Hi Neighbor!
I like to think of myself as an intelligent person, more savvy than book smart, perhaps. In spite of my self-proclaimed proficiency in reading the room, however, I got duped. And, boy, did I feel dumb.
It started innocently with a phone call from my cable company. They left a message informing me it was the last day to take advantage of a spectacular offer that would provide me with savings, and it was their final attempt to contact me. I was intrigued, so I took the bait and returned the call.
Bob the sales associate and I talked for a bit. He lured me in, gaining my trust with this incredible offer; not only would I get savings on my cable bill for one year but for the next three years if I signed up today. Wow! No one ever offers anything for almost-too-good-to-be true! He took it further. While chatting, Bob sent me a text stating his company, my cable company, paid my bill for the next month. Proof. Must be legit.
Finally, Bob revealed “the catch.” In order to receive this once-in-a-blue-moon offer, I was required to pay up front but I must pay with three gift cards to Target, each purchased in the same amount. My hands shook as I did the math on my phone while simultaneously talking to him on speaker. I accidentally hung up.
Bob called back. The conversation was going on too long and I was losing interest – and becoming suspicious. He named the places I could go to purchase Target gift cards (as if I didn’t know); still, I was pondering how to get the cards in time for the 6 PM deadline he proposed. To sweeten the deal, he added, if I could get the gift cards within two hours, he would send me a Visa gift card for $100. But…since I had started the transaction, Bob claimed I could not reverse the agreement; my cable would be disconnected.
I called his bluff, told him it sounded too good to be true. In turn, he gave me his supervisor’s number to confirm. To clear my suspicions, I called the supervisor and he said yes, yes, yes, hurriedly asking for my commitment. I balked. He got irritated. I hung up. On purpose this time.
Trusting my instincts, I called the cable company, and after waiting and waiting, actually got someone on the line. Their rep confirmed they were not offering that promotion but kindly offered the promotion they were running instead. Was it really the cable company on the other end? Yes, it was. She apologized for the scammers and reassured me she was authentic.
I was gullible to Bob’s smooth sales pitch, temporarily stymied by his threat to disconnect my cable. In the end, besides having hurt my pride, all I lost was valuable time while learning a hard lesson. Yes, even at my age.
Stay alert out there,
Jackie
Scammers are very sophisticated these days. Some giveaways that it is a scammer is telling you about needing to do something urgently. Also, the FBI has identified the gift card scam as prevalent in our area. Finally, never believe the person is a supervisor just likely a colleague of scanner. Should report to your local police
Scammers are very sophisticated these days. Some giveaways that it is a scammer is telling you about needing to do something urgently. Also, the FBI has identified the gift card scam as prevalent in our area. Finally, never believe the person is a supervisor just likely a colleague of scanner. Should report to your local police
View lessIf any offer involves gift cards, be assured that it is a SCAM. No legit company deals in gift card transactions.
If any offer involves gift cards, be assured that it is a SCAM. No legit company deals in gift card transactions.
View less