New insidious arrest threat phone scam

[cwbrandt]

I have had repeated calls threatening my subsequent arrest from 360-203-1825 for days now. This one is particularly insidious. I don't answer any call that I either don't recognize the number or the caller ID. These scammers actually left a voicemail but it is so distorted that you can barely understand what they are saying. Because I have actually gotten this voicemail previously, I recognized the call and could still make out "taken into custody" "police" etc. The only part you could clearly hear was the phone number they give at the end of the message that they want you to call, the same number that appears on my caller ID. What makes this so dangerous is that I bet plenty of unsuspecting recipients of this call would assume it was just a distorted legitimate voicemail and call back the scammer because they couldn't understand what they said. That can be as bad as answering the call. I rarely even bother reporting robo calls anymore because there are so many. But this one is really so bad that I filed my complaint with the DONOTCALL registry for what that is worth. I am surprised that they are still using the same number because usually these type of scammers don't, but I thought I would warn others of this and remind everyone not to call back anyone who you don't know, especially if they leave a distorted voicemail.
I'm getting these calls on my cellphone now but I have gotten them on my home phone before. I've saved the voicemail hoping the DONOTCALL people actually might be interested.

[Gpsma]

When I have time I call Hajib back. Just play being so afraid of going to jail that they think they have a fish on the line. It’s usually the IRS wants you to pay by getting Target gift cards.

I realize some people are not aware of the scam but it amazes me that people buy into this.

[thetruth]

I have had repeated calls threatening my subsequent arrest from 360-203-1825 for days now. This one is particularly insidious. I don't answer any call that I either don't recognize the number or the caller ID. These scammers actually left a voicemail but it is so distorted that you can barely understand what they are saying. Because I have actually gotten this voicemail previously, I recognized the call and could still make out "taken into custody" "police" etc. The only part you could clearly hear was the phone number they give at the end of the message that they want you to call, the same number that appears on my caller ID. What makes this so dangerous is that I bet plenty of unsuspecting recipients of this call would assume it was just a distorted legitimate voicemail and call back the scammer because they couldn't understand what they said. That can be as bad as answering the call. I rarely even bother reporting robo calls anymore because there are so many. But this one is really so bad that I filed my complaint with the DONOTCALL registry for what that is worth. I am surprised that they are still using the same number because usually these type of scammers don't, but I thought I would warn others of this and remind everyone not to call back anyone who you don't know, especially if they leave a distorted voicemail.
I'm getting these calls on my cellphone now but I have gotten them on my home phone before. I've saved the voicemail hoping the DONOTCALL people actually might be
interested.

Many do not bother to report calls. THAT IS PART OF THE REASON WHY IT DOES NOT WORK AS WELL AS IT MIGHT OR SHOULD.

People who call receive FINES. If, you bow out on their prepared form first of all you confirm that you are that person.

As to your stated ARREST THREAT. Assuming you have done something that you will be arrested for CHANCE OF THEM CALLING TO BE SURE IT IS CONVENIENT IS ZERO.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I wouldn't call them back - sometimes these scams are coming from a masked phone number that pretends to be a different phone number. I've had calls to my house, with the caller ID saying they're - actually my own phone number. I've had calls from people who live in my town, and when I call the number back, they have no idea who I am, why I'm calling, and they never called me. It's called spoofing.

Best way to handle these calls is to hang up as SOON as you realize it's another fraud. Don't respond, don't acknowledge that you're the person they're looking for, don't negotiate, don't harrass, don't do anything. Just hang up.

"Hello, Jazuela?"
Me: "Who's calling?" (note I don't say "yes that's me.")
Them: "Oh there you are! Trying to catch up with you is like trying to catch an outfielder catching a baseball, hah hah!"
Me: HANG UP


Again, caller ID isn't helpful if it's a spoofed phone number, and you have no way of knowing for sure unless it's a phone number you recognize.

[Rango]

You can block the phone number.

[aninjamom]

I Googled the number, it's a fake IRS robocall from the west coast. Report it or ignore it.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I Googled the number, it's a fake IRS robocall from the west coast. Report it or ignore it.

I get these kinds of calls a couple times every month. BTW the "do not call" list has zero effect on these calls. The robo-callers use programs that generate phone numbers, and call them til they get a hit. They don't know who they're calling, and they don't care.

I got a call a few days ago also from a phone scam: the "grandson" call. Whenever it's a phone number I don't recognize, I pretend I don't speak english when I answer it. If it turns out to be someone I know I'll switch to normal again and let them know it's me. The grandson conversation went something like this:

Me: "Eh?"
Them:It's me, your grandson.
Me: Who dis?
Them: It's your grandson, it's me.
Me: Eh? Who dat? Allo, allo?
Them: Tsk, grandma, I'm so disappointed that you don't remember your own grandson!
Me: #*$Q# you stupid *#$O<< damned #$)*& I don't have any grandchildren. CLICK

(I don't have kids, or grandkids, or nieces or nephews. So that scam just flat out can't possibly work on me, even if I was gullible. Which I'm not)

[Ooper]

Why don't you just block the number? Easy peezie!

[EdFNJ]

You can block the phone number.

Why don't you just block the number? Easy peezie!

That doesn't always work. They often change the caller-id OR use the same caller-id but call from a different numbers so it slips through blockers.

You can buy 99cent apps to fake a caller ID so it is different from the number you are really calling from.

Nothing works to stop them because 99% of the calls are fake caller-id so reporting them is meaningless. The DNC list only works for LEGIT callers who get the gov't generated list sent to them but it is meaningless for these spammers especially since most are from off-shore.


Wife and I get 2-3 spam calls on a GOOD day on both our cell phones. There are days we've got 10-12 between us on one day.

[aninjamom]

The daughter of a friend of mine in Orlando almost got victimized by the worst one of all; a person called her and told her that they had kidnapped her husband and demanded a sum of money. They kept her on the phone and threatened to kill him if she contacted the police. She was panicking, but managed to contact the police anyway. They called his job - he was at work. She went through a couple of hours of terror for no reason. What total pond scum some people are.

[retiredguy123]

I understand that, if you call back a number that you do not know, you could be making an overseas call that will cost a significant amount of money. It will show up on your phone bill, and your provider will not remove it. I think it has something to do with Federal laws regarding cooperation with overseas phone systems. You made the call, and your provider expects you to pay for it.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

There are a lot of business and personal loan scams too. I've only had my cell phone number a handful of years. Before that, the phone number belonged to someone else, a woman named Simone Reilly. How do I know that? Here's how: I keep getting calls and text messages from loan companies alerting Simone that she has been approved for the business loan she applied for, or reminding her that she applied for the loan and needs to follow up on the application. I also know she was an uber driver, because she kept getting calls from people seeking transportation. I ALSO know she was a porn actress. That part I googled.

One day, a stranger texted me and said he wanted to "hook up." I asked who is this? He said I know who it is, and he knows me too, we had a chat on some website the other day, and we should meet and have a good time. That's when I realized it wasn't for me, it was for Simone. So I googled his phone number and found out he was a teacher in a public school in Texas. I then responded to the text message telling him he'll need to delete this number from his contact list and never call it again, or I'll call his town's board of ed and inform them that one of their teachers is hooking up with porn actresses, and wouldn't the PTA in that district be interested to discover this information.

I never heard from him again.

I still sometimes get weird texts to Simone though.

[Shimpy]

WHY doesn't our government do something about this invasion of our privacy? We are in our homes, not in public and shouldn't have to be disturbed by these calls. Our homes should be considered a private place and not assessable to all these calls. Once I'm home and close the door no one should be able to disturb me and my family.

[ColdNoMore]

"We have kidnapped your husband and demand $5,000...for his return."


Long, terrified pause.






"How much to just keep him?"




:1rotfl:

[EPutnam1863]

I Googled the number, it's a fake IRS robocall from the west coast. Report it or ignore it.

I always google phone numbers that I do not recognize.

[LeeAndDottie]

They try and scare you so you will send money to them right away

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

WHY doesn't our government do something about this invasion of our privacy? We are in our homes, not in public and shouldn't have to be disturbed by these calls. Our homes should be considered a private place and not assessable to all these calls. Once I'm home and close the door no one should be able to disturb me and my family.

You have the right to turn your phone off and not allow calls to go through. You have the right to block incoming calls, filter who gets to come through, and hang up on anyone you want to hang up, at any time, for any reason. You can also pay the phone company an extra fee to make your phone number unlisted, though that won't prevent robocalls.

There is no way for "government" to prevent people from dialing random numbers and ending up at your phone number. That is how robocalls typically work. They dial numbers til someone answers.

[JoMar]

NOMOROBO actually works

[manaboutown]

24 people have now been sentenced in India-based phone-scam case | Ars Technica (https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/07/24-people-have-now-been-sentenced-in-india-based-phone-scam-case/)

[DonH57]

Besides the IRS scam calls are the Social Security Association ? claiming my account's been compromised an if I don't call back and verify my SS number my personal accounts will be frozen by warrants and other great things.

[l2ridehd]

I have started scaming the scamers. Got the IRS call. Thanked them for calling and asked them where my refund was. Said I had the letter stating I had a $1400 refund and I wanted it now. Kept them going as they threatened to arrest me. Started to read a fake letter to them about my refund, finally told them sorry, I am deceased, this is the ghost of tax day past.

Then got the "your computer is broken, this is microsoft. Took them through "how do I log in?", how do I find this and that, wasted as much of their time as possible before I asked them "how microsoft was working so well on my Mac"?

It's fun, us retirees have to have something to amuse us. I think now I am on their do not call list.

[TomOB]

When I recognize the number of a scammer, I answer Sumter County Sheriff's Department Fraud Division, Officer O'Malley, how can I help you. They usually don't call again.

[Shimpy]

After answering and before they go into their spiel, tell them that you are required to notify them that this call is being recorded. I've always gotten a quick hangup.

[bob47]

NOMOROBO actually works

It does actually work. But not with CenturyLink land lines. And CenturyLink isn't interested in getting it to work.

[2BNTV]

It does actually work. But not with CenturyLink land lines. And CenturyLink isn't interested in getting it to work.

I'm sorry but I disagree because my CenturyLink land line works with "nomorobo". "Do Not Call" registry is a joke that never worked. IMHO

Some calls sneak through on "nomorobo: but when I don't recognize the area code, I never pickup. If someone is legitimate in trying to reach me, leave a message.

On my cell, I constantly get calls from my old area code which I block but it appears to be a ever changing phone number.

I guess it's normal for people to want to answer the phone, as that was the norm back in our youth. I resist the urge to get up when I am watching television as 99% of the time, it's unimportant.

Shame on these scammers!!!

[manaboutown]

Anybody getting calls which leave voicemails "This is Antoine (or whoever) from the insurance department calling about your annuity."?

Of course I have no annuity....

I get them on my landline which receives from 6 to 12 junk calls per day. My phone announces the caller so I can mute it after the first ring without picking up.

[bob47]

I'm sorry but I disagree because my CenturyLink land line works with "nomorobo". "Do Not Call" registry is a joke that never worked. IMHO

Some calls sneak through on "nomorobo: but when I don't recognize the area code, I never pickup. If someone is legitimate in trying to reach me, leave a message.

On my cell, I constantly get calls from my old area code which I block but it appears to be a ever changing phone number.

I guess it's normal for people to want to answer the phone, as that was the norm back in our youth. I resist the urge to get up when I am watching television as 99% of the time, it's unimportant.

Shame on these scammers!!!

After reading your post, I went to the NOMOROBO web site once again to sign up. This is the message that I got:

Unfortunately, CenturyLink (Traditional Landline) does not support Nomorobo yet.

But there is something that you can do!

Please call the customer service number below and ask that they add Nomorobo to their service. The more people that call them, the better.
CenturyLink (Traditional Landline) Customer Service - 1-877-348-9007

Note: We have not stored your email and you won't hear from us again.

[Yung Dum]

When I have time I call Hajib back. Just play being so afraid of going to jail that they think they have a fish on the line. It’s usually the IRS wants you to pay by getting Target gift cards.

I realize some people are not aware of the scam but it amazes me that people buy into this.
I've heard that one before. It's hysterical. The IRS wants you to pay with gift cards? I love it.

[jpvillager]

Have a message "Screening for telemarketers. Please leave a message" and don't pick up if the number is not in my contacts. Our kids think it is rude but so be it.

[Schaumburger]

NOMOROBO actually works

I have been using Nomorobo for about a year now on my landline (my provider is Comcast). It does work pretty well. The phone will ring once. If it doesn't ring again, that means Nomorobo has blocked the call.

A few days ago I did get the scam "arrest" voice mail message left on my cell phone. Half of the voice mail was so garbled it was hard to understand what was being said. Oh well, come get me... 3 hots and a cot.

[maggtom123]

I’ve had them for about 6 months. Even told Sheriff office. They say ignore them. Mine mostly say that they are IRS and I am seriously behind in my taxes. They threaten jail. One call guy said I hit his car that day and I owed him payment of fixing it. Called Sheriff who said if he continued to call to let him know. I did talk to this one and told him I had called sheriff & they were monitoring my phone.

[Crazyladycruz]

I get a kick out of these calls. I called my “IRS” back, in a panicked voice I told the, “I just paid you with my credit card yesterday,” He asked, how much did I pay? I said $738!! I gave you CC number and everything,,,”
Haven’t had a call since!

[OhioBuckeye]

The best thing you can do is, don't answer if you don't recognize the phone #. As soon as you answer they'll know there's a real person there, even if it's a robo call, & they'll continue to call. If it's important they'll leave a voice mail. If you don't answer they'll quit after a while & if you don't want to listen to your phone ring just click once on your volume button on your phone & it'll stop ringing. Yea, that DO NOT CALL LINE is worthless, it doesn't work! These companies that call you are smarter than the DO NOT CALL CO. They just change their number! Just a suggestion, hope I've been of some help.

[OhioBuckeye]

When I have time I call Hajib back. Just play being so afraid of going to jail that they think they have a fish on the line. It’s usually the IRS wants you to pay by getting Target gift cards.

I realize some people are not aware of the scam but it amazes me that people buy into this.

You know the IRS doesn't do anything by phone especially personal information & that's what the IRS will ask for. They'll send you a registered letter & believe me you'll know it's the IRS.

[OhioBuckeye]

I wouldn't call them back - sometimes these scams are coming from a masked phone number that pretends to be a different phone number. I've had calls to my house, with the caller ID saying they're - actually my own phone number. I've had calls from people who live in my town, and when I call the number back, they have no idea who I am, why I'm calling, and they never called me. It's called spoofing.

Best way to handle these calls is to hang up as SOON as you realize it's another fraud. Don't respond, don't acknowledge that you're the person they're looking for, don't negotiate, don't harrass, don't do anything. Just hang up.

"Hello, Jazuela?"
Me: "Who's calling?" (note I don't say "yes that's me.")
Them: "Oh there you are! Trying to catch up with you is like trying to catch an outfielder catching a baseball, hah hah!"
Me: HANG UP


Again, caller ID isn't helpful if it's a spoofed phone number, and you have no way of knowing for sure unless it's a phone number you recognize.

Also watch out for people that call you from some other country or a foreigner that sounds a little suspicious. They're good at saying, "Let me connect you to our agent & they can answer that for you". Guess what it'll be in India or somewhere like that & guess what on your next phone bill you'll be billed for 100, 150 or even $200. Don't ever answer a number you don't recognize, if it's important they'll leave you a voice mail. Yes, you're right, they'll call you from another phone #.

[PennBF]

Number 1. Do not answer or respond to any calls or the internet unless you know the source of the call. Number 2:
Here are some "Do Not Call" suggestions:
a. Registration on Do Not Call =888-382-1222
b. Fla State Attorney General =866-966-7226
c. On Line with FTC = FTC.gov/complaint
d. If IRs Scam Call = Tigta.gov
e. Local Police = Less change of action?

MOST IMPORTANT: iS NUMBER 1 ABOVE. jUST ANSWERING THE CALL OR RESPONDING CAN LEAD TO MORE PROBLEMS
..IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE CALLER OR MESSAGE ON INTERNET DON'T RESPOND.

[retiredguy123]

You know the IRS doesn't do anything by phone especially personal information & that's what the IRS will ask for. They'll send you a registered letter & believe me you'll know it's the IRS.
My experience with the IRS is different. I have received letters from the IRS, but never a registered letter. Always, a regular first class letter. Also, I have called them back and they did discuss my taxes on the phone. It is true though that I don't think they will call you first, and they will not do business by email. They always send you a letter which will have an address, a phone number, and a FAX number to contact them to resolve the issue. And, you can resolve tax issues with the IRS on the phone.

[ron32162]

I get calls telling me I have extreme pain and nothing seems to work. And they ask if that is right well who dont then they ask where my pain is I say very sincerely Its in my (A) hole and what can they do about it being very serious (sir im serious here) I say me too please help me what can I do. The next ones call about my internet I speak for a few then start asking them about what there wearing and other disgusting things being very serious. I love these calls and I feel free to say anything on my mind to these scammers. I hardly get any calls anymore

[lindaelane]

I get only about one robocall, whether scam or not , a month. My secret is that the number I give out to any business is my Magic Jack number, which I do not have plugged in so it does not ring. It does send an email saying I have a voice mail, but it gives the time of them, and the robocalls (almost 100 percent of them) only seem to leave a message if someone first picked up. Its $20 a year for Magic Jack and about $70 for the equipment (so $70 the first year only). The equipment is well worth it because it allows calls if your other phone(s) go down and allows free calls from the road, even when abroad where your cell may not work. Even Skype charges for calls to landlines but Magic Jack does not.

[ah2bme@comcast.net]

Absolutely report it to the IRS.

[ah2bme@comcast.net]

Count yourself lucky. I also have Magic Jack, but all my robo calls are coming in on my cell phone. I already have 94 robo calls for July. Interesting that they started when my provider was changed to Comcast. I did not change my phone number. Have had this number 20 years without one problem until now. I've written a letter to the Federal Trade Commission along with each of the phone numbers. Will post their response when I receive one.

[OhioBuckeye]

My experience with the IRS is different. I have received letters from the IRS, but never a registered letter. Always, a regular first class letter. Also, I have called them back and they did discuss my taxes on the phone. It is true though that I don't think they will call you first, and they will not do business by email. They always send you a letter which will have an address, a phone number, and a FAX number to contact them to resolve the issue. And, you can resolve tax issues with the IRS on the phone.

You're exactly right RETIREDGUY, the only way they'll talk to you by phone is if you call them. First class letters is the way they mail you but I guess I had a special case that had to be settled in 4 days. Maybe that's why I got a registered letter. But you'r right what you said, thanks!

[tcxr750]

I received a similar call several months ago. The first call implied I would be arrested unless I responded. Then a later call said I would be arrested that day. I only LISTEN to the recording. If you answer and pretend you have a clever response your phone number is sold to more criminals to make more calls.
It’s amazing no legal or criminal action can be taken to stop this.

[BillPoche]

You're right. I get calls almost daily from Kentucky trying to sell me car insurance, and it is always from a new number, generally from a residence somewhere in the same area code. I must have a hundred blocked numbers by now.

[paulporet]

Why don't you block the call?