I had someone tell me they were from the Detroit Taxation Centre, looking for employment information on someone at my place of employment. Turns out that it was an ex husband looking for income information on his ex wife. Is this fraudulant? What are the laws regarding this? could someone please respond?
0
Wrkin60hrs
For the past week (June 21st - 28th, 2009) an Idian sounding man called my cell number he told me he was from the IRS and that they are giving away Grants for $5,100 to people who pay their taxes each & every year & who were over 21. I could use the money for anything, except Drugs & booze. He said this vebatum, obviously off something scripted. This is about the calls i just recieved today. Yes, i said callS, 3 just today. The first 2 came in while driving into work, i simply told the joker to call me back in an hour, twice, I am still driving over here. By the 3rd call I was ready to sit down & have a looong chat with this character. My goal now is just had to find out 2 things. #1 How much of my personal Info they had, & how much of it was correct & #2 How would they take the same type of questioning from me. Asking them anything off the script was a complete disaster, you could just picture the guy sittin there in his li'l cubicle scanning the faded script for the answer to your question of 'So wut is ur badge ID#? When he was silent, you could clearly hear 300 other people speaking the same broken english in the room having the same conversation with other people in the world. i simply asked to speak to his boss. This new guy on the phone now spoke ok english, or maybe he was only good at reciting the script. cause when Well, He had my SS#, date of birth, home address, and an old WAMU Checking Accnt # (the closed account # he had hadn't been used fer a tax refund since 2007 & now its CHASE Bank, who in this country doesn't know that?) & wanting me to verify the info twice. Although the 2nd time thru, i changed up the answers to my date of birth, ssn,& Address. He began reading the script again, asking me to do a verify recording thing for my checking info, I told him sure, and I asked him for a number so i could verify it was the IRS, he said his badge # is IRS7981 that I would get all the info during the recording. It started off asking me to state all the previously mentioned info. Name, DoB, SSN#... During the call he would push a key on his side to goto the next question, or if he didnt like your answer he could & would push the key to repeat the question. i found this rather annoying because they took no steps @ all to reduce the sound a phone makes when you depress a key. It was much like talking to a very slow fax machine. ... at this point when they asked me to state SSN# i was silent, & he must have pushed that key 7 or 8 times, but i just let it play, music to my ears, i was even be-boxin on da mike by the time he was done & had accidently went to the next part cause it then asked for my phone number, all the while he was still pushing the repeat button, until he also heard it asking fer the next question. i attempted to act like i was answering, & stated 'iam tryin to answer your questions here, but ya got this guy on here playin on the phone.' this stopped him from pushing the keys, but now he tried to talk over his own recording which was recording him yellin at me. I simply scoffed at him and let the recording continue to play. the next part was for me to verify that i wanted some fake medical insurance that would cost a debit of $297.00. Aaaah, BINGO. thats wut they want you to verify right there. i said 'Nope' as he hit repeat several more times, again after his several pushes, it went to the next part, which only played once... it gave me a phone #, which i am missin the last digit for, but that only leaves 10 variations. 1-866-442-417?
... there were several times during the recording i heard him say that he could not hang up, yet when the last part played, it did indeed, hang up.
0
Info
I got the company info on Easton Consulting Group
2009-10-05 LE REGISTRAIRE DES ENTREPRISES H:22:06:34 SYSTÈME CIDREQ
R-PU-U03-1 ÉTAT DES INFORMATIONS SUR UNE ENTREPRISE INDIVIDUELLE INFORMATIONS GÉNÉRALES ======================
MATRICULE: 2247575691 NOM: STACEY, MICHAEL SPENCER
IMMATRICULATION : 1998-03-31 DERN DÉCL ANNL : 2009-02-12 2009 MAJ ÉTAT INFO : 2008-04-18 CESSATION PRÉVUE: STATUT IMMATR : IM IMMATRICULÉ 1998-04-23 TRANCHES EMPLOYÉ: AUCUN
0001 NOM ADRESSE ====================================== ====================================== SERVICES DE SÉCURITÉ MAXIMUM BP 515 KAHNAWAKE QC
J0L1B0 ÉTABLISSEMENT PRINC : NON DATE DE DÉBUT UTIL NOM: 2000-03-29 DATE DÉBUT: 2000-03-29 DATE DE FIN UTIL NOM : 2001-09-10 DATE FIN : 2001-09-10
ACTIVITÉS ÉCONOMIQUES DE L'ÉTABLISSEMENT ======================================== 5991 VENTE DE PRODUITS DE SÉCURITÉ
0002 NOM ADRESSE ====================================== ====================================== STACEY ENTERPRISES TERRITOIRE MOHAWK CASE POSTALE 1876 KAHNAWAKE (QUÉBEC) J0L1B0 ÉTABLISSEMENT PRINC : OUI DATE DE DÉBUT UTIL NOM: 2006-04-18 DATE DÉBUT: 2006-04-18 DATE DE FIN UTIL NOM : DATE FIN :
ACTIVITÉS ÉCONOMIQUES DE L'ÉTABLISSEMENT ======================================== 3199 REBATIR ÉQUIPEMENTS D'EMPAQUETAGE 3199 RÉPARER ÉQUIPEMENTS D'EMPALLAGE ACTIVITÉ À DÉCLARATION OBLIGATOIRE TA VENTE DE TABAC AU DÉTAIL- (001) DATE DE RECEPTION : 2006-02-27 DATE MAJ : 2006-04-18
DOCUMENTS CONSERVÉS =====================
TYPE DOCUMENTS DATE CAST IMAGE ===================================================== ========== ===== =======
U.S. STUDENT CAPITAL 2005-08-04 2007-08-29 ANTÉRIE
Please notice they use : US Student Capital + FAST FUNDS both seem to be some kind of `grant`.
The Champlain address has been used by other fraudsters from Montreal.
0
tj
The pattern of these scam calls matches reported complaints against several Montreal-based fraudulent telemarketing operations.
They have been known to have access to old US consumer information, often including bank account number or identity information, and have used it to run through unauthorized charges for fake "medical insurance" for amounts around $300, even with no actual telephone contact. (Look up, for example, "Medcare RX", "RX Smart", and "Discount Medical Services" complaints on this site.)
Montreal telemarketing scammers are known to engage in multiple scams, which would fit first attempting to pull an "IRS Grant" scam, followed by moving on to the "fake medical insurance" scam. Other scams they are reported to engage in include "fake lottery" scams, and "advance fee" loan scams, although the latter typically involve wiring "fees" via Western Union, while these scammers appears to have access to the payment processing systems allowing charges to be made directly to checking accounts (presumably ACH).
Indian accents are commonly reported in connection with complaints against these scammers.
0
tj
There are most likely state laws against falsely claiming to be with a government agency. Your Attorney General or local District Attorney may be of help.
Using false statements to obtain financial or similar information is called "pretexting".
It is illegal under U.S. law (and probably a number of state laws) to use false and deceptive statements (instead of, say, a court order) to attempt to obtain financial information from institutions on their customers. This specifically covers banks, phone companies, even debt collectors.
It may cover employers. Both income information and account information (such as used for direct deposits) would probably be covered, but check with your state employment department or the US Department of Labor.
Other federal laws (HIPPA) cover medical privacy, and hospital personnel have been caught in violation in cases involving celebrity patients.
There have also been cases of ex's illegally accessing credit files, and being sued for violations of FCRA when the plaintiff found the inquiry on their credit report.
HP's Board of Directors got caught in a mess a few years back using a PI agency that used pretexting to get phone information on board members suspected of leaking information. Following that incident, phone pretexting laws were tightened up.
You might want to consult with a labor law attorney for advice on what your company policy should be in handling employee inquires, and specifically how you should handle fraudulent inquiries, to comply with both state and federal law.
I suspect you may have a duty to report the incident.
Note, I am a "student of history", NOT an attorney.
Comments
This is about the calls i just recieved today. Yes, i said callS, 3 just today.
The first 2 came in while driving into work, i simply told the joker to call me back in an hour, twice, I am still driving over here.
By the 3rd call I was ready to sit down & have a looong chat with this character.
My goal now is just had to find out 2 things. #1 How much of my personal Info they had, & how much of it was correct & #2 How would they take the same type of questioning from me. Asking them anything off the script was a complete disaster, you could just picture the guy sittin there in his li'l cubicle scanning the faded script for the answer to your question of 'So wut is ur badge ID#? When he was silent, you could clearly hear 300 other people speaking the same broken english in the room having the same conversation with other people in the world. i simply asked to speak to his boss.
This new guy on the phone now spoke ok english, or maybe he was only good at reciting the script. cause when
Well, He had my SS#, date of birth, home address, and an old WAMU Checking Accnt # (the closed account # he had hadn't been used fer a tax refund since 2007 & now its CHASE Bank, who in this country doesn't know that?) & wanting me to verify the info twice. Although the 2nd time thru, i changed up the answers to my date of birth, ssn,& Address.
He began reading the script again, asking me to do a verify recording thing for my checking info, I told him sure, and I asked him for a number so i could verify it was the IRS, he said his badge # is IRS7981 that I would get all the info during the recording.
It started off asking me to state all the previously mentioned info. Name, DoB, SSN#...
During the call he would push a key on his side to goto the next question, or if he didnt like your answer he could & would push the key to repeat the question. i found this rather annoying because they took no steps @ all to reduce the sound a phone makes when you depress a key. It was much like talking to a very slow fax machine.
... at this point when they asked me to state SSN# i was silent, & he must have pushed that key 7 or 8 times, but i just let it play, music to my ears, i was even be-boxin on da mike by the time he was done & had accidently went to the next part cause it then asked for my phone number, all the while he was still pushing the repeat button, until he also heard it asking fer the next question.
i attempted to act like i was answering, & stated 'iam tryin to answer your questions here, but ya got this guy on here playin on the phone.'
this stopped him from pushing the keys, but now he tried to talk over his own recording which was recording him yellin at me. I simply scoffed at him and let the recording continue to play.
the next part was for me to verify that i wanted some fake medical insurance that would cost a debit of $297.00.
Aaaah, BINGO. thats wut they want you to verify right there. i said 'Nope' as he hit repeat several more times, again after his several pushes, it went to the next part, which only played once...
it gave me a phone #, which i am missin the last digit for, but that only leaves 10 variations. 1-866-442-417?
... there were several times during the recording i heard him say that he could not hang up, yet when the last part played, it did indeed, hang up.
2009-10-05 LE REGISTRAIRE DES ENTREPRISES
H:22:06:34 SYSTÈME CIDREQ
R-PU-U03-1 ÉTAT DES INFORMATIONS SUR UNE ENTREPRISE INDIVIDUELLE
INFORMATIONS GÉNÉRALES
======================
MATRICULE: 2247575691 NOM: STACEY, MICHAEL SPENCER
IMMATRICULATION : 1998-03-31
DERN DÉCL ANNL : 2009-02-12 2009
MAJ ÉTAT INFO : 2008-04-18
CESSATION PRÉVUE:
STATUT IMMATR : IM IMMATRICULÉ 1998-04-23
TRANCHES EMPLOYÉ: AUCUN
ADRESSE DOMICILE: BOX 1876 CODE POSTAL: J0L 1B0
KAHNAWAKE (QUÉBEC)
ACTIVITÉS ÉCONOMIQUES
=====================
3199 REBATIR ÉQUIPEMENTS D'EMPAQUETAGES USAGÉES
3199 RÉPARATION ET ENTRETIEN D'ÉQUIPEMENTS D'EMBALLAGE
ADRESSE POSTALE
===============
DESTINATAIRE :
ADRESSE : CODE POSTAL:
ÉTABLISSEMENTS
==============
0001 NOM ADRESSE
====================================== ======================================
SERVICES DE SÉCURITÉ MAXIMUM BP 515
KAHNAWAKE QC
J0L1B0
ÉTABLISSEMENT PRINC : NON
DATE DE DÉBUT UTIL NOM: 2000-03-29 DATE DÉBUT: 2000-03-29
DATE DE FIN UTIL NOM : 2001-09-10 DATE FIN : 2001-09-10
ACTIVITÉS ÉCONOMIQUES DE L'ÉTABLISSEMENT
========================================
5991 VENTE DE PRODUITS DE SÉCURITÉ
0002 NOM ADRESSE
====================================== ======================================
STACEY ENTERPRISES TERRITOIRE MOHAWK
CASE POSTALE 1876
KAHNAWAKE (QUÉBEC)
J0L1B0
ÉTABLISSEMENT PRINC : OUI
DATE DE DÉBUT UTIL NOM: 2006-04-18 DATE DÉBUT: 2006-04-18
DATE DE FIN UTIL NOM : DATE FIN :
ACTIVITÉS ÉCONOMIQUES DE L'ÉTABLISSEMENT
========================================
3199 REBATIR ÉQUIPEMENTS D'EMPAQUETAGE
3199 RÉPARER ÉQUIPEMENTS D'EMPALLAGE
ACTIVITÉ À DÉCLARATION OBLIGATOIRE
TA VENTE DE TABAC AU DÉTAIL- (001)
DATE DE RECEPTION : 2006-02-27 DATE MAJ : 2006-04-18
DOCUMENTS CONSERVÉS
=====================
TYPE DOCUMENTS DATE CAST IMAGE
===================================================== ========== ===== =======
709E ÉTAT & DÉCLARATION DE RENSEIGNEMENTS 2009 2009-02-12 0 000
108 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2008 2009-02-12 7902 24 034
81 AVIS DE DÉFAUT (art. 29) 2008-10-20 7786 109 031
107 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2007 2008-04-18 7591 42 028
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2008-04-18 7572 14 047
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2008-01-10 7569 3 015
81 AVIS DE DÉFAUT (art. 29) 2007-10-30 7197 77 047
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2007-08-29 7130 6 050
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2007-05-22 7043 9 010
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2007-05-04 7043 1 046
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2007-04-04 7035 50 009
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2007-02-13 7007 8 030
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2007-02-09 7007 6 035
106 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2006 2006-11-28 6975 47 022
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2006-08-28 0 000
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2006-08-18 6795 12 022
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2006-04-18 6674 1 028
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2005-09-20 6435 18 022
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2005-08-04 6409 15 049
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2005-03-09 6266 50 045
105 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2005 2005-02-09 6201 27 043
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2004-04-08 5899 23 041
104 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2004 2004-04-07 5910 23 019
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2003-04-07 5512 21 040
103 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2003 2003-03-11 5461 32 036
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2002-10-08 5268 54 015
102 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2002 2002-01-28 5029 68 001
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2001-09-10 4880 72 049
101 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2001 2001-02-20 4728 63 012
100 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 2000 2000-03-29 4421 51 013
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 2000-03-29 4446 1 006
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 1999-10-08 4230 71 043
199 DÉCLARATION ANNUELLE 1999 1999-02-05 3794 89 021
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 1999-01-19 3785 2 034
19 DÉCLARATION MODIFICATIVE 1998-10-29 6795 14 025
94 DÉCLARATION D'IMMATRICULATION 1998-03-31 3501 19 041
AUTRES NOMS
===========
DATE MAJ INDEX DES NOMS: 2008-04-18
NOM DATE DÉBUT DATE FIN STATUT
====================================== ========== ========== ==========
CHOICE PRODUCTS 2001-09-10 EN VIGUEUR
EL PASO TRADING 2002-10-08 EN VIGUEUR
ENTREPRISES STACEY 1999-01-19 EN VIGUEUR
GLOBAL STATEGIES 2003-04-07 EN VIGUEUR
LES INDUSTRIES KHANATA ENR'G 2005-09-20 EN VIGUEUR
NIVISYS S.A. 2009-02-12 EN VIGUEUR
S.V.I. INTERNATIONAL 2004-04-08 EN VIGUEUR
STACEY ENTERPRISES 1999-01-19 EN VIGUEUR
CHOICE BENEFITS 2001-09-10 2002-10-08 ANTÉRIEUR
CONSUMER MEMBERSHIP SERVICES 1999-10-08 2001-09-10 ANTÉRIEUR
DISTRIMAG 1998-03-31 2002-10-08 ANTÉRIEUR
EASTON CONSULTING GROUP 2006-08-18 2007-05-04 ANTÉRIEUR
EVERTON 2005-08-04 2008-04-18 ANTÉRIEUR
FAST FUNDS 2007-02-09 2008-01-10 ANTÉRIEUR
GLOBAL MEDIA S.S. 1998-10-29 2008-04-18 ANTÉRIEUR
GLOBAL SOLUTIONS 2003-04-07 2004-04-07 ANTÉRIEUR
LIBERTY COMMUNICATIONS 2002-10-08 2005-03-09 ANTÉRIEUR
MAXIMUM SECURITY SERVICES 2000-03-29 2001-09-10 ANTÉRIEUR
NATIVE TERRITORY EXEMPT FROM FRENCH 2007-04-04 2007-08-29 ANTÉRIEUR
LANGUAGE
NATIVE TERRITORY EXEMPT FROM FRENCH 2007-04-04 2007-08-29 ANTÉRIEUR
LAW
NIGHT VISION SYSTEMS (CANADA) 2007-05-22 2008-04-18 ANTÉRIEUR
POTAMIC FIDELITY GROUP 2006-08-28 2006-11-28 ANTÉRIEUR
SERVICES DE SÉCURITÉ MAXIMUM 2000-03-29 2001-09-10 ANTÉRIEUR
SHERWOOD CONSULTANTS 2007-02-13 2007-05-04 ANTÉRIEUR
T.P. FACTORY 1998-10-29 2001-09-10 ANTÉRIEUR
TMC FULFILLMENT 2001-09-10 2003-04-07 ANTÉRIEUR
TMC TRADING 2001-09-10 2003-04-07 ANTÉRIEUR
U.S. STUDENT CAPITAL 2005-08-04 2007-08-29 ANTÉRIE
Please notice they use : US Student Capital + FAST FUNDS both seem to be some kind of `grant`.
The Champlain address has been used by other fraudsters from Montreal.
They have been known to have access to old US consumer information, often including bank account number or identity information, and have used it to run through unauthorized charges for fake "medical insurance" for amounts around $300, even with no actual telephone contact. (Look up, for example, "Medcare RX", "RX Smart", and "Discount Medical Services" complaints on this site.)
Montreal telemarketing scammers are known to engage in multiple scams, which would fit first attempting to pull an "IRS Grant" scam, followed by moving on to the "fake medical insurance" scam. Other scams they are reported to engage in include "fake lottery" scams, and "advance fee" loan scams, although the latter typically involve wiring "fees" via Western Union, while these scammers appears to have access to the payment processing systems allowing charges to be made directly to checking accounts (presumably ACH).
Indian accents are commonly reported in connection with complaints against these scammers.
Using false statements to obtain financial or similar information is called "pretexting".
It is illegal under U.S. law (and probably a number of state laws) to use false and deceptive statements (instead of, say, a court order) to attempt to obtain financial information from institutions on their customers. This specifically covers banks, phone companies, even debt collectors.
For example, GLB covers pretexting of financial institutions:
http://epic.org/privacy/glba/
It may cover employers. Both income information and account information (such as used for direct deposits) would probably be covered, but check with your state employment department or the US Department of Labor.
Other federal laws (HIPPA) cover medical privacy, and hospital personnel have been caught in violation in cases involving celebrity patients.
There have also been cases of ex's illegally accessing credit files, and being sued for violations of FCRA when the plaintiff found the inquiry on their credit report.
HP's Board of Directors got caught in a mess a few years back using a PI agency that used pretexting to get phone information on board members suspected of leaking information. Following that incident, phone pretexting laws were tightened up.
You might want to consult with a labor law attorney for advice on what your company policy should be in handling employee inquires, and specifically how you should handle fraudulent inquiries, to comply with both state and federal law.
I suspect you may have a duty to report the incident.
Note, I am a "student of history", NOT an attorney.