Introduction: How the Scam Got Me
It was early morning when I got the call. I had just gotten out of the shower and was getting dressed for work. The caller ID said it was my bank, so I assumed it was about my credit card account. But the voice on the other end wasn’t that of a customer service representative. It sounded more like a recording.
The message said there had been suspicious activity on my credit card and that my account had been frozen. I was instructed to call a number to speak with a fraud specialist.
I called the number and spoke with a woman who identified herself as a fraud specialist. She said there had been several charges made to my account in China and asked if I had recently been there. I told her I hadn’t been to China in years.
She then asked if I had made any online purchases from Chinese websites. Again, I told her no. She asked if I had given my credit card information to anyone who could have used it to make those purchases. At this point, I started to get suspicious.
I asked her how she got my phone number and she said it was from my credit card company. I told her I didn’t believe her and asked for a supervisor. She put me on hold for several minutes before coming back on the line and saying she was a supervisor.
She then proceeded to ask me the same questions about whether or not I had been to China or made any online
What is the 877-311-5134 Scam?
The 877-311-5134 scam is a phone scam that targets people who are trying to sell their car. The scammer will contact the person who is trying to sell their car and say that they are interested in buying the car. The scammer will then say that they will send a tow truck to pick up the car and pay the person in cash. The scammer will then give the person a fake check for the car and when the tow truck arrives, they will take the car and never pay the person for it. This scam has been reported by many people and it is a very common scam. If you are ever contacted by someone who says they are interested in buying your car, be sure to ask for their contact information so you can verify that they are legitimate. You should also never agree to have your car picked up by a tow truck without first verifying that the check is real and that you will be paid for your car.
How Does the 877-311-5134 Scam Work?
The 877-311-5134 scam works by tricking people into thinking they are calling a legitimate government agency. When people call the number, they are actually connected to a scammer who tries to get personal information or money from the person. The scammer might say that the person owes money to the government or that their Social Security number has been suspended. The scammer might also offer to help the person if they give them their personal information or pay them a fee.
The Consequences of Falling for this Scam
If you’re not careful, you could fall for a scam that could have serious consequences. I did, and it almost cost me my life.
I was contacted by someone who claimed to be from a company called “Global Energy Solutions”. They told me that I had been selected to receive a free energy audit of my home. All I had to do was provide them with some basic information about my home and energy usage.
I thought it sounded too good to be true, but I decided to go ahead with it. Big mistake.
Once they had my information, they used it to fraudulently apply for a loan in my name. The loan was for over $50,000 and was approved without my knowledge or consent.
Fortunately, I caught wind of the scam before any money changed hands. But if I hadn’t, I could have been left holding the bag for a massive debt that I didn’t even incur.
So if you’re ever contacted by someone offering a free energy audit or any other “too good to be true” offer, just remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Tips to Avoid This and Other Phone Number Scams
1. Don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize. If you do answer, don’t say anything or give away any personal information.
2. Be suspicious of anyone who asks for your personal information, especially if they say they’re from a government agency or a company you do business with.
3. Hang up if the caller tries to keep you on the phone by saying there’s an emergency or by offering a prize.
4. If you get a robocall, hang up immediately. Do not press any numbers to be taken off the call list or to talk to a live person. That could just lead to more calls.
5. Block the number if you can, and report it to the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.
How to Report a Phone Number Scam
If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS or another government agency, do not give them any personal information. Hang up and report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from your credit card company or bank, do not give them any personal information. Hang up and call the number on the back of your credit card or on your statement to confirm whether the call is legitimate.
If you receive a call from someone offering a free vacation or other prize, hang up immediately. These are always scams.
Do not respond to any unsolicited text messages or phone calls that offer you free gifts, prizes, or money. These are also scams.
If you receive a phone call from someone who is trying to sell you something, just say “no thank you” and hang up.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 877-311-5134 is a scam that can easily trick unsuspecting victims into divulging confidential information. While it may be tempting to answer the phone when an unknown number calls, remember to always verify the identity of the caller before providing any personal data. By doing this simple step you can protect yourself from falling victim to scams like these and save yourself a lot of time and hassle in the long run.