FTC: "Robocall challenge" winner to receive $50,000
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-575356 ... receive-$50000/

By now, everyone should have figured out that the FTC
DO NOT CALL LIST [so-called] IS JUST A BIG JOKE.  
However, everyone should keep filing their complaints,
and to keep their own respective log regarding same.
Here is an example of my own personal log-book, which
is very easily and simply kept by using "TEXT:"

>> 253-382-9076 03-14-2012 4:26 PM
    ============================
    "PACIFICTEL"
    I ANSWERED; "YES." A ROBO-VOICE COMES ON, TELLING ME HOW I HAVE BEEN
    SPECIALLY SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A BRIEF POLITICAL SURVEY, AND FOR
    DOING SO, I COULD RECEIVE A FREE CRUISE IN THE BAHAMAS."  I PRESSED 1 TO
    PARTICIPATE.  I USED THE KEY-PAD TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, MAYBE 8 OF
    THEM, ASKING ME LIKE WHO I WOULD VOTE FOR, DID I APPROVE OF OBAMA, ETC.
    NEXT, I PRESSED THE 1-KEY, IN ORDER TO CLAIM MY FREE CRUISE IN THE BAHAMAS.
    A REAL VOICE THEN ASKS ME: "ARE YOU READY TO WIN YOUR FREE CRUISE TO THE
    BAHAMAS?"  I SAID: "OH, YEAH..... I USED TO PATROL THE BAHAMAS WITH THE
    U.S. COAST GUARD AND JUST CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK DOWN THERE." THE CALLER
    SIMPLY HANGS UP.
    HERE'S WHAT IT REALLY IS: [AS SCAM]
    See: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-253-382-9076
    See: http://www.scambook.com/report/view/86804/Caribbean-Cruise-Lines-False-Advertising-for-118.00-on-03-13-2012
    See also: http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/1023060/index.shtm

    SEE ALSO: 971-373-2939 [ASIA PACIFIC]
    SEE ALSO: 503-475-1034 [ASIA PACIFIC]
I keep a separate TEXT FILE named for each and every
number I receive these damned calls from, and then to
just add to it, most recent call at the top.

Nothing is going to happen on this, unless "EVERYONE"
continually bombards the FBI, your CONGRESSMAN,
your LOCAL TV NEWS, any and all NEWSPAPERS, etc.
I have been doing this myself, but will not continue to
be the only one doing it.  Strongly suspect that at least
the FBI has now "black-balled" my email name.  Either
that, or they simply responnd as "NOT READ," just as my
Congresswoman; Kay Granger of Texas has also done.
Here is her email address: kay@kaygranger.com  
[please find yours as well?]

Below will be a list of all of the FBI Field Offices email
addressess, as well as USDHS, that I have found to be
vaild, in such a manner that should make it easy for one
to simply "COPY" and "PASTE" them into your email.
You might want to reference: Title 47 U.S. Code ~223

NOTE: Suggest you make your emails ?PRIORITY,? and
===== ?READ RECEIPT REQUESTED.?

birmingham@ic.fbi.gov; anchoragefbi@ic.fbi.gov; fbijn@leo.gov;
phoenix@ic.fbi.gov; sandiego@ic.fbi.gov; sanfrancisco@ic.fbi.gov;
denver@ic.fbi.gov; newhaven@ic.fbi.gov; washingtonfield@ic.fbi.gov;
jacksonville@ic.fbi.gov; miami@ic.fbi.gov; tampa.division@ic.fbi.gov;
atlanta@ic.fbi.gov; chicago@ic.fbi.gov; springfield@ic.fbi.gov;
indianapolis@ic.fbi.gov; neworleans@ic.fbi.gov; baltimore@ic.fbi.gov;
boston@ic.fbi.gov; detroit@ic.fbi.gov; minneapolis@ic.fbi.gov;
jackson@ic.fbi.gov; kansas.city@ic.fbi.gov; omaha@ic.fbi.gov;
lasvegas@ic.fbi.gov; newark@ic.fbi.gov; albuquerque@ic.fbi.gov;
albany@ic.fbi.gov; buffalo@ic.fbi.gov; oklahomacity@ic.fbi.gov;
cincinnati@ic.fbi.gov; cleveland.cv@ic.fbi.gov; memphis@ic.fbi.gov;
portland@ic.fbi.gov; philadelphia@ic.fbi.gov; pittsburgh@ic.fbi.gov;
columbia@ic.fbi.gov; knoxville@ic.fbi.gov; sanantonio@ic.fbi.gov;
Dallas.Public@ic.fbi.gov; elpaso@ic.fbi.gov; houston@ic.fbi.gov;
saltlakecity@ic.fbi.gov; norfolk_FO@ic.fbi.gov; richmond@ic.fbi.gov;
Seattle.fbi@ic.fbi.gov; milwaukee@ic.fbi.gov; dhsoighotline@dhs.gov;  

Here with a list of NEWSPAPERS that I have been emailing:
ctc-editor@tribune.com; letters@latimes.com; letters@timespicayune.com;
executive-editor@nytimes.com; jaysmith@hearst.com; jwitt@star-telegram.com;
mnorman@star-telegram.com; tstutz@dallasnews.com; local@tampabay.com;
esmith@texastribune.org; eramshaw@texastribune.org; rramsey@texastribune.org;
homedelivery@washpost.com; postnow@washpost.com; national@washpost.com;
onlinejournal@wsj.com; cassandra.sweet@dowjones.com;

And here with a list of TV NEWS STATIONS that I have been using:
[The Dallas/Fort Worth Texas area]
charles.bassett@the33tv.com; bsharp@londonbroadcastingcompany.com;
viewersvoice@kdfwfox4.com; kenf@ktvt.com; stevew@ktvt.com;
newstips@nbcdfw.com; cnorton@wfaa.com;  feedback@wfaa.com;

Once again, I herein submit, that ?NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN,?
unless ?EVERYONE? takes part.

Signed: INTERPOLATOR

I have gotten calls from this number and they have not left any messages

I got a call from 206-496-0986. Caller ID said "PACIFICTEL"
It was a pre-recorded polical survey saying that survey would take a few minutes and to stay on the line to obtain a free 2 day cruise to the Bahamas. When connected to the operator, he congratulated me for the prize! Buyer be awared!!!!! The agent said I could use the trip any time whithing the next 18 months except holidays and that I NEEDED TO PAY THE TAXES RIGHT AWAY!!!!! He told me it would be $85.00 per person because the prize was for 2 people. To test the waters I asked him to call me back later once I found a companion to go with, so I would not pay all myself.
He became pushy and told me he could not call me back and said to me, "How come you don't have that kind of money?" "Use your creditcard..." Really? Tehn he said, "Look, I will keep your name in the list for future promotions and hang up!!!!!

PLEASE WATCH OUT! IT'S A SCAM!!!!

What a waste of my time and minutes!

I am on the DNC list and I do not know how they got my phone number. It was a recording and I was unable to reach a live person.  I tried calling the number back but all I got was dead air. So fustrating.

Called me Saturday morning and work me up.  Annoying and no message.  Didn't call back, just checked here first.  I've gotten several survey calls recently as opposed to a handful in my entire life so someone sold my number.

Here's a bit more info:

"But zoom to 2011 and Reduced Interet Rate calls are back and it looks like they're back with a vengeance.

The latest report obtained from the FTC (Dec 2011) indicates that she's responsible for as much as 40% of all of the complaints filed with the Do Not Call registry.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of these jury trials, but what's clear is that FTC is taking decisive steps when it comes to prosecuting companies which it thinks are responsible for illegaly interrupting your dinner. "

http://www.callercomplaints.com/SearchResult.aspx?Phone=253-382-9076

"Phone Number Report: "This is John from Political Opinions; you have been selected to participate in a survey; once you complete the survey, you will be eligivle for a free 2-day cruise (Indian accent) plus $1,000 off a home security system! Call us NOW at 503/457-1274! Called back, immediate disconnect. "
= Home Security Group too? Possibly!

http://www.scambook.com/group/view/1225/Caribbean-Cruise-Lines

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/2533829076/2

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=4035

https://plus.google.com/112326867483489579883/posts/QePC1h3DAhn#112326867483489579883/posts/QePC1h3DAhn

"Top Ten phone spam offenders:


1. 253-382-9076
2. 360-477-8926
3. 360-460-9918
4. 202-644-8497
5. 202-644-8398
6. 360-461-6321
7. 216-929-8989
8. 216-282-5522
9. 207-512-5290
10. 302-394-9742"

http://www.hellotacoma.com/wp/white-pages.cfm

Try clicking on this reported number and the other one similar to it ( (253) 382-9031) on this page... it doesn't exist! It's a spoofed number ... BOTH of these are!!! You'll get this message on the page these numbers are linked to: "Sorry, we couldn't find the number your looking for."

http://800notes.com/forum/ta-4ca543bdd292596/ ... o-go-to-bahamas

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt178.shtm

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/19/business/la-fi-lazarus19-2010feb19

http://complaintwire.org/complaint/nl3jFtoq6gQ/213-550-3070

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-253-382-9031/21

"Well, um, _first_ I got a call from a blocked number and when I picked it up, some recording started in about how I had been selected for a 30 second survey.  I hung up on that one.  About a minute later, I get a call from (caller ID) "Service Dept" with number 253-382-9031.  So I answer and say "hello" several times and there's just dead silence.

OK, so PERHAPS the first call and the second call were completely unrelated. Then again maybe not.  I have no idea.  You be the judge."

http://800notes.com/forum/ta-27c14ca23666c7d/ ... business-raided

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-360-529-6199

"Called 5 times today. Caller ID says New Co. Now that is original."

"I get calls from 360-529-6100 & 360-529-6175.  

A little googling gives me additional numbers:
360-529-6100, 360-529-6104, 360-529-6105, 360-529-6106, 360-529-6122, 360-529-6136, 360-529-6163, 360-529-6170, 360-529-6175, 360-529-6190, 360-529-6199

www.complaintwire.org has a listing for "Card Member Services" where a few of these numbers were posted, along with many others.

Some reports say Pacifictel was on the caller ID.  Others say New A Co was on the caller ID.  Some say home security systems, other say consolidate or lower credit card rates/debt.  Most say dead air, hang ups or something similar."

New Co. what was the home security (group) scam artists used on Caller ID once; card member/cardholder services/service dept. used some of the same numbers as this bunch and apparently this latest number as well!!!

"I've looked online and here is a list of numbers I've compiled that are registered to these scammers:
425-390-8126
253-246-8553
253-246-8552
253-246-8535
253-246-8501
253-246-8510
253-246-8586
253-246-8573
253-246-8543"

Notice the area code on the last 8 above! The same as the this one and the other very close to it!

http://www.freep.com/article/20120219/COL21/2 ... one-survey-scam

"Cruise by 'national debt' phone survey scam

The pitch was, "Hi, this is Amy. Take a short 30-second survey related to the nation's debt crisis. After taking the survey, you will receive a free, two-day cruise to the Bahamas. Gratuities and a small port tax will apply."

Yeah, right.

Travel telemarketing scams are as old as the telephone.

A few weeks ago I asked readers if they had gotten a robocall from the "EFA Survey Group," offering a free cruise to the Bahamas in exchange for answering a question about the national debt. The calls were coming fast and furious, even to people on the national do-not-call list and to cell phones.

Many of you responded, so we now have a pretty good idea of what the scam is."

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-480-535-5740

"The survey for a cruise scam is back again, just a dif. number this time. Don't answer at all, don't even tell them to stop calling, once you pick up they know it's a active # and will harass you."

"A SCAM using so-called 'research' to circumvent the DNC List LAWS to eventually get to the point where they can try and get one's CREDIT CARD NUMBER for FRAUDULENT PURPOSES."

"Same deal as found on the beginning of this page: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-480-535-5714/5. I got a call from a bot about a survey linked to the EFA. They tried bribing with a cruise.  Fortuantely, it is my policy not to respond to automated messages, especially when they sound too good to be true."

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-480-535-5714/5

"Got a call from this number just now. Amy from EFA asking for me to participate in a survey about the national debt crisis. Says you'll win a two day cruise for two, but port fees may apply. Actually got a call from a different number last week (Illinois) and it was the same thing."

"For all those who don't know about bot calling, it is a type of phishing and mainly what they need to know is that you are a live line. They will sell the number to others and the cycle begins again.

The "Do Not Call" listing does work but not with bot callers. They do no follow regulations and in time they do get shut down but not before they have called thousands of numbers.

To relieve you of those calls, create a contact (Telemarketer, Zzzzzz, or whatever) and put the number in. Make the ringtone as "No Ring". You never hear the ring and it goes straight to voice mail. Most but not all bot callers recognize instant answers as a "No Service" line and delete the number from its listing. In the least, you never hear it again and it doesn't interrupt your day.

If you have a smart phone and it doesn't have a "No Ring" option, there are many ways to create one and add it as a ring tone. Just make it one second so you use the least amount of memory."

http://www.scribd.com/doc/77924456/FBI-Complaint-ID-Theft-US-Debt-Scam-EFG-Research-Group

"Page 2 of 8

Description of the Incident Describe in your own words how you have been victimized. My company (EFG Inc, aka EFG Research) is the victim victim of an ID theft and Fraud coming from this # 617 861 4479 (and others see below), presenting themselves as EFG Research Group or "ESG" Research group. I tried to google the number but, no info available. Also, these are the other numbers from which callers have received the same call from: - 914 373 7134 - 914 373 7170 - 914-373-7139 - 914-373-7137 - 435-750-4933 I called the police to figure this out. They refered me to an inspector who suggested that I file this claim with the FBI to retrieve the owners of this # fraudulently using a name close to our company name (EFG Inc). I have personally received tens of calls and emails from people complaining or calling to claim their trip to the Bahamas. Last week, I received a letter from the Court of North Carolina (better Business Bureau, Mr. David Fox)following a formal complaint form someone who was asked for her credit card info ($59) to secure her trip for 4. Many otehr individuals are apparently being called: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-617-861-4479 I tried to collect some info on this number www.smartpeople.com), but all I found was the name and location of the telecommunication company hosting this number: RNK, Inc in Boston, MA. These people would not release the name of their client unless requested by the police or FBI or else. "

http://www.callercomplaints.com/SearchResult.aspx?Phone=617-861-4479

" ESA research group is what answered when I called back. They aren't leaving a message. It is annoying when I get home and missed call after missed call after missed call. I'm tired of this. I thought I was on the do not call list!"

"The answering of a survey would get me a cruise to the Bahamas. I listened to 3 questions to rate each political party and Pres Obama on how they are handling the debt crisis on a scale of 1 to 5. Too simple to be a real survey. I did not press 1 to connect to the travel agent."

http://www.callercenter.com/503-468-5012.html

This number calls my home and my cell. They never leave a message. If I answer the call, they hang up. I wish they would stop calling.

This is NOT an actual political survey!

Think a minute, 3-4 questions? 30 seconds? What kind of a survey is that? It's a ploy! To switch to a sales pitch about a supposed 2 day Bahamas cruise... one that has nothing at all to do with Carnival or ROYAL Caribbean Cruise lines.

It's a bunch of scam artists with two fake sites set up to try and look legit.  

Fact:  Pressing a number, telling them to stop calling, even picking up and answering as well as filling out their bogus form (on both sites) to get them to stop calling only confirms to them that they got a live #!!!! And the calls will not only get worse but they'll pass it along to other4 like minded criminals and the whole cycle will begin anew!!!

They called my landline (which is on the DNC list) at 12:23 p.m. PST on 4/14/12.  We didn't pick up as we don't give a rat's a*** for politcal "surveys" or whatever scam they are running.  Cretins.  "PO America" may as well stand for "Pissed Off America".

Received a call on my cell phone.  I am on the No Call Registry.  Very annoying.

STOP CALLING MY CELL PHONE !!!

They do polling for political groups it was 3 questions
1) How are democrats in congress handling the economy  
2) How are republicans  in congress handling the economy  
3) How is President bama handling the economy  

Needless to say they all got bad marks

Did not answer.

This company is bending the rules on the do not call list. The do not call list does not apply to political surveys so they say that if you take their survey, you get two tickets to a cruise.

Telemarketer picked up my cell phone number when visiting Seattle area at SeaTac airport,,,thanks no call list!

Called my cell on 4/15, I answered and it was some Political crap, I hung up.

Ah, were it only so simple! I have gotten this call from at least 4 different phone numbers so far. They have never used the same number more than twice. That's one of the many tricks these con artists use.

Almost all telemarketers keep changing their number, so you can't filter their calls. They want you to answer and ask to be put on their do not call list. Once they have your ear, they try to rope you in.

I'm suspicious. Getting your ear is the first goal of any telemarketer. Telemarketers are professional con artists. They want your ear so they can rope you in.

Fed up: Do you work for the telemarketers? Are you trying to get us to talk to them, so they can scam us? Don't most people know that you should never talk to them in the first place?

Besides this is obviously a scam. These are not nice people. Real pollsters don't pay people for participating in a survey. That would bias the results.

I did answer and an automated voice said it was from "Political Opinions of America" with a survey about the debt issue and offered a free cruise from "Caribbean Cruise" in Florida. Asked 4 questions me about who was handling the debt issue best with a rating from 1 to 5 (5 being the best). After it transfers you to someone who tells you about the cruise and is eager to get your credit card info. I tell them I am no interested and hang up.

called 3 times on my cell within 90 minutes. No voicemail left ...

I got the call yesterday.  I also, did not answer it.  They left no message.  Now I know it was a telemarketer or something.  How did they get our number????  Isn't it great to have a computer to check on these things!!!!!

Received call from this number with no message left.

Like most of the post here say... this is a SCAM!!! And an old one at that!!! No free cruise (no such animal exists), no real survey (it's fake - 30 seconds/3 questions? Come on now!), not a political call!  By attempting to pass themselves off as a survey, as some have pointed out, they are attempting to circumvent do not call laws!!!!

Here's a link that says it all:

http://blog.stupidhead.org/2012/03/29/political-opinions-of-america/

"Political Opinions of America begin with a political survey and then offer for free a cruise from Caribbean Cruise Lines that you have to pay for. These cruises are provided by Celebration Cruise Lines. These scumbags masquerade as a political organization to get past the TCPA, the FTC and FCC. They call, try to get you to take a ? political survey? so they can try and sell you a cruise.

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-954-567-9353

   ?you answer a quick survey, then they tell you to please hold for Carnival Cruises, then they go on about a lovely vacation in the Bahamas, and it?s completely FREE, however, they need your credit card to pay for the taxes?

These folks hide their identity and are not licensed in any jurisdiction I can find with the DBA?s Political Opinions of America or POA and their ?Legal Counsel? conveniently refuses to accept service for any legal action against them.  Their domain registration is cloaked and their website has no contact information. "

...
Some of the phone numbers these scumbags use (including this one we're all reporting here):
"Just some of the telephone numbers these people have used to call people.

202-599-8502, 202-644-8398, 212-626-6934, 213-289-9006, 213-550-3070, 253-382-9076, 312-273-9060, 312-273-9325, 425-658-8952, 425-658-8994, 480-535-5818, 480-535-5930, 484-483-5222, 502-632-4428, 502-873-0246, 503-457-1194, 503-468-5012, 503-468-5198, 508-468-5012, 516-841-6535, 800-417-9257, 802-552-8012, 802-922-9756, 917-217-9562, 954-567-9353, 971-220-1118, 971-220-1183, 971-220-1262, 202-599-8480, 202-599-8535, 202-599-8630, 202-599-8470"

plus, this also might help.  It's a link to some class action lawyers who are investigating these A**holes!!! And although it's a class action ... remember, it's the principle here ... to get these sick b*st*rds to stop calling us! The more sign on the bigger it will be.  If there's more out there, with other lawyers, filing class action suits as well ... this could break these pigs!!!

http://www.shulaw.com/About-Us/Investigations ... ons-of-America/

"We are currently investigating The Berkley Group, Inc.?s violation of the Federal Communications Commission?s Do Not Call List, which prohibits unsolicited commercial phone calls to any number that is on the Do Not Call List.  We are conducting this investigation with the aim of potentially bringing a class action against this company and some of its affiliated companies.  We believe these companies make unsolicited calls, purportedly as a political opinion poll being conducted by ?Political Opinions of America.?  Then, one is offered a ?free? cruise, which is really designed to expose people to sales pitches for vacation timeshares.  If you received such a call, you may have a claim against these companies, whether or not you paid them any money. "

http://www.shulaw.com/submit.php

"Political Opinions of America" and "EFA Survey Group" are the same entity/illegal scam operation ... their sites are exactly identical and only the 'name' is different.  But they are the same!!!

http://efaresearch.org/

http://www.politicalopinionsofamerica.org/index.aspx

The list on their survey page is a long one, one that 30 seconds/3 questions wouldn't be long enough for and far longer than a mere 3 questions at that!

on both these stes there's this:
"In some of surveys conducted promotions and giveaways may be available on certain survey campaigns to offer additional incentives for survey takers. Some of he current programs includes cruise and vacation offers as well as gift card giveaway."

and from my last post there's this:

http://www.efgresearch.com/

"DISCLAIMER: ID THEFT & ROBO CALL SCAM "US DEBT SURVEY" - FBI CLAIM - 01/10/12"

http://www.enterprisestrategygroup.com/about-esg/

"About ESG
IMPORTANT NOTE: A company using the name ?ESG Research? is soliciting customers to take a phone survey to win a trip to the Bahamas. That is NOT Enterprise Strategy Group. We apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced, but ESG does NOT engage in these practices.
Message from the Founder "

On Caller ID they once fraudualantly tried claiming to be ESG Research ... an IT company, and one time mistakenly though to be EFG Research... hense these disclaimers and warnings!!!!

Smells fishy doesn't it? More like decaying fish washed up on dry land that has been there for days!!!

They called my cellphone and I didn't answer. Called back and it was a political survey. The automated response asked me to press 1 if I'd like tone taken off the list. Hope it work!

whocalled

I got a call 9 hours ago, did not pick up... just called it after reading posts here.. answering machine came on stating the survey time was up.. but press 1 to be removed permanently... let's hope it works!

I received call fr that # today and didn't answer. I am curious to know for those who press 1, if that is actually confirming that it is a valid #. Have you received more calls from #s like that?

Robocall from "Ann" with "Political Opinions of America" with a fake survey on "our nation's debt crisis" after which I would win a "free" cruise to the Bahamas.  THIS IS A SCAM!  Do not fall for it!  

Do not press any number to have your number removed because you're only confirming that your number is real.  Do not fill out any form on their new fake website because you're giving them even more of your personal information.  Just ignore them.  They are crooks!  

Remember, the survey is fake and the cruise is not free.  If you give them your credit or debit card number, kiss your money goodbye because you will never see a penny of it back from these thieves!

Block the number if your phone has that capability.  Add them to your phone's address book under SCAM so that you never waste your cell phone minutes on them again.  You'll have to do this more than once because they're spoofing dozens of different phone numbers from all over the country.  

Immediately report all calls like this to www.donotcall.gov.