A recent posting got me riled up about some phone survey scams that we can be subjected to while in the comfort of our own home. Let this serve as a reminder about how careful we must be because the scammers can be so slick and sometimes successful in getting valuable information from us. Each sounds so innocent, and yet, so read on.
Computer Equipment Survey Scam. It was reported that recently there was a survey being conducted over the phone by a supposedly well-known computer company, in which people were told that they would receive a free gift for participating in the survey. The survey simply included questions about the type of computer equipment that you owned. In return for answering the questions, you'd receive free software installed by a company technician who'd actually come to your home and install it, whenever it would be convenient for you. Ding, ding, ding - the bells should be going off for you. Why would you tell a complete stranger on the phone - what kind of equipment you have in your home, where you live, and when you would (and by deduction when you would not be home). If you answer the survey and follow-on questions, you've just given them the perfect opportunity to come to your home when you're not there and rip you off.
Smoke Detector Survey Scam. A very similar phone scam was pitched to residents of New York State, until the local police started warning residents. The caller would start by stating that this was not a sales call, but rather a survey. The questions being asked sounded innocuous enough such as does your home have fire extinguishers? How about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors? Does your home have a security system? Ding, ding, ding - again there should be bells ringing danger. Telling a complete stranger if your home's windows and doors are or are not protected by a security system, may be asking for your home to be broken into. This is information that you should never share with anyone who does not need to know, especially strangers.
Product or Service Survey Scam. Here people call you on the phone to ask about the merchandise or services you recently purchased, promising you money in return for answering the questions. For example, there could be questions about a visit to a restaurant such as - was the food good? Did you receive good service? Or there could be questions about the merchandise you just purchased at your favorite store. After answering these innocuous questions you might be asked for your bank account number so that a $100 payment can be directly deposited into your account. Or they could ask you for your credit card number to pay for a shopping spree gift card to be delivered to you by courier. Ding, ding, ding, of course these are just ruses to have you give up your financial account information. Absolutely never share this information with someone you don't know on the phone or online.
Legitimate merchants may want to conduct a survey, but it won't be over the phone or online. These days we have to be very protective of our personal information. For what it's worth, I decided several years ago to never purchase, sign up for, or answer any questions when someone calls me on the phone. I just state politely that I never conduct unsolicited business over the phone and immediately hang up, so that they do not have any hope of getting any information out of me.
And may these tips about phone scams be a reminder of just how vigilant we all must be. Make sure to share this posting with everyone in your family who answers the phone so that no one is caught off guard. Come visit us at http://www.HomeHowToGuides.com to find many more tips for making your home safe for your entire family including children and pets, helping you prepare for a potential disaster, to launching home improvement projects, and creating a home that is healthy.
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