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Someone Tried To Scam A Woman Who Knows Her Law, Got A Lesson Of A Lifetime
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Someone Tried To Scam A Woman Who Knows Her Law, Got A Lesson Of A Lifetime

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We’ve all heard about people getting scammed. From old grandmas giving away their life savings to “help their grandchildren after an accident,” to otherwise intelligent and trusting people falling prey to people posing as police or the government, no one seems to be immune from the threat of losing valuable information. Experts suggest that it’s best not to engage in any suspicious calls, however, Seattle resident Hadeel Al-Massari did the opposite and it resulted in a hilarious exchange.

On April 3rd indie yarn dyer Hadeel shared her scammer story on Twitter, where it quickly went viral with over 30K shares and likes. The scammer, claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) called Hadeel claiming that she had “defaulted” on her tax payments, and proceeded to request her credit card information. Fortunately she didn’t fall for the setup, and recorded the entire conversation while having a little fun with the douchey scamster.

After calling out some of the scammer’s mistakes, the mysterious person hung up and Hadeel posted the transcript online. People were quick to praise her and share their own experiences, some of them are just as shocking and hilarious. It seems that it’s getting increasingly difficult to trust strangers these days, but don’t let it turn you into a cynical grouch. Just be vigilant, use common sense and don’t give out your credit details to anyone you don’t know!

Scroll down to read the hilarious conversation below and tell us if you think she handled the situation well. Have you ever been the victim of a scam? Share your stories so we can all learn what to look out for!

More info: Twitter

Meet Hadeel Al-Massari, an indie yarn dyer, who just received a call she was waiting for her whole life

Someone Tried To Scam A Woman Who Knows Her Law, Got A Lesson Of A Lifetime

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Hadeel shared her story on Twitter where it quickly went viral with about 30K shares and likes

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Hadeel clarified that while she’s not an attorney, she does have some knowledge on tax laws

She also refused to share the actual recording as it is illegal in the state of Washington

Al-Massari also took her time to clarify that it was not a telemarketer, but a scammer

People on Twitter were quick to praise her and share their own experiences

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rosebona avatar
staceyarisovi avatar
StaceyAnne Jackson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not an accountant yet, studying to be a forensic accountant, and my father works for IRS. I had a ball when these guys called me. I kept them on the phone for 20 minutes. That's 20 minutes they aren't scamming others.

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funkymattrocks avatar
stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thanks to caller ID I usually get one of my kids to answer, neither are overly great at phone call conversations, that usually makes them regret calling.

catipsr avatar
Catalina Salvatierra
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha I caught my boyfriend the other day saying to some telemarketer on the phone "sorry sir, I'm underage and my daddy isn't around to take your call" and I was like, DUDE that is smart. Their weren't scamming but still, they can be VERY rude sometimes.

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christian-crisetig avatar
ADHORTATOR
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in France and almost everyday I get phone calls from companies which propose a new kind of isolation for my house - and all paid by the government...to save the planet... classical telemarketing, calls are mostly coming from northern Africa. My 15 year old daughter has found her favourite game, she impersonates a cleaning woman from the Philippines , pretending that she is kept locked in the basement and she is looking for help - it's a cruel world, nobody ever tried to send the Police.

kevina avatar
kalle1724
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a call from "Microsoft" telling me that my PC was infected. After a little bit of going along with them..I asked them to tell me what kind of PC I had and he said that I have a windows PC. I asked him to follow the script, but tell me the OS, processor, sys type and the programs I use that were bypassed in allowing the virus... oddly he hung up. Makes my day to make a scammer hang up on me.

geologist_luna avatar
Tony Moon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father worked for the IRS as a multi-lingual interpreter and I am certain that if he were alive today he would be howling at the audacity of this scammer. He had to deal with the effects of scammers on our immigrant communities all the time because they did not know the laws that protect them. I wish more people understood that the IRS will NEVER call you for money. NEVER.

kristynlnu avatar
K. LNU
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it! I've had fun with those "IRS" people. My co-worker's favorite was when I got a call on my cell at work. I answered the unknown number and as soon as the man with the heavy middle eastern, Indian accent started in, I put him on speaker. He told me I had a delinquency on my taxes (2015) and I needed to pay it with a credit card ASAP. I told him I didn't have a credit card, but I had a Target card, and would that work? He denied me a few times but finally relented to saying that I could take my Target card and buy a pre-paid credit card for $XXXX amount that I owed the IRS. After about 5 minutes of this banter (with my co-workers trying hard not to laugh in the background); I finally told him to "hold on a moment." I came back and asked him that if he could stay on the line a couple more minutes, as it would be helpful. He asked why? I told him that we almost had this call traced. He hung up. *how rude! :D

ginnyoz avatar
djinnjeannie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A “middle eastern, Indian accent” ?? There isn’t even a singular Indian accent let alone one that sounds like the accents in the numerous countries and kingdoms that make up the Middle East.

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crdoyle2 avatar
Courtney Graham
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work with elders and it breaks my heart when they call upset about this; thinking they're going to be put in jail. Have to talk them down and hope they didn't pay these people.

bekk31 avatar
Samantha Beckett
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The very best response to the IRS scammers to date. https://www.dailywire.com/news/18067/guy-fed-irs-scammers-creates-hilarious-program-chase-stephens

fernandojones avatar
Fernando Jones
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had this happen to me a few times last year and every occasion, they used my former last name (I had gotten married the year before and changed my last name) and so I would constantly say "no... that's not my last name" Somehow they had enough information to get my address and the last 4 digits of my social and stated that there were lawsuits filed against me, etc. etc. I kept them on the line long enough to check the number out and noticed they were a bogus scam business and just messed with them the entire time. Finally, I just said "you know, this is illegal right... what you're doing? You're not legit?" and the woman went off on me calling me ab*tch and an assh*le and I was going to burn in hell and I loved every second of it. I'm glad there are people out there who mess with these people like I do.

abdallah06apple avatar
Blue Cicada
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once answered the phone to learn I "won an exciting cruise" for myself and three friends. After asking him lots of questions (how big is the ship? Who made it? In what country is it registered? Is there a baggage limit? Does Caribbean have 2 r's or 2 b's?) I told him I am claustrophobic, get violently sea sick, and have no friends.

jdsmith avatar
JD Smith
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the same thing happen to me and I am actually living IN the Middle East and most of my associates are from Southwest Asia as well as the UK; so when the caller kept using "British" terms such as the "informing the authorities" instead of saying law enforcement or the police being notified of the "allegations." Now mind you these callers have the MOST "vanilla" names in the world, such as Brad, John or Michael (no offense to either three of those names by the way) yet their accent is heavily Indian/British. The biggest give away besides the fact the IRS doesn't call for payment and that back taxes for the most part is a civil matter and not a criminal matter (so the police don''t get involved) is the wording of their numbers. No one I know from the US pronounces a zero as the letter "O" or 22 as "double 2" or 444 as "triple 4." What is scary though, was the fact they had my address, phone number, SSN and the amounts of my last 5 years tax returns

saihoekstra avatar
Sanne H.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slightly different, but also a scam: over the last year I have been called twice now by some English speaking people who pretend they work for Windows, and who are trying to "fix my computer because it has a virus". First they tried to convince me that something was wrong with the machine, by letting me open the Eventviewer (which contains errors by definition), then they tried to convince me to fill in a web address, with which a person from their helpdesk could take over my computer.

taryn_wallace_7 avatar
Taryn Wallace
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite are "printer repair" companies who call small businesses and then ask for the printer id.... I have had the pleasure of messing with these people more than once and I loved every minute

christianhill avatar
saihoekstra avatar
Sanne H.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No no, you get that wrong. Every minute of time that they have to spend on you, they can't spend trying to rob a poor old lady with less knowledge on the topic.

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patricia_rix_3 avatar
Patricia Rix
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got mad the other day when someone from "Revenue Canada" called to tell me "a charge of tax fraud has been made against you." I was sputtering angry and all I could think of to say was "Go suck an egg!" lol

eleanor-rhynard avatar
I'm a tiefling rogue, guys!
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm gonna make a comment on her profile picture-she's got a nice set of dice! Where did she get those? I wonder if they're better quality than mine. Sorry, I'm a bit of a fan of DnD

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia we can also report scams here https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam. Also lots of info about how to protect yourself, friends and family.

luyendao avatar
Lu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had messages left on my voicemail from Revenue Canada, pretty much the same gist. First time I heard it, I was a bit worried...but then I looked it up, and it's a common scam. No offense, but the thick Indian accent was also a dead giveaway.

blue39503 avatar
Fred Burrows
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The call I got said they filed a lawsuit in my name which I reckon makes me the plaintiff . I hope I get a nice settlement .

vonskippy avatar
Vonskippy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meh - scammer calls happen dozens of times a week, yanking their chain is nothing new or even all that amusing anymore. Bored Panda, home of the easily amused simpletons.

viviane_katz avatar
Viviane Katz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I prefer a tough audience myself, but some nights, I have to settle for the easily amused.

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vickietse avatar
Vickie Tse
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once received a call from a "Microsoft Tech Support department" who was calling because they detected a massive virus on my computer. He told me he needed immediate access to my computer and a credit card so he could remove it. 10 minutes of me stuttering and acting scared later? I said "Wow, I'm impressed with your detection software. Being able to detect a virus on my mac seeing as how you're windows tech support." He promptly hung up without another word.

lizl_7 avatar
Lizard Queen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From a retired IRS agent: "The IRS will not make first contact via phone or email. They use certified letters. *IF* you have a payment plan set up, the IRS *might* call in regards to the plan. They do not take payments over the phone."

elizabethlordcary avatar
Elizabeth Lord Cary
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are incredible! That sounds so funny. Nope, the IRS doesn't call, at most they will send a certified letter if they think you are ignoring them. So glad you gave this scammer a rough time.

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also NEVER send e-mails. They only deal in snail mail. And they don’t take credit cards.

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kim_lorton avatar
Kim Lorton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a scam call from the IRS, andwhen they finished their spiel , I laughed maniacally and said you have to catch me first, fck chicken!

daniellosinger avatar
Daniel Losinger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

+Aunt Messy She clearly stated “I got a scam call from the IRS.” Apparently you are the one who is illiterate.

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samanthamelnychuk avatar
Samantha Melnychuk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I generally act like an American Republican politician when I'm on the phone with these phishers who aren't robodialers. I say one thing and then when they go to confirm I say the opposite and then when they try and confirm I tell them they don't have the security clearance for that information. Then I ask if I can use Bay points to pay. Or Canadian Tire money. Or maybe they'd like to buy some tickets to the raffle my sister's next door neighbour's neice's school is holding? Have they found the loving embrace of the flying spaghetti Monster yet? Would they like to hear about the sacred ratio of pirates to midgets?

mlle_tralee avatar
Tralee Aylett
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome job. One day a while ago we had 35 calls in broken English (from the same scammer ) in 2 hours I had answered the last 5 and by the end I was getting sick of it. by the 2nd last call I shouted at him and told him to f** off (I dont swear and it shocked my parents) and if he rang again there would be trouble, and hung up. He called back and said something about coming to my address with his lawyers. I just told him Go ahead and I'd meet him at the door with the cops. No more calls after that

ja35mo10ta31 avatar
Mac Hayes
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mr "I will call the police" was NOT "just doing his job." NO telemarketer has the "job" of pretending to be a government agent and threatening the other person if they don't give up their credit card info.

lryan1349 avatar
Lilith Ringmaster
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Scams are against the law anyway. Lol didn't need to pull out legal jargon.

raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last "microsoft help centre" caller I had, I said I would go and turn on my computer, then put the phone in the cupboard (so they couldn't hear us talking) and went off to do something else. I eventually went back and hung it up. No idea how long they waited, but at least while they were, they weren't annoying someone else.

tylercook avatar
Tyler Cook
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be awesome to be able to set something like this up for those scammers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzedMdx6QG4

sallyapple7 avatar
Sally Appleton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great article, but one question: WHAT is an "indie yarn dyer??"

katie-trondsen avatar
KT Trondsen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a call from them not too long ago. I burst into laughter at them and then hung up

konfetti4 avatar
Andrea Bueno
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is having common sense suddenly "knowing the law very well"? I wouldn't give my credit card information to anything that is calling me, and not the other way around 🤗

mattsmith31 avatar
Matthew Smith
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What annoys me is one particular scammer who asks for my Father (who has been DEAD for over 10 years). The scammer asks about our washing machine so I just tell them Sorry, you can't talk to my father because he's been dead for 10 years and we have no interest in what you are trying to sell us....

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have had similar calls from a " phone / net provider" in Australia. I said approx "convince me you are x company " ( silence )...ok convince me you are not phishing me ." more silence. I left the phone off the hook, they are paying for the call time. Came back a few hours later. Rinse and repeat several times , several different scams. But not the same scammers.

robertagifford avatar
Roberta Gifford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite things to do when I get similar calls: I've been the receiver of the same scam as described in article. Way to get them to stop calling me: Inform said caller I am on probation and try to give them the Probation and Parole office number and "Inform him/her I have committed a Federal violation and need to be returned to jail immediately!".

artgenius801 avatar
BTS Army Forever
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of James Veitch. YALL NEED TO SEARCH HIM UP AND HIS SCAM EMAILS THEYRE HILARIOUS

aliciascheepers_1 avatar
Alicia Scheepers
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bored panda has become the most dumbest website. An argument happened over social media, quick everyone look how this person got her revnege. B***H PLEASE NO ONE CARES. bored panda actually was used a great source for creativity, experiments, design and so much more. F**K the creative dictor choosing whats on the trending page, it's not bored panda anymore, its just f*****g bored my brain.

daniellosinger avatar
Daniel Losinger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As with many narratives posted on Bored Panda, there is no evidence that this actually happened. I expect that most of these stories are fiction.

asteidl15 avatar
lazy panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AKA: "it didn't happen to me so OBVIOUSLY it would never happen to anyone else."

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kanecheung avatar
Kane Cheung
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Disappointed, I thought she was going to use her D&D dice to combat the IRS scammer. You'll need to roll higher than 12 to successfully pull off this scam. (rolls 10), sorry, your intelligence is too low, roll failed.

rosebona avatar
staceyarisovi avatar
StaceyAnne Jackson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not an accountant yet, studying to be a forensic accountant, and my father works for IRS. I had a ball when these guys called me. I kept them on the phone for 20 minutes. That's 20 minutes they aren't scamming others.

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funkymattrocks avatar
stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thanks to caller ID I usually get one of my kids to answer, neither are overly great at phone call conversations, that usually makes them regret calling.

catipsr avatar
Catalina Salvatierra
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha I caught my boyfriend the other day saying to some telemarketer on the phone "sorry sir, I'm underage and my daddy isn't around to take your call" and I was like, DUDE that is smart. Their weren't scamming but still, they can be VERY rude sometimes.

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christian-crisetig avatar
ADHORTATOR
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in France and almost everyday I get phone calls from companies which propose a new kind of isolation for my house - and all paid by the government...to save the planet... classical telemarketing, calls are mostly coming from northern Africa. My 15 year old daughter has found her favourite game, she impersonates a cleaning woman from the Philippines , pretending that she is kept locked in the basement and she is looking for help - it's a cruel world, nobody ever tried to send the Police.

kevina avatar
kalle1724
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a call from "Microsoft" telling me that my PC was infected. After a little bit of going along with them..I asked them to tell me what kind of PC I had and he said that I have a windows PC. I asked him to follow the script, but tell me the OS, processor, sys type and the programs I use that were bypassed in allowing the virus... oddly he hung up. Makes my day to make a scammer hang up on me.

geologist_luna avatar
Tony Moon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father worked for the IRS as a multi-lingual interpreter and I am certain that if he were alive today he would be howling at the audacity of this scammer. He had to deal with the effects of scammers on our immigrant communities all the time because they did not know the laws that protect them. I wish more people understood that the IRS will NEVER call you for money. NEVER.

kristynlnu avatar
K. LNU
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it! I've had fun with those "IRS" people. My co-worker's favorite was when I got a call on my cell at work. I answered the unknown number and as soon as the man with the heavy middle eastern, Indian accent started in, I put him on speaker. He told me I had a delinquency on my taxes (2015) and I needed to pay it with a credit card ASAP. I told him I didn't have a credit card, but I had a Target card, and would that work? He denied me a few times but finally relented to saying that I could take my Target card and buy a pre-paid credit card for $XXXX amount that I owed the IRS. After about 5 minutes of this banter (with my co-workers trying hard not to laugh in the background); I finally told him to "hold on a moment." I came back and asked him that if he could stay on the line a couple more minutes, as it would be helpful. He asked why? I told him that we almost had this call traced. He hung up. *how rude! :D

ginnyoz avatar
djinnjeannie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A “middle eastern, Indian accent” ?? There isn’t even a singular Indian accent let alone one that sounds like the accents in the numerous countries and kingdoms that make up the Middle East.

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crdoyle2 avatar
Courtney Graham
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work with elders and it breaks my heart when they call upset about this; thinking they're going to be put in jail. Have to talk them down and hope they didn't pay these people.

bekk31 avatar
Samantha Beckett
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The very best response to the IRS scammers to date. https://www.dailywire.com/news/18067/guy-fed-irs-scammers-creates-hilarious-program-chase-stephens

fernandojones avatar
Fernando Jones
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had this happen to me a few times last year and every occasion, they used my former last name (I had gotten married the year before and changed my last name) and so I would constantly say "no... that's not my last name" Somehow they had enough information to get my address and the last 4 digits of my social and stated that there were lawsuits filed against me, etc. etc. I kept them on the line long enough to check the number out and noticed they were a bogus scam business and just messed with them the entire time. Finally, I just said "you know, this is illegal right... what you're doing? You're not legit?" and the woman went off on me calling me ab*tch and an assh*le and I was going to burn in hell and I loved every second of it. I'm glad there are people out there who mess with these people like I do.

abdallah06apple avatar
Blue Cicada
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once answered the phone to learn I "won an exciting cruise" for myself and three friends. After asking him lots of questions (how big is the ship? Who made it? In what country is it registered? Is there a baggage limit? Does Caribbean have 2 r's or 2 b's?) I told him I am claustrophobic, get violently sea sick, and have no friends.

jdsmith avatar
JD Smith
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the same thing happen to me and I am actually living IN the Middle East and most of my associates are from Southwest Asia as well as the UK; so when the caller kept using "British" terms such as the "informing the authorities" instead of saying law enforcement or the police being notified of the "allegations." Now mind you these callers have the MOST "vanilla" names in the world, such as Brad, John or Michael (no offense to either three of those names by the way) yet their accent is heavily Indian/British. The biggest give away besides the fact the IRS doesn't call for payment and that back taxes for the most part is a civil matter and not a criminal matter (so the police don''t get involved) is the wording of their numbers. No one I know from the US pronounces a zero as the letter "O" or 22 as "double 2" or 444 as "triple 4." What is scary though, was the fact they had my address, phone number, SSN and the amounts of my last 5 years tax returns

saihoekstra avatar
Sanne H.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slightly different, but also a scam: over the last year I have been called twice now by some English speaking people who pretend they work for Windows, and who are trying to "fix my computer because it has a virus". First they tried to convince me that something was wrong with the machine, by letting me open the Eventviewer (which contains errors by definition), then they tried to convince me to fill in a web address, with which a person from their helpdesk could take over my computer.

taryn_wallace_7 avatar
Taryn Wallace
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite are "printer repair" companies who call small businesses and then ask for the printer id.... I have had the pleasure of messing with these people more than once and I loved every minute

christianhill avatar
saihoekstra avatar
Sanne H.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No no, you get that wrong. Every minute of time that they have to spend on you, they can't spend trying to rob a poor old lady with less knowledge on the topic.

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patricia_rix_3 avatar
Patricia Rix
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got mad the other day when someone from "Revenue Canada" called to tell me "a charge of tax fraud has been made against you." I was sputtering angry and all I could think of to say was "Go suck an egg!" lol

eleanor-rhynard avatar
I'm a tiefling rogue, guys!
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm gonna make a comment on her profile picture-she's got a nice set of dice! Where did she get those? I wonder if they're better quality than mine. Sorry, I'm a bit of a fan of DnD

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia we can also report scams here https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam. Also lots of info about how to protect yourself, friends and family.

luyendao avatar
Lu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had messages left on my voicemail from Revenue Canada, pretty much the same gist. First time I heard it, I was a bit worried...but then I looked it up, and it's a common scam. No offense, but the thick Indian accent was also a dead giveaway.

blue39503 avatar
Fred Burrows
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The call I got said they filed a lawsuit in my name which I reckon makes me the plaintiff . I hope I get a nice settlement .

vonskippy avatar
Vonskippy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meh - scammer calls happen dozens of times a week, yanking their chain is nothing new or even all that amusing anymore. Bored Panda, home of the easily amused simpletons.

viviane_katz avatar
Viviane Katz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I prefer a tough audience myself, but some nights, I have to settle for the easily amused.

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vickietse avatar
Vickie Tse
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once received a call from a "Microsoft Tech Support department" who was calling because they detected a massive virus on my computer. He told me he needed immediate access to my computer and a credit card so he could remove it. 10 minutes of me stuttering and acting scared later? I said "Wow, I'm impressed with your detection software. Being able to detect a virus on my mac seeing as how you're windows tech support." He promptly hung up without another word.

lizl_7 avatar
Lizard Queen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From a retired IRS agent: "The IRS will not make first contact via phone or email. They use certified letters. *IF* you have a payment plan set up, the IRS *might* call in regards to the plan. They do not take payments over the phone."

elizabethlordcary avatar
Elizabeth Lord Cary
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are incredible! That sounds so funny. Nope, the IRS doesn't call, at most they will send a certified letter if they think you are ignoring them. So glad you gave this scammer a rough time.

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also NEVER send e-mails. They only deal in snail mail. And they don’t take credit cards.

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kim_lorton avatar
Kim Lorton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a scam call from the IRS, andwhen they finished their spiel , I laughed maniacally and said you have to catch me first, fck chicken!

daniellosinger avatar
Daniel Losinger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

+Aunt Messy She clearly stated “I got a scam call from the IRS.” Apparently you are the one who is illiterate.

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Samantha Melnychuk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I generally act like an American Republican politician when I'm on the phone with these phishers who aren't robodialers. I say one thing and then when they go to confirm I say the opposite and then when they try and confirm I tell them they don't have the security clearance for that information. Then I ask if I can use Bay points to pay. Or Canadian Tire money. Or maybe they'd like to buy some tickets to the raffle my sister's next door neighbour's neice's school is holding? Have they found the loving embrace of the flying spaghetti Monster yet? Would they like to hear about the sacred ratio of pirates to midgets?

mlle_tralee avatar
Tralee Aylett
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome job. One day a while ago we had 35 calls in broken English (from the same scammer ) in 2 hours I had answered the last 5 and by the end I was getting sick of it. by the 2nd last call I shouted at him and told him to f** off (I dont swear and it shocked my parents) and if he rang again there would be trouble, and hung up. He called back and said something about coming to my address with his lawyers. I just told him Go ahead and I'd meet him at the door with the cops. No more calls after that

ja35mo10ta31 avatar
Mac Hayes
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mr "I will call the police" was NOT "just doing his job." NO telemarketer has the "job" of pretending to be a government agent and threatening the other person if they don't give up their credit card info.

lryan1349 avatar
Lilith Ringmaster
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Scams are against the law anyway. Lol didn't need to pull out legal jargon.

raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last "microsoft help centre" caller I had, I said I would go and turn on my computer, then put the phone in the cupboard (so they couldn't hear us talking) and went off to do something else. I eventually went back and hung it up. No idea how long they waited, but at least while they were, they weren't annoying someone else.

tylercook avatar
Tyler Cook
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be awesome to be able to set something like this up for those scammers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzedMdx6QG4

sallyapple7 avatar
Sally Appleton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great article, but one question: WHAT is an "indie yarn dyer??"

katie-trondsen avatar
KT Trondsen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a call from them not too long ago. I burst into laughter at them and then hung up

konfetti4 avatar
Andrea Bueno
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is having common sense suddenly "knowing the law very well"? I wouldn't give my credit card information to anything that is calling me, and not the other way around 🤗

mattsmith31 avatar
Matthew Smith
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What annoys me is one particular scammer who asks for my Father (who has been DEAD for over 10 years). The scammer asks about our washing machine so I just tell them Sorry, you can't talk to my father because he's been dead for 10 years and we have no interest in what you are trying to sell us....

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have had similar calls from a " phone / net provider" in Australia. I said approx "convince me you are x company " ( silence )...ok convince me you are not phishing me ." more silence. I left the phone off the hook, they are paying for the call time. Came back a few hours later. Rinse and repeat several times , several different scams. But not the same scammers.

robertagifford avatar
Roberta Gifford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite things to do when I get similar calls: I've been the receiver of the same scam as described in article. Way to get them to stop calling me: Inform said caller I am on probation and try to give them the Probation and Parole office number and "Inform him/her I have committed a Federal violation and need to be returned to jail immediately!".

artgenius801 avatar
BTS Army Forever
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of James Veitch. YALL NEED TO SEARCH HIM UP AND HIS SCAM EMAILS THEYRE HILARIOUS

aliciascheepers_1 avatar
Alicia Scheepers
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bored panda has become the most dumbest website. An argument happened over social media, quick everyone look how this person got her revnege. B***H PLEASE NO ONE CARES. bored panda actually was used a great source for creativity, experiments, design and so much more. F**K the creative dictor choosing whats on the trending page, it's not bored panda anymore, its just f*****g bored my brain.

daniellosinger avatar
Daniel Losinger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As with many narratives posted on Bored Panda, there is no evidence that this actually happened. I expect that most of these stories are fiction.

asteidl15 avatar
lazy panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AKA: "it didn't happen to me so OBVIOUSLY it would never happen to anyone else."

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Kane Cheung
Community Member
5 years ago

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Disappointed, I thought she was going to use her D&D dice to combat the IRS scammer. You'll need to roll higher than 12 to successfully pull off this scam. (rolls 10), sorry, your intelligence is too low, roll failed.

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