Read Examples of Phoney Telemarketing Calls

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What sounds like a routine administrative phone call to your office can really be a carefully designed script to hook you into accepting services and products you never ordered, or getting further information to be used to draw you into a future scam. Ask yourself: "How would I respond?"

Example One: The Fraudster Successfully Scams!

Mike has allowed a fraudulent shipment to come into the company, because he never questioned what was supposedly ordered by a former employee.

Receptionist: Hello, Global Petro 10 Corporation.

Telemarketer: Good morning, may I speak with Brad?

Receptionist: I’m sorry, he’s no longer with the company.

Telemarketer: Oh, I’m sorry. I need to confirm delivery of a pre-authorized shipment that he placed. Could you please tell me who has replaced him, or who looks after your office equipment?

Receptionist: Sure, that would be Mike Sanderson. Would you like me to put you through?

Telemarketer: Yes, please.

Mike: Global, Mike Sanderson speaking.

Telemarketer: Hello, Mike, this is Claire from Canada 1st Rate Office Services. How are you doing today?

Mike: Fine thanks.

Telemarketer: Mike, this is just a quick call. I was speaking with Brad a few weeks ago about a shipment of paper for your 5570 Printer/Copier and he had ordered a case to be shipped by March 3. Unfortunately, we’ve had some shipping problems and there will be a delay, so I just wanted to let you know.

Mike: Oh...okay...So what’s the new date?

Telemarketer: Once I confirm your current information, we can courier them today, so they can be at your office by tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Our shipping and quality control department will be calling you to confirm delivery information in a few minutes.

Mike: Okay.

Telemarketer: Okay, now the invoice is $149.00 plus shipping and GST. So now, since Brad has left the company, do I need a PO from you, or shall we just send the invoice to your attention?

Mike: My attention is fine.

Telemarketer: And you last name is "S-A-N-D-E-R-S-O-N?"

Mike: That’s it.

Telemarketer: Thank you. You’ll be hearing from our shipping department in a few minutes. Thanks for your time.

Mike: Okay - thanks!

Mike hangs up.

Following this initial call, the shipping department calls, confirms the address and invoice.

Receptionist: Good morning, Global Petro 10 Corporation.

Shipper: Good morning, may I please speak to Mike Sanderson?

Receptionist: One moment please.

Mike: Global, Mike Sanderson speaking.

Shipper: Hello Mr. Sanderson, this is Joe from Canada 1st Rate Office Services. You were just speaking with Claire from our Customer Service Department about your paper shipment?

Mike: Yes, I was.

Shipper: Okay, I’m just calling to arrange new shipment details. So you’re aware, this call may be recorded for quality control purposes.

Mike: Okay.

Shipper: Are you still at Suite 300, 334 Centre Street?

Mike: Yes.

Shipper: So we should have your shipment out to you by courier for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, is that fine?

Mike: Yes.

Shipper: Thank you very much. Have a nice day.

Mike: Thanks, bye.

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Example Two: The Fraudster Gets Shut Down on the Call!

Here, the Receptionist cautiously warns the employee before he gets the call, and he gets a heads-up. Then he handles the call correctly.

Receptionist: Hello, Global Petro 10 Corporation.

Telemarketer: Good Morning, may I speak with Brad?

Receptionist: I’m sorry; he’s no longer with the company.

Telemarketer: Oh, I’m sorry. Well, I need to confirm delivery of a pre-authorized shipment that he placed. Could you please tell me who has replaced him, or who it is that looks after your office equipment?

Receptionist: One moment.

The Receptionist places the Telemarketer on hold and calls Mike Sanderson, the new employee who has replaced Brad.

Mike: Hello, Mike Sanderson.

Receptionist: Mike, there’s someone on the line calling about office supplies, asking for Brad. They’re asking about some "pre-authorized" shipment. I’m thinking it could be one of those scams. Just to give you a heads-up.

Mike: Thanks. Well, put it through, and I’ll figure it out.

The Receptionist hangs up with Mike and gets back to the Telemarketer.

Receptionist: Ok, that would be Mike Sanderson. Would you like me to put you through?

Telemarketer: Yes, please.

Mike: Global, Mike Sanderson speaking.

Telemarketer: Hello, Mike, this is Claire from Canada 1st Rate Office Services. How are you doing today?

Mike: Fine thanks.

Telemarketer: Mike, this is just a quick call. I was speaking with Brad Smithers a few weeks ago about a pre-authorized shipment of paper for your 5570 Printer/Copier and he requested a delivery date of March 3. Unfortunately, we’ve had some shipping problems and there will be a delay, so I just wanted to let you know and confirm your shipping details.

Mike: Well, I’ll need to see a copy of the order Brad signed before confirming any shipment.

Telemarketer: Well, I can put in a request to fax you that document right away, but I do have a call record stating he ordered the shipment ordered a case of 48 paper kerfs for your 5570 to be delivered by March 3 for a special one-time price of $149. We’re just looking for a basic confirmation of shipping details.

Mike: Again, I need to see the document Brad signed before confirming any shipment.

Telemarketer: Okay, I’m sure I can get you that documentation, but this shipment is already on its way so I just need to know to whose attention it must go.

Mike: Regardless, I will not accept shipments to my attention unless I ordered them. Again, I need to see the documentation first, we do not agree to purchases over the phone.

Telemarketer: Well, once we track down the proper documents, we can certainly send them through. However, if you do not accept the shipment, there will be restocking and return shipping charges amounting to uhhhh... $108.50+ GST ... so with that being worth $149.00 at this special price, it does make more sense simply to accept the shipment.

Mike: Look Miss, you cannot charge us fees for something we never ordered. We do not pay invoices like that. And if you persist, we will report your company to the Competition Bureau.

Telemarketer: I’m sorry you feel that way sir. Have a nice day.

Mike: Goodbye.

Mike contacts the Competition Bureau to report the suspicious call.