January 3rd I got a text message on my cell from this number. The exchange went as follows.
Text to me: hey (my name)
Me: Who is this? (Another friend's name)?
Text to me: ;) a.dd me on y.a.h.0.0. msngr .. ID is jocelynchick5

I don't know anyone IRL or on Facebook called Jocelyn so that's why I was suspicious, and who types "y.a.h.0.0." instead of Yahoo? A quick search at 800notes.com shows similar text spam from this and one other number with the same words... so I guess that even if I answered with "hi darling, can you come over so we can bake cookies?" I still would get the same automated answer.

I got a text message from this number on November 23rd saying: "hey Gary check this out, ppl are makin $60h+ from home workhome888.com - Alec"

How the heck did this person get my name and cell phone number, and does text spam fall under the federal Do Not Call list?

I got a text message from this number on November 2nd: "Hey Gary, not sure if you or anyone you know still smokes. But smoke00.com is giving away free e-cig trials. - Mike"

One, how the heck did this person get my name and cell number and two, are text messages covered under the federal Do Not Call list?

Text message to my wife's cell phone on July 22nd: "Your entry in our drawing WON you a free $1000 Bestbuy Giftcard! Enter "808" at bestbuy.com.tbtv.biz to claim it and we can ship it to you immediately!" Searching Bing for that web address showed results of similar spam from California and Minnesota phone numbers.

Apparently this number is one of at least two phone numbers that are on Whocalled.us

HBW Leads LLC (telemarketers for insurance companies)
hbwleads.com
support@hbwleads.com
 
Caller ID: Salem  OR 503-877-3590
Mailing Address
  1880 Lancaster Dr. NE, Suite 114
  Salem, OR 97305
Call back number (from website): (800) 456-2701
Additional number (from Oregon BBB): (503) 587-3405

Advice column from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser two days ago--
Question: I recently received two text messages from Walmart on my mobile phone. The messages said that I was selected to receive a free $1,000 gift certificate. All I had to do was go to “www.walmart.com.wmgc.biz” for my prize. I have not signed up for any prizes from Walmart and have never given Walmart my mobile phone number. Is this a phishing scam? The text message was sent from 310-435-8887.

Answer: You are smart to be wary of any unsolicited message saying you have won “a prize.”

You are advised not to reply to such messages or open any attachments.

Walmart posted a warning March 12 on its website — walmartstores.com — about “a sudden increase in scam text messages referring people to a site where they can ‘claim a Walmart Gift Card’ by entering certain private personal information.

These attacks that take place through SMS text message technologies to personal mobile phones are scams and are in no way sponsored by or affiliated with Walmart.”

This is an example of a “SMiShing” scam involving SMS (Short Message Service)/text messages, which asks for personal/financial information, as opposed to a “phishing” scam, which uses emails to fish for the same kind of information.

The Federal Trade Commission has a Web page with information on how to deter or deal with identity theft.

Source staradvertiser.com

A text message I got from this number yesterday, no name or identifying organization: "Are you having a hard time paying your mortgage? Do you need help restructuring the mortgage to get a lower payment? If so, reply HELP. To cancel, reply STOP." Obviously, I deleted the message without answering.

That wasn't a wise move Trudy. There may be unscrupulous people (stalkers, telemarketers) trolling this public website. The people who post comments, nor the people who run the place, can not stop the nuisance calls for you. We are only here to let others know of our experiences.

Deborah you have my sympathy that you and your mother are dealing with this. Can you provide any information on who "they" are? Debt collectors or scammers/fraudsters? Names or companies? Grab a notebook and write down a log of who, what was said, when and what days, and what you've told them… a paper trail will help if you need to take legal action. If fact if you have not filed a complaint with the FTC that they are continuing to harrass you even after being told to stop, you should do it now. Contact your state Attorney General's office and see if they can help.

I just read some comments on here from Resident47 who seems very helpful and patient; maybe he can provide further advice.

So I googled this 612 number, and another mystery caller site (like WhoCallUs) recommended submitting this form wcaconsent.com I asked my phone number to be removed, we'll have to see if this company makes good on it.

A company called Survey Synovate that conducts surveys for Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). May use call centers out of India.

Website: synovate.com
222 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 350
Chicago, IL 60606

Telephone: +1 312 526 4000
Fax: +1 312 526 4099
Caller ID: 312-775-1289

The caller is a debt collector. May go by the aliases of David Sakamoto or Terry Kim. Google does not list a website but if you or your family are being harrassed by rude calls, consider reporting them to the Better Business Bureau.

Guardian Capital Management Hawaii LLC (GCM)
1580 Makaloa Street, Suite 920
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Callback number: (808) 948-9575

HBW Leads LLC
(telemarketers for insurance companies)
hbwleads.com
support@hbwleads.com
 
Caller ID: HBW 425-880-2106
Mailing Address
  1880 Lancaster Dr. NE
Suite 114
Salem, OR 97305
Call back number (from website): (800) 456-2701
Facebook page facebook.com

@Jennifer Same here. It's a robocall from the Teamsters union to vote in their election, they called my home phone several times. Sometimes with Bill Clinton's voice, other times with actor Danny Devito.

NRA could very well mean "National Recovery Agency" though I can't find this particular phone number on their website (they're based in PA not VA). This lawyer filed a lawsuit against them in 2009: fairdebtcollection.typepad.com

A Facebook friend got a call from this number and the person/s on the other end will claim to be from a bank who is calling because your account is going to be closed. Beware the scammers and identity thieves!

A recorded message that goes: "This call is for ____. This is not a marketing cal. If you are ____, press 1. If you are not ____, press 2." If it is debt collector CCS, why doesn't it say so on their caller ID?

I got this text message on Oct. 29, says FHB in the From line:
Subject: message
First-Hawaiian ALERT. call 617-848-0479

I don't do business with First Hawaiian Bank and they sure wouldn't be contacting me from Mass anyway!

Okay so SMS calls asking for the "oldest male in the household" for some kind of Dept of Health and Centers for Disease Control survey... Dad spends half an hour answering dozens of questions. Near the end he gets upset and refuses to answer any more (must have been a pretty intrusive question). Now the stupid operators won't stop pestering us for getting us to complete it, they say there's only 7 questions more.

I answer and tell them he's not going to answer any more, they say he has to tell them he wants to stop. But once he gets on, they try to badger their way on! How do we stop the calls? The DOH website has no information about running a recent survey.

My father got a call from this number, income figures and names and addresses were all correct. The other end had a bad connection and said he would call us back. As far as we can tell, yes this really is the US Census Bureau.

Why does a census need to be conducted? Main reaon: Federal money. It goes towards roads, schools, Social Security, and social services in your community. It tells your Congressional representatives and state government how many live and work there. Don't blame the Feds if you don't know what a census does! Were you asleep the entire year and missed the PR campaign in the news and T.V. commercials?

Text message spam to my cell phone from this number: "Eliminate up to 90 percent of your debt really!"

A recorded message on our voicemail: An "immunization reminder call" from Safeway pharmacy about getting flu shots.

But another number is given where I'm supposed to enter the ten digit phone number to opt out. 1-866-284-6198

Caller ID says "800 Service" but it's HMSA Care Connection. A health insurance company's disease management program for Hawaii residents.

This phone number was in spam I got in my personal email; apparently it's run by a guy named Pastor Jim Burns of Montana. Website they gave is reciprocitynetwork.info

It appeared to be Sears calling to offer an extended warranty for a washer/dryer unit we bought.

This is a legit call: Longs Drugs (Hawaii) uses a robocall system to tell you that your prescription meds are ready for pickup. Phone number connects you directly to the right store branch.

I received a call from a woman soliciting campaign donations for US Representative Charles Djou... active member for $40 and "sustaining" member for $20. When I asked if I could donate online, she gave me the local GOP website. Calling the number back gets you "Carly Fiorina for Senate" though.

RCM (Revenue Cycle Management) Hawaii is a debt collection agency. Site is at rcm-hawaii.com Looks like Queen's Hospital contracted them.

Here's what you guys should do if HSBC credit card account svcs keeps calling you:

* Press 2 to have your phone # removed from the telemarketing call list
* Use your telephone keypad to enter your phone #
"Your telephone number has been recorded. Please note it may take up to 30 days...."

Let's hope it works.

United Health Care Medicare Solutions

"Bernett R" called 4:32 on a Thursday afternoon, they were doing a radio survey. I asked for talk radio or music, but the guy on the other end just repeated the question (like he didn't understand). Found out it's for local radio stations, mostly FM dial. Completing the whole thing took about 15 minutes.

Update: This number is fake, a recorded message tells you to go call 1-866-839-7277 which is the number for debt collector "Mercantile Adjustment Bureau". Here's what I found about them:

judgepedia.org)
800notes.com

I'm going to go with the previous poster Al. Harris Connect is a real company, not a scammer or telemarketer operation. They sent me two yellow postcards by postal mail, their name in a corner and my schools on the front. I haven't received any calls from them, but I did call them at their toll free numbers:
1-877-252-5644 and 1-866-874-7468.

If you're bothered by either unsolicited calls or postcards, don't ignore them. Call them back and demand to speak to a supervisor if needed. The calls are "recorded for quality control" which means they are all monitored. If that doesn't work, then go one level higher and complain to the school, college, professional organization, etc. that contracted with Harris. Tell the alummi association that you will not donate any more money to them unless they can get Harris to stop pestering you. That'll get their attention.

Harris Connect, a real company which publishes school and college directories. In my case it's for Saint Louis High School in Honolulu.

Harris Connect, a real company which publishes school and college directories. In my case it's for the University of Hawaii.

Yeah the blog post is at federalism.typepad.com

Jerry I got the same text message from First Hawaiian, though I'm in Hawaii. I think it's a phishing scam (with forged addresses) not a legit company.

aloha@mail.tmail.com
alert

Your Aloha Pacific account is closed due to unusual activity,call 1-(888)-597-1461

Text message to personal cell, sent 08/25/2009 from number 3656. On that basis "jlr" I strongly feel it's a phishing scammer.

Telephone survey for customer service satisfaction, by American Savings Bank (HI). Takes about 5 min.

I just called them back today (Thanksgiving) expecting no answer but a man did answer. Can anyone verify? Maybe it's not the real number of the "collection agency."

A text message sent to me, dated July 19 2009:

"Aloha Pacific FCU. Charging privileges are temporary suspended. Call us at 1-800-516-1014. Thank you."
Obvious phishing attempt! They just send it out at random and hope someone falls for it.

Thank you too Eddie, I called them back (hit the 1 first) and a fast female voice said "if you want to be placed on our do not call list and don't want to know about our special program, please press one." I did and now I hope these boilerroom hustlers will stop!

A text message to my mother's phone several days ago that just said PLEASE CALL and this number. My guess is criminals looking for easy identity theft.

There are calls coming from this number, an "800 Service," that must be the same operation connected with 866-716-1545.

HonoluluEmployees@atmail15.tmomail.net
HONOLULU FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Notice.

Unusual activity - Call us now at 1-(888) 543-7924

05/31/2009
From:3564

8669457383@kalanet.com
Aloha Pacific FCU.

Please call us immediately at 1-866-945-7383 regarding recent restriction placed on your account.

02/01/2009
From:3622

8888745817@banetele.no
Credit Union N.A.

Please call us immediately at 1-888-874-5817 regarding reent restriction placed on your account. Thank you.

01/29/2009
From:3649

A recorded message that goes, "This is Sophie from the loan servicing department." (Not about credit cards and interest rate though.) It also said press 1 to speak to someone, and 9 to be taken off the list so I hit 9. Don't know if that works.

A recorded message from Yellowbook confirming receipt of our yellow phone directory from Paradise Pages (HI). I hit yes, and no for more directories. Personally I think 2 directories for a small state is more than enough, but these phonebook publishers are only interested in selling ads to make money; not accurate information or sparing the environment by printing fewer books.

J: I also got the same thing.

A text message sent to my cell yesterday, with an axmhupb@rcu.org From address: "HONOLULU CITY AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES F.C.U. has deactivated your DebitCard. To reactivate call 4086547683"

I don't have an account or card with that (real) credit union, but these identity thieves send them willy-nilly anyway hoping to catch a victim. Everyone be aware and alert because it looks like they operate across the country!

A moment ago I just got an automated recording that starts, "This is a public health message to all Americans." Selling insurance discount plans. Hit # multiple times and that usually ends the call.

@John and travellinpat: From auto warranty scams to health insurance to anti-government healthcare advocacy... you know, I think this isn't a company or org. at all. Most likely a boiler room telemarketer company hired by [insert some other name here] to cold-call everyone on a list. So shouldn't they obey the Federal Do Not Call list?

They called June 9th at noon too...

A text message to my cell yesterday, no From address: "Aloha Pacific FCU Alert: Your CARD has been DEACTIVATED. Please contact us at 888-419-0485 to REACTIVATE your CARD."

A text message was sent to my mother's cell dated June 23rd from a Yahoo.it address: "This is an automated message from Aloha Pacific F.C.U. Your ATM card has been deactivated. To reactivate call 516 734 0884"

A similar one was sent to my phone too! Oh and we live in Hawaii.

Knujon.com (a spam-fighting organization) blogged that this number offered a car warranty scam.

nothing special

Contact info: Vehicle Services Inc. Customer Service: 1-866-315-1555
Telephone: (636) 447-0158 Telephone: (636) 922-3918
vsiwarranty.com

Same here "doccora": Pink card marked **FINAL WARRANTY NOTICE** Recall Updates Available. Return address is Vehicle Services 1052 S. Cloverleaf Dr. St. Peters, MO 63376 but is postage paid from Wichita, Kansas. The recepient is a 100 year old friend who hasn't driven -- or owned a vehicle -- in years. He also gets recorded messages almost daily; wonder if they're related?

I'd just completed an appt with HR Block. Automated survey asking to comment on level of customer service.

Apparently a call from both a live person and recorded message. About Sam's Club Discover card... and get this, for a "Ryan Walker" who has never been associated with my cell phone!

Two calls from this same number... one for me one for my wife. Both recordings on our cell phone voicemail about car warranties!

Left a cellular voicemail that ends in automated greeting, "...press 7 to disconnect."

All I got was "...4 to disconnect" on my voicemail. Stupid telemarketing machines!

Someone named Don left an automated voicemail for a business opportunity: "teach communication, how to make money, and long term financial gain."

I checked NumberZoom and they list this caller as the Dove Foundation.

numberzoom.com

numberzoom.com

Computer telemarketer. Made 3 calls on August 8, 2, and July 31. I understand the area code is exclusive to Joliet, Illinois?

Please call regarding Windows Vista Beta 2

A woman called from this talent agency asking if I knew any "3 to 12 year olds" with acting skills. Said no. She knew she called my number was a cell because "if you do know any, our number is on your cell phone." Isn't this illegal??