Yesterday a lady named Carol Patterson called me yesterday saying that if I did'nt pay some money for some magazines I ordered 3 years ago "they" were going to send the cops to my home to arrest me and take me to jail and court, it turns out it was just a scam, no money got sent, I googled her name and she has done this to other people in different states, so if you ever get a call from someone with that name check it out before answering no mater what she says.
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word of warning
- Thread starter karicassie
- Start Date
Good advice, if it was a legitimate collections agency they would have to give you a government collection number (at least here in Canada) if you asked for it.
There is soooo much fraud and so many scams out there you have to be suspicious of EVERYTHING!
There is soooo much fraud and so many scams out there you have to be suspicious of EVERYTHING!
Also, no one can call you and say "if you don't pay we're going to send the cops to your house to arrest you." The first action would be for them to invoice you, and they have to have proof of your signature for you to even be liable for it. You are supposed to get an official letter from collections. Of course, I got a letter like that last year, for $1,400 for a gym membership. I freaked all out because I did go to that gym but never signed a contract. Eventually I got a copy of this so-called contract and discovered the obviously forged signature on it... then I called the cops and got it taken care of!
I can't stand scammers, but they are getting more and more stupid these days, which is good. You should never EVER trust anyone that calls like that and asks for money. Even if they said they were from your bank or a charity, you should still hang up the phone and go directly to the corresponding institution.
I can't stand scammers, but they are getting more and more stupid these days, which is good. You should never EVER trust anyone that calls like that and asks for money. Even if they said they were from your bank or a charity, you should still hang up the phone and go directly to the corresponding institution.
I love it when the tax department or bank calls and starts to ask me to verify information before they can tell me what it is they are calling me about!
I tell them that they called me so they should already have that information. They tell me that they need me to verify it before they can talk to me. I tell them to give me their name and phone number and I'll call them back because I am certainly not going to give information to people who call claiming to be from the tax office or my bank! LOL
I always look up the number in the phone book and ask for them that way. It has always turned out to be legit, but still!
I tell them that they called me so they should already have that information. They tell me that they need me to verify it before they can talk to me. I tell them to give me their name and phone number and I'll call them back because I am certainly not going to give information to people who call claiming to be from the tax office or my bank! LOL
I always look up the number in the phone book and ask for them that way. It has always turned out to be legit, but still!
That is because of our wonderful access to information and privacy laws in canada, they have to make certain that they have the right "Jane Doe" before discussing anything of a financial nature with anyone... they ask for a middle name, maiden name, and somtimes even a social insurance number to confirm you are the right person.
I work for a Collection agency so I am getting a lot of knowledge on the subject.
I would've laughed right back at her and said, "What magazines? I've never ever subscribed to a magazine in my life!"
Good call though for you. Always trust your intuition!
Good call though for you. Always trust your intuition!
