Watch Out For Telephone Scams

Before I tell the story, let me first tell you that I am registered with the National Do Not Call registry (https://www.donotcall.gov/) and my State Do Not Call registry.

Today, on my business phone line, I got a voicemail. They did not identify themselves, the name of the company, nor the service they were selling. Instead, the recording said that they were investigating a “case” and looking for a person (and gave the name of my neighbor), and said that I had been identified as a colleague or relative of that person (I’m not). They did not disclose that they were debt sellers (I looked them up in Google to find out who this phone number was associated with; “Arches Financial”). They simply said they were investigating a “case” and needed to contact this person (my neighbor, whose phone number is in the phone book, no unlisted).

Wow, what a scam! If I were a gullible person, I’d want to help someone working on a “case,” wouldn’t I?

I immediately went to both the Federal and State registry websites and filed a complaint. Since both my home and office numbers are on the “do not call” list, these debt sellers violated the law. And, even worse, were perpetrating a scam that many will fall for.

My advice to you:

• First, get yourself on the “do not call” list for both the Federal government and for your State, if your state has a registry.
• Second, never believe offers that come through the phone — ask them to mail you information that you can read and consider (they probably won’t, but the legitimate ones will). If you get a human person calling you, remind them that you are on the “do not call” list and that it’s illegal for them to call you. (See the “do not call” website for a list of those who CAN call you, namely charities and political organizations.)
• Third, if they don’t identify themselves, look up their phone number through Google.
• Fourth, file complaints online when someone violates the “do not call” list.

When we all work so hard to run our business is a legal and ethical manner, we need to take action against those who bend the rules.