phone scam

[anniemae]

Just got a call from someone claiming they were from The Pain Management Center. It sounded like a call center. He asked if I had any pain anywhere in my body. I hung up. What was the scam? He wasn't looking for any personal info or asking for money?

 

[tony67]

Quick google search:

one of the most common robo-scams offers “relief” from “Pain Management Center.” This scam targets Medicare enrollees and is designed to capture as much personal information about the victims under the guise that they will receive a free neck brace or pain-relieving pump.

 

[fla4fun]

Just got a call from someone claiming they were from The Pain Management Center. It sounded like a call center. He asked if I had any pain anywhere in my body. I hung up. What was the scam? He wasn't looking for any personal info or asking for money?

Perhaps you hung up before they could try to get any information from you.

This is why I always check the caller ID before deciding to answer the phone. Particularly the ones that come up on caller ID as Scam Call (has happened more than once).

 

[focusondisney]

He wasn't looking for any personal info or asking for money?

They’re always looking for personal info or money. I agree with @fla4fun, you just hung up before he got to that part. So good for you!

 

[Micca]

I'm not picking up the phone to any number I don't recognize, if it's legit they'll leave a message and I'll call back.

Same principle for opening the door, if I'm not expecting anyone I'm not going to engage with a random person on my porch. The exception would be kids selling cookies or candy for a school fundraiser.

 

[anniemae]

I don't know why I hung up, (or picked up for that matter LOL) It did register as SPAM on caller ID. I think I hung up because it sounded like a call center and he did not ask for me by name, he just launched into "Hi I'm calling from the pain management center, do you have pain?)

 

[anniemae]

Quick google search:

one of the most common robo-scams offers “relief” from “Pain Management Center.” This scam targets Medicare enrollees and is designed to capture as much personal information about the victims under the guise that they will receive a free neck brace or pain-relieving pump.

I am not enrolled in Medicare.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Let me first say that there are a lot of legitimate pain management doctors out there. The problem is there are many quacks out there and there are many medical groups and organizations out there that are dubious insurance billing machines. And still worse, you have the out and out fraudsters and scam artists fishing for your personal information. As such I would never respond to an inquiry.

 

[tony67]

I am not enrolled in Medicare.

does not matter - if they call 1000 people a good percentage will have Medicare (especially if they actually answer the phone) - exactly how phishing works

I pretty much never answer the phone anymore - 90% (maybe 99%) of calls seem to be scams

 

[SteveH]

I love those calls, I pick up and answer, "You are the 5th caller and you are live and on the air with KFKU radio. What's your name and where are you calling from?" They pause a bit dumbfounded, or they keep talking. Then I say, "For a chance to win $500,000 dollars I need your mothers maiden name and your add your social security..." they usually hang up by then.

The best option though is one of these...

 

[_19disnA]

If you have pain you probably already go to your own doctor. I seriously doubt legit medical professionals randomly call people trying to drum up business, that just makes NO sense to me. Likely you hung up before they got to the part asking for either money or personal information to use for some dubious purpose.

I also don't answer the phone from unknown numbers. Most are scams and they never leave a message. Legit callers from places like your doctor/dentist/car dealer will leave a message and identify themselves so you can return their call.

 

[CynBeth]

I'm not picking up the phone to any number I don't recognize, if it's legit they'll leave a message and I'll call back.

Same principle for opening the door, if I'm not expecting anyone I'm not going to engage with a random person on my porch. The exception would be kids selling cookies or candy for a school fundraiser.

Same here.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

New one. Phoned by the Bank of Alpha saying, I am owed over £30,000 in mis-sold PPI claims and all I need do to release the funds is place a £70 release fee.

Yeah, right.