I think it’s more accurate to say it’s some sort of bill they hope you think you’re liable for. Assuming you didn’t actually agree to contribute, you’re not liable for anything.
This really made me laugh. “We are calling from a company, yes, using a phone. Information now please.”
OOo! I got that one too!
After I asked the same question you did, and then politely said, “I’m not interested,” the dude tried to play on my fears.
“Well ma’am, aren’t you concerned about security?”
:: sigh ::
“Did you hear that vicious barking as you were walking up to my front door?”
:: Points to my frothing-at-the-mouth dog::
“Yeah.”
“That’s my security system. Have a nice day!”
The first time an unknown caller asks for personal information, I hang up.
I’ve just quit answering the phone unless I recognize the caller ID. If they’re legit, they leave a message. Mostly, no one leaves any messages.
I remember getting a bunch of those “I just need to confirm your address for this free advertisement in our directory” calls when I worked answering phones for a small accounting firm. I was warned on day one to hang up immediately when those calls came in. They came in at least once a week. If I could go back in time I would have a whole hell of a lot to say to those pieces of shit.
Scumbags.