I left a message at the number that called me, and on another number that was recommended on a "who called me" internet site.
March 2, 2010 7:45 PM Subscribe
I'm getting calls from my Cable company that are not from my Cable company.
I'm in DC and I'm a Cable Company customer (business name withheld - let's call it Cable). Yesterday, someone from the Northern Va. area code (703) called my cell phone and identified themselves as being from Cable. He asked for my roommate and I explained that I was not her, but I am allowed to make decisions on the account. He verified my drivers license number.
He offered us a 6 month upgrade at a low price and I agreed.
Today, when the upgrade wasn't enabled, I called the main Cable hotline and spoke to an agent who said they couldn't honor the deal and I'd have to call the local office. I called the local office and they explained that this was surely a "false call" made by a non-Cable company. They allowed me to report the number (presumably just a note in my file) but couldn't explain how an outside company might have gotten my number or what someone would stand to gain by this scam.
Some googling shows that the number that called me is indeed a telemarketing service with varying degrees of suspicion around it, but most reports state that the number can be traced back to telemarketers for Cable Company as well as an unrelated Mobile Company.
I left a message at the number that called me, and on another number that was recommended on a "who called me" internet site.
I'm not under the impression that my mobile number is impossible for telemarketers to find... but I'm fairly certain that the person who called got my number specifically from my Cable account because he asked for my roommate. This is the only bill we share where the calls come to my number under her name. This has me concerned about the security of my Cable account (though the Cable agent I spoke to didn't seem concerned).
I guess my questions are: If this is a scam, what is the payoff? Or could Cable be unaware of some local offer being made? How concerned should I be about the security of my and my roommate's personal/financial info? Have you received similar calls?
I'm in DC and I'm a Cable Company customer (business name withheld - let's call it Cable). Yesterday, someone from the Northern Va. area code (703) called my cell phone and identified themselves as being from Cable. He asked for my roommate and I explained that I was not her, but I am allowed to make decisions on the account. He verified my drivers license number.
He offered us a 6 month upgrade at a low price and I agreed.
Today, when the upgrade wasn't enabled, I called the main Cable hotline and spoke to an agent who said they couldn't honor the deal and I'd have to call the local office. I called the local office and they explained that this was surely a "false call" made by a non-Cable company. They allowed me to report the number (presumably just a note in my file) but couldn't explain how an outside company might have gotten my number or what someone would stand to gain by this scam.
Some googling shows that the number that called me is indeed a telemarketing service with varying degrees of suspicion around it, but most reports state that the number can be traced back to telemarketers for Cable Company as well as an unrelated Mobile Company.
I left a message at the number that called me, and on another number that was recommended on a "who called me" internet site.
I'm not under the impression that my mobile number is impossible for telemarketers to find... but I'm fairly certain that the person who called got my number specifically from my Cable account because he asked for my roommate. This is the only bill we share where the calls come to my number under her name. This has me concerned about the security of my Cable account (though the Cable agent I spoke to didn't seem concerned).
I guess my questions are: If this is a scam, what is the payoff? Or could Cable be unaware of some local offer being made? How concerned should I be about the security of my and my roommate's personal/financial info? Have you received similar calls?
This post was deleted for the following reason: At poster's request -- mathowie
Best answer: Put a fraud alert on your credit reports (you can do this on the main websites for the three credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). This person has your name, phone number, and driver's license number, and I would presume your address as well.
Not to shame you for making a mistake, but in the future do not give any information to someone who calls you. Ask for a number to call them back at, and verify it against the company's website or call their main number and get transferred to the right department. Legitimate callers will have no problem with this. Those who do should raise red flags.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 8:13 PM on March 2, 2010
Not to shame you for making a mistake, but in the future do not give any information to someone who calls you. Ask for a number to call them back at, and verify it against the company's website or call their main number and get transferred to the right department. Legitimate callers will have no problem with this. Those who do should raise red flags.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 8:13 PM on March 2, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for asking me to clarify. That is important. I gave it to him.
posted by juliplease at 8:13 PM on March 2, 2010
posted by juliplease at 8:13 PM on March 2, 2010
If the telemarketing company is known to be affiliated with your cable company, it is likely just outsourced up-selling. I really would not worry about this.
posted by biggity at 9:05 PM on March 2, 2010
posted by biggity at 9:05 PM on March 2, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
What does this mean? Did you give your drivers license number to the person who called you? Or did he give it to you?
posted by alms at 8:06 PM on March 2, 2010