I first got called from that number but there was no one on the the line but then it came through as unknown. i picked it up because i knew someone that called from that too. I don't think this a total scam. I remember entering a sweepstakes that I filled out through spc and they knew the name I used. I used my nickname when I applied so they called me by that and they knew which card I used and they already knew my address. So I don't think it's a complete scam. I just find it weird now that I see this stuff.

Technically the person is right about being placed on a do not call list

Hey I was offered the same exact thing? Is it a scam?

HE CALL CENTRE THAT DOES CALLS "ON BEHALF" OF "CPS" IS TELESOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL. THEIR EMAIL IS JOBS@TELESOLUTIONSINTL.COM

Worked for TeleSolutions International, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Looked for job & decided everyone has to start somewhere s****y, right?

Well, big mistake.

TeleSolutions International does calling "on behalf" of Central Publication Services (CPS) "in Drapper, Utah". I don't know what CPS is, but it doesn't seem to be a really established organization. I highly suspect that at most it's a shell company.

An HR guy, David Keith, claimed that we have to say "Hi, my name is _________ and I'm calling on behalf of CPS in Drapper, Utah to inform you that you have been entered into our dream come true SweepStakes, so congratulations" rather than using "TeleSolutions International" because of "regulations", as we're doing "business on behalf of CPS".

I'm pretty sure that's b***s***.

Keith also claims that the call lists were obtained by "data brokers" and contained "middle to upper income" people who had previously bought similar services.  They might be from people who were previously sold goods from "CPS"/TeleSolutions International, but we're instructed to pursue people with little or no money in their bank account, because the credit card can still get $$$. There goes the focus on people of means!  

There's something sick about instructing working poor telemarketers (many of the employees do come from the margins of society) to pressure jobless poor folks out've money.  

The floor level overseer regularly tells staff how disposable they are if the don't make sales, tries to reiterate (through info ascertained from small talk) how important a paycheque is to them, and tells them to stop caring about other people who'll "they'll never meet". The whole culture of TeleSolutions International seems to be about normalizing antisocial practices, both towards employees and potential customers.

Going home from the job each night, one feels a certain moral filthiness and disgust at "succeeding" at the job by being destructive to society.

TeleSolutions International telemarketers respond to calls that are automatically dialled by cheap, 1990s IBM computers. After a call is hung up, telemarketers will have a few moments to "disposition" the call under various headings - NotInterested (which, I'm told, aren't called for 6 months), NoCreditCard, AnsweringMachine, and Under18 (It's against the law to telemarket to these folks - at least in the way TeleSolutions does - so we hang up if we find that out. The first part of the call is about "qualifying" the customer, to know if they're "qualified" to be marketed to).

TeleSolutions International had employees read a script, with the marketing pitch. Sometimes, when calling a customer & reading the script, they'd hang up while I'd still be reading (it's not always possible to tell when a customer hung up, some quirk of the cheap a** computer system). IF THE TELEMARKETER DOESN'T DISPOSITION THE CALL UNDER THE RIGHT CATEGORY (and it's hard if you're reading the scrip & the sound system sometimes gives poor indication of a hung up call) THAN THE NUMBER IS AUTOMATICALLY LISTED TO BE RECALLED.

To the best of my memory, the script went something like this:

=================================================

"Hello, [CALLED PERSON]. Hi, this is [TELEMARKETER NAME] with CPS in Drapper Utah.

This is just a call to let you know that you have been entered into the Dream Come True Sweepstakes, so congratulations! The Sweepstakes are held every year for preferred customers of Visa or Mastercard, you do still carry one of these cards, is that correct?

[If yes]

Great!

Now, as a SweepStakes contest you are in the running for $25,000 in cash, a Ford Mustang GT Convertible, a Caribbean Cruise, and hundreds of other prizes. Someone has to win [CALLED PERSON]. So best of luck!

Now, [CALLED PERSON] I do have a few quick survey questions for you.

Are you married, single or engaged?

[Instructed to chat with potential customer]

Age 18-21

21-35

36-69

over 69

Do you use coupons when buying groceries?

[Instructed to chat again]

What are your hobbies or special interests?

(Chat)

Which card has given you the best service, Visa or Mastercard?  

Thanks for your help, [CALLED PERSON].

Now, for participating in our promotion today you'll receive a mens or ladies diamond watch. It's GORGEOUS, so I know you'll love it. Also, as part of the publishers sweepstakes given you've been chosen to receive [lists 3 magazines selected for them on the basis of survey questions] for a full 60 months, free of charge. You will also receive a catalogue with hundreds of other magazines, allowing you to change these selections as often as you wish.

Finally, to compliment your 3 magazines, you'll receive the exciting [ESPN or TV Guide] magazine for a full 60 months. Now, [CALLED PERSON], the weekly magazine is the only one we ask your help with. As a SweepStakes contest everything's been discounted to just $4.99 per week. Think about it. You'll receive [FIRST MAGAZINE], [SECOND MAGAZINE], and [SECOND MAGAZINE] plus a diamond watch just for helping with the weekly deliver of [ESPN or TV Guide]. Just that one, okay?

[If they object, there's a list of power quotes recommended for use. Such quotes include "What part of the offer are you uncomfortable with? I mean, just $4.99 for four of your favourites isn't asking for too much, is it?"]

Terrific! I'll put you down for those four magazines for $4.99 weekly to be mailed to [say Address if listed], correct? Great! Again, the magazines price is GUARANTEED NOT TO INCREASE FOR A FULL 60 MONTHS. Do you have any questions about the offer? [If objection, staff are directed to a list of rebuttals]. Great! Now, we are currently processing your order. Do you have a a pen and paper? I'll wait. Okay, the order number is C as in CASH - 208. Now, because of promotional regulations my supervisor will have to approve the order. I'm new at this job, so if you could put in a good word with my supervisor that would be excellent. Terrific. I will transfer you over to my supervisor, you will here a few clicks. [Transfer process]

=================================================================  

Yes, the "I'm new at my job" part is in the script. From my experience, even relatively established employees say it. As "established" as you can be, that is, at such a precarious job.

Exactly the type of response coming from someone running a scam. Not professional at all. Do something reputable with your life. You're a disgrace and a burden to our society.

I work for this company as well. And if you actually listen to what people are saying when the call you you would understand. There is NO obligation to buy anything, it is simply a courtesy call. We get our numbers from the major list brokers who provide us with the number of those who carry one or more of the major debt or credit card holders.

We are not asking for your credit card information - simply if you HAVE one of these cards. In addition to your entry into the sweepstakes, we do offer you some magazines - which is not a bad offer, you get 4 magazines, a catalog which allows you to CHANGE these magazines as often as you wish, plus a free diamond watch which is real. You're basically getting all this for the price of ONE magazine. So why wouldn't we offer it to you.

The majority of people who I speak to accept this offer, and have had no complaints and have even extended their services after the 60 months.

As for not calling from Draper Utah - I'm pretty sure I know where I live ...... We call from a local number so that you do not get charged long distance fees. The long distance fees are purely on us. Not you.

You guys are dumb I work for the company aswell and no it is not a scam , if your not interested you will be called back you need to ask to be out on the do not call list and if you say no obviously were gonna hang up we make our money based on commission so why would we waste our time on the phone with you after you say no when we can move onto another call and have another chance at getting our sale . And it's a computer based dialing system we don't choose who we call the computer does .

Should I admit I WORK for this company? Here's the skinny;

We offer the Dream Come True Sweepstakes, including $25,000 cash, a Ford Mustang GT Convertible, a Caribbean Cruise, a trip to Australia, and "hundreds of other prizes". This is true. The drawing is this coming July 15th.

There's no obligation to buy anything. Hell, you're entered regardless even if you DON'T answer the phone, so long as you own a valid Master Card or Visa. If not, we transfer you to an automated info system detailing how you can, instead, win $50,000.

We also add a separate sweepstakes giveaway, which is three magazines picked among a list of 400+, with the addition of either ESPN or the TV Guide, as well as a Diamond Watch, in either Mens or Ladies fashion.

Are WE calling from Draper, Utah, but we pre-pay phone companies to use local lines to save YOU money on long-distance charges...

I've only been working here a few months, and as far as I know, the watch is real, the managers are crabby, and we've been in business since 1998. If we were a fraud company, would we last that long? At least we're not Nigerian Princes.

Thank you! Like I said people are so stupid sometimes. Go ahead and report us because telemarketing is sooo illegal. Idiots who get called "everyday" you would think would be smart enough to ask to be on the DO NOT CALL list by now. Seriously people cursing, hanging up or saying not interested is not going stop us from calling you back. You don't like it? Then you have to legally bind yourself to the  DO NOT CALL list. End of story.

You guys are dumb. I personally work for the company, it's not a scam it's either you want the magazine deal or not. Don't be dumb. Also John you can't do s*** telemarketing is far from illegal and if you were smart enough in your legal right you would know that you need to EXACTLY request to be on the DO NOT CALL list. Any other form of a no would simple be taken as NOT INTERESTED and you will be called back. Enough said.

Gimme breakfast.

I got the same call. Saying I was being sent a diamond watch and 1 year free magazines and have the chance to win 25,000....very weird!

OUR COMPANY NAME IS CENTRAL PUBLICATION SERVICES.
NO WE DONT HAVE A PHONE NUMBER BECAUSE WE ARE CALLING YOU YES OFF A COMPUTERIZED DIALER, SO WE HAVE NO WAY OF GETTING YOU THAT INFO,
NOW WE DO HOWEVER PROVIDE YOU WITH A TOLL FREE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER IN THE WELCOME PACKAGE, SO IF YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO CALL THATS WHERE ITS FOUND.
WE CHARGE 4.99 FOR THE WEEKLY MAG AND GIVE YOU 3 ADDITIONAL MAGS FOR FREE FOR AN ENTIRE 60 MONTHS, AND THEY EVEN CANCEL THEMSELVES OUT AFTER!
NOTHING TO HIDE.
BUT JUST TO SAY THANKS BECAUSE WE REALIZE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THIS IS A SCAM WE ALSO GIVE YOU A FREE DIAMOND WATCH, AND LET YOU CHOOSE THE STYLE.
PLUS A CATALOG WITH ENDLESS OTHER MAGS TO CHANGE WITHOUT THE COST EVER BEING AFFECTED, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME THIS ISNT FAIR?
IF YOUR REALLY SO SKEPTICAL PLEASE DO US THE FAVOUR AND HANG UP WE DONT WANT TO ARGUE WITH YOU BUT WE ALSO HAVE A JOB TO DO - WE REALLY DONT WANT TO SELL YOU ANYTHING YOU DONT WANT.. AT ALL!

IM SHOCKED AT SOME PEOPLE, I CANT BELIEVE HOW THEY REACT HALF THE TIME YELLING AT US, OR THREATS, EVEN SAYING THEYRE GOING TO CALL THE POLICE OR INVESTIGATE US.
PLEASE BE OUR GUESTS. WE HAVENT DONE ANYTHING WRONG, IT WONT HELP YOU AND YOULL JUST BE WASTING YOUR TIME LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 25 YEARS, IF SOMEONE WAS GOING TO SHUT US DOWN FOR BEING UNTRUSTWORTHY OR A "SCAM" IM SURE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN BY NOW, RIGHT?

ANYWAYS, IM REALLY ONLY TRYING TO HELP SO IF YOU DO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS JUST ASK.. THANKS.

BECAUSE IF YOUR NOT INTERESTED WHY WOULD WE WASTE OUR TIME ON YOU.. YOU SAID YOU WERENT INTERESTED LOLLLL.......

got a call just now from 17739450209 from central publishing services. she called me by first name & said i was entered into a sweepstakes. she asked if i had a credit card, if i'm married & how old i was - info readily seen in my public social accounts. When I said I refuse to answer any more questions, she said she needed all the info to qualify me. I asked her again for the company & tried to google it. She must have realized that I was searching for them so she said she will just have someone else call me then hung up.

why do people do these things?

Said they were from Publishers giveaway Dreams of a lifetime sweepstakes i am entered to win a car 25,000 a boat or all expense trip Dec 31st first of all i would received magazines free of charge.Never asking which i wanted. Then proceeded to be friendly and Ask couple more question. Meanwhile, I got on computer and looked them up. I ask "Well why is it stating not to give out any personal information?' They cut the call short so I figure this is a scam. Watch out for them go to your computers and look them up. Beware she did say they'd been in business umpteenth yrs and gave credit to themselves. Like they were ready for the calls. From California said she loved where she lived beside all the stuff that goes on.

I've been receiving these phone calls from the number (847)450-1800. They said I was in a sweepstakes for $25,000 or a mustang. They wanted my credit card preference (visa vs mastercard) and what city I lived. At that point I stopped them and asked what their name was again and they said "the central publications in great Utah" (even though the number came from a Chicago area code). When I said I wanted to check that it wasn't a scan, the woman I was speaking to said it was a long distance call and they only had a few minutes. And then she asked to send me 3 different magazines and when I protested I was at work, she said it would only take a few minutes... VERY SHADY!!! I'm reporting them to my bank today!

I didn't give her my card number but like an idiot I accidentally told her my card type. when she asked me if i wanted to buy certain magazines i said no and she hung up. i've been trying to call back but the call ends after 1:11. Should I still be worried about my bank account? the number was (209) 320-1953

Prize Offers: You Don?t Have to Pay to Play!
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel17.shtm

excerpt from FTC CONSUMER ALERT
A Dozen Ways to Protect Yourself
The next time you get a "personal" letter or telephone call telling you "it?s your lucky day," the Federal Trade Commission encourages you to remember that:
1.    Legitimate sweepstakes don?t require you to pay or buy something to enter or improve your chances of winning, or to pay "taxes" or "shipping and handling charges" to get your prize.
If you have to pay to receive your "prize," it?s not a prize at all.

I got the same call, and they have not stopped calling for a week now. I finally answered to see what was going on. They told me about to sweepstakes and prizes. I continued to answer the questions about my hobbies and stuff and I also verified my address... He then wanted to charge me for a magazine subscription and when I refused to give them my card number he said that they already had it I just needed to verify it... I am a little worried. Should I report it to my bank just in case? The guy said he was calling from Utah but my phone showed he was calling from about 20 min from where I live all the way in Texas. I am a little concerned what should I do?

I just got a call today from "Central Publications Services" the number being 605-939-7128 saying I'd been entered in Sweepstakes and would win a list of extravagant prizes. They asked what card I preferred, my hobbies, what I'd do with $10,000 and tried to get me to subscribe to any magazine for $4.99 a month. They talked pretty fast and being I'm actually learning about Identity Theft in school right now I was suspicious and didn't give them my card number. The supposed supervisor said he'd understood and wished me a good day. I decided to check out the company online to see if they were legitimate or not and reading these I'm quite happy I stuck with my instincts.

This guy is calling my husband's mobile phone. is there anything we can do?

This company calls from phone #'s all over the country and are a SCAM. Tell them to take you off of their list or you will report as harassing call to the FCC. These are rampant this time of year, but you cannot block as the number they call from keeps changing!

phone call

203-347-3165 called my cell phone saying I was entered into a $50,000 (or $25,000, I forget exactly) sweepstakes. They said they were part of the Central Publishing Services and the sweepstakes were part of a Dream of a Lifetime. I gave my what my hobbies were, which credit card type I preferred, and they tried to make me subscribe to ESPN magazine for $4.99 a month along with other "free" magazines including Playboy, lol.
Definitely a scam/fishing thing going on here reading the other comments.

Remember, don't give away any personal information!

I received the same call yesterday only this time it was from another number: 517-902-3319. So heads up on these thieves as well

got a call from (402) 902-1014. lady claiming to be with central publication services, saying i was entered into a sweepstakes where i could win 25,000$ and a mustang. asked about my credit cards, and if i was married. i gave no info, and informed her that i work for the federal govt. lol. which i do. i am currently running a check on this number. will post results. this is a scam and all should avoid giving any info to these people.

This number has called my phone twice today. Once around 11am and a second time around 2pm. Did not answer either calls and no message was left.

Got a phone call from this number. A claim that I was entered into a sweepstakes for $25,000. They asked about what type of credit card I preferred. Such as visa o MasterCard etc. Asked about hobbies and interests. And offered a free magazine subscription. I said I was working and before I could say more they hung up.

Further research found that this is a wireless phone number coming out of Derby, CT.  Beware.