# Someone tried to scam me today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 25, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133 "2025-06-25T18:50:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![X.L.Lent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a5b964/32.png) [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/1 "2025-06-25T18:50:59Z")
TL;DR: I received a scam call this morning, played along, was given address to send a check, called police. They started by asking if my TV was on and what was the name on the remote control. After I gave them a name of a random cable company they told me to turn off my TV and they would upgrade my cable TV service. I have never had cable TV. While they were “upgrading” they asked me for my name and zip code. I gave them a fake name (Harry Katz) and a zip code of a city in the next county. They then gave me a long spiel about how much better my TV would be and that I could now access 10 additional chanels. After the “upgrade” was completed I was transfered to a “manager”. The “manager” thanked me for being a good customer and mentioned they they would give me a thirty dollar discount on my bill for the next 12 months. They then asked for my checking account number and of course I wasn’t going to give them that. I asked if I could mail a check instead and was told yes. I thanked them and they told me who to make out the check to, the amount, and gave me a mailing address. They thanked me again and asked if I had any questions. I said “Yes I do. How much money do you make scamming people?” There was no reply, just the click of a phone being hung up. After thinking about it for a while I decided to call the police. I had written down the address and was able to google the phone number of the police in that city. I spoke with an officer who looked up the address and found no complaints were on file for that address. I would guess the adress is a collection point for the checks sent in by the victims. The officer asked me a few more questions before we ended the call. Anyway, that’s the story. I still have the address - it’s in a city over 2,000 miles away - and have been thinking of sending something as a joke. Any suggestions? It would have to be something non harmful, of course. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/2 "2025-06-25T19:04:34Z")
> [@X.L.Lent](#): > > and have been thinking of sending something as a joke. > Any suggestions? Glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/3 "2025-06-25T19:06:11Z")
Some of the jobs I’ve seen advertised by scammers are as package recipients, presumably for goods purchased using stolen credit cards. It’s _possible_ that the address in this case is also that of an innocent third party. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/4 "2025-06-25T19:21:55Z")
But now you will not get your $30 discount for the next 12 months. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/5 "2025-06-25T19:31:55Z")
> [@X.L.Lent](#): > > The “manager” thanked me for being a good customer and mentioned they they > would give me a thirty dollar discount on my bill for the next 12 months. They then > asked for my checking account number and of course I wasn’t going to give them > that. I asked if I could mail a check instead and was told yes. I thanked them and > they told me who to make out the check to, the amount, and gave me a > mailing address. It’s a scam, I get that that means they may say any BS to confuse you but presumably they needed your bank acct info to send you your discount; how did that then turn into you sending them a check for something? ---
**Author:** ![X.L.Lent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a5b964/32.png) [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/6 "2025-06-25T19:51:37Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > It’s a scam, I get that that means they may say any BS to confuse you but presumably they needed your bank acct info to send you your discount; how did that then turn into you sending them a check for something? I knew from the start that this was a scam and played along just to waste thier time. They problably wanted my bank account info so they could create fake checks and attempt to cash them. When they asked me for my checking account number I asked if I could send them a check instead. They agreed to this and gave me the info to put on the check and the mailing adress. Obviously, I’m not going to give out my bank info or mail them a check. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/7 "2025-06-25T20:04:17Z")
In order to send them something, would you not have to put your own address on the parcel? Or at least a valid return address? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/8 "2025-06-25T20:15:13Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > would you not have to put your own address on the parcel? Or at least a valid return address? Return addresses are not required. If they were, one could easily make up one for 123 Fake Street. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/9 "2025-06-25T20:32:55Z")
I just wonder about those 10 _new_ channels. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/10 "2025-06-25T21:54:15Z")
I regularly get phone calls from ‘Microsoft Support’ about my computer. I immediately reply “Yes, this is Microsoft Support - how can I help you?” Usually they ring off, but one scammer said in a puzzled voice “No, I’m Microsoft Support!” ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/11 "2025-06-26T03:06:30Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@X.L.Lent](#): > > > > and have been thinking of sending something as a joke. > > Any suggestions? > > Glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. Mixed with used cat litter, which I can easily supply. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/12 "2025-06-26T04:15:46Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I regularly get phone calls from ‘Microsoft Support’ about my computer. I once got a “supervisor” to say that all my computers are affected. After I asked her if that includes the really old ones which have no Internet connection, she hung up and I haven’t received any other calls since. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/13 "2025-06-26T05:26:59Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It’s _possible_ that the address in this case is also that of an innocent third party. Yeah, these scammers often have some other unsuspecting dupe working for them under some false premise like “I’m overseas but have a business in the US and need someone to collect payments for me”. Said person cashes the checks or acts as the recipient for the Paypal/Venmo/etc then buys crypto to send to the scammer and gets some percentage off it. Sometimes there’s a relationship angle at play as well, finding suckers to fool into thinking you’re dating them then asking them to help you with this. That’s not to say no one is fully aware of the scam and happy to profit off of it. But I’ve seen a number of videos about less savvy job seekers or lonely hearts getting roped into being mules. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/14 "2025-06-26T05:32:13Z")
> [@X.L.Lent](#): > > called police. > > They started by asking if my TV was on It took me a minute to realize you weren’t still talking about the police! ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/15 "2025-06-26T10:54:50Z")
Are checks even a thing anymore? I can’t remember the last time I wrote a check. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/16 "2025-06-26T11:02:35Z")
We’ve been through this _many_ times. Checks are still used in the United States to a much greater extent than other developed countries, especially in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/17 "2025-06-26T11:09:09Z")
I want to congratulate the OP on keeping the scammer on for so long! I can never find the right combo of words or level of cluelessness to keep them from hanging up. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/18 "2025-06-26T11:17:24Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > > [@X.L.Lent](#): > > > > called police. > > > > They started by asking if my TV was on > > It took me a minute to realize you weren’t still talking about the police! My mind went to “is your refrigerator running?” mmm ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/19 "2025-06-26T11:27:28Z")
Or even “Is your television running?” [![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/f98b100379dbb1c1c3db9145015f6bbf/1565beab4e465177-55/s540x810/fe68ded828a1fcab8d14462f267f5c95cbb4f756.gifv) ](https://64.media.tumblr.com/f98b100379dbb1c1c3db9145015f6bbf/1565beab4e465177-55/s540x810/fe68ded828a1fcab8d14462f267f5c95cbb4f756.gifv) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133/20 "2025-06-27T17:52:12Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > > [@running\_coach](#): > > > > > [@X.L.Lent](#): > > > > > > and have been thinking of sending something as a joke. > > > Any suggestions? > > > > Glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. > > Mixed with used cat litter, which I can easily supply. Please don’t send feces through the US mail. Glitter is okay, I suppose; just make sure the parcel is sealed sufficiently to guarantee that it cannot release any of it in our sorting machinery. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133.md?page=2)