Scam or Is a Potential Thief Trying to Get Information?

[LisaA]

When I got home from work yesterday, my mother gave me a message that the police called and wanted to talk to me about firearm protection. I asked her if the "police" identified himself as Philadelphia Police. She said that the man just said "police." She told this man that she knew nothing about it and that she did not understand why he was calling.

This phone call has put me on edge. A few days prior, I received my free gift package from the NRA, but the package was opened and the tactical knife was gone. The letter was still inside. I already notified the NRA about this incident. I will be contacting the Post Office.

It is very easy for someone to look at your mail, particularly mail carriers and handlers, and figure out what your interests are. Should I be concerned? Any advice would be most welcome.

[GreenBlood10]

Hopefully the NRA is sending you out another knife, but other than that. I would call the number back (assuming they left one) and if it is the police ask them to stop calling, if it isn't the police contact the police about them claiming to be the police. Or you could just ignore the phone calls. Interesting that the police would be interested in "protection" for your firearms.

GB

[LorDiego01]

Try putting the phone number from the "police" on this website.

http://mrnumber.com/

If you don't get much out of that, just putting the phone number directly on Google.

Firearm "protection"? That sounds shady as all hell.

[wheeling365]

I agree with LorDiego01. Try running the number thru google and see what kind of info it brings up.

If you do decide to call them back I would be very selective about what kind of info you share if any at all. I'd also be cautious as to what number you call back from or block your number at the least. The less info that you unknowlingly volunteer the better.

I just have a hard time seeing the police calling you up for something like that if you haven't approached them or interacted with them first.

If you think someone is searching for info or trying to figure out your schedule you might want to try mixing your routine up a bit.

[streaker69]

I agree, there is something wrong with this. I can tell you though, it gives great pleasure to mess around with people that make unsolicited calls though. I always google phone numbers of repeat callers like that and then eventually answer the phone. The best one went like this:

Ring...Ring...

Me: City Morgue
SSTM: ....silence...
Me: Hello, City Morgue
SSTM: Uh yes, hello?? (in an accent I couldn't place)
Me: Yes, City Morgue, can I help you?
SSTM: Uh, Yes, I was wondering if I could speak to Mr....
Me: There's no one here by that name.
SSTM: Uh, isn't this a residence?
Me: No, you called the City Morgue, can I help you?
SSTM: ....silence... No, sorry for calling.

SSTM == Scum Sucking Telemarketer

I never heard from them again. If would have only be better if I had a bone saw running in the background.

[LisaA]

Unfortunately, I do not have caller ID, so I cannot trace the number or caller. Maybe it is time to consider this service.

I have had other weird calls that I instinctively felt that the person was trying to see if I was home. When I get unsolicited calls, I inform the callers that I am recording their conversation and that their numbers will be reported. Sometimes, I start singing Happy Birthday or begin ordering pizza. Yes, my numbers are on the "no-call" list.

[LorDiego01]

I present you...

THE KING (of messing with unwanted callers!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W75lsvrvTU0

Enjoy!

[MischaBurns]

Ring...Ring...

Me: City Morgue
SSTM: ....silence...[snip]

Mine is "County Morgue, you stab 'em we slab 'em."

the funniest i have ever heard, was my dad leading a really stupid one on that we were aliens (from another star, not Mexico.) I have no clue how this girl could be THAT stupid.

RST (really stupid telemarketer): Hello, can i speak with the homeowner please?
Dad: No, they're not here, can I help you?
RST: maybe, are you a resident?
dad: no, we're just visiting, no residents are home right now.
RST: oh. where are you from?
dad: Alpha Centuri
RST: is that far away?
dad: you could say that. a few light-years.
RST: Do you know when the residents will be back?
dad: they won't be back. we ate them and took their places.
RST: ............OMG that's horrible!
us: *facepalm* *click*

and you would have had to have heard her voice, but she was clearly not joking

[BTJ138]

One of my favorite games to play with those pesky telemarketers is the Have You Been Saved game. It's a lot of fun. Let them ramble out their initial rehearsed speech then launch right into asking them if they have been saved by the power and love of Jesus Christ. It helps to have some scripture quotes written down so you can keep rattling them off without the person interrupting. You win the game if you can get them to say Hallelujah with you. So much fun.

[Neo31rex31]

I present you...

THE KING (of messing with unwanted callers!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W75lsvrvTU0

Enjoy!

Truely EPIC