Trying to figure out if I got scammed

[FlightlessDuck]

So I just got a call from someone in the area doing a radio music survey and asked what station I listened to most. I gave my answer, and lo and behold, I was able to enter into a "secret sweepstakes". All I needed to do was give them the correct spelling of my first and last name, and optionally my email address. There was a recorded message from the morning DJ explaining that if I listened at certain times of the day and heard my name, I would call back (to the right phone number) and will $100.

So I didn't give my SSN or a credit card or any other data besides my name. I'm trying to figure out if I got scammed. What are the chances that I picked the right station, right? But it wouldn't be hard to link a name to my phone number, right? And how would they have gotten that recording?

So, am I lucky, or did I just fall for something?

 

[lynxstch]

is call the radio station and ask if they have such a contest running?

 

[briannesmom]

I had a call like that a few weeks ago. I guess I picked the wrong station because they just said thank you this is the end of the survey after I told them.

 

[luvmy3]

One of our local stations is doing a contest with people's driver's license numbers. I would think if someone was calling for that kind of info, or SS# then it could be a scam, but I wouldn't be concerned about giving out your name. If your phone number is in the book, its right there anyway.

Good Luck, hope they call your name

 

[marcyinPA]

So I just got a call from someone in the area doing a radio music survey and asked what station I listened to most. I gave my answer, and lo and behold, I was able to enter into a "secret sweepstakes". All I needed to do was give them the correct spelling of my first and last name, and optionally my email address. There was a recorded message from the morning DJ explaining that if I listened at certain times of the day and heard my name, I would call back (to the right phone number) and will $100.

So I didn't give my SSN or a credit card or any other data besides my name. I'm trying to figure out if I got scammed. What are the chances that I picked the right station, right? But it wouldn't be hard to link a name to my phone number, right? And how would they have gotten that recording?

So, am I lucky, or did I just fall for something?

I had that same call last week, and when I said "The Word FM" (which is really what I listen to most of the time), they asked me the frequency (which I only knew as 80-something FM) and hung up.

 

[tvguy]

One of our local stations is doing a contest with people's driver's license numbers. I would think if someone was calling for that kind of info, or SS# then it could be a scam, but I wouldn't be concerned about giving out your name. If your phone number is in the book, its right there anyway.

Good Luck, hope they call your name

Never give out your Social Security Number.

I don't think I would give out my Driver's license number either, however, in many states, that is already public information accessable to everyone.

 

[luvmy3]

Never give out your Social Security Number.

I don't think I would give out my Driver's license number either, however, in many states, that is already public information accessable to everyone.

I know I was just saying that if the radio station was asking for something like that, it would be a red flag, but asking for your name wouldn't be (to me anyway).
I never realized that your driver's lic. # was public info.

 

[C.Ann]

May have been legit, but my policy is never to give out any info over the phone - unless I am the one who initiated the call to the places I do business with.. (And even then there's certain info I won't give them because as far as I'm concerned, they should already have it on file..)

 

[tvguy]

I know I was just saying that if the radio station was asking for something like that, it would be a red flag, but asking for your name wouldn't be (to me anyway).
I never realized that your driver's lic. # was public info.

Well, now that I think about it, it's probably public information everywhere.
If you have an accident you have to give it to the other driver.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The more I think about it, it probably wasn't a scam.

But if it was a marketing campaign, it hasn't worked, because I didn't remember to tune to the radio station at the times they were going to mention names, anyway. Oops

 

[RadioNate]

The station's website should have info on any current contests they are running. Legally, they have to make the rules public and most stations just post them on their site to meet that requirement.

 

[HonnyDipp]

my neighbor won a contest in my area for having two 2's in her social security number. She won $100 last week. The thought of it makes me wonder exactly what do you have to provide to get your prize.

 

[WDSearcher]

So I just got a call from someone in the area doing a radio music survey and asked what station I listened to most. I gave my answer, and lo and behold, I was able to enter into a "secret sweepstakes". All I needed to do was give them the correct spelling of my first and last name, and optionally my email address. There was a recorded message from the morning DJ explaining that if I listened at certain times of the day and heard my name, I would call back (to the right phone number) and will $100.

So I didn't give my SSN or a credit card or any other data besides my name. I'm trying to figure out if I got scammed. What are the chances that I picked the right station, right? But it wouldn't be hard to link a name to my phone number, right? And how would they have gotten that recording?

So, am I lucky, or did I just fall for something?

I'm not sure what you think you "fell for"? They didn't ask you to buy anything, didn't promise you anything, didn't try to upsell you anything ... basically, they collected your e-mail address and you will likely now start getting promotional e-mails from the station. Check their website for "opt-out" options, privacy notice and the rules of the contest.

It's only a "scam" if they promise you something or you pay for something and then you don't get it. This was a marketing exercise -- a way for the station to up their mailing list.

 

[KAMLEM]

Well, now that I think about it, it's probably public information everywhere.
If you have an accident you have to give it to the other driver.

Until a few years ago MA license numbers were your SSN. This is probably one of the many reasons they changed it.

my neighbor won a contest in my area for having two 2's in her social security number. She won $100 last week. The thought of it makes me wonder exactly what do you have to provide to get your prize.

You would have to give your SSN for tax purposes most likely.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

several radio stations in the San Diego area used that "listen at a certain time, if your name is mentioned, you have (set time) to call in and win."

one even has a way for you to enter by going to their web site and putting in your name for the "pool" of names they use.

never heard of them doing random calls but I guess it might work a bit.

I would think if they called you and you answered wrong, they would at least tell you to listen to (radio station) so that they would increase their listenership.