During the past 2 months I have received approximately 10 calls from the same phone number to my cell phone. Each caller advised me that he or she was calling about my American Express Account ending in 000. Since I consider myself to be pretty savvy I knew that American Express did not make such calls and that these calls were bogus. My cell phone recorded the calls as coming from 727-541-0001. Naturally I refused to give the callers any information and in fact I tried to get information from them, to no avail. They just hung up. I also called them back on the number they called from immediately after the call ended. Each time I received a recorded message that the number was disconnected.
I went to the American Express Web Site to search for a place to report these calls. The closest I could come was a link asking cardholders to report internet phishing, but no link for reporting phishing phone calls. So I reported it on the internet phishing link and then to my amazement I received a phone call from American Express telling me that I was reporting this to the wrong department. When I asked them to transfer me or direct me to the right department, one perhaps that might be investigating these phony calls, I was told they did not have one! I then tried calling the American Express Executive Offices in New York to report the calls and ask them why they didn't have someone tracking down these crooks. I called 3 times and could never get past the operator. Each time she kept telling me that she could not put me through unless she knew what the call was about. Whenever I mentioned the word card she transferred me to the credit card center where they handle general calls such as getting a credit card, canceling a credit card or making a payment.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mark Sahm
Good post, Bob. It is amazing how you can get bounced around so much by customer service when you're just trying to do something good-natured.
2 - Bob Greenspan
Thanks. I was just trying to protect the next guy but these companies don't seem to care. In fact I was asked by AMEX if I wanted them to issue me a new card. They missed the point completely. Also, have you ever noticed that since the advent of the Internet and companies posting their Home Page with all their info etc. the one thing you won't find listed is a phone number, except perhaps to Customer Service. But just try and find a Corporate Headquarters address and phone number. You can't. Not even for Google or Yahoo!
3 - Bennett
"But just try and find a Corporate Headquarters address and phone number."
Dead on Bob. Great post btw. As recently as two months ago I could call Capitol One about my credit card and eventually get through to a real live person, granted it was a very nice person in India, but it WAS a person.
That is no longer an option. It's all phone menu, automated response, nobody really works here, and you're fucked if you need to speak to a live person!
"Please send an email and we will respond within 72 hours....."
Hell. Handbasket.
4 - greg
I am getting the same calls. Probably 30 to 40 from the same number so far. 727-541-0001. Total scam. jebapafu at yahoo.com
5 - Ron
Me to, same number. They accurately gave me the last 4 digits of my VISA card and wanted to send a $1000 gift certificate. I hang up and call back with the same results.
6 - eric
Just got a call on my cell phone from the same number. I called it back, it rang twice, then the message said it was disconected. Maybe the FCC can get them for transmitting an incorrect identifying number, probably a $50.00 fine or some crap.
7 - Chris
Damn it, they just called again... I just don't answer anymore. The guy was really aggressive the last time.. Told him I wasn't interested and he says "I'm sure you got 8 bucks in your checking account..." WTF!! Why do I need to spend a couple dollars for $1000-whatever certificate when I didn't understand a damn thing said in the first place.. Scary! Can we sue them! ---- Great post btw!
8 - Dave Nalle
Is this an exchange program? Can I exchange my old phones for guns? I'll gladly do 2 for 1.
Dave
9 - chris
Yeah.. I got the call one day last week on my cell phone, and I just received it again seconds ago..They don't leave messages, and when you try to call back it says it's disconnected...
10 - ChrisS
Are we all getting these calls on cell phones here?!
11 - Peg
I googled a phone number that keeps calling my cell number and never leaves a message (as a rule, I don't answer my cell unless I know who is calling)...and lo and behold! came to this site. Guess which number keeps calling me...same one. I haven't answered it yet. Glad I didn't. I'm going to call the cell phone company and report the abuse. Is there a way to block callers from my cell phone? I'm in MO, by the way.
12 - Bob Greenspan
Thanks for all the comments. The real problem is that we are too soft on crime. We need to start caning people in public like they do in Singapore. Lets start with these jackasses who keep calling us about our credit cards. I will volunteer to do the caning. Is 50 lashes OK or is that too little!
13 - Ron Gee
I got two calls today on my work phone here in Los Angeles from the same number, one this morning and the other this afternoon. Luckily I have caller ID here at work; I don't pick up the phone unless it's a number I recognize. Someone hunt down these jerks and put them out of their misery.
14 - brian
I keep getting these BS calls too. I called verizon and apparently they cannot block a number to your phone. She did tell me to sign up on http://www.donotcall.gov and they are required, by law, to stop calling. I'd recommend that.
15 - matt
ive been on the do not call list for over 4 months now and i am still recieving calls from those assholes. can anyone tell me what i can do to get them to stop?
16 - Robert Adams
They are still calling...I am to the point that I enjoy messing with them now. They called this morning...just like clock-work. Number on caller ID [edited]. I have got a connection now. Two days ago they called me on my cellphone and claimed to be Consumer Innovations. This company admitted that they offer card holders a $125.00 in gas, so, in my mind there is a connection. The company also admitted that they use telemarketing companies to do their cold calls. Here is the information I have: [edited] Also their website: consumerinnovations.com. Their corporate telephone #'s
[edited]
I hope this information helps someone. I will continue to answer my phone and continue to collect information until I have enough to go to the appropriate authorities.
17 - JohnB
Yes it would appear they are all to cell phones. I started receiving them Thurs. night 9/8/05. I'm in Minnesota. Only thing I could find on it is that it originates in the City of Pinellas Park, FL. Like many of you I haven't answered yet, but knowing what I do now I may next time. Maybe try to get them at their own game. "So where in Pinellas Park are you located......."
18 - Chris
Ok, I'm a little shaky, I've never been such an @$$ on the phone before, but here's what happened. They called AGAIN this morning and this is what I got from the guy!! This could all be lies as I imagine it all is... The guy I talked to said his name was Kevin Ross, I asked for some contact info and he gave me the customer service phone 800-858-4838 and a PO Box in St Petersburg, FL "PO Box 7375, St Petersburg, FL 33702". I googled the number and I find it linked to a company called "Traveler Innovations" Interestingly, theres this link http://ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff148281.htm and its not pretty... They rip people off!! These are bad people, be careful! After the guy told me all this info, I told him to take me off his list, and he literally scolded me for having an alterior motive like I was a little kid or something. I told him not to sass me and again to take me off his list. He said he would do so. We'll just see if this really happens or not!
19 - Charles
they keep calling me as well....
20 - Jackson
I've just started getting calls from that number, I haven't awnsered any of the calls. and when I call the number back I get the disconected number crap.
21 - mark
they are calling me in mississippi
22 - Michael
I am in Texas. Over the past two weeks I received the same calls to my cell phone from this number. The fist time I picked up I spoke with them They had the last 4 digits of my credit card, my address, and stated they were from Visa. I told them never to call me and I was not interested. They have been calling 3-4 times per day.
This morning I picked up an anonomous call and it was them. They wanted to send me a $150 gas card and then wanted a few dollars to process the shipping. I told them that I had talked to the bank and that my credit card was cancelled. They said my card was still active (which it was at that momement (scary or lucky guess)- which have been now). I told them they had no authorization to contact me and Steve, the representative, said they were Visa and did not need the bank's permission.
My bank called the number and they received the same disconnected message.
Something really needs to be done. I am pulling my credit reports today and I have heard there is a way to secure them from a friend that had their identity stolen- so that is next.
23 - Bob Greenspan
I can’t believe that I posted this story a month ago and I am still getting comments on it.
Not surprised they are using the Visa cards now. I don’t think we have much to worry about. If they had the info they really needed like the full Card number and our expiration dates and our Social Security Numbers and Date of Birth they wouldn’t be calling us. They would be using the cards for cash advances or merchandise purchases.
24 - Lance
Ok Google got me here, I'm in Hawaii, and these calls just started yesterday. They're pretty persistant. Called every hour (per my missed call list) I noticed they only call cell phones, Is there a connection?
25 - Robwood
I got several calls from them. The first time, I had a bad feeling as the background noise was deafening and the people talked WAY too fast. It wasn't until they were trying to get my information that I actually got them to repeat themselves loudly and slowly. I asked who their affiliates were (since this was supposedly how they got my info to begin with), and when I was told they had an enormous list, I grew very wise and told them I wasn't interested (very luckily before I gave them my information!).
The next time they called, I told them I had to blow them off since I had 10 things going on at once. Go me! Now I've registered with Do Not Call, as posted above somewhere, and the only thing as bad as receiving a call from a telemarketer is having to wait 31 DAYS!!! before it becomes illegal for them to call me again! That sucks! I hope they do it so I can complain.