Scam Scanner

By Angela Hatcher
WSLS10 Reporter/Anchor
Published: February 25, 2008

A phone scam to warn you about.

One we don’t want you or your family to fall for.

We’ve been telling you for years, never give your personal information over the phone.  One WSLS viewer has been listening to our message.

In 10 On Your Side Consumer Watch, the bizarre phone call he got from someone claiming to be with the government.  Howard Beasley told the caller he was being recorded, but the man didn’t hang up.

The caller said, “I’m a representative of the United States Banking commission and by mistake we took $481 out of your checking account.”, says Howard Beasley.

Howard Beasley started recording.click here to hear it

Howard:  The government cannot take money out of your account.  So I know this is nothing but a scam.

For ten minutes, an extremely persistent man tried everything he could think of to get Howard’s account number, the man said to give back the money.

Caller: What’s your bank account number?
Howard: If you got it out, you’ve got the number. 
Caller: Please verify me your account number. 
Howard: No way. 
Caller:  Please verify me your account number. 
Howard: No way. 
Caller: You don’t want the money?  You don’t want your money? 
Howard:  I don’t want to be scammed. 
Caller:  Sir, you are not a scam.  You have no right to talk to me like that. 
Howard:  I can tell you to take the $480 dollars and shove it up your *** that’s what I can tell you.

The tape continues to roll as the caller spits out Howard’s address and threatens to pay him an unwelcome visit.

Caller:  I’m just coming within two days with two FBI agents, OK. 
Howard: Well, you come down here with two FBI agents.
Howard:  I’ll have them same two FBI agents on you. 
Caller:  OK, you just wait and watch.  I’m coming within two days. 
Howard:  Well, you bring ‘em here.  I’ve got a 357.  I’ll put your name on it.

Howard says every time the phone rings and it sounds funny, he rolls.  Howard says one caller was actually so persistent trying to get his Social Security number that he had to flip the tape over to continue recording the conversation.

This time, “He hung up before most of ‘em would.”, says Beasley.  “They just argue with me and I have a good time with ‘em.”

But determined until the end, this is one of the last things the caller has to say.

“So what is the account number in which you need your money back?”

There are no reports filed about calls like this, but Howard tells us a friend of his got the same call and just hung up.

The Better Business bureau says that’s what you should do.

Howard says he recorded it because he wanted to help people by putting it on the news.

Click here for the entire 10 minute conversation: