A young woman called me by phone the other day, asking if I had enjoyed using the ADT security system connected to my house over the past three years. I told her I didn’t use ADT. She asked if I was sure. I said, “Of course, I’m sure. I don’t use a security system.” She thanked me and hung up. When I told my son later about my conversation, he said that I should have said nothing. Is he right?
Your son might be correct. The caller might have been fishing for information regarding the security features of your home. From a short exchange, the caller now knows that you did not have a security system at the time they called you.
This is an example of a very creative phone scam in which the caller conducts what seems like a general followup regarding a service or product, but in reality is seeking answers to pointed questions. If you have any doubts as to the genuine nature of the caller, do not engage in the conversation and simply hang up the phone. If you want to verify the call, you can contact the company directly and ask them if they were instructed to contact you.
Contributor: Kerry Peck