Description

Scam or not ?

### Scam or Not? A Cautionary Tale

**December 10, 2023**

In today’s digital age, we’ve all encountered unsolicited calls or emails that make our hearts race. A sudden call from a number we don’t recognize, coupled with the caller knowing intimate details about us, can be quite unsettling. Recently, I received such a call, and I wanted to share my experience to highlight the importance of remaining vigilant and taking the necessary precautions.

#### The Call Details
I received a call from a number starting with +4 [number removed for privacy], and the caller was Irish-sounding. This individual knew my email address, the last digits of my credit card, and even some personal details. Given this information, it felt legitimate at first. They informed me that I had a missed payment that needed to be settled either on the same day or on the next available day when they would take the matter out of my hands. The urgency in the caller’s voice pushed me to question the legitimacy of the call.

#### Initial Thoughts
Initially, as someone who’s been down a similar road, my first reaction was to believe it was genuine. The caller’s thorough knowledge of my personal information made me uneasy but also made me consider it a bit more honestly. However, with the urge to act quickly came red flags—why were they reaching out directly?

#### Steps to Verify Legitimacy
To ensure that this wasn’t a scam, I took the following steps:
1. **Do Not Provide Any Information Immediately:** I kept the conversation strictly about the call itself and avoided any immediate action to make the payment.
2. **Disconnect and Verify:** I hung up the call and immediately reached out to my financial institution to verify if there were indeed any pending payments.
3. **Research the Number:** I used online services to search for the phone number to see if others had reported similar issues.
4. **Contact the Relevant Company:** If the call were legitimate, I would have the necessary information to contact the company directly via reliable channels.

#### The Outcome
After following these steps, I discovered that there were no pending payments on my account. Upon further investigation, multiple people on various forums and social media platforms had shared similar experiences, marking the caller’s phone number as a scam.

#### What to Watch Out For
If you ever receive a call asking for payment, especially when it comes with such detailed personal information, here are some signs it could be a scam:
– The caller pressures you to take immediate action.
– They ask for sensitive financial information over the phone, such as credit card numbers or PINs.
– A legitimate company usually provides a different, well-known number for you to call back for confirmation.
– They may ask you for “verification” information that you already supplied, like your card’s last digits.

#### Conclusion
This experience serves as a reminder of how scams can mimic legitimate operations and the critical importance of verifying the caller’s identity. Always question and verify before providing any information or making a payment. Share your experiences with friends and family to help them avoid similar pitfalls.

Stay safe and stay vigilant!

—

By sharing my story, I hope to have emphasized the importance of verifying such calls and the signs of potential fraud. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember these steps and stay protected.

—

**Disclaimer:** Always ensure that you contact the institution or company directly via a known and verified number before making any payments or sharing sensitive information.