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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI just had as much fun as I've ever had with my clothes on.
After returning home from work, I found a message on my answering machine from the IRS! Apparently I'm in danger of having my checking and savings accounts frozen, and then being sent to prison!
Fully aware of the scam, and with a bit of time to kill, I called the number left for me. Much to my surprise, all I had to do was provide my bank routing number, or a credit card payment of $350 dollars, and all of my transgressions would be forgiven.
I was seriously contrite, along the lines of "Oh my goodness, I've always tried to be a responsible citizen", and "I would never intentionally attempt to defraud the IRS!" The gentleman on the other end was extremely solicitous, and assured me that we could make this problem go away. I was able to keep him on the line for about another ten minutes or so as we discussed the most efficient method for me to resolve my problem.
Eventually, I got bored, so I said to the man, "You know, sir, I know how to immediately resolve the issue. You need to eat shit, fuck yourself, and die!"
He sputtered for a bit, allowing me to beat him to the hang-up.
I know, simple pleasures for simple minds, but DAMN I enjoyed that!
elleng
(131,258 posts)Was hoping to have a similar exchange as you, was thinking of telling them 'I'm calling the Department of Justice, tell THAT to your supervisor!'
Lebam in LA
(1,345 posts)I called the number back and some lady just answered "hello". I said sorry I was trying to get the IRS and of course all of a sudden she was the IRS. I told her she was a crook and her number had been reported. Surprisingly, she hung up
tonyt53
(5,737 posts)I asked him if he could replace just the broken pane of the window. He had no idea and started to say something else, but I beat him at the click too!
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)For a good time call 11 Bravo
PJMcK
(22,060 posts)They can only return your call. If everyone knows this, the scam is dead.
I love your story, 11 Bravo! Thanks for sharing it.
elleng
(131,258 posts)but unfortunately many don't. These guys probably 'earn' a pretty penny from this scam.
sarge43
(28,946 posts)My friend in Florida has a neighbor who immigrated from the Middle East a few years ago. Neighbor got one of those calls and freaked. She was terrified. Fortunately, she came to my friend for help before she did anything. Friend gave her the straight skinny and told her to ignore it.
If it hadn't been for my friend, neighbor might have been robbed blind.
elleng
(131,258 posts)It's time to start reporting this. I've been getting the calls for the past week, daily. Today's the first day I returned their call, but received no response. ACTION, next.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,920 posts)Unfortunately, too many people never read a newspaper or watch any news at all or consult any source of any information whatsoever, it's slipped underneath the radar of too many people.
I'm thinking I've known about this for two years or so. Likewise the phone call from Microsoft. That's been out there even longer.
elleng
(131,258 posts)until she called me, the mother/lawyer.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,920 posts)having at one point had a 2 year old of my own, but this is something I keep on reading about in lots of places, not just here on DU.
11 Bravo
(23,928 posts)and will never demand payment over the phone.
Ligyron
(7,640 posts)Wanted to make sure they had the right address/ my phone number and told me I was being audited. They did audit me too!
This was in 97 so maybe they changed their policy or this particular agent screwed up but it happened for sure.
ecstatic
(32,760 posts)Or perhaps right when the net was taking off. Back then there was nowhere near the level of scams and phishing as we have now.
alittlelark
(18,890 posts).... carry on....
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)If that question doesn't cause them to hang up, I go on to "And what is the name of your company? Is that a corporation, an LLC or an LLP? Where are you located? You don't know? How do you get to work in the morning, if you don't know where you are? Can I speak to your supervisor?" When the supervisor comes on the line, start all over again. Don't yell, don't be abrupt. Speak in a nice, even tone. They'll be gone before you know it.
lostnfound
(16,194 posts)It would cut down on the number of people they could disturb in a day.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,167 posts)Exactly the same auto voice message "this is IRS ......" The Do Not Call registry ask how much was I scammed for. I write "nothing". But maybe I should say a million dollars. Maybe then they'll return my call.
rurallib
(62,471 posts)and he had a couple of questions.
Done this 3 times and each time I get quickly disconnected.
Response to 11 Bravo (Original post)
mark67 This message was self-deleted by its author.
ailsagirl
(22,901 posts)Effin' crooks-- makes my blood boil
Response to 11 Bravo (Original post)
kestrel91316 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Ilsa
(61,709 posts)Get address, send cops.
I know, it probably wouldn't work.
stopwastingmymoney
(2,042 posts)They left a voicemail saying that charges would be filed if we didn't call back
I know better and it still made me nervous
Response to 11 Bravo (Original post)
mark67 This message was self-deleted by its author.
peasant one
(150 posts)I have stopped taking calls--I wait for the answering machine to pick up.... BUT....for a long time I would take the calls and interrupt them and say how glad I was they called then I would start talking without waiting for their spiel ---about the book I was reading...the flowers in my yard ....the loveliness of the day. It was fun and quite exhilarating, I felt as if I were on stage. As I was describing one book I was reading the person (with a foreign accent that I couldn't identify) on the other end ask for the name of the book. So perhaps not all in vain---I stopped because the calls just kept a coming and a coming.
IcyPeas
(21,928 posts)that usually scares them.
I've gotten a handful of calls from the IRS saying they have filed a lawsuit against me, blah, blach blach.
I filled out that scam report too, but I still got/get calls once in a while with the same message.
It could be scary for people who don't realize it's a scam.
annabanana
(52,791 posts)(may just steal it for next time)
shenmue
(38,506 posts)Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)and they have a new policy where they will accept iTunes gift cards to pay back taxes.
It's not your father's IRS anymore.
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)or maybe the FBI. I don't have to tell the truth. I hate people who scam other people for money. They prey on the elderly, poor, desperate and uneducated. The scammers and con artists are scumbags.
ROFF
(219 posts)that they are damming their souls to the eternal fire of hell for lying for money.
sarge43
(28,946 posts)I'm going to call back and say (in my best little old lady voice), "Dear, why didn't you tell your mother that you're a thief and you're working for thieves?"
mainstreetonce
(4,178 posts)To someone calling for a Trump contribution.
Fun!
liberal N proud
(60,349 posts)I told them that as long as their organization endorsed Trump, they could stop calling me.
mitch96
(13,935 posts)The calls from these bozo's stopped when I said I would contribute (in my best southern accent) when they stopped shooting black people... There was a long pause and he said thankyou and hung up.. Before this I would ask to speak to a cop or give me a phone number for a cop... Another ploy is to say "can you hold for a second" and just put the phone down and continue with what you were doing.. Eventually they hang up.. They waste your time? I waste theirs...
HeHe... that was fun...
m
Ligyron
(7,640 posts)Comcast even charged you MORE if you didn't take their landline deal. Literally every call was someone selling something.
Then we ditched Comcast.
Truth be known I'd just as soon cut the cable, er. satellite now 'cause pretty much all anyone does here is time shift due to repetitive commercials and shitty programming. If I want to watch something I stream.
I'd miss football games on Sunday tho'.
alfredo
(60,078 posts)I've been watching pro cycling and Formula 1 racing. For a while I watching T20 cricket which is very entertaining.
Lochloosa
(16,076 posts)Take the package with the landline. Just don't plug a phone in.
I cut my cable and just kept the internet. Got a Roku box, a good HD Antenna for the local channels, Netflix and Sling TV for ESPN.
Never looked back.
You can get a deal on the Roku box when you sign up for Sling TV
https://www.sling.com/devices/roku?mkwid=sBPQh0aNw%7Cpcrid%7C99542966537%7Cpkw%7Csling%20tv%20roku%7Cpmt%7Ce%7Cpdv%7Cc&cvosrc=ppc.google.D_B_COM_Roku%20Terms_Brand_Alpha_sling&cvo_crid=99542966537&matchtype=e&campaign=D_B_COM_Roku%20Terms_Brand_Alpha_sling&group=sling%20tv%20roku&cvo_keyword=sling%20tv%20roku&gclid=CJ-DvLzIpc8CFRVZhgod7skNow
https://www.roku.com/how-it-works
BobbyDrake
(2,542 posts)That leaves them stuttering too!
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)you can always send em here:
http://www.jollyrogertelco.com/
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)CarrieLynne
(497 posts)marked50
(1,373 posts)I, too, have had these scam calls but be careful in your response. I responded in a somewhat similar manner and asked the simple question as to how they could sleep at night, knowing that they were cheating people. They started calling more frequently. Tried blabber, tried German, tried all sorts of thing to discourage them but it only got worse. They called 2 to 3 times a day, different numbers each time, and just harassed me (strangely not on Saturdays or Sundays). We are talking months now. Finally I just dropped my land line ( had planned on this anyway). These people are a scourge. Might feel good to give them a hard time but you might just be asking for problems.
ecstatic
(32,760 posts)They threatened her with jail time if she didn't make a payment by the end of the day. I tried to assure her that the real IRS doesn't operate that way. Scammers have been calling and leaving me threatening voice mails as well. I wanted to have some fun with them and finally picked up but it was a robocall that included a callback number. I didn't bother to call back.
Maraya1969
(22,509 posts)for buying drugs online or something so I said, "Ok well let me take a shower first"
And he hung up.
The money in these scams is drying up methinks.
central scrutinizer
(11,665 posts)Then put the phone down and go back to what I was doing. Eventually the phone would make the receiver off the hook sound and I would hang it up.
titaniumsalute
(4,742 posts)On my cell...the first one was a voicemail like yours. Of course I just deleted and moved on.
A few days later I had a real person call with some sort of Indian or Middle Eastern accent. It was hysterical. He kept saying "You are in serious trouble" and "You will be sent to jail." I started cracking up laughing and he was getting more pissed off and threatening me. I said "Send me your checking account number and I will wire my money into that right away." Silence. Then he went right back on script with "You are in SERIOUS trouble." Told him to fuck off and I hung up. I don't think they ever called back.
ohtransplant
(1,488 posts)I've read that sometimes they call local 911 (spoofing your home caller ID info) on a separate line while you're still on the phone. When the local police arrive people rush to pay before opening the door.
IRS advice on handling these scams; https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/phone-scams-continue-to-be-a-serious-threat-remain-on-irs-dirty-dozen-list-of-tax-scams-for-the-2016-filing-season?_ga=1.139648051.1057560138.1471900181
Also because they're impersonating a Treasury official, you can report these calls to the treasury Inspector General for tax Administration. https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
VulgarPoet
(2,872 posts)"Hi, welcome to Sam's Shop of Smut and Pornography; we got thirty-seven perversions, count 'em, thirty-seven; today's special is all grannies half off-- may I be able to interest you in German dungeon femdom, or maybe some prime Japanese monster porn?"
Has to be delivered like a carnival barker, fast enough to leave their head spinning-- but every so often, you do get to pick up some amazing sputterings and/or apologoies.