Same Old Scam, New Twist

[vegasadmin]

I'm sure y'all remember the old "I just need the serial number for your copier" scam - the one where, if you give out that number you receive a load of un-asked for toner and a huge bill.  The other day I received a call that makes me think the same old scam is still going on but with a new twist.  The caller identified himself by name right away but didn't give a company.  He didn't ask to speak to anyone in particular and when I asked him who he was calling for, he said something to the effect that he didn't need to speak to anyone in particular, he just needed to know the number for the ink we used in our printer.  I started to say something to the effect that we don't have a printer in the office (not true of course) but the words that actually came out of my mouth were, "Oh.  No.  No, you don't."  Then I hung up.

You know, I'm 39 years old and I still haven't mastered the art of saying an unembellished "no" and meaning it.  I'm sure many of you can understand that, because it's a problem common to women - we're discouraged from saying "no" at an early age and encouraged to be accomodating as much as humanly possible (if not more so).  I wasn't rude to this man, I didn't slam the phone down, I just gave him a polite no and gently hung up the phone.  It's an uncommon feeling for me and I like it - two days later, I'm still riding on that "no".  Isn't that silly?

Anyway, just wanted to alert everyone that there seems to be a new scam (or an old one with a twist) going around.  Maybe this guy had a legitimate reason to know what kind of ink we use, but I don't really think so.

Colleen in Las Vegas

[andream]

Dear Colleen,

I used to feel the same way as you do when saying "no" but when it comes to scamsters, I really had begun to view it as a contest.  Every tried saying "no" and NOT hanging up the phone? With a smile in your voice.  It's almost fun.  AND it's EXCELLENT practice for being assertive without being aggressive.  When you can say no, smile, say no again and you've done it a few times, suddenly, well my GOSH you have a whole new skillset that can be translated into other areas.  

Hey at least the scams guys are good for SOMETHING.

Of course if that fails you can do the "poodle in the Copier" schtik it works like a charm.

Andrea

[bethalize]

C'mon, post the poodle scam again!

Bethalize
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff

Edited by andream on 31/10/02 05:12 PM.

[andream]

only if you can find it dahhhling, I dont have time we're on deadline around here today

A

[dedlered]

Copied from Old Post
Written by Andrea

Okay, okay, here's my personal way of dealing with copierscam, people it goes like this:

Hello?

"uhhh Hi there, I just need to get the model number off your copier so that we can get you the new pricing on toner"

"OH THANK GOD You've called, do you have the schematics on the copier?"

"uhhh schematics?"

{make faint dog sounding whining noises in the background muffle the phone so they sound possibly realistic}

"Why yes, Mr.{insert name of Boss} Prize Teacup poodle has crawled into the drum and we can't get her out! Please you have to help us!"

{make pathetic whimpering noises, holding the phone away from your face as you do so}

They usually hang up by this time, but if you have one who's REALLY persistant it can go like this:

{more faint whimpering noises}

"can you send someone over right away? Oh Dear LORD, please hurry! she's... Oh I think she's hurt in there!"

"uh sure, if you'll just give me the model number"

"NO Dave Don't turn on the copier DAVE! NOOOOOOOOOOO"

{more pathetic barking/whimpering noises}

By now they've hung up, though I did have one selfless soul honestly try to help the poor little pooch out by telling me to unplug the copier....



Laura
Deskdemon Staff

[debgephart]

Now, that is truly funny.  Our systems are down temporarily; all I can get is online, so I decided to hop on and say hello.

Thank you for the heads-up on the scam.  I will remember the poodle trick.

Thanks for getting my morning off to a great start!

[countrigal]

And a big welcome to our site!  It's always great to see a new face.

CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member