strange phone call

[ronirp]

Just got a call from someone who stated they were from AZ, saying I qualified for a 50,000 drawing. They said I will also get a free subscription to cosmopolitan and a free watch. I kept waiting for them to ask for a credit card number or something like that (thinking it was a scam), but they did not. Not really sure what to make of this! Also, they called at home, and I rarely provide my home phone number on the different sweep sites!
Any ideas?
Roni

[bradedit]

Just be careful, ask questions, If its a good one, they will be able to provide answers like. What contest was this? How many winners? What did you do to qualify? Always, ALWAYS get a name and telephone number so you can call them and verify that they are legit. With magazines they don't have to get your CC, they will bill you 3 months down the road.

[secrettreasure]

I had a call on my voice messaging.....tonite around 6:30...they said it was about a sweepstake I entered and left an 800 # for me to call. Haven't called yet....

New to this sweep stuff .........so I don't know if it normal or not........lol

So.......I'm like roni........don't know what to think of it.

[sweetcindy]

Originally posted by secrettreasure
I had a call on my voice messaging.....tonite around 6:30...they said it was about a sweepstake I entered and left an 800 # for me to call. Haven't called yet....

New to this sweep stuff .........so I don't know if it normal or not........lol

So.......I'm like roni........don't know what to think of it.

I got one like this today too!!! I just erased it on my machine, if I won something, they know my address (the legit ones).

[bradedit]

Many sweeps contact you by telephone even for small wins, again it usually is someplace in the rules how you will be notified if you win. If your telephone number is NOT required to enter a contest leave it out.(For example the Emeril cookbook one, they call and talk to you)

Many of the larger companies use a sort of "clearinghouse" for contests. If I am given an 800#, I call and ask the person who answers what kind of company are they?

[ronirp]

Thanks. that is great advice. Of course, now I go - why didn't I ask for aphone number or what sweeps. They did say it was a free subscription, so if I do get a bill, I hope I can just cancel. Anyway, I will be more careful next time. I guess you learn how to play this sweeps game.

Roni

[bradedit]

I have forgoten to ask too, I think its that rush you feel when they say you have won! Your brain just starts going I WON,I WON!!, hehehe!

[stking]

I get a call real similar to this about once every 6 months. I swear I can almost tell them what they are gonna say next. They start out asking if I still have one of the 3 major credit cards. They don't ask for the number. They then say I've qualified to win an amount of money. Then they say I won a watch and ask if I want the men's or ladies. Then say I will get 3 mag. subscribtions for free if I just get Newsweek and Time or something for $3.xx a week billed annually. That's about where I usually say "No thanks, just send the watch." And they say "Oh but you have to order the mags to get the watch." That's usually where I hang up but it is the same every time! Sounds similar to yours but they didn't say you had to pay for other mags so maybe yours is legitimate! Who knows!

[ronirp]

That is it exactly! But I do not recall them saying I had to pay for the mags., and they did not get any credit info. SO unless they bill me later, they cannot get the money (and even then - I would not pay - I do not want the mags if they are not free). Will see. I will be careful next time.

[sydnie]

Yep, just talked to these folks this morning myself. They started off with how I'd been ENTERED in a sweeps, but also went through the "free watch" business and "48 months free of 4 magazines." All I had to do was agree to pay $xx/week for Soap Opera Digest. When I declined on the mags, I didn't even get asked if I wanted a men's or women's watch, so I guess that was all part of the mag deal.

Watch your VISA/MC/Discover bills closely if you got this call and agreed to ANYTHING. They are very slick and borderline, if not over the line, mis-representing the offer.

As for how they got your home number, they may be calling from CC company lists. My caller wanted me to confirm that I still held a Visa etc. and asked which of those cards gave me the best service (without ever asking for a card number). Don't know how they would pick which card to put the mag charge on, had I agreed.

[shrartman]

MY turn - just now. I cut them off right away after reading everyone else's post. Thanks for the preliminary info and warning. I was ready for them!!

[stking]

Too funny that everyone is getting these calls right now!! Another response I love to give when they try to sell me mags is (actually the truth ): "Oh, I get all of my magazines free or almost free thru the internet!" That one isn't on their comeback list! They don't know what to say to that! LOL!

[kim everett-martin]

I got a call last night from Radisson Resorts - everything IMPLIED that I'd won 2 weeks in Orlando and a 2 night cruise to the Bahamas, until she said "all you need to pay is $698." And I said "sorry, not interested", then she says "but you signed up in the site - why did you sign up then?" and I said "I entered a contest for a FREE trip - I'm guessing I'm NOT the winner of the FREE trip." and she says "Oh, no, somebody else won that." Thanks!

[bradedit]

I buy all of my magazines through my daughters school, its a major fundraiser. When they call, I usually tell them that I would be glad to purchase from them, if their company is willing to make a substantial donation to my daughters school, I start rambling off the name of the school, address, etc. Usually before I can end my selling speel, I hear a click on the other end of the telephone.

[ronirp]

Just got this in my e-mail

We’re going off our rocker …

We’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Your watch has been packed for shipment.

All you have to do is participate in our program and confirm your shipping address to claim your watch.

Please call us toll-free at 1-800-394-8292

Use your private code when you call:


Call 9:30 am to 9 pm EST Monday through Friday or 9 am to 2 pm EST on Saturday to claim your watch.


I called them, and was told that indeed I have to pay for some subscription. I said that I was not interested, and to take me off the list and I do not want any magazines or the watch. She got some of my information, and then the line disconnected! When I tried to call - all the lines were busy. I will try again later. I also sent a reply e-mail requesting them to not send me anything and that I will not pay for a subscription I did not ask. Hopefully they will not be able to bill me, but we will see.
I will keep you posted. Be very careful.
Roni