September 15, 2004

Scams, by phone or otherwise

I just had the phone ring through to my office and, being a responsible sort, I picked it up. It was Susan, from Customer Service. You know Susan, right?

Her: Hi, this is Susan calling from Customer Service about your photocopy machine. How are you today?

Me: Well, I'm fine, Susan, thank you for asking.

Her: I just need to update our records and need the model number on your photocopy machine. Could I ask you to go over to the photocopy machine and read it to me? It should be a 3 or 4 digit number.

Me: Well, sure, Susan, I'd be happy to. But first, tell me, exactly what customer service department are you calling from and who are you?

Her: click [as phone hangs up]

I wonder what the scam was.

Go to the EXTENDED ENTRY below for my all time favorite email scam, which I reproduce below.

SCAM WARNING!!!

Most of you know that I don't normally forward these types of emails, but this one looks important, and I got it from a reliable source. You may want to pass this info along to friends, or for their wives or girlfriends:

WARNING !!!!!

If a man comes to your front door and says he is conducting a survey and he asks you to show him your tits, DO NOT SHOW HIM YOUR TITS. This is a scam and he is only trying to SEE YOUR TITS.

I wish someone had told me this before. God, I feel so stupid.

Posted by Random Penseur at September 15, 2004 03:07 PM
Comments

Toner. Has to be toner. Those toner people never stop. They're like pitbulls. Makes me wonder what they get paid. *laughs at the extended entry* "Doh!"

Posted by: Amber at September 15, 2004 06:39 PM

RP,
everyone knows Susan.
and
we all think she is a

well - you know....it starts with B.

Posted by: standing naked at September 15, 2004 08:42 PM

Yes, it's toner. They got me by identifying themselves as from within our firm. After I gave them the number they quickly hung up. One month later our dept got 1 bottle of toner for $450.00 with my name on it.


BTW, great comment you posted on Silent Running Re: the El Pais online ad. Thanks for sticking up for NY. Lately I haven't the energy to do battle or sleigh dragons.

Posted by: michele at September 16, 2004 12:59 AM

That tit thing was a scam? Boy do I feel stupid.

Posted by: Simon at September 16, 2004 05:22 AM

Damn, Simon, I was afraid this warning would come too late for someone! Don't feel too bad though, these guys are slick.

Toner, huh? Well, that makes perfect sense. It just felt like a scam.

Thanks, Michele, that thing on Silent Running made me very angry.

Posted by: RP at September 16, 2004 06:35 AM

good morning RP.

Posted by: standing naked at September 16, 2004 07:58 AM

I've been getting those calls for as long as I remember. It's not only toner they offer, some are out to offer maintenance, parts, and in one case, a new copier (ours apparently had too many miles on it!).

Unbelievable!

Posted by: Mick at September 16, 2004 07:06 PM
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