Phony Officials Trick Consumers into “Verifying” Info on Do Not Call Registry

I got one of these calls after I registered my cell phone, since I had started getting junk calls, but I wasn't at home and it went on my answering machine.

http://www.bbb.org/blog/2013/02/phony-officials-trick-consumers-into-verifying-info-on-do-not-call-registry/

By Emily Patterson – February 7, 2013

Scammers have been making phone calls posing as representatives of the National Do Not Call Registry. The calls claim to provide an opportunity to sign up for the registry or ask consumers to verify their info. Of course, the callers are really trying to solicit personal information, which opBusinessman on cell phone Phony Officials Trick Consumers into Verifying Info on Do Not Call Registryens victims up to identity fraud.

Someone calls you claiming to represent the National Do Not Call Registry, the FTC or Canada’s National Do Not Call List. The registry “official” asks for personal information, such as name, address and Social Security number. The scam has several variations. In one, the caller wants to verify that you are on the National Do Not Call Registry. In another, he/she claims to give you a chance to register your phone number.

Just hang up the phone; this situation is always a scam. Representatives from the registry will not call you. And sharing personal with the caller will just put you at risk for identity theft.

------ [ See the above link for info on how to get on list, verify that your number is on the list, how Canadians can get on their countrie's list]