I was just contacted by a man named 'Frank'. He has this very heavy Indian accent, very hard to understand. He wanted to speak to my girlfriend, Gwen. She was out shopping (after Thanksgiving sales) and he said that, because she is a faithful taxpayer, she is intitaled to a Government Grant! And that he cannot call back (their systems wont allow it), and that I could accept this money on her behalf. When he asked my name (Doug), he started telling me about 'how this works'. That I have to set a date for $230 to be withdrawn from my account - for processing, shipping and handeling, and yadda yadda yadda. He even warned me that when I got the check, not to use of for cambeling or the such or the 'Government' would take it back. He then asked what bank I banked with (I guess so he could look up the routing number), and during the course of our coversation he told me MY savings account number!!! To make a long story short:
1. I asked to speak to his supervisor - I was put on hold for about 15 sec's, and then the same voice came back 'as the supervisor'.
2.'They' refused to give me a call back number (saying it would be in the mail (7:14 days), along with a secret pin I could use to access the status of the grant and to speak to a US Gov Rep.
3. He was VERY pushy about wanting my checking account number.
4. He said They were listed with the Better Business Beau.
5. HE TOLD ME MY ACCOUNT NUMBER - And wanted me to tell his automated system that I give permission for them to withdraw the money on a date of my choosing.
6. I up the phone telling him, that I Had, had enough, and that if he really wanted me to give him the money, he has better send me something in writing, on government letterhead, WITH VERIFICATION INFORMATION, would I give him this processing money.
7. I called the FBI relaying the same as I have written here. The FBI agent I spoke to, said they have received numerous reports of this same scam and that they are 'looking into it'... Yea right.
8. Because this wanker already had my account number I called my back and had the account numbers changed.
9. Do not give your checking or bank account information over the phone. If they know what back you bank with, they have the routing number. All they need is the account number. If you give them that, they can take money from you. They use the automated system, with your voice on it, incase they get caught, they have your permission to take money from you. They can then say it was for grant information. When you and i know it was different.
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