Telephone Harrassment

For the last 2 weeks - ever since GEMB had Encore calling me (and now Allied Interstate for this past week) I have been receiving many, many unsolicited calls from some local businesses, as well as a phony offer for a great deal. In other threads, I have detailed that they are calling my sister looking for me, and I have DV'd both companies. I sent my CMRR DV to Allied Interstate yesterday.

My number is unlisted and I am registered on the Do Not Call list. I am now getting lots of calls from Prudential Life Insurance about an online request for a quote that I never made. A local car dealership is also calling me about an online request for a quote that I never made. Then today, a man screamed into my answering machine about a "GREAT, AMAZING DEAL" and to call (206) 338-0220. I did a Google search and it is for a scam company called "Jan's ATM".

It's obvious to me that these calls began as soon as I started getting calls from these CA's. But it's frightening to know the lengths at which they will go to harrass you. I haven't heard from Encore since my DV, but Allied's is in the mail and I have to endure this for the next few days until they get it and unless they abide by it.

I'm filing a complaint with the FTC about "Jan's ATM", but I'm not sure about calling back every other number that calls. I don't even have time to do that, as I'm taking online classes during the day and have other responsibilities when my kids get home from school. I am considering calling Prudential back, because it is involving life insurance and a quote I never asked for - wouldn't that be considered insurance fraud? Not that I'm upset with them, since I don't think they're aware of who's behind this, but maybe they can investigate internally. Any thoughts?

You definitely want to look into this! It may not be the CAs at all, but perhaps someone has stolen your identity and is trying to sign up and/or order stuff in your name. You should be all over this and demand answers!

If it is the CAs....well...that is a new low for them, but one I would not be suprised about. Contact those companies and inform them you enver signed up for anything and you are concerned about identity theft.

Thank you goldenbast! It never occurred to me that it could be identity theft, I just thought it was the CA's trying to make my phone ring incessantly, to see if they'll eventually get me to answer their calls. I will call Prudential and the car dealership tomorrow. I'm also filing my complaint with the FTC tomorrow about "Jan's ATM". I'll keep this post updated if anything happens.

Have you looked at your credit report lately? The more I think about it the more it sounds like identity theft.....I know that the CAs come out of the woodwork. I have heard that when you get inquiries from creditors on your credit report, they try to collect from you in hopes that you need whatever your getting on credit and will be willing to pay quickly.

Thank you for your reply. I looked at my credit report just last week, and the only things on there are the original creditors. There isn't anything on there from CA's or anybody else. I will be calling those local businesses today, and update tonight about what they say. Thank you for your help!

UPDATE:

I called Prudential back this afternoon and the agent was very surprised that I did not request a quote for life insurance. The quote gave my name and correct address and telephone number. It asked for a quote for term life for a $100,000 policy for a female who is many years younger than my current age. Height was considerably shorter than my actual height and weight was considerably less. It gave details that this person has a non-hazardous job and has not used tobacco products in 12 months.

So - I am back to my original concern - this seems to be someone giving out my personal information, my name & address - and I believe it's specifically to harrass me and make my telephone ring incessantly.

Prudential said that this is not common, the first this agent has ever heard of it. He is going to send a letter to his corporate headquarters and asked me to email him a formal letter denying that I requested the quote. I just sent off the email and asked them to investigate who initiated contact with them, as I am concerned about identity theft.

I believe this is either Encore or Allied Interstate. The agent did say this isn't considered insurance fraud because there is no active policy. However, this can't be legal! I'm going to go send him another email and ask for the ISP of the person that requested it.

Ok so everything on your credit report you recognize? None of the OC accounts have a corresponding CA account?

Besides that formal email you sent, you should also send a physical letter, certified mail. In the letter explain the situation and the fact you did not initiate any of this contact. You want as much information as you can get on who did request these quotes such as IP address and anything else they may have collected.

Whenever you get one of these calls, get the details and inform the caller that you never asked for anything and to note your account as such and never call you again. Make a note of who called and for what. If they call again get a little tough and explain the first call. You are on a do not call list so make sure they know that! There should not be more then one call.

Keep an eye on your credit reports for things you don't recognize.

Goldenbast, thank you for such great advice. I will be sending out that CMRR letter tomorrow and include that I'm on the do not call list (I didn't mention that in my email or on the phone). I don't know if they'll give me the ISP of the person asking for the quote, but it doesn't hurt to ask again.

I'll have to check my caller ID again, but I think I have Allied Interstate calling me 19 times since they received my DV/C&D. 6 more times after speaking with them and telling me their system is updated and they will not call again.

Update:

I received a call from MetLife Insurance about a life insurance quote today - again, it's one I did not make. The agent told me that the way he gathers information is that people go to a website for insurance, fill out the information and he buys that from them. I told him someone is requesting information in my name and had Prudential call me last week. He said he will call the company who he buys the information from - to see if they have ISP addresses or any other information.

Follow this link, and you will find who is behind the phone calls and the ATM Scamers. My former employer, signed up with this company and was selling people's personal information for profit as a side line. 503 380 2717