Who Called Us

Some credit card scam. I don't even have any credit cards, how can there be "a problem with my account?" Pressed 9, was connected with an operator who claimed they would take me off their list, but I'm still reporting them to the FTC, as I'm on the do not call list.

Same story here. Scammer pretending to be from my credit card company. Refuses to take me off their call list. Suggested I don't answer calls if I'm not interested. (funny, how do I know its a scam until I pick up the phone?)

Just for fun, if you are working or living in an environment that you could do this in, answer the phone whenever a suspected telemarketer is on the line. If you hear a real human voice and they start their shpeel, hold a gas charged air-horn to the phone & blast them for a second or two! You can get them from amazon.com for as little as $7.00 for the 1.4oz can or under $30.00 for the 8oz which will last a very long time if used in short bursts. Refill 8oz cans are about $16.00. Free Shipping often available on orders over $25.00!

Even if it's a recording, wait and see if a human takes over the call or if there is an option for them to start recording you, then blast them!

Don't get mad, GET REVENGE!

I'm on a "switchboard". message purported to offer lower CC interest rates if I pressed 9 now.

Don't know who is calling. It has happened a few times, but decided to look up "this" number. Phone rings 1x then they hang up. Figure it is a creditor or scam/phish. Whitepages.com says it is a Landline and another source says it is wireless, so who knows. Have had "single ring & hang up" calls before, wish they would get a life. Have had creditors in past ask for a family member, I now tell them "No one lives here by that name," and hang up. I do not give these creditors the time of day. They will try to fool you into thinking they only want to "help" your relative. The truth is they just want to harrass them and use you as a form of embarassment. Great technique. *not*

Report to-
FTC: 877-382-4357
Attorney General: 850-414-3600
Consumer Protection: 727-464-6200

I have done some investigation on this:

It is a boost/virgin mobile prepaid phone. It is obvious that it is a cutout (they forward the calls through the phone, so when the feds start closing in, they can dump it and the feds are stuck with a dead end. If you have ever wondered why a valid ID and credit card MUST be required for a prepaid phone, this is it.).

I have filed a complaint with the FTC and EVERYONE who gets a call from this number should do so.

I managed to get Dan Schulman's office on the phone about this, and let him know that the number in question is being used in the performance of a federal crime, and it would be in Boost's/Virgin's interest to address the issue of this cutout number & similar numbers.

If you have a few hours, you might want to do the same & contact Mr. Schulman, or Mr. Hesse (Nextel CEO).

You CAN get them on the phone if you want to. Takes a little time, and some social engineering skills. My technique today was call the Reston Executive Briefing Center in Reston Virginia. When the staff answered, I huffed & told the woman that I was supposed to be coordinating a meeting at the center with Mr. Hesse, Amanda Louie, Leigh Horner & Terrence Phillips (Manager Network Engineering), Timothy G. Kelley (Director Network Engineering) & Mr. Schulman & that I kept being fobbed off, would they please connect me with Mr. Schulman's office.

They forwarded me to Mr. Schulman's secretary. Speaking to her, I dropped all pretenses, and was EXQUISITELY polite. I told her I had a real problem, and I have heard she was the person to help me solve it (stroke the ego, and people generally want to help people who are polite) and so on.

These are techniques I used to use professionally. You might have to try several numbers. Try being angry, very polite, disappointed, confused. Try speaking in another language and repeating your target's name repeatedly with heavily accented "Please to connect to" (French seems to work best).

Once you find out the executive's secretary's name, you are golden. Dial random numbers in their exchange and ask someone to forward you to the secretary. Again, try being frustrated (*pah* This is the 5th time I have been forwarded. I am supposed to be speaking with Mrs. Johnson right now. Could you please forward me? -or- What is her extension?), or angry, etc. Polite, but frustrated seems to work best.

Once you get the secretary (administrative assistant) on the line, be EXQUISITELY polite. These people CAN help you if they LIKE you, and you need them to like you. Ask them to help you solve a problem, and tell them you have heard he/she has a reputation as a person that solves problems.

DO NOT ABUSE THESE TECHNIQUES! I use them very rarely, and only when I have no other real option. They work though. Every time.

Good luck with it.

Shutting down 813-333-8999 is a start, but that won't do these jerks any real damage since that is a cut-out phone. They will just pick up a new number. I wanted Boost to be aware of it so they can perhaps prevent the abuse of their system, and making enemies of other people, since this WILL get out to the public if it persists & give Boost a bad name as colluding with federal crimes.

I spelled that out to the FTC and Boost, and recommend you do the same.

Boost is a subsidiary of Nextel, so reaching Mr. Hesse may be useful as well.

Oh, and parking decks tend to be soft targets. The security tends to be underpaid, and to have a company directory...

Here is some good info to get you started down the trail:

boost 888 266 7848

nextel 888 788 0788

Dan Hesse - 703-433-4040 - Old CEO number
Chief Executive Officer
Sprint Nextel Corporation

800 877 7330

512/554.1701 Amanda Louie

Leigh Horner, 703-433-3044

703-433-4000

Terrence Phillips – Manager Network Engineering - 911 Timothy G. Kelley – Director Network Engineering
Desk: 913-827-0522 Desk: 913-794-8152

(913) 624-5800 - Legal Department

(866) 206-4108 - Tier two support

CEO, Gary Foress (old CEO, current is Hesse, but numbers still helpful).
703-433-4040 Direct
703-433-4352 Fax
Office of the CEO
Meghan Land - 703-433-4094

This is a call we have received before ... Rachel said she was calling us about our current credit card. I hung up then. Apparently Litestream was into fiberoptics, but filed for bankruptcy in 2004. Located in Tampa, FL.

My husband gave this company my number because he was busy at work. He set up payment acct and authorized payments etc. Now they keep ringing the phone! Very irritating!

I got this call from them at 2:17 p.m just another non-compliant a hole trying to push credit cards,I reported to donotcall.gov for what it was worth as reporting it is a joke.

I keep getting a call that says "Hi this is Rachel at Card Holder Services".
I've tried staying on the line and selection option to be removed from their list.
I'm also on a "do not call" list.

But I get these, usually around 10 am and sometimes around 4:30.

It is annoying and likely they are phishing.