I just won a new Ford Explorer!

[Valiere]

Or maybe not.


But that's what the automated message told me. It said I had entered a contest to win a Ford Explorer or $25,000 in the past 18 months, and actually, I do kind of vaguely remember doing something to that effect. It said to call a certain number back....with a certain time stipulation (Scammers frequently say this so you'll call back immediately instead of spending a little time on Google researching the contest and number). Skeptical and knowing not to give away any personal information, I called back.

A lady answered the phone, and I had to explain the call I got (I guess they use this number for a variety of scams). She asked for my name and number (Safe enough, I suppose....You could figure that out with a phone book) and said she had to check the system for my info but would call me back.

Bad move. Plenty of time to do a little search engine research.

Of course, it's a complete scam. I got a call back after about 15 minutes...


LADY: Hi, my name is X, and I'll be assisting you. I'd like to congratulate you again on winning the Change Your Life sweepstakes for a Lincoln Navigator or a trip for two to--

ME: I thought you said I won a Ford Explorer.

LADY: Oh, oh that's right, a Ford Explorer--

ME: Hold on. I know this is a scam. Jig's up. Bye!   (click)


I'm kind of angry at myself for not scambaiting her further. I could've acted all enthusiastic about my prize and started playing dumb, fumbling over where to find my credit card number, feeding her bogus information, telling her stories about my dead dog....

Oh well. If any of you guys wants to mess around with 'em, the number is (877) 848-1743!

[ThexXtremeXx]

*calls*

[X_marks_the_ed]

I got that same call. I pretended to speak only French. It gets funnier when you yell at them.

EDIT: Things I remember shouting at them:

"J'aime les pieds!!!"
"Quoi? Tu n'est pas un femme? Je suis desole!!"
"Huit-six-sept-cinq trois-zero-neu-eh-euf!!!"

[Dragonium]

I got that same call. I pretended to speak only French. It gets funnier when you yell at them.

I like to put on a heavy Russian/Serbian accent when telemarketers call.

Bonus: You get a point for every second you can maintain an "uhhhhhhhhhhhh" for in mid-sentence.

[Valiere]

Saying "What?" at various volumes and asking them to clarify simple concepts is fun as well.

[Darkfox]

Yes! Make them rue the day they tried to scam you! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[fruckert]

I like to answer the phone and pretend I'm a cop at a murder scene
Then I proceed to tell them that I'm going to have to come over and get them so they can give me some information

Usually freaks them the **** out

[Darkfox]

I like to answer the phone and pretend I'm a cop at a murder scene
Then I proceed to tell them that I'm going to have to come over and get them so they can give me some information

Usually freaks them the **** out

I should try that. XD

[Grandy]

I like to answer the phone and pretend I'm a cop at a murder scene
Then I proceed to tell them that I'm going to have to come over and get them so they can give me some information

Usually freaks them the **** out

More info, please. Do you talk like one of those 80s detective show?

[fruckert]

More info, please. Do you talk like one of those 80s detective show?

Nope, I talk all professional like and actually start spouting our reasons why we need to contact them for some more information

[Archem]

I like to answer the phone and pretend I'm a cop at a murder scene
Then I proceed to tell them that I'm going to have to come over and get them so they can give me some information

Usually freaks them the **** out

I swear, you stole this idea from a YouButt video I saw.

[fruckert]

Hmm?

[Valiere]

Hahahaha. Awesome. Too bad its too expensive for me to call them

You could probably bait one of those Nigerian scam e-mails I see in my inbox all the time. Hours of fun.