarketor has found a way to get around the screening systems to block their annoying multiple calls. We subsribed to a system that did block there getting through but it also made it VERY difficult for wanted calls that were originated from unlisted phones ( Cells, pay phones etc.) to get throgh. this was because it required the listing to have a name on file.Now some local Govt. are starting screens that block your name from being on the list .
A family member that made credit calls advised me that if they anonymusly wanted to violate company policy they could get around these safe guards in a minute.
Like so many other things the safe gaurd stops honest people not the inventive perpetuator. they will find a way around them.
Buddy

 

[ArtLady]

Could this be one of those infamous offshore phone numbers we all hear about in the papers that when you call it you are charged $50,000 per minute? Since I did not call back I guess I already Won $50,000.

 

[Framerguy]

Hey ArtLady,
Some of these get rich schemes don't announce themselves as obviously as this one did.

So, if you chose NOT to answer 19 more phone calls that you suspect may be the same scam, does that make you a millionaire ............by proxy??

(Just a random thought)

Goober GirdlePants, Esq.

 

[jframe]

214 is a regular Dallas area code, not a "pay by the minute" area code. It's probably just another telemarketer trying their newest scam. I'm thankful for caller ID. I get between 10 & 20 calls everyday, no kidding. Maybe it's part of the price I pay for living in a large metropolitan area.