First off, I don’t answer my cell phone if I don’t know the number calling.  I quit answering when I didn’t know the number years ago because when I first got my number I kept getting calls from people trying to reach the previous number or sell me stuff.  I figure if the caller really wants to talk to me they will leave a message.

I’m never going to know who the 000-0000 number is because I will never answer the phone and they will never leave a message.

It’s probably a telemarketer or someone vishing.  Vishing is phone based phising where someone calls you or you get a recorded message that tries to get you to give up personal information.

I’m not interested in buying anything from a telemarketer nor do I plan to give personal information out over the phone to someone I don’t know.  If the 000-0000 caller is in either group than they are wasting their time on me.

Another possibility is that the person is using the internet to call me.  I don’t think this is likely, though, because if it was someone I knew they would leave a message.

Anyway, if you ever get a call from any area code 000-0000 then don’t answer.  It’s 90% likely that the caller wants to sell you something or steal your identity.

Be aware, I don’t blame the company at all for these e-mails. This company’s reputation is basically being attacked by these jerks. I’m including it so that if anyone else gets a similar e-mail they’ll know that it’s junk and delete it.

I’m also posting this because the fraudulent asses are really pressing the “Danger! Fraud!” angle to try to legitimize their pitch.

The subject for this e-mail was “IMPORTANT NOTICE! PLEASE READ! “PHISHING” ALERT”

This is the e-mail

IMPORTANT NOTICE! PLEASE READ! “PHISHING” ALERT

Recently, members of the Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. received a phony email which looks as if it was sent by Susquehanna, and directing them to a web site that is a counterfeit copy of the real Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. web site. There, members were asked to input their credit card numbers and PIN. DO NOT DIVULGE THIS INFORMATION!

We will never send you an email asking for this sensitive information, which, by the way, we already have. The email itself is not harmful, and can safely be deleted like any other piece of junk email. Authorities are currently working to shut down the counterfeit site, which is located overseas. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter!

For your security, your account has been temporarily locked out of the system. You will not be able to make purchases with your card while this lock is in place. Please call customer service line at 1-800-643-1651 for further assistance.

Copyright © 2008 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. | Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. 26 N. Cedar Street Lititz, PA 17543-7000

The address and the company both are legitimate. They are the only things in the e-mail that are legitimate. The phone number is not a Susquehanna Bancshares, In. number. That was easily verified by going to the company’s website.

The website has a warning about phishing attempts and actually provides a good deal of information about various ways people might try to steal your identity. Susquehanna also asks that if you get any e-mails claiming to be from them to forward them to reportfraud@susquehanna.net.

If you get an e-mail like this from a company that you do business with, don’t call the number in the e-mail. Find a statement from the company and get the number from the statement. That way you know the number is legitimate. If you get a phone call making a similar claim don’t give the caller any information. Once again, you want to get a bill and get the number from there to call back.

Sadly, we can’t trust anyone these days. Too many assholes are out there trying to steal other people’s identities.

Technorati Tags: vishing