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Phone Scams: Don't Know That Number or Company? Better Check Here.

Have You Received Phone Calls from 515-209-3225
or from 786-358-0975? 
It is a Scam!

If you have received phone calls from unknown phone numbers, especially from out of your area, like another state or country; you should immediately be suspicious. Generally, it is better to let the call go to voicemail and then listen to that.  Obviously, if this a legitimate business call, call from a long lost friend, doctor's office, etc., they will leave a message that will make sense to you!

This is an obvious scam. Read the actual report about the scam:

 

I received two calls in the morning of September 18, 2017 from 515-209-3225
I did not answer the call, as it was an out-of-state number that I did not recognize. They left a message saying, in a mechanical male computer-generated voice:

"I tried and call youand inform but I cannot reach you. Please call me urgent on same number 786-358-0975 and collect your grants money. Thank you"

Obviously, this is a scam.  Here are the obvious warning signs:

  1. Unknown out of state phone number
  2. Googling this number finds nothing, it is noit associated with any known reputable company, institution or government agency. But it does find some other warning reports, less detailed than ours.
  3. The scammer does not provide any real identifying information in their message.  Who is the unknown caller?  Why doesn't he identify himself and his company?
  4. The voice mail is a computer-generated voice, not a real person.
  5. The grammar and syntax of the caller's voice message is pathetic.  Real companies and agencies know how to speak English about a kindergarden level.

There are no companies that simply have "grants money" that they randommly handout.  And there is no tooth fairy, either,

What should you do?

Simply block the number .  This is the most effective and simple method to stop repeated calls from any number.

  1. Use your cell phone's "auto reject" feature.
    On Android phones, after receiving  a call from a telemarketer, select the number in your recent calls list, as if you are going to dial it, then press the three vertical dots in the top right part of the screen. You should see "Add to Auto reject list". Press it.  To remove a number from the reject list, just repeat the process.
    For more detailed instructions and other options for your ANdroid phone, see this page.
    On iPhones,
    See this page for iPhone call blocking directions
  2. Install a free spam call blocker app:  We like

    This is the most effective and simple method to stop repeated calls from any number.

    1. Use your cell phone's "auto reject" feature.
      On Android phones, after receiving  a call from a telemarketer, select the number in your recent calls list, as if you are going to dial it, then press the three vertical dots in the top right part of the screen. You should see "Add to Auto reject list". Press it.  To remove a number from the reject list, just repeat the process.
      For more detailed instructions and other options for your ANdroid phone, see this page.
      On iPhones,
      See this page for iPhone call blocking directions
    2. Install a free spam call blocker app:  We like TrueCaller; a free app for both iPhones and Android phones (like Samsung Galaxy phones) that providers the name of the caller plus consumer reports like "5,564 people have reported this as spam". so with a glance you know that the call from an unknown number is a spammer or telemarketer. See this page for reviews and links to these free apps.

    Read more at https://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/howtoblocktelemarketers.php#jCCY3hzbPufmr1Sx.99

This is the most effective and simple method to stop repeated calls from any number.

  1. Use your cell phone's "auto reject" feature.
    On Android phones, after receiving  a call from a telemarketer, select the number in your recent calls list, as if you are going to dial it, then press the three vertical dots in the top right part of the screen. You should see "Add to Auto reject list". Press it.  To remove a number from the reject list, just repeat the process.
    For more detailed instructions and other options for your ANdroid phone, see this page.
    On iPhones,
    See this page for iPhone call blocking directions
  2. Install a free spam call blocker app:  We like TrueCaller; a free app for both iPhones and Android phones (like Samsung Galaxy phones) that providers the name of the caller plus consumer reports like "5,564 people have reported this as spam". so with a glance you know that the call from an unknown number is a spammer or telemarketer. See this page for reviews and links to these free apps.

Read more at https://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/howtoblocktelemarketers.php#jCCY3hzbPufmr1Sx.99

See this page for more options to block calls

Just because someone gets your phone number, calls you and claims to be from the phone company, power company, insurance company, water company, gas/electric company, department store or other real companies, does not mean that person really works for the company! See the list below for some common scams, with their names and numbers.  And to check an 800 number, this website does a pretty good job of allowing you to check a specific 800 number and reporting 800-number scams.

If you think you have been wrongly billed for collect calls or for long-distance calls, contact the company listed on the bill. If they refuse to reverse the charges, contact the phone company and the Better Business Bureau. Consumers should also contact the jail where the call originated as well, because deputies would want to open their own investigation to determine if a scam is being run out of a jail.
 

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