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.…
Article comments
626 - Bob Greenspan
Thanks for all the great comments. Here is another reply you can use.
Hello, is this Mister Smith? Yes, may I help you? This is Miss Telemarketing Bitch calling about your American Express card ending in #12345.
Listen Miss Bitch, I already told the person who called me last week that my Pin number was 5678 and my birthday was February 30th. How many times do I have to tell you guys. Don't you communicate with each other? Please get your records straight so you don't have to call me any more.
627 - alhf
I just got 2 missed call from 1-866-665-7366, tried to call back but I guess I can't. I saw this site after typing that number. thanks for who ever created this site, all I have to do now is reject them or don't answer at all. They will get tired too! Anyway, I'll just keep reviewing my bank acct. for any suspicious transaction.
628 - Geo
Our household land line has been caught in the 813-541-0001 universe. Five calls yesterday, the first four unanswered. I answered the fifth, said don't call here anymore. They called this morning, so I looked up the number and found this blog. Thank you, Bob.
Judging from the number of bloggers, this is obviously a major criminal enterprise at work. What a trajedy that these creeps can't be caught and sent to jail for years and years.
For the time being, we're going to refuse to pick up the phone when this number shows up in caller ID.
629 - Mike
I just got a call from 1727541000. The girl on the other line just said my name and ended the call.
630 - Liz
1-800-586-1959 is still going strong. They call me everyday, but I just let it ring. Today I actually called them back, and much to my surprise someone actually answered. I hung up after getting the name of the company; as above it was "Northern Illinois Reader" or something.
Then I remembered something... Toll free numbers are great for customers, but a pain for companies because the company with the toll free number has to pay a fee for every call they accept.
I have shared this number with my friends, and I have urged them to call... If nothing else just to get connected to someone and hang up.
They want to play? I say, "Game on!"
631 - xian
what if we just started giving wrong info, So that maybe the banks and cc companies will get involved...... haven't tried yet , But i assume this is going to get interresting...........hope this point of attack will help a little.
632 - Ed
I've received lots of calls from 800-266-9420 and 702-553-0594 - several times a day, every day. I tracked them down - Adaptive Marketing LLC. I've sent them cease and desist letters yet they keep calling with blocked caller IDs (restricted / unavailable / 000-000-0000), and they've also used the numbers 813-541-0001 and 800-871-0631.
Concealing the ID of their company and blocking or attempting to conceal their caller IDs are both individually and federally prosecutable crimes (along with their repeated telemarketing attempts and other tactics which constitute retaliation, harassment and intimidation) and my attorney is going to have a field day. Stay tuned.
633 - DL
Just updating with some information from my earlier post, #609.
I recently went though a bunch of old mails that I had put away to look at at a later time. One of the mail was from CHASE which still contained my credit card. It still had the activation sticker on it. I had never activated that card!! So, I know that my information was not sold to these scammers from a vendor. It was sold to them by CHASE VISA, as I suspected, and now I have proof.
BTW, I also have a Capital One credit card(7 years now) and I have had no problems from them.
So, lets start boycotting these credit card companies that. Fu(k CHASE.
634 - pat
Today, Feb 16, I received 10 calls from 727-541-0001 on my house phone which is Vonage. Yesterday it was 4 and the day before it was only 2, so it is getting worse. My daughter answered some of the earlier calls and they asked for me. When she said I was not at home they hung up. When I answered they told me what they have told everyone else. I said I was not interested and they said ok and hung up. But it was not ok because they called back an hour later. Again an hour later. My daughter answered and told them not to call anymore. The next time I answered and they hung up on me. They continued to call about every hour until 9:00. They hung up every time I answered. I hate to see what it will be like tomorrow. If I continue to get phone calls I am going to contact my congressman who I think may take an interest in this.
635 - Bob Greenspan
In the 17 or so months since I published this Article I have had 634 comments posted. I read and appreciate all your comments. I think we have learned however that the crooks are still making the calls and no City, County, State or Federal agency is going to do anything about it, which I find to be both typical and disgusting. I have embarked on a new project that I call the Save America Party. I would appreciate any comments you want to leave by going to this site and using the contact me form. Thanks
636 - David
Another victim here in Kentucky. The card in question I don't use for anything. I have used it maybe once in the past 6 months to purchase a Christmas present from Zales.com and I doubt they gave them my information. I have no idea where they got it from and I tell them everytime they call that I know it's a scam and that I have reported them to my CC company (usually they insult me afterwards) but they continue to call. It's been going on for two weeks now and I'm hoping it will end eventually. My cell phone company is Cingular if that matters. I had my CC company put a block on my account and issue me a new number. At least they can't get any money from that card now, right?
637 - Toni
Yall are so stupid I work for that company you are talking about and they do no such thing we actually try and help u save money because all of yall are broke ass motha fucker!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yall need to stop hating on this company and try and use it to your advantage dumb asses!
638 - Mary K. Williams
Yall are so stupid I work for that company you are talking about and they do no such thing we actually try and help u save money because all of yall are broke ass motha fucker!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yall need to stop hating on this company and try and use it to your advantage dumb asses!
I'm sure the company you work for would be so pleased to see how you represent said company in the utmost professional manner. Indeed, carry on!
639 - Jeff
i have recieved about 5 calls in the last 2 weeks from these idiots(866-655-7366)i googled them and was directed to this site.i actually answered it today and they say the company is called Cheap Travel,when i asked if it was a sales call the girl hung up.i ahave been on the Do Not Call registry for about 5 years now,so i have reported them 3 times,i just hope that the government does something about these assholes cause i am tired of their repeated calls to my cell phone.i went and purchased a mini-fog horn so the next time they call i am gonna blow some shitheads ear drums out.if you are on the Do Not Call registry make sure that you do report them so that something will be done about these scammers
640 - Laura
I started getting these calls after a purchase at Amazon.com anyone else think it is connected?
641 - Laura
by the way I do not have a credit card (have not had 1 in 5 years either). Nor had I had any credit card issued to me here. I only have a debit card so I doubt they are getting the info from credit card companies. The only unusual purchases recently have been that we gave the phone number being called to were for a purchase with amazon.com and a new refridgerator from Lowe's.
The phone numbers that come up on my caller ID is (so far) 813 541 0001 or unknown number...
642 - csmith
I'm getting about 10 a day...but they hang up on the first ring...I call back and it's disconnected...frustrating!
643 - greg
Do the telephone companies have the technology to trace where these calls originate?
I know they don't have the desire - because they make money on the call itself, but CAN they... like if politians stopped collecting lobby money long enough to pass some meaningful law to force the telcos or something?
644 - Chris
These people get your info from purchases done online. Specifically from Orbitz.com. I'm sure there are other companies involved in selling your info but this is the only one I am 100% sure about. Don't go after the crooks because you'll never find them, go after the companies you purchase products from online because their the ones selling your info.
645 - Carrot
I received a phone call after 10:30 pm from (718)487-1050. I picked up and no one responded. A few minutes later I received 2 calls about a minute apart from (646)512-0631, with the name reading "Luis Torres". Both went to voice mail with no message. I googled the numbers because I knew they were connected. This site came up as well as some other sites. I am on Vonage. I have been on the DNC list since the first NY one came into existence.
I was a little nervous about it being a spoofed number from a stalker (a couple URLs came up with that). I'd rather a scammer to a stalker, but still...I guess I have some harassment ahead. .
646 - Ashley
I received two calls from 1-727-541-0001 today. One at 10:30am and anothher at 8:43pm.
The call at 10:30am was the most interesting. I answered because I am job hunting. The man asked for me by first and last name and I said, "this is he."
He then said he was calling in regards of Visa card ending in ####. I was kind of caught off guard, but was still willing to hear him out. Before I could really say yes or no he told me I had won $300 Gas Card and a $3,000 "shopping spree."
This was weird. I didn't at all understand what was going on. I asked the man what company it was and he claimed to be with "the Rewards Center." WTF?
I asked, is this Visa the company? and he said no, but seemed annoyed that I was asking him any questions at all. What he did next made my heart sink.
He recited my address perfectly here in Northern Virginia and wanted to send me some promotional materials through the mail!? He wanted to be sure that, since I would still be able to keep the free gifts regardless, that if I didn't want the promotional materials, that I would promise to give them to somebody else I know.
Then he asked me if I was interested and I said, "no, I'm not really interested because I still don't understand exactly what this is... then he hung up on me.
I googled the # immediately afterword and found this site. I also closed my bank account. Wont get my money.
These people are very scary. It is a very organized effort to harass people and the government wont stop it. I believe there must be something we all have in common. The second call I got from this 727 # it was silent when I picked it up for about 20 seconds. Then I heard a female voice say "hello?" I tried to establish communication before it hung up. I'm terrified.
THIS IS STILL GOING ON PEOPLE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO POST IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO YOU! I have read this blog in its entirety and plan to file complaints to FCC and FTC as encouraged. Thanks Bob and thank all of you for posting your stories.
Please, all legit victims on this blog remember, the scammers themselves are probably fully aware of this blog and probably have posted messages on here specifically to create further confusion and misleading information. Just food for thought.
647 - Bob Greenspan
Ashley, thank you for the post and kind comments. I don't think you need to worry or be terrified as you said you were.
These people are using the phone as their weapon precisely because they are non-violent. Remember the title of the article "Trade Your Gun or Knife for a Phone".
It is my belief that all they have is the last 4 digits of your credit card and they may have your address (more on this below). What they are hoping to get are ALL the numbers to your credit card and The Expiration Date.
In regard to your address or anyones address if you are in the phone book they have your address. If they have your phone number they can look up your address through reverse directories.
If you have written articles or a blog on the internet, or joined an organization or mailing list, or My Space or You Tube and all these other sites that ask for information, they can get your name and perhaps your phone number and address.
But I really believe they have somehow gotten ahold of lots of peoples credit card info - last 4 digits only - plus their phone numbers and they are fishing for the rest of the numbers and expiration dates, as I said above.
I buy lots of things on the Internet with my credit cards. I only buy from accredited companies who use encryption techniques. I check my bank accounts and credit card accounts regularly to make sure their are no unauthorized charges.
But nobody is really safe. These numbers are being stolen. TX Max just had their system hacked and 45 MILLION credit customers had their ID's stolen. The Veterans Administration lost computers with millions of Veterans ID's last year. Other computers with sensitive data have gone missing and/or been hacked.
If you were one of those whose ID's were stolen the crooks would have all the info they need. They would not be calling you to VERIFY your credit card & expiration date.
One last precautionary note. Every time you give a waiter or a store clerk your credit card they have the opportunity to run it through the imprinter twice so they can keep a copy for themselves -or just write down the card number & expiration date along with your name. They can either use this info themselves or sell it to others.
So, I think we all have to make a choice. Are we going to live our lives using our tools such as credit cards and bank accounts or are we going to revert to carrying cash and doing all of our transactions in person? Some people will not give their card to a waiter. They take the card to the cashier and watch while they run the card and then take it back.
Each of us has to make that choice on our own. Just be more cognizant of who you are dealing with, who you give your information or credit card to and check your accounts on line at least 3 or 4 times per week for suspicious activity.
648 - ERic
Hey got the call today... hung up during the: "please hold for important information" message one sure fireway to stop the calls they will take you off the list, if they actually get ahold of you is say, oh sorry I cancelled that credit card... they won't bother you(most likely) Or say, oh sorry "john, josh, bob"(insert name) died suddenly (all his accounts are closed)
If you give them any positive information, they know that you are still a target, make yourself a non target, and they have nothing to gain.
My call was on my Verizon, I just switched my plan with them, and forgot to mention I need to be on the NO SELL list... I've done this once before, because I was getting calls from a "travel company" IIRC.
Just ask where they got your number, they are required(although they won't tell you sometimes) where they got it.
649 - joblo
I've been getting these calls lately. The first time I talked to them and told them I wasn't interested. They called me again this morning and woke me up. I told them I wasn't interested and to stop calling me.
The jerk then told me that I wasn't in the right frame of mind to be discussing this and told me I probably had a hangover.
I told them the conversation was over and to never call me again. Shortly thereafter, I got a spanish recording from 617-280-8585 and a google search reveals that this might be related.
650 - RatTrapper
Called me today 5:33pm EST. 727-541-0001 "mastercard rewards" rattled off last 4 digits and my addy. wanted me to sign up for some $1 trial service crap and I would get $1000 shopping spree and $40 gas card. I asked how much it was if I didn't cancel within the time frame allowed and he said he had to read me the terms and the prices would be in there. I let him read his lines to me (24.95 each x 2 if I didn't cancel) and then I kindly stated that I decline the offer and wish not to have anything mailed to me nor have my card charged. Not even a buck. He tried to get me to change my mind, "sir its only one dollar" take the offer and review the package when it arrives in the mail. But after I firmly declined he eventually hung up on me. I'm in New Hampshire by the way and it was a call to my land line. Also have not used this card for any purchases online. Last place I used it was at my local gas station and a brick and mortar Walmart.
651 - ERic
UPdate,
I didn't take much time, but I answered this time cause the constant
daily calls were getting annoying
I answered, talked to a woman I asked for a call back number(no go)
then I asked who they were "Visa rewards." I said I'm sorry my visa doesn't have rewards. She told me of the "offer" I said I'm sorry
I'm not interested, and to please remove me from the list.
I have not recieved a call back in 5 days.
I think the key here is to be nice to the people, I know its tough. but it worked for me so far.
652 - Scott Koen
There is another number, 3106778701 that I was called from. I used a different tactic, LOGIC and GREED. I explained to the caller that I had been called numerous times before and each time I had requested to be placed on a do not call list. Because the employer does not maintain a list, the employer was wasting his (callers) time as well as mine, he was giving him DEAD Leads. I asked him how he handled a day of calling angry people, I befriended him, sympathizing with his desire to bring a paycheck home and made his employer the enemy. We will see if it works, destroying from within.
Scott
653 - J
Has anyone tried not ever answering the phone? It seems that if you do answer that just provokes them and they call 10 times a day.
I started getting the calls from 727-541-0001 about a week ago and have not answered yet. They call in the morning and then again in the evening, hopefully they'll get tired of calling me...
I registered on the Do Not Call registry, and I had my bank freeze my account and issue me a new debit card, my next step will be to complain to the FTC...I think we should all be pro-active about this and actually do something to try and get these people to stop and not just complain on here...Good luck to all!
654 - ERic
Not answering does not work.
I never answered until day 8.
I have not recieved another call since.
655 - Joann
This has been going of 3 weeks now for the 727-541-0001 number here. I have not not anwering my phone at all the a few days ago I did anwer my phone and the guy said U F Bicth you ned to use your cards and then hung up. I call the police and filed a report. I wish the would just stop calling 7days a week!!! My calls start at 7:30am and that suck when I' trying to sleep in on my days off.
656 - Al
I started getting calls from 727.541.0001 about two weeks ago. Once a day at first, but now morning, noon, & night. Sometimes a couple at night. I didn't recognize the number, so I never picked up. I did a reverse phone check on the number, and came up with a Daniel Delsavio. I Googled the name, and found this page. This particular scam has been going on for over 2 years now?
657 - david
hi it may help you to know the real name of the comp that calls you from 727-541-0001 it is a company out of pinellas park fl [Personal contact info deleted] i just wanted to tell someone thay shorted my check and i been with them for 1 month ill show them
658 - Scott Koen
David
Please tell us more, who, what where?
Scott
659 - TH
I recieved a threatening call from this number 727-541-0001 today. They've been calling for about a month now and I never answer the phone but today they decided to leave a threatening message on my phone and I want to know who it is.
DAVID please tell me who they are and what the company name is. It's scary knowing they have my address too and I have kids. But I will say this, I am a bounty hunter and I will eventually find them so please make it easier on me David and tell me who they are and how to contact them.
Thank you very much
660 - Tish
Haha! Being nice does NOT seem to get them to stop. I've tried! From other message boards many people think it stems from a purchase on amazon.com. I'm inclined to agree with that, as I bought something a couple months back for the first time, and now I'm getting called by these people. Do a google search on the phone number (the 727 one) and see what shows up.
661 - Patti
HI (customer's name) this is Pat calling in reference to your visa card how are you doing today.... IS THAT WHAT IS SOUNDS LIKE WHEN THEY CALL YOU.... THATS WHAT I GET ALL THE TIME... AND THEN "we are calling you for being a prefered card holder and recieving 100 gas voucher and 1000 online shopping spree...... THIS IS STUPID SHIT CAN PEOPLE ACTUALLY WANT THESE THINGS...? IT NEEDS TO STOP
662 - Andrew
These people have been calling me for the past 2 weeks from the # 727-541-0001. I had to cancel my card in fear of them charging me since they had the last 4 digits of my card # just like everyone else has said. They proceeded to keep calling and when I told him off the man proceded to laugh and hang up. Calls still continue to happen.
663 - scoogee and fat tyler
I have read most of the above and feel the frustration of the writers, which is understandable.
Now I will tell you how to ruin a telemarketers day (or maybe week, month, year or life). And maybe get them to quit their job.
Let's face it. These people are ignorant, unemployable and working off the books. No one takes these jobs who is an evolved mammal.
Zero in on the caller's ethnicity and say something like: "Do you have a family member named Shinequa (or Shawanda or Lakeisha, or the staple, Tiffany)? Give that person a big hug because she is not going to be around much longer. That is the price of annoying me."
Then hang up.
I don't think this is mean or inappropriate. It is merely communication at the level of the telemarketer. And it will help you feel a sense of (some) satisfaction.
664 - Terces
I know the first step is to bitch and complain...
but that doesn't always work.
What's the next step in ethical logic?
1)Utilizing the internal black list in your phone, or the mobile carrier, or a local tel-co block the number or
2) Sign up at your telco for Call-Trace (explain why). After you have the service, when you receive the call, hang up and wait ten seconds, then press *57 (or dial 1157 on a rotary phone). This will trace the call to the original number. A recording will provide a 800-number to take legal action. Record the time and date the call and trace took place and contact your local Sheriff's office. Tell them the problems your having and explain that with the data you have from Call Trace and the data the tel-co has, legal action can be taken; explain that the tel-co can only legally give the trace to a law enforcement agency or security department. Go down to the tel-co, preferably with the Sheriff, and get your information. Now if the Sheriff is the good type, he'll do something about it; if he's burdened then if you explain you'll take it up with the local law enforcement agency of the originating call he may release the information to you. Then you can publish all the information on the message board and many will call and the place likely won't last a few more days.
665 - Meji
they gave me my last 4 but i didnt give them anymore information...being greedy i accepted the trial and stuff but i still hadnt given them anymore infortmation..as i hung up i was like this is a scam. what do i do next?
666 - Eric
Mr August 1,
while you advice is good, its worthless in this
case, they are using "phone cards" or otherwise
untraceable, the return number points to a phone
bank with no connection to this company.
667 - Mary
I work as a switchboard operator during the day, so when these people call, I'm not able to get to my cell phone. I've been getting calls from 1-800-856-1959 around noon for three days in a row now.. I googled the number, and I got two results, this website, and http://www.targettilesaws.com. I tried to call the number back after I got off work, but got a message; All circuits are busy. I BET.
Is it bad to just not answer the phone? I'd love to mess with them if I could only answer.. but I can't!
668 - JCS
From what it sounds like here, people have traveled south of the border--read: mexico. It sounds like something a friend told me about that if you travel in mexico to ABSOLUTELY turn your cell phone off. Otherwise, some sneaky bastard with a scanner will strip your phone # and security information right out of thin air when you are trying to use your phone. They will then use that to spoof your phone # and scam people & make long distance calls. Just my 2 cents worth.
Note to Self: if you go south of the border, turn your damn cell phone off!
669 - Tracy
(Just to start off, I NEVER participate in these. I don't even forward chain emails from good friends.) I got these calls too back in Sept to my cell phone. They also had my mailing address and last 4 of my cc. Promises of a free trip and easy cancelation only being charged $1 per each different service they offered for mailing purposes. Of course I only received info on two of the three services making it impossible to cancel the third, and I never received the "free trip" info either. When I try to cancel the "Health" service the numbers on my cc statement are canceled or no answer. The good thing is my bank is doing research requests on the two charges of $24.95 and crediting my account. They will also go forward with research on their end to find out what's happening if I cannot reach the company myself.
Nordstrom told me a while back that TJMaxx was selling info so be careful. They ask for phone numbers when you make purchases. Other stores do similar things. ToysRUs asks for zips.
670 - Teddy Ramirez
This is nuts!
I received a call last week and I did not pick up. The reason was that the number shown on my cell display had a 5 anding with 0 ceros(5000000000) so I just didnt take the risk.
Sprint is my provider- if it helps!