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Snake oil salesmen
Dec. 18th, 2008 10:27 amI got a call yesterday from someone who assured me that there was nothing wrong with my credit card, but it was urgent that I speak with a representative to lower my incredibly unreasonable interest rate. Confused, I pressed 1 and was transferred to a voice with a headset and a script.
After many promises of reducing my interest rates on my credit cards, mortgage (don't have), and all my outstanding debts (don't have), I finally got a word in edgewise and said "What is the name of your company and why are you contacting me instead of my own bank?
"Sir, your bank doesn't care about you the way we do. You've been specially selected by MCS for this golden opportunity, so you really don't want to miss out. Do you have a VISA or Mastercard?"
*alarm bells a ding-a-linging*
"Wait ,wait," I interrupted. I could hear her script pages a-rustling. "What is the name of your company so I can check this with my bank?"
Reluctantly, she said "We're called MCS sir and we work with all the major banks and institutions, so there's no need for you to waste your time being on hold with their customer service. They'll just confirm what I'm telling you, so if you'll give me your credit card numb--"
"Hang on, how do you spell your company name," I opened up my browser, ready to check this out.
"It's spelled em, see, ess," she replied. What?!?!
"Lady, I know how to spell MCS, but what does it stand for?"
"MCS stands for mutual consolidated services, sir. Your telephone number was provided to us by your bank so that we can reduce the interest rate on your credit cards considerably... *YADDAYADDASCRIPTBUNKBUNK*"
I googled Mutual Consolidated Services and sure enough I found several stories of other people getting the same calls, except they followed though and found themselves charged with up to $750USD on their credit cards by this company for their "services". I hung up.
You can read lots of similar stories about MCS at 800Notes.com. If you get a call like this, hang up. If you feel like sticking it to them, come up with something creative to whet their appetite and scare the beejesus out of the caller by saying something like:
After many promises of reducing my interest rates on my credit cards, mortgage (don't have), and all my outstanding debts (don't have), I finally got a word in edgewise and said "What is the name of your company and why are you contacting me instead of my own bank?
"Sir, your bank doesn't care about you the way we do. You've been specially selected by MCS for this golden opportunity, so you really don't want to miss out. Do you have a VISA or Mastercard?"
*alarm bells a ding-a-linging*
"Wait ,wait," I interrupted. I could hear her script pages a-rustling. "What is the name of your company so I can check this with my bank?"
Reluctantly, she said "We're called MCS sir and we work with all the major banks and institutions, so there's no need for you to waste your time being on hold with their customer service. They'll just confirm what I'm telling you, so if you'll give me your credit card numb--"
"Hang on, how do you spell your company name," I opened up my browser, ready to check this out.
"It's spelled em, see, ess," she replied. What?!?!
"Lady, I know how to spell MCS, but what does it stand for?"
"MCS stands for mutual consolidated services, sir. Your telephone number was provided to us by your bank so that we can reduce the interest rate on your credit cards considerably... *YADDAYADDASCRIPTBUNKBUNK*"
I googled Mutual Consolidated Services and sure enough I found several stories of other people getting the same calls, except they followed though and found themselves charged with up to $750USD on their credit cards by this company for their "services". I hung up.
You can read lots of similar stories about MCS at 800Notes.com. If you get a call like this, hang up. If you feel like sticking it to them, come up with something creative to whet their appetite and scare the beejesus out of the caller by saying something like:
I don't make enough money as an RCMP officer in the Telephone Fraud Investigation team, so lower credit card ratings would really help. Although it is satisfying to nail these bastards and all their employees, it just doesn't cover my own personal lifestyle choice as a vigilante.
My therapist says I have anger issues, especially when it comes to money matters.
This break on my credit is going to be a great help. You'd be amazed how expensive it is to clean blood out of a trunk, especially when it's a few days old. *laugh* Money well spent though... that'll teach that bastard to cheat me!
Every little bit helps, y'know. Although the last settlement I got out-of-court from that investment company I sued for bad investment advice was so satisfying. What was your name again?
My therapist says I have anger issues, especially when it comes to money matters.
This break on my credit is going to be a great help. You'd be amazed how expensive it is to clean blood out of a trunk, especially when it's a few days old. *laugh* Money well spent though... that'll teach that bastard to cheat me!
Every little bit helps, y'know. Although the last settlement I got out-of-court from that investment company I sued for bad investment advice was so satisfying. What was your name again?
