Lottery scam harrassment advice needed.

[CF'er]

My friend's mom "won" $2.5 and a Mercedes in a lottery scam. She got a phone call (home) advising her of her win and asking for money to be wired to cover taxes or something. Well, she knew it was a scam and tried to just put them off. They got her cell number (which is a line on her daughter's acct not even in HER name) and have been calling both lines.

To sum it up they have threatened to max one of her CC's claiming to have the number. They claim to be with the secret service and are going to arrest her for not sending the money and the latest is they threatened to come kill her husband.

The local police have been notified but don't seem to be interested. The phone company (for whom the mom works BTW) doesn't seem interested meanwhile the harrassment continues and is escalating.

Anyone have any experience with these people? Any advice as to how to get them to leave her alone? She hasn't given them any money so it's not as if they see her as an easy mark. This has been going on for a week now. I would have thought they would move on to easier prey but they don't seem to be. We have thought it might be someone she knows but can't imagine anyone going this far either.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Don't answer the phone calls, change her number, block the calls are the first thing that comes to mind.

Why is she talking to them?

 

[golfgal]

Call her state Attorney General, they are the ones that will deal with these things. Get the phone numbers and any information on the "company" you can. Call ASAP on Monday morning.

 

[CF'er]

At first she was messing with them. Then when they didn't give up she stopped answering the calls or would just hang up. I have suggested changing her number although not sure how that works with cell since they have that number too. It just sucks that she has to go to the trouble when she has done nothing wrong.

 

[Carly_Roach]

At first she was messing with them. Then when they didn't give up she stopped answering the calls or would just hang up. I have suggested changing her number although not sure how that works with cell since they have that number too. It just sucks that she has to go to the trouble when she has done nothing wrong.

I think her problem stems from the fact that she was leading them on. If she hadn't done that, they likely would have sought easier prey elsewhere.

I also recommend changing her numbers and maybe next time resisting the urge to "have fun" with these kinds of people.

 

[CF'er]

Yes, hind sight is 20 20 who would think that it would lead to this? And the messing with never amounted to promising to send money. More like questioning them. They are calling the AG's office Tuesday. (Monday being MLK day.)

 

[ford family]

What about an air horn?

ford family

 

[Carly_Roach]

What about an air horn?

ford family

That's a great idea....unless you're around other people who could be startled by the noise.

Of course, she could also hold down on the buttons on the phone producing an annoying tone that no one can talk over.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

What about an air horn?

ford family

a lot of phones have a noise cut out, that on the other end will be loud, but no where near as loud as the horn on your end.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I would tell them I was contacting the AG, not to call me anymore. If that didn't work, I would say, "Then bill my credit card, okay. And good luck with that." Then I would hang up.

Better yet, stop answering!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I would change my numbers & alert my credit card company just in case.

 

[Bluestars]

I would change the home and cell numbers. If she doesn't want to do that and chooses to continue to answer the calls, she can say that the calls are being recorded and will be turned over to the police. Then she can set the phone down for five minutes.

 

[eliza61]

My friend's mom "won" $2.5 and a Mercedes in a lottery scam. She got a phone call (home) advising her of her win and asking for money to be wired to cover taxes or something. Well, she knew it was a scam and tried to just put them off. They got her cell number (which is a line on her daughter's acct not even in HER name) and have been calling both lines.

To sum it up they have threatened to max one of her CC's claiming to have the number. They claim to be with the secret service and are going to arrest her for not sending the money and the latest is they threatened to come kill her husband.

The local police have been notified but don't seem to be interested. The phone company (for whom the mom works BTW) doesn't seem interested meanwhile the harrassment continues and is escalating.

Anyone have any experience with these people? Any advice as to how to get them to leave her alone? She hasn't given them any money so it's not as if they see her as an easy mark. This has been going on for a week now. I would have thought they would move on to easier prey but they don't seem to be. We have thought it might be someone she knows but can't imagine anyone going this far either.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

First of all, if they had your credit card number, they won't tell you they were going to max it out. It would already be maxed out. People out to steal your money usually don't give you warning.

Change the number, contact Attorney General, alert you cc company. Ignore these people in the future.

 

[golfgal]

I would tell them I was contacting the AG, not to call me anymore. If that didn't work, I would say, "Then bill my credit card, okay. And good luck with that." Then I would hang up.

Better yet, stop answering!

DO NOT tell them to bill your credit card, even in jest. What if they do have your number? The call is recorded I am sure and all they would have to say is "she gave us permission".

 

[CF'er]

DO NOT tell them to bill your credit card, even in jest. What if they do have your number? The call is recorded I am sure and all they would have to say is "she gave us permission".

We thought the same thing. lol And she has told them that she is recording the calls and it hasn't slowed them down a bit. Keeps getting worse.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Do any of your local TV stations have a consumer advocate? We have one in our area who would just love to do a sting on these kinds of people and shut them down. And if a TV station is involved, maybe the police will be more willing to participate so they don't appear to be uninterested.

 

[TDC Nala]

Tell her not to talk to them again. Check the caller ID or hang up when they call. Reporting to the local police was correct. Just because the police don't appear to be doing anything doesn't mean they aren't, or that they can. If the scammers are not in the USA (and it is possible they are not) there is not much they can do. Also report the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center if there is any online component to this scam, maybe even try that anyway. If she thinks they have her credit card number she needs to cancel her credit card, too. And she might have to change her cell phone number if they won't stop calling. They think they are going to intimidate her into sending them money and as long as she answers the phone they will not stop.

www.ic3.gov

Also consider a report to the Federal Trade Commission
http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/reporting.php

 

[happygirl]

Next time they call, I would fib tell them the police are tracing the call. I bet the won't call back anytime soon

 

[C.Ann]

What a horrible thing to have to deal with.. I feel so bad for her..

You've received some great advice here - please follow it..

Good luck!

 

[mtemm]

why is she still answering the calls>