If somebody calls you up and says you just won $1.2 million, it's not necessarily your lucky day.
A Corfu resident who recently received such a call on his mobile phone, did the smart thing and asked a few questions. The caller identified himself as Detective Brown and said that the lottery was "100 percent verified by the United States Government."
When the Corfu resident inquired about how Det. Brown obtained his mobile number, the caller mentioned something about paying bills online and buying goods "at a favorite grocery store."
The would-be victim figured out that the area code for Det. Brown was in Jamaica.
After getting off the phone, the complainant, who is on a "Do Not Call List," contacted Verizon Wireless and asked how this phony could have obtained his number. A Verizon operator said the company is aware of this particular scam, but did not explain, according to the Sheriff's Office, why the Corfu man's phone number was compromised.
Investigator Roger Stone warns residents to be especially aware during the Holiday Season of scammers and bunko artists. Many grifters will often try to obtain key personal and account information on the promise of sending large sums of money. Some flimflammers will ask "marks" for advance payment for insurance or shipping, etc., before claimed winnings or windfalls are transferred.
Would-be marks are encouraged to first, don't fall for the con, and second, report the incident to their local law-enforcement agency.
Damn, I was planning on the
Damn, I was planning on the money I was gonna get from some lady in Cote d'Ivoire. She e-mailed me that her father was killed for supporting a coup and all his fortune was frozen in France. All I had to do was be their American partner and I'd get 10%. OK, just joking, but I will admit, I answered one of those ads about making money on the internet, I filled out a form online for free info with name, address, phone # etc, but cancelled out when it asked for a credit card #. They call me constantly and badger the crap out of me if I don't hang up, even though I cancelled out before completing the form. Apparently people have been getting charges for hundreds of dollars. Google is suing some of these people for using their name. My point is, they are out there, and they won't leave you alone. So, be careful.
As simple as fillig out a
As simple as fillig out a raffle or a sweepstakes. Your info is then pretty much public domain, as you have no clue where your personal info is going from there.
I remember reading about this
I remember reading about this scam not too long ago- I wish I could remember the website. But anyways, these calls from Jamaica, apparently they try to keep you on the phone as long as possible, and it ends up costing YOU alot of money per minute you are on the phone with them.
It's no mystery how your
It's no mystery how your phone can ring even though it's unlisted and on the "do not call" registry. Dial any area code and a phone number, you're bound to get an answer. They simply call numbers at random.
I can't vouch for other
I can't vouch for other non-profits, but we at the Wyoming County SPCA keep the identity of raffle ticket purchasers private. Definitely do business with people and organizations you trust.