I received a phone call from Brice the other day.
Who is Brice, you ask? Brice is a crook.
I didn’t actually talk to Brice. But he left a message.
“Hello, this is Brice from the gift recovery department,” he enthused in a bright and chipper voice.
He then excitedly explained he was calling about a contest in which I was entered that has a $25,000 prize.
The contest is over. “But I just need to hear from you as soon as possible to verify some information. Please call this toll-free number. And congratulations!”
A couple of things:
1. I haven’t entered a contest. Can’t remember the last time I did.
2. I noticed — and maybe you did, too — that chipper Brice did not actually say I had won the $25,000 prize, though he implied I had won when he wished me not good luck but congratulations.
It is illegal to tell someone he has won a prize unless he actually has won one. Brice was gingerly tip-toeing through the garden of laws.
So, those bits of pettifoggery were enough to convince me that Brice was trying to scam me. I could have called him back I suppose and confronted him, but I fear not only scammers but computers. Computers being what they are today, I was scared that by merely calling the number Brice gave me I would somehow begin the draining of my bank account and credit cards.
I mention all this to alert you to beware of Brice in case he calls.
You’ll tell me that you are listed on the No Call Registry and thus are immune to Brice and his ilk.
But, so am I. Yet Brice found his way to me.
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Before Brice finds you, I would sign up with the Federal Trade Commission’s No Call Registry. To do so, go to donotcall.gov, or call 1-800-382-1222.
If you are signed up and still receive a call from Brice or his brethren, you can file a complaint at the above website or phone number.
What? You’re wondering if this is a scam?
You’re wondering if I’m Brice and that the phone number I gave sucks you into my lair of scams?
No, I am not Brice. I’m just Paul. I’m just trying to alert you and help you out.
Believe me.
But — you ask — isn’t that just what Brice would say?