Charles,

Although I've not been contacted by this particular "lady," I've had
similar calls in the past.

My question is:  If you recognize the sinister objective of the
call--either while on the line or shortly thereafter, why isn't there
something you can do to identify and catch the caller?  Don't current
telephone company technologies track calls, and why aren't these
technologies used to nail such callers?

I have an elderly parent who gets such calls.  Although $2 or $5 doesn't
sound like much to a modern scam artist, the main thing that protects my
Dad is his remembering when he worked from sunrise to sunset for $1 a day.

>>Hi Folks,
>>        I had a nice conversation with a lady last night who said I was a
>>finalist
>>for a clearinghouse sweepstakes.  I was asked if I would like a Men's or
>>Women's diamond studded watch that would be sent free to me ( I went with
>>the ladies to score some extra wife points)  and which of 4 free
>>subscriptions I would like.  She was able to read lots of titles from lots
>>of genres and I picked what I wanted.  She then told me that they wanted to
>>increase circulation of weekly journals in this area and listed several to
>>pick from.  As she was about to hang up, she recapped my choices saying they
>>could be changed at any time and were free... except for the weekly
>>publication which was only 2 dollars a month.  and there you have it.  SCAM!
>>
>>Don't pay money to unsolicited telephone calls.  (Even if it is just
>>$2.00/month they can take your credit card number and charge whatever they
>>like.  They're CROOKS remember?)
>>
>>Don't give out personal information   (She already had my name and address
>>and telephone number.  Don't let that fool you.  Anyone can get that from
>>the telephone book or Internet.)
>>
>>She was very friendly, she talked about her brother, enjoying here boat,
>>wanting to come up to Chattanooga to help award this prize check to me.
>>(Of course she is friendly, how else will she hope to lull you into giving
>>her your credit info?)
>>
>>
>>"If it sounds to good to be true it probably is"
>>
>>...I wonder if she knew I was on the TN and National do not call list???
>>
>>This has been a public service announcement
>>CTH
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>Charles T. Hart M.Ed.
>>Walker Teaching Resource Center
>>Senior Instructional Developer
>>University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
>>615 McCallie Avenue, 401B Hunter Hall
>>Chattanooga, TN  37403
>>423-425-4002 (voice)423-425-4025 (fax)
>
>
>

Maurice E. Edwards, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. #2653
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
615 McCallie Avenue,
Chattanooga, TN  37403-2598

Telephone: (423) 425-4341;  (423) 425-4299--Desk
FAX:  423-425-2285