Are Rachel and The Robocallers Rattling Your Line?

phoneIf you say the name “Rachel” or mention the word “robocall” in many communities ,the response may be a nod of the head, rolling of the eyes, or a few choice words that indicate displeasure at the mention of the  name and term. So who is “Rachel” , what is a “robocall”, and why do they have in something common?

Rachel is a soothing pre-recorded voice that tries to lull people into purchasing products or services. She offers to   lower your interest rates, improve your credit ratings, and hopes to make your financial concerns hers – in more ways than one.  Revealing  your personal  information allows scammers  to pounce on your money and lower your bank account, not your interest rate! Call any credit card companies yourself to request  lower rates. It’s free and there’s no risk involved.

Advances in technology have allowed companies to use electronic devices known as autodialers to help with their marketing needs. The goal is to play a pre-recorded message and  get a live response from someone  which enables the company to pitch their products or services. The device does not screen the Do Not Call list prior to dialing and that is why the calls get through to folks who have placed their numbers on the Do Not Call registry. While some pre-recorded calls are legal, such as notifications from pharmacies about prescription status or local schools with important information for students, sales calls without prior written permission from the consumer  are illegal.

Here are some simple guidelines for dealing with unwanted calls.

Do not respond when asked to press a button or number. By doing so you let them know it is a legitimate phone number and the calls can increase in frequency.

Keep in mind that fake Caller ID numbers may look legitimate but actually can hide a location and the caller’s true identity. If possible, block the numbers with your phone carrier if there is no fee. The same caller can use several different numbers when contacting you so it may not be feasible to keep blocking each one that gets through.

Last, but not least, if all else fails, just hang up. You can report robocalls to the FTC by calling 1-888-382-1222 or visit their website at www.ftc.gov. Another source for information and help is the Federal Communications Commission which regulates many aspects of communications. Contact them at 1-888-225-5322 or visit www.fcc.gov for more tips.

There are times when definite responses are required when dealing with callers on the phone and times when silence is really golden. It’s up to you to make that call.

 

Thanks to World Classic Rockers For A Great Time!

Thanks to World Classic Rockers for their hospitality and for a great time! From L-R:

Randall Hall (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Me, my brother and award-winning author Matt Pallamary, Aynsley Dunbar (Journey, Zappa, Starship, and many more), Nick St. Nicholas (Steppenwolf), Michael Monarch (Steppenwolf), and CEO of Margaux Hession Creative and my good friend Margaux Hession Dunbar.

These guys can rock!

Backstage with World Classic Rockers in Camarillo CA.

Backstage with World Classic Rockers in Camarillo CA.

 

Ham Scam

rig       Amateur radio ( aka Ham radio ) is an interesting hobby filled with helpful, enthusiastic  users called “Hams”.  Each Ham must take a test and be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission which strictly regulates a variety of communications operations. There are three levels of Amateur radio licenses, each with exams and guidelines for broadcasting: Technician is the first, General is the second, and Extra is the highest. A specific call sign is awarded individually to everyone who passes the exam and those can be changed depending on the availability and classification of the licensee. There are strict rules for broadcasting and the radio frequencies are monitored regularly. The Ham community has certain websites and organizations they can join and generally there is a strong sense of camaraderie amongst all Hams, no matter the locale.

I mention all this because I am an Extra Class Ham and someone tried to scam a fellow ham in another state by using my call sign and name which is public information if you know where to look. They attempted to sell some non-existent radio equipment to a gentleman by trolling through several ham-related sites and made him an offer to purchase a system he wanted. They deliberately bypassed the website guidelines and contacted him directly rather than through the website email. He became suspicious and contacted me. I assured him I was not selling any equipment and he shared the details with me. Make no mistake, selling and trading equipment is perfectly legal, but when you impersonate  someone using their name and call sign, it becomes a serious matter. I have taken appropriate steps and notified the proper authorities. Because this is incident is currently under investigation I cannot comment further.

My advice to anyone purchasing ham-related (and other ) items is to beware of fraudulent sellers. In this case, the seller had  limited knowledge of ham radio. Do some ham homework and look online for suggestions regarding the sale/swap of electronic items. Its easy to fool people when switching information and pictures to misrepresent items for sale. As with anything, buyer beware and know your rights when dealing with others..

As for the people who tried to scam another Ham using MY name and call sign:

I am “CLEAR” and you are “BUSTED”

To everyone else – 73 (Best Regards) in Ham Lingo!

Some Do’s and Don’ts For Donating

B StrongCompassion and empathy are admirable qualities. During times of disasters and chaos, unscrupulous scammers crawl out from beneath their rocks and begin to prey on good-hearted people. The Boston Bombing is a case in point. Within minutes, a fake Twitter account was set up to solicit donations. Within a few hours several domain names were registered with key words like “Boston”, “Explosions”, and “Marathon”. Some sites are legitimate while others contain malware and viruses that wreak havoc with computers. People wishing to help need to proceed with caution before opening their wallets and following their hearts. Here are some tips for making your donations really count in a safe way .

Visit reputable sites for charity information. Try www.bbb.org  or www.CharityNavigator.org. Also call your state’s Consumer Protection Agency and ask for their input.

For online donations be sure you see HTTPS (Not HTTP) and a padlock icon on the website.

Do NOT give out credit card or bank account information over the phone. You can call the charity yourself. At least you’ll know who you are speaking with.

I am originally from Boston. If you wish to donate go to www.onefundboston.org.  Thanks!

April 2013 Scam of the Month

                     

 

When Talking To Yourself Makes Sense

            We are constantly bombarded with information overload and endless questions about our business and personal lives. Whether in person, on the phone, or online, the intrusions into our private lives should be met with a healthy dose of skepticism. Before responding to any queries we need to ask ourselves three basic questions: Who, What, and Why?

WHO?

            Who is asking the questions? If you initiated a call and know who you are speaking with and why, then certain questions are inevitable. For example, calling your bank about a mortgage payment will require disclosure of certain account information. Someone calling you and asking for your credit card number is a different story. Hit delete on that email about your long-lost relative’s inheritance and move on. The who asking questions should be you.

WHAT?

            We’ve all received phone calls asking questions, but what are they inquiring about? Someone conducting a survey does not need your credit card information or your date of birth. The salesperson at your door does not need payment in full before the job is even begun. However, a new bank teller may request a verification of information while you are banking and that is for your protection. What someone is asking is what you need to ask yourself.

WHY?

            Why would someone randomly call or email you with a special offer to take a trip to a foreign locale within the next 48 hours with the requirement that you pay in full by wire transfer? Is there a reason why your answering machine is full of offers for reduced rates on your car loan, even if you don’t have one? Why would your credit card company call and ask if you just purchased a new stereo system and six laptops?  Chances are the fraud protection unit is hard at work and the why becomes apparent after you’ve discovered who did what with your personal information.

question You can see why talking to yourself  really pays off !