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I baited some scammers like this once. Nigerian prince type scam. I led them on a merry chase for 6 weeks back in 2009. I managed to get them fighting amongs

I baited some scammers like this once. Nigerian prince type scam. I led them on a merry chase for 6 weeks back in 2009. I managed to get them fighting amongst themselves, the whole group sending me angry emails, and eventually even got them to admit they were scammers under the pretense that I was a hacker for hire who could help them improve their operation. It was probably the most hilarious thing I have ever done. I still like to talk to scammers when they call, so I can figure out what the scam is all about and maybe waste some of their time. If it is a US company selling bogus car insurance or "vacation packages" (i.e. timeshare pitches), I'll keep them on long enough to to gather the necessary info for an FCC complaint. A surprising number are companies operating on the edge of legality in the US, like the aforementioned timeshare and car insurance companies. I get a lot of folks trying to get me to provide my electric utility account number, which I presume means they are running a dodgy electricity credit reseller scam of some sort: https://callmepower.com/suppliers/alternate-supplier-definition https://callmepower.com/suppliers/alternate-supplier-definit... Then there's the "support the police" calls, which always trace back to a PAC which supports Republican candidates, but which has very little evidence that any of that money ever was spent in support of those candidates. The other surprising thing: Most of these scammers know who you are, and where you live, and probably more about you which they aren't sharing. In recent years, they will hang up on me as soon as I provide a fake name. If I provide a real name, they often confirm my details with me. This last thing - that scammers have all your info when they call - you can all guess how that happens.

e40 5y ago
What info do you need for an FCC complaint and how do you get it?
- habeebtc 5y ago
  See above comment. Minimum is company name, and more details about the company is helpful. Complaint form is here: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744 https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?tic...
  - e40 5y ago
    For scammers as soon as I ask a question that shows I'm not a mark they hang up. How on earth do you get the company name?
criddell 5y ago
> I'll keep them on long enough to to gather the necessary info for an FCC complaint. Can you say more about this? I've never had any luck getting information out of them.
- habeebtc 5y ago
  You usually have to trick them into it, by pretending to be interested in buying what they are selling. The minimum you need is the company name they are calling from. The auto insurance places often will hang up when you ask that question, so you have to be clever how you present the question. A website for the company is even better. A phone number, if one is not provided on CallerID is also helpful. The form is here: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744 https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?tic...
  - criddell 5y ago
    Spectrum calls me several times per week (and sometimes per day). When I've asked the person if they are Spectrum employees they usually won't give me any information. It makes me think they are just trying to get me to sign up for an affiliate or referral fee.
    - habeebtc 5y ago
      I get the same from AT&T, when I am already an AT&T customer. I get the same sense, that it's just referrals they are after. Sometimes I get calls from purported cable ISP's claiming there's a software update needed, and after "performing" the update, they ask for payment via gift card. These are relatively rare calls.
      - criddell 5y ago
        Oh yeah - I get those as well. "We can cut your bill in half."
  - noja 5y ago

e40 5y ago

What info do you need for an FCC complaint and how do you get it?

habeebtc 5y ago
See above comment. Minimum is company name, and more details about the company is helpful. Complaint form is here: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744 https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?tic...
- e40 5y ago
  For scammers as soon as I ask a question that shows I'm not a mark they hang up. How on earth do you get the company name?

criddell 5y ago

> I'll keep them on long enough to to gather the necessary info for an FCC complaint. Can you say more about this? I've never had any luck getting information out of them.

habeebtc 5y ago
You usually have to trick them into it, by pretending to be interested in buying what they are selling. The minimum you need is the company name they are calling from. The auto insurance places often will hang up when you ask that question, so you have to be clever how you present the question. A website for the company is even better. A phone number, if one is not provided on CallerID is also helpful. The form is here: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744 https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?tic...
- criddell 5y ago
  Spectrum calls me several times per week (and sometimes per day). When I've asked the person if they are Spectrum employees they usually won't give me any information. It makes me think they are just trying to get me to sign up for an affiliate or referral fee.
  - habeebtc 5y ago
    I get the same from AT&T, when I am already an AT&T customer. I get the same sense, that it's just referrals they are after. Sometimes I get calls from purported cable ISP's claiming there's a software update needed, and after "performing" the update, they ask for payment via gift card. These are relatively rare calls.
    - criddell 5y ago
      Oh yeah - I get those as well. "We can cut your bill in half."
- noja 5y ago