BANCOFAMINS: Telemarketer Alert

AntiTelemarketer.com ^ | November 11, 2005 | Nick Danger

[Nick Danger]

The country is apparently being tele-spammed by hangup calls coming from something called "BANCOFAMINS." I started getting these calls yesterday.

I Googled BANCOFAMINS and I found out this is a telemarketer's "predictive dialer" looking for live phone numbers. If you answer, they've found you, even if your number is unlisted.

This thing will call at all hours of the day and night, trying to find somebody home. It will call your landline, it will call your cell.

If you see BANCOFAMINS on your caller-id, do not answer.

[Egon]

"BANKOFAMINS" will not show on my (or probably most) cell phones. Only the number will, if that.

Did you happen to note the actual phone number? It might not exactly match the number when someone else is called, but it might be close enough to tell.

[cripplecreek]

I got a call from a guy with what I assume was a Nigerian accent the other day. Apparently Ive been chosen to receive $7,500 because I pay my taxes on time. All I needed to do was give the banking info and SS number to get the money.

Being naturally suspicious (not stupid) I asked for more proof. The Nigerian handed the phone off to the Pakistani FBI agent who told me that his name was "Agent John Smith" and his badge number is 025.

So is it on the up and up?

(sarc)

[cripplecreek]

My Nigerian scammers number was 888-888-8888.

[Tennessee_Bob]

So is it on the up and up?

Yes - it is - and Agent Smith said you could freepmail me all that information, no problem.

[cripplecreek]

Should I send you the $250 processing fee too?

[Nick Danger]

According to the folks on AntiTelemarketing.com, virtually ANY number in Area Code 206 should be suspected of being a telemarketer. The entire area code is owned by Marathon Communications, one of those long-distance provider companies. They have several of the biggest telemarketers as clients.

[Egon]

I got a call from a guy with what I assume was a Nigerian accent the other day. Apparently Ive been chosen to receive $7,500 because I pay my taxes on time. All I needed to do was give the banking info and SS number to get the money.

I got a similar email yesterday. The subject was: "Reply, NO HOAX!"

It has to be real!

[Ukiapah Heep]

I had to think for a minute. What cruel game was he playing?

[Egon]

According to the folks on AntiTelemarketing.com, virtually ANY number in Area Code 206 should be suspected of being a telemarketer. The entire area code is owned by Marathon Communications, one of those long-distance provider companies. They have several of the biggest telemarketers as clients.

Interesting. Thanks for the heads-up!

[lafroste]

My cell phone displays the incoming phone # when I get a call. I've gotten calls from telephone # "100", "0001", "5" etc. How is that even possible?

[Tennessee_Bob]

Yep - I'll freepmail you the PO Box to send it to. We have to use a PO Box due to the large volume of mail we receive regarding this issue. Honest.

[cripplecreek]

The saddest part is that enough people fall for these obvious scams to keep them in business.

[SmithL]

I hope you people don't screw this thing up before I get my check.

; )

[nevergore]

No it's not...do not give them you're bank account info....

Quickly provide it to me instead :^)

[USF]

My cell phone displays the incoming phone # when I get a call. I've gotten calls from telephone # "100", "0001", "5" etc. How is that even possible?

Its possible to spoof caller ID. This site lists a few ways... there's other methods too, which I won't go into.

You could also try googling "orange box" or "orange boxing." There were also a few sites out there that sold the ID hack/spoofing service for those that could not do it themselves...

[Right Wing Assault]

It has to be real!

If it's on the internet, it MUST be true. Isn't is international law that we aren't allowed to lie?

[USF]

In other words, if you see your banks caller ID number and they ask you for your SS, or too many other questions (mothers maiden name, DOB etc) DO NOT automatically assume its who you think it is.

[HereInTheHeartland]

Never give anything to anyone who calls.
Basic, basic rule for everyone. Unless you place the call outbound yourself, never give any personal info.

[Egon]

Basic, basic rule for everyone. Unless you place the call outbound yourself, never give any personal info.

...and make sure you're actually calling where you think you're calling.

In other words, don't rely on a "call-back" number, etc.