Utility Scam - Don't Fall For It!

Thanks Caledonea; Just wanted to mention another thing which is not a scam, but it involves Caller ID. One of our friends stays in trouble; she's had her children removed from her home and her husband is in jail right now. She called a few weeks ago, and the Caller ID said "Florida, State Of". The number listed was in this format 9-555-1212, without an area code. We tried calling the number back and it basically said it was not in service.

So we called the phone company to find out about this. They told us that these are special accounts which only work one way; most likely a Law Enforcement Officer. The other night, we had the phone in our bedroom overnight. When I came into the kitchen where the charger was, the "in use" light was on, showing that the line was open. When I got back to the bedroom to check the phone, the 9-555-1212 number was on the display and the phone had obviously been listening in on us for who knows how long. While the line was still open, I said "That's the cop's number on the phone again; they're listening to us." and hung up. We had not answered the phone this time, and still don't know how they were able to open the line.

We're not concerned about it, because we're both clean; just friends of someone who is not. We won't be leaving the phone in the bedroom anymore however. My point is that some of you may benefit from this information.

Once again, thanks for the heads-up on the scam. I hope this post is not deleted by the mods, but whatever...

reply to post by OneisOne


I didn't know about that utility scam...thank you for adding it.

I have gotten to the point that I don't really trust very many people...everyone is a criminal..until they prove different...lol...

I think it is much better to be extremely skeptical...than to be too trusting and gullible.

reply to post by James1982


There are a lot of gullible, too trusting people out in the world; I used to be one of them...but I went though the school of hard knocks...and I learned...but you know why I was so naive and gullible? Because i was raised that way. My family wanted to protect and shelter me from all the bad in the world (they had good intentions) and as a result when I left home...I knew next to nothing.

reply to post by visualmiscreant


You are welcome. I thought that my ATS friends would read and spread the word to all they know.

Thank you for telling me about that weird caller ID number...they must be listening in.

I'm outside of Seattle and had a guy show up at my door pitching the same thing with a clipboard and an Obama pin. I sensed fakery and slammed the door in his face.

My dog chased him down the driveway....good pooch.

Originally posted by AlienAgendah
I'm outside of Seattle and had a guy show up at my door pitching the same thing with a clipboard and an Obama pin. I sensed fakery and slammed the door in his face.

My dog chased him down the driveway....good pooch.

It is bad enough these scams are happening...but coming to people's homes that is just a whole new level. I am glad you are smart enough to see thru the criminal...some people are not.

As a side note: I live in Seattle...hello neighbor!...

Originally posted by Carseller4
But wasn't Obama elected to pay all our bills and rent?

Love the way the scammers incorporated Obama into this.

So believable!

Many people actually believed just that when they voted for him.....and the scammers took note.

The easiest way to tell if something is a scam is as soon as they phone you, ask for your personal information. Never give out your personal information, if it is the government, they already have it.

Originally posted by EvilSadamClone I never answer the phone for people I don't recognize.

same here. it's for the best.

Originally posted by MidnightTide

Originally posted by Carseller4
But wasn't Obama elected to pay all our bills and rent?

Love the way the scammers incorporated Obama into this.

So believable!

Many people actually believed just that when they voted for him.....and the scammers took note.

The easiest way to tell if something is a scam is as soon as they phone you, ask for your personal information. Never give out your personal information, if it is the government, they already have it.

edit on 13-7-2012 by MidnightTide because: (no reason given)

Good point...if it is really the government...they already have your info.

One time someone called me and started asking for all sorts of personal information...and I turned the tables on them. I asked them the same questions they were asking me...and that really annoyed them and they hung up. I did not hear from them again.

I just have to say, with all the hi-tech devices and technology, with a "government" that is/can watch and listen to our every move, I am surprised this happens, but amazed it goes on by the same scammers for weeks or months. And when they do (if ever) get caught, not much will happen to them. I rarely hear of scammers getting caught yet they steal millions from innocent people.

For crying out loud, they're (government, cops, fraud depts, CIA, FBI etc) supposed to be able to back track on the internet to find pedophiles and virus starters, find a terrorist by his phone conversation, spy on us through a dishwasher, see universes billions of light years away, but they can't catch the freaking scammers like the ones referenced in this thread? It seems a little odd, one way or the other.

reply to post by Gridrebel


Yes...I agree with you...it is very odd that they have not quickly caught these scam criminals. Aren't the common people important enough!

On one hand, I don't like that there are these kinds of scammers out there. And It's hard to believe how gullible some people are, especially if they are desperate.

But on the other hand, it kinda is exploiting the people that use and rely on the "system" to help them and take care of them. They are quick to give up the info, because thats how you use the governments systems anymore, is online or by the phone. And I think it is a quick lesson to stop relying on the government to pay your bills, or buy your groceries. Because in the scheme of things, even that is a scam.

Originally posted by MoosKept240
On one hand, I don't like that there are these kinds of scammers out there. And It's hard to believe how gullible some people are, especially if they are desperate.

But on the other hand, it kinda is exploiting the people that use and rely on the "system" to help them and take care of them. They are quick to give up the info, because thats how you use the governments systems anymore, is online or by the phone. And I think it is a quick lesson to stop relying on the government to pay your bills, or buy your groceries. Because in the scheme of things, even that is a scam.

I agree and was just going to write the same thing.I read a whole long story and comments on Huff Po and as much as I hate that some people get scammed--others are ripe for it as a result of greed.One woman was expecting help with her Direct TV account and was whining because she lost her job and couldn't pay the bill.IMO--if you have no job (which is unfortunate,but still...) then you do WITHOUT the Direct TV. Gimmee,gimmee,gimmee!

Originally posted by MoosKept240
On one hand, I don't like that there are these kinds of scammers out there. And It's hard to believe how gullible some people are, especially if they are desperate.

But on the other hand, it kinda is exploiting the people that use and rely on the "system" to help them and take care of them. They are quick to give up the info, because thats how you use the governments systems anymore, is online or by the phone. And I think it is a quick lesson to stop relying on the government to pay your bills, or buy your groceries. Because in the scheme of things, even that is a scam.

Maybe some of the scams but not all of them. Especially the one where a utility company gets you to transfer to them as your provider so you can save money and then skyrockets your rates. I know the scam. But if I could find a cheaper utility company then I would in a heart beat. My utility company has high rates and charges a $28.00 base fee on top of the usage fees and is the only one in the area. And I would be pissed if that happend to me because I was truly trying to save money. I mean, who checks out a utility company??????? I never would have before but I would now. So some of us are truly just trying to save money, not use the system. And not all people choose to get exploited. Maybe their info is stolen, or they are just naive in giving out the wrong information. Not everyone is an exploiter.

Well there are few things going on that make it easier for the thieves to get away with this. First there are utility assistance programs but as a rule they don't contact you and are administered by your State funded through the Federal. But you still have to contact them first. The second is a side effect of the dual income family and stagnating wages that have made it a way of life. There is no one at home to create and maintain the social ties in the neighborhood. This was an important deterrent to this kind of thing because you could get over on one maybe two but then the entire neighborhood knew. The third is we are in an extended period of economic hardship, the hopeless are looking for the slightest miracle to help them.

This shouldn't be turned into a blame the President thing, it isn't his fault and he had nothing to do with it. Turning it into a partisan battle only shows how limited your intelligence is.

Thanks for the heads up. Such a shame that the most vulnerable are usually the one's affected.

I actually got a call earlier, before I saw your post. It was a recording saying that if I wanted help with my utility bills I should press 1 to be connected to someone. I immediately hung up as I do with all "recorded" calls. Now, I wish I had pressed 1 just to get more details.

Common sense is gone. Of course people will try to take advantage.Never give anyone, anything, over the phone. Ask them to mail you the info so you can see it in writing. This buys you time to check it out and puts a burden on them. Use layers of protection.

My father when I was young taught me this one thing...

If its too good to be true...

Again all these confidence scams tap into one thing Greed.

and it works every time because we are inherently greedy...

The scam only works if they tap into your greed.

Some one else will pay my bills? sweet heres my SSN bank account numbers and DOB...

I feel very little sympathy, of course this excludes the elderly or mentally impaired.

reply to post by caladonea


People are deeply stupid, this is my saying for the day. If I see a number on my phone that I don't recognize, I don't answer it. Call display was invented for a reason. If I hear an automated message, the caller goes on block immediately. I'm on the national do not call list and any calls that do come through, get reported. Scammers suck but they are everywhere. People just have to be smarter when they answer the phone.

Originally posted by EvilSadamClone
reply to post by Murgatroid

 

It doesn't matter if it's legitimate, I never answer the phone if it's a number I don't recognize.

Also never give personnel information to some one WHO CALLED YOU, caller ID can easily be spoofed to make it look like a legitimate call. If some one calls you asking for personnel information, tell them you will call them back using the phone numbers supplied to you by the company and then hang up.