We’ve Been Trying To Reach You…
We've all had that moment of dread when we see a number come up on our cellphone that we don't recognize.
"Do I answer this? Or, do I let it go to voicemail?"
Inevitably, we see that voicemail light pop up, and we listen:
"Hello! We've been trying to reach you about your vehicle's extended warranty...our records indicate..." DELETE MESSAGE!!
On your cellphone, it's easy enough to avoid these scammers...just delete the message and block the number. However, when you are at work, it's a slightly more dangerous game to play.
As you can see, I have a fairly normal looking office phone...which is carefully hidden by the various coffee and fast food soda cups that I collect. There is just one thing missing: CALLER ID.
I have no way of knowing who is calling my office at any given time when the phone rings. It could be my wife, a legitimate question, my boss...you name it. I find that I have to answer because I don't know if it's important or not. Yesterday...I got THAT call.
"Hello! We've been trying to reach you about your veh-" CLICK!
They actually called my OFFICE! I couldn't believe it. I had to laugh, and then wonder...because not many people have my office direct number. Those who know me, either call my cell, or hit me up on social media...so I KNOW it wasn't because I had done anything to warrant a Vehicle Warranty Spam Call.
So, I began to think...perhaps someone who occupied the office before me was giving out this number as their personal number. I have had a couple of creditors ask for someone on this line...but now, I think it's laughable and sad.
I can tell you this, however...next time, I'm getting one of those office phones that has a display on it, so I can ignore people more effectively.
Now...do I need to call that guy back who said that my Social Security was being locked due to fraud? Hell, I better make sure he has my date of birth AND social security number so they can verify my information! Can't be TOO careful!