Warning..fraud...worried

[brighteyes]

Ok I have just had the weirdest phone call. Apparently from Universal claiming I won a trip to Universal that I registered for. I have never registered for a trip to Universal...Disney maybe asked for a quote on website. I don't remember doing this anyways...

So the caller went on blah blah blah 7 days park admission, trip to be used in 18 months etc. also 4 days at a beach resort Dinner Casino Cruise, etc. but needed a registration fee of 249.00 on my visa.

He knew my birthdate, my email, thought I had a husband, which I don't and said I did, don't know why I lied lol just to see if they were for real. Said I couln't book anything right now and can they send me info? They said oh well only so many pple win this trip and it is valued at over 2,000 well over all you need is a registration fee.

He also mentioned a tour? I'm assuming timeshare. The lady comes on to confirm, I told her no way I am paying something which I have no info about. Mail me something and I will get back to you. All she kept repeating was we are linked directly to the cc companies and we can see visa will approve this. I said I can't I'm POOR and IM A STUDENT MAIL ME SOMETHING and she hung up.

My question is, is all my registering for stuff on the disney site giving them my info?? I have never paid for anything online disney related with any cc?
To my knowledge, the disney site does not have any offers etc re: Universal. I am not interested in going there, so why would I register for a free vacation. I think I would remember that. I have entered YOAMD contest but is that different.

I immediately called the bank, and asked them to note my account that I do not approve any charge like t his that comes t hrough my visa. They told me if it does I will not be responsible. I have only used my card twice in the last 7 months. I am trying to pay them off. Geez..

I had a confirmation number and the guys name but was trying to get a number to call back but she hung up on me.

So do you think I have anything to worry about???

And do you think I screwed myself out of a trip for 249?? Even if I had to do a tour, would this be legit or a scam??

Stephanie

 

[tiggerrr]

So, I am not sure how much my opinion is worth, since ultimately you have to be comfortable with your decision, BUT...

If this had happened to me, alarm bells would be going off in my head. First off, a free trip is a free trip (not free with a registration fee). Also, just the general manner on the phone indicates a sales job, not a contest.

Personally, I think you made the right decision. People's instincts are often right about these things.

 

[cabmom]

Happened to a friend in England! Don't do it, she lost $1000!

 

[esdras]

Never, and I mean NEVER, under ANY circumstances, give someone your credit card information for a "contest". The previous poster was right, free means free, not with an upfront fee.

The ONLY time I would ever give my credit card info over the phone when I have been the one called is for a registered well-known charity, or when I absolutely know who the telemarketers are - such as our local professional theatre when they sell season's tickets.

Also, realize that if you give your credit card info over the phone, they will then ask for your three (sometimes four) digit code off the back. These scammers will not only charge you for what they said, since they had all your personal info, they could then use your credit card to make purchases.

Sure, they had all your personal info, but that is BEYOND easy to get these days.

For the most part, you can get name, address, telephone and postal code information off the internet. The other "test" question most credit card companies use is a person's birthdate. While this can be a little harder to get, it is far from impossible. If the scammers have gone through the trouble of setting up a phone out system where they can have a "supervisor" come on the line, they'll be willing to do the work to get a birthdate.

So, just an FYI to people wanting to protect their identity, a few suggestions...

Call your telephone service provider and change your billing info and directory listing (if you are unwilling to go "unlisted") to only an initial. (I love it when telemarketers call and say "can I speak with J Smith please?"

If you have facebook or some such thing, DO NOT put your full name or age as visible.

Set your internet to delete ALL browsing history and clear all cookies when you close. It will make your internet experience be a little slower, but safer.

Have a good anti-spyware system on your computer.

Change your passwords regularly, or make one VERY difficult and extremely random. If the password system allows, use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and especially symbols.

Your instincts were exactly right, it was a scam.

Another warning bell - send me info, and they didn't. For crying out loud, they had your e-mail address! Anyone who won't send info, or give you their contact numbers and information warrants an immediate hang up. My bet, if you tried to do a *69 to see their number, it would show-up as blocked. I would immediately call the operator to try to trace the last call, and let them know that it is because of a possible fraud/scam situation.

 

[CanadianGuy]

A TRUE contest winner - pays NOTHING other than out of pocket expenses on their trip.

They pay nothing to win it.. nothing to receive it. Period.

This is a scam or something very closely resembling it.

You did the right thing.

Knox

 

[brighteyes]

Well my number is unlisted and I have searched it online and can't find it. Yet I am told that there is still a way to get it.

Also I called visa and my bank and told them to block my account for the time being. I may even go change my bank account just to make myself feel better. I was told I could even get a new visa card.

I just did check the number and looked it up. It is a landbased orlando number. I would like to call it to see what happens and block my number but don't know how.

I know it wasn't a free trip but thought maybe a timeshare company looking for ppl to sucker into their scam.

So anyone know how to block a number. I would like to call just to see how t hey answer the phone.

Do you think I should call the authorities to report this? or should I just leave it.

I just kept telling her absolutely NOT. till she hung up on me. lol

Stephanie

 

[brighteyes]

Set your internet to delete ALL browsing history and clear all cookies when you close. It will make your internet experience be a little slower, but safer.

How do I do this??

Have a good anti-spyware system on your computer.

I do have MacAfee, or should I have something else?


Thanks

Stephanie

 

[esdras]

Set your internet to delete ALL browsing history and clear all cookies when you close. It will make your internet experience be a little slower, but safer.

How do I do this??

Have a good anti-spyware system on your computer.

I do have MacAfee, or should I have something else?


Thanks

Stephanie

Sorry, I wasn't precise - you can't "set" it (at least I don't think so), you just have to remeber to do it each time you close - at least in MS Internet Explorer - you might be able to set it automatically in Firefox, from what I can remember.

In Internet Explorer, you click on Tools, then "Delete Browsing History" This brings up a selection to delete Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, History, Form Data and Passwords. You can delete any one of the above, or click delete all at the bottom. Be aware, that EVERYTHING is gone if you click delete all. It would be like opening up Internet Explorer on a new computer for the first time.

I generally delete Temporary Files, Cookies, Form Data and Passwords. I'll leave history alone, just to make things a little easier when I get back online.

 

[phabric]

These people get your information from ballots, that you fill out at fairs, shows, malls that say "Win a trip or car". I think they sell the information to other companies.

I had one call, saying I had filled in a ballot on a certain day and I wasn't ever in town on that day.

 

[mom_rules]

This is rather long but worth the read:

From Police Department Website-this has been happening in our area recently:
Telemarketing Fraud PDF Print E-mail
What is fraudulent telemarketing?

Using the phone to obtain payment for a non-existent or misrepresented product, service or charity donation.
Using the phone to offer a prize that must be paid for.
Using the phone to obtain personal credit card or banking information.

COMMON SIGNS OF TELEMARKETING FRAUD:

The offer sounds too good to be true.
Payment is requested to pay for taxes, delivery, or processing in order to receive a prize.
Payments are requested in cash.
The caller asks for personal banking and/or credit card information.
The offer is for a limited time only and pressure is exerted to make an immediate purchase decision.
The caller claims to be a person in authority, such as a banking or government official.
The caller is more excited than you are and is overly friendly.


SOME COMMON TELEMARKETING SCAMS

The Prize Scam
The caller states that you have won a prize but you first must make a payment to cover delivery, taxes or other processing charges. If you are a legitimate prize winner, no payment is required to receive the prize. Do not send any money in advance.

The Vacation Scam
The caller offers huge savings or free travel and/or accomodations to a vacation destination. Accepting one of these offers will result in a vacation price that is equivalent to the original cost and possibly more than a comparable package through a legitimate travel agent. Do not purchase a vacation as a result of a telemarketing solicitation.

The Charity Scam
The caller claims to be soliciting for what appears to be a worthy charitable cause. The charity is actually non-existent, but the name used may sound similar to a legitimate well-known charity. Never send money to an unknown charity. The addresses of legitimate charity organizations can be confirmed and any donations made to these charities should be delivered to them directly.


TO PREVENT TELEMARKETING FRAUD:

* Be cautious and check out the caller. Ask for written information, a call back number, address and references. Legitimate telemarketers will have nothing to hide.

* Take time to think over the offer and discuss it with someone who is trusted.

* Do not give out personal banking or credit card information unless you are certain that the organization is legitimate.

* Do not send any money until you receive what you have been promised.

* If there are doubts about the caller, hang up the phone.



WARNING SIGNS
Watch for these signs which may indicate that a friend or relative has been targeted by fraudulent telemarketers:

* Requests for cash or loans.
* A sudden inability to pay regular bills.
* Financial records that show cheques or withdrawls made to unfamiliar organizations.
* Secretive behaviour regarding phone calls.
* An increase in the amount of mail received offering "too good to be true" offers.
* Numerous solicitation-type phone calls being received.


REPORTING TELEMARKETING FRAUD
PhoneBusters is the national deceptive telemarketing call centre, operated by the Ontario Provincial Police. If you have already sent funds or just want to report a suspicious call, PhoneBusters can be reached at:

1-888-495-8501

E-mail: info@phonebusters.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Web Site: www.phonebusters.com

If the suspected telemarketer is located within the Region of Waterloo and/or funds have been sent to an address in this area, also contact the Fraud Branch of the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

SeniorBusters is a group of volunteers who work with PhoneBusters to provide telephone support and information to seniors who have become victims of telemarketing fraud. SeniorBusters can be reached at the same toll free number for PhoneBusters listed above.

 

[joanie123]

Just a note here - I just won an all inclusive trip to Mexico for two adults through Air Canada Vacations. However, I actually remembered entering the contest when they called me. I went back and read the rules, and I have to pay the taxes (in Canada we are not taxed on any winnings, but some contests require you to pay the taxes). The taxes will amount to about $554 - next to nothing when you consider the resort is a 5-star all inclusive on the Mayan Riviera! The trip is valued at between $3600 and $6000!

The OP was right NOT to give out any information, or allow them to bill her for anything. When I won my trip, they did not ask for any information over the phone. They emailed me a standard waiver form, which I had to fill out and return (still did not ask for any payment information - just noted that the winner was responsible for taxes). I imagine when I book the trip - through Air Canada Vacations - I will have to provide a CC number to bill the taxes. But I will have all the information mailed to me in a large package, and being the skeptical person I am, I checked everything out (made sure the address and phone number were legit for Air Canada, etc)

I have been told on the phone many times that I 'won' a trip, but it was very easy to tell the difference between the scams and the real thing. Always be wary. Thar be pirates out thar!

 

[MaryannF]

Back on November 2 my daughter answered the phone when she got home from school (before I got home from work). There was a recording that used my name and said that I had won a trip to WDW on Air Canada and that included staying at a resort where all meals and drinks would be included in the prize. DD got very excited until the recording said that I had to pay $300.00 for each person that was going on the trip. I was to press 1 if I agreed with the terms of the prize. She hung up. I don't remember entering a contest that sounds like this. Wouldn't a live person have called me, not a recording? Why would I have to pay any money to claim something I "won"? When I did a reverse lookup of the phone number it was out of Michigan. It really sounded like a scam. If someone calls and says I won something I usually ask for them to send me a registered letter with the details. That usually makes them hang up! When the YOMD team phoned to say I had won the lanyard their only concern was that I answer the mathematical skill testing question.

 

[LindaM]

About 5 years ago I received the same phone call, "you have won a trip for four to Disney" all you need to do is pay $249 per person and the trip is yours. My response was if I won it, then why am I paying $249 pp the lady on the phone kept saying it's a great deal all you need to do is pay by cc. I kept responding, if you win you usually don't have to pay a penny. After about 15 minutes of this going back and forth she hung up on me

My dd girlfriend on the other hand, was roped into some sort of scheme the other day, a trip to Mexico for 2, and all she had to do is purchase pots & pans, and the flight. How much for the pots and pans $2000 My dd asked her, don't you think $2000 for pots and pans is alot, her reply but it separates the fat there is no other pans like that Yup I think they got her!!

 

[Chester's Mum]

It's a major red flag that they wouldn't mail you anything, and wouldn't give you a number to call back to confirm. You did the right thing by calling your bank to alert them to the scam.

If you won something, then you shouldn't have to pay just to get the information. As one of the other posters said, you might have to eventually pay the tax, but they shouldn't be asking for it up front.

I don't think you missed out on anything. Hang in there and keep paying off that visa.

 

[brighteyes]

I was about to ask for a call back number because I told her a confirmation does not mean anything to me and she hung up on me.

So I put a hold on my bank for a few days, and a note on my chequing account and my visa account to alert them to this.

I will call phonebusters because I have a the phone number from where they called and it is registered as a landline in Orlando.

I also pretty much knew it was not for real as I never look at Universal studios stuff, cause all I wanna go to is DISNEY.

Thanks all,

Stephanie

 

[F4disneyfan]

My little sister in PA just had this so they took advantage of it. It was for a Hilton timeshare. They had to spend 3 hours in a high pressure timeshare presentation but she did enjoy the trip to Universal and the short little cruise they recieved. It did cost them a it they had to pay for their taxes it was called to the tune 250 bucks or so. So it may have been legit they also recieved a rental car for 5 days unlimited mileage from HERTZ.

 

[damo]

Sure sounds like a timeshare thing to me too.

 

[drag n' fly]

I got the exact same kind of call on my voicemail today. First to the murder capital of Canadians a AI in Mexico and then off to WDW for a 5 day vacation. I erased it.

 

[OntFamily]

It could be defined as a scam, as they say you "won", but need to pay $249.


However, don't get overly concerned about fraud. If you didn't give them your cc number or bank account number, they won't be able to send through a charge.

There is many ways they can get your info (contest ballot, canada411.com, etc).

 

[belle1627]

I just got the same call, when I said I am not giving you my cc infor. she hung up on me. It was for universal!