Lately I’ve been getting a lot of automated calls which go something like this:
“Hello! We’re calling from your credit card company / your Visa card. Your account is current and there is no problem, but we’re calling to let you know you qualify for a rate of 6.99%. Press one to speak to a live agent now.” When I press one, I do get an operator, but when I ask them who they actually are they invariably hang up.
Does anyone else have experience with this? For all I know, they may be legitimate bankers trolling for business. Why do they pretend they’re representing one of my existing accounts, though? To get around the Do Not Call list? I don’t think it would work, but it might explain the hang-ups.
The number that called is +44 2074 787700, which looks like a London number to me (maybe). I’m in the US. Could it be a scam to ratchet up my cell phone bill?
Does your credit card company have your cell number? If the answer is no, then it is a scam.
If you are not sure, ask them to give you the last 4 digits of your card number.
I’ve been seeing a number starting with +44 on my caller ID some days when I get home. Never gave it much thought though. I don’t bother with an answering machine, everyone that I’d be remotely interested in a message from has my cell #.
They do, but I am positive it is not my actual credit card co. calling. The two or three times I’ve gone through to a live operator, they hang up to ANY question I ask, including “which card are you calling about?”
I got this exact phone call last night. I wanted to talk to someone, but didn’t bother so I let the thing talk. The machine will go through the spiel more then once. My caller ID didn’t pick up where it was from though. I guess if it’s from the UK I made them pay more! Maybe next time I’ll give them some false info.
ETA: this was on my land line and not my cell phone.
Since your credit card company already has your personal details, why would they call you when a personalized bulk mail works just as well? I’ve never had my bank call me to offer me a better rate with anything. They’ve always sent me a letter, which gets shredded about ten seconds after opening.
But what are these calls trying to accomplish? We get them on our land line both for credit card and for carpet cleaning; these are left on our answering machine, so the press one for an operator obviously does not work. Why do they have their software set to leave messages on machines? And, why does pressing one to speak to someone not work? What could they sell you or scam you if you can’t talk to them???