I received a call Saturday evening Feb. 19 at about 5 pm EST, from a lady with a heavy accent, and she said she was calling because she represents a company who already has all my personal information; all she needed was my okay in order to send me a MasterCard. She proceeded to quote to me my social security number, my mom's maiden name, and even my date of birth. She also already knew where I banked, but she said she needed my account number in order to pay them for a one-time small fee of 249 dollars. I said I was surprised she had all that info, and she said she had been forwarded the information from a credit application I submitted.
I told her I was not going to give her my account number, and she kept insisting she and her company could be trusted. She was persistent. I told her I never ever gave my information to an unsolicited call, and that I was surprised about the information she already possessed. I told her that I did not even give my checking account numbers to our local police when they are doing fundraisers; rather, they always understand and simply send me the info in the mail and then I write a check.
I asked her for her address and phone number, and to remit me information in the mail, and that I would look it over and then reply.
She was not happy with my response, and she gave me the information, the useless toll-free number and the address I listed here. I then got on the net and found this website.
You can imagine my surprise. So I called the bank. Of course there is no answer on the weekends, so I emailed them.
I then emailed the NY State Attorney General, the Credit Bureaus (placing a fraud alert), and emailed the credit union where my checking account is, telling them to place my account on a fraud alert.
This spectra caller never did get my checking account number, but I am concerned.
This morning I also complained to the FTC and I emailed a complaint to the FBI Fraud Unit. It was excellent, as the FBI called me IMMEDIATELY from Washington. The agent said he called the toll-free number, and he told me I was protected by my bank if they did anything illegal. He said I had done everything right, and most likely it was too soon for them to do anything.
I sure hope and pray he is right.
And I learned my lesson. Even though, in this case, I actually did nothing.
She already had all my personal information (which I never gave her), and all she needed (she said) was my okay and my checking account number. So, they were/are close.
I am hoping I nipped this in the bud pre-emptively with everything I've done so far.
I was so upset this morning, the FBI guy who telephoned me was trying to calm me down.
This is just terrible, and they use some gentle-sounding lady with an accent, in order to appear/sound so harmless and to get to you.
I already know they have violated something, by getting all my personal info. I am just waiting to see what damage they will do.
Many many complaints are here, regarding Spectra.
Richard
Lexington, Kentucky
U.S.A.
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