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laundryhater
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« on: October 10, 2001, 10:54:02 am » |
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I just received a call from this organization and it sounded an awful lot like a telemarketing scam. I could tell the guy was reading from a script and lots of background noise (other telemarketers). He asked a lot of personal questions to "put in my bio". Then wanted me to buy a book with mine and others' biographies in it with membership package.
I tried doing a search on the Internet for this organization and did not come up with anything.
He said they only take credit cards. So I told him I don't have a credit card. Then he changed his story and said he could accept a personal check. So I told him that with the uncertainty of pending layoffs I don't want to commit to paying for something because I might not have a job to pay for it.
Anyone else received a phone call like this? Am I right about it being a scam?
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radaro
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« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2001, 11:18:54 am » |
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Sounds pretty scammy to me! Especially how he would suddenly take a cheque when you didn't have a credit card. I hope you didn't give away too much information about yourself.
No offence to anyone, but what would someone to with a book entitled "Who's Who of Administrative Professionals"?
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laundryhater
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« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2001, 11:28:41 am » |
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No, I kept it pretty generic.
He said I had been nominated to be a member of this organization and as a member my name and information would be included in this book. I guess it's a status symbol thing to have your name in the book or something. And members have special other priviledges like newsletters and discounts on stuff.
Also forgot to mention earlier that I could hear someone whispering in his ear. I assume they were telling him what to say. The price of the membership package sounded unreasonable: $120 for the small package and $160 for the deluxe package.
So if anyone else on this board gets a call like this, I'm pretty sure it's a scam. Don't get sucked in by the "You've been nominated for this award" bit like I almost did. It sounds good at first, but the more I talked with him the more clear it became that it was a possible scam.
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chris68
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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2001, 11:38:48 am » |
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The one thing that gets me is, if you are already in this book, why would he need personal information on you to begin with? Definetly sounds like a scam, and I NEVER give out credit card information to folks like that, asking for trouble.
But thanks for the heads up on this one though, there is always something to watch out for it seems .
Chris68
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laundryhater
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« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2001, 12:18:09 am » |
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The book isn't printed yet. They ship it to you when it is printed but need the personal info to write the book.
This is why I wasn't sure if it was a scam or not at first because my husband is actually in a book called Who's Who of College Scholars (or something similar - can't remember the exact name of it right now) for his collegiate accomplishments and high GPA. He has the book at home on our bookshelf. So I had heard of these types of orgs.
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juspeachy
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« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2001, 12:48:40 am » |
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I was contacted by this organization over a year ago. At the time I was joining lots of organizations...It is a legitimate organization. Not sure it is worth the price tag, though. Also, I don't have a clue who "nominated" me. Here is a link so you can take a look. www.internationalwhoswho.comHope this will answer your questions. Vickie |
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laundryhater
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« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2001, 01:06:04 pm » |
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Nope. That's not the one. The name of this organization has the word "Administrative" in it.
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execsec
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« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2001, 01:29:49 pm » |
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A lot of companies use this ploy. They say you've been "nominated" (I'd ask them by whom?  You need to find out so you can write them a proper thank you - tee hee) so you'll think it's neat and give them your information. And since you're going to be in it, don't you want to buy a copy? ? I say it's a big scam. Why would I want to pay to have my name in a book? Heck, they ought to give me one if my name is in it!!!! |
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juspeachy
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« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2001, 02:08:53 pm » |
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The website is the main site for the Who's Who Society. They have several "branches" to include Professional Administrators. This is the one that contacted me and sold itself as being for the "Who's Who of Adminstrative Professionals." I bought into it (sucker) and got a nice certificate that says I am a member of the International Who's Who of Professional Administrators. They also sent me a copy of the biography that they planned to publish in their book. There was no pressure to buy the book. I'm trying to remember what else was included in the cost...oh, yeah...a quarterly newsletter (but, I don't remember receiving it). Here is some more info on how to contact them: International Who's Who of Professional Administrators Gibralter Publishing, Inc 1650A Gum Branch Road P.O. Box 3002 Jacksonville, NC 28541-3002 Phone: (910) 455-6446 Fax: (910) 455-1937 Website: www.internationalwhoswho.comCustomer Service: 1-800-275-4946 Guess there's a sucker born every minute, huh? Vickie |
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daisylee
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« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2001, 02:12:27 pm » |
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It is a scam, used by people who commit credit card fraud. They use your number to make mail and phone order charges, then sell the number to the criminal underworld element that use the number on counterfeit credit cards.
They can also take information from your check, such as your address and checking account number to establish any number of accounts...this often leads to identity theft.
DO NOT EVER, UNDER ANY CURCUMSTANCES GIVE YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER TO ANYONE THAT CALLS YOU!!!!!!!!!
Remember, they called you, you didn't call them, and you might want to contact someone in the government regarding this...it is tantamount to interstate commerce fraud and wire fraud.
Daisylee, former fraud investigator...(I get really PO'ed at this type of scam...geez, if they can figure out how to do this stuff, they're smart enought to get a legimiate job!)
This is another one of those things that just fries my donuts!
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elleny
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« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2001, 02:57:18 pm » |
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This is just like the poetry contest. People submit a poem, and get a call that theirs has been selected to be published in a book. What they don't tell you is only people who buy the book are published.
Ellen (yes, I fell for that one) in TX
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radaro
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« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2001, 08:31:25 am » |
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I guess that's what I was trying to say in my original response. Only the people whose name appears in the book will actually buy it and then what do you do with a huge list of admin's names?
Maybe add them to your mailing list for junk mail or calling list for toner scams.
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dragonladybug
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« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2001, 09:51:59 am » |
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It's funny but this morning I received an e-mail stating I had been nominated for inclusion in the International Executive Guild ! This one says it's a free listing, and has a fill-in form included in the e-mail, but it was curious that this arrived just as we were warned about the Administrative one.
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laundryhater
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« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2001, 11:39:09 am » |
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The man told me that if I didn't buy the book he couldn't reserve my "spot". Meaning that my name would not be in the book if I didn't buy it.
When I asked him to send me written information about it so I can make an informed decision, he said he needs an answer today.
That tipped me off to his scam too. I never buy from anyone who says they need a decision today.
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