You may have received this call just once or several times, often in the evening or on the weekend. A female recorded voice instructs you to press the number “1” if you want to lower your credit card interest. Following her instructions connects you with a live operator who offers to reduce your interest rate after you provide information on your outstanding balance, credit card number, bank customer service number, and other information in order to “verify” your account. The offer to lower your interest rate requires a fee of several hundred dollars, charged soon after to the credit card account that you’ve provided information on. The caller actually has no connection to your credit card company, or power to lower your interest rate.
Many consumers have lost money as a result of “phishing” schemes such as this one. In an effort to stop the calls and shut down the scam, consumers report complaining to their telephone company, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and government agencies without satisfactory resolution or cessation of the phone calls. If you are the victim of harassing calls and have not been able to recover money lost to phishing schemes, please contact us immediately to discuss your legal options.