WOW...according to a recent phone call, I'm going to be a multi-millionaire.

[John Schmidt]

The caller was persistent, called twice this morning. First call I hit the "decline" and figured so much for another stupid call. But no...they actually called back within a few seconds so I hit decline again. No call back this time so figured that was it. But no...a couple hours later we went through the same exercise with two calls...both were declined. So, not one to give up I guess, they called back about a half hour ago so this time I answered, I wanted to find out why they're so persistent and what wonderful product are trying to sell...that I don't need or want.

Here's the kicker...the guy isn't selling anything(yeah, right!). Stated he was a rep from PCH and had some good news for me. So I answered with "oh, you're from Publishers Clearing House" to which he said yes. Then told me I'm about to receive something like $7mil plus a new 2022 Mercedes so I told him I have no need for a Mercedes and wondered if I could just give it to my mistress. He laughed and said "if you wish." For clarification, the only mistress I have is sitting out in the garage and like most of them, she loves to be ridden. Didn't tell him she has three legs instead of two.

The entire entourage wants to meet with me at my place between 1300 & 1500 hrs. tomorrow so I asked why would someone or some company suddenly out of the blue decide to gift me with all that money. Supposedly my name was picked from a lotto type drawing of all entrants(which I wasn't one) and they want to be here at the above time slot. I asked why not just pull up, hand me the check and car keys, then leave? Then I added remember that mistress I spoke of, she'll be easy to spot. She'll be the one in blue...with a badge, along with a couple others(one of my apartment complex neighbors). Didn't phase him, said that's fine, they can follow us to your bank where I'll be giving them documents to prove authenticity. Keep in mind, I'm busting a blood vessel trying to keep from laughing but I managed. Said he'll call me at 0830 tomorrow, for what I don't know. I hate starting my day out with BS, guess I'll play along for a while, just know the only information they'll get will be my phone which they already have. I strung him along as much as I wanted but finally hung up, have better things to do. I got my $1200 tax refund, I figure that's the only "windfall" coming my way. 

[Serk]

Not that there was ever any doubt but.....

"Our major winners are notified by mail or in person (at our option) and we never phone ahead to disclose that someone has won a major prize. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House and are asked to send money, pay a fee or pre-pay taxes to enter, collect or claim a sweepstakes prize – STOP – you have not heard from the “real” Publishers Clearing House. The call you received was most likely from a fraudulent sweepstakes scam operation. "

https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection-2/

[Chrisj CMA]

Ya I had one of those calls a couple years ago. They drug it on for hours and at the end of the day they needed me to send a certified bank check for prepayment of taxes. Was a couple thousand dollars. Of course I declined but beware they can be very persuasive

[Jess from VA]

I never talk to these people, it only encourages them.

If you really need to talk to someone, find a neighbor, or go to Walmart.


Speaking of talking to strangers, a buddy and I were taking a nice long ride in the countryside this weekend (over 70*), and we pulled into an old closed party store lot to take a break and figure out where we were.  This ancient old gentleman pulled in in his ancient car.  I asked him if a main crossroad was just up the road, and he said it was, up about 5 miles (I think that's what he said, his speech was mostly unintelligible).

Then he got to the reason he stopped; he said he had bad cataracts and needed a little money to afford his medication for it.  His eyes were so badly clouded over it was amazing he could see at all.  I gave him 5 bux.  My buddy said he never gives to panhandlers and I said neither do I.... but he did give us directions so I helped him out. 

But I don't think his usual medication of cheap wine does sh!t for his cataracts.    

(he was not drunk, or I would not have given him anything)

[John Schmidt]

I knew it was a BS call from the start, but the caller was persistent so I finally picked up. Besides, it was windy and cold out and I'm waiting on parts for the Wing motor so had nothing else to do. I spent 30 yrs. working for the state of Florida, dealing with all kinds of "operators" and listening to their excuses, etc. This guy that called wasn't even in the running, a real novice that kept changing his story with each question I asked. I finally told him I'm hanging up but he wouldn't hear of it so I laid the phone down while I continued browsing on YouTube. Eventually I just hit the red button to end it so I could go back to my rather mundane life...remember, this is Wisconsin in the winter. How bored and mundane can you get?

[old2soon]

I knew it was a BS call from the start, but the caller was persistent so I finally picked up. Besides, it was windy and cold out and I'm waiting on parts for the Wing motor so had nothing else to do. I spent 30 yrs. working for the state of Florida, dealing with all kinds of "operators" and listening to their excuses, etc. This guy that called wasn't even in the running, a real novice that kept changing his story with each question I asked. I finally told him I'm hanging up but he wouldn't hear of it so I laid the phone down while I continued browsing on YouTube. Eventually I just hit the red button to end it so I could go back to my rather mundane life...remember, this is Wisconsin in the winter. How bored and mundane can you get?
[/quot

       Am I to infer they hasn't shown up at 0830? Fer shame fer shame!  RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

I knew it was a BS call from the start, but the caller was persistent so I finally picked up. Besides, it was windy and cold out and I'm waiting on parts for the Wing motor so had nothing else to do. I spent 30 yrs. working for the state of Florida, dealing with all kinds of "operators" and listening to their excuses, etc. This guy that called wasn't even in the running, a real novice that kept changing his story with each question I asked. I finally told him I'm hanging up but he wouldn't hear of it so I laid the phone down while I continued browsing on YouTube. Eventually I just hit the red button to end it so I could go back to my rather mundane life...remember, this is Wisconsin in the winter. How bored and mundane can you get?

       Am I to infer they hasn't shown up at 0830? Fer shame fer shame!  RIDE SAFE.

Yeah...I'm so disappointed! NOT. He was very emphatic about first calling me at 0830 if I was ok with that. Yeah, sure...whatever floats your boat. Slept in this morning, no calls at that hour to awaken me. I guess that means nobody will be pulling up in front of the hovel at 1300 with a new Mercedes in tow. Oh well...I was going to miss that anyway since I'll be in the gym about then. Just leave the keys and title with my neighbor, we both had a good chuckle over it yesterday...told him he could borrow it whenever my mistress wasn't using it. A little side note on him...name is Richard but I used to call him Dick all the time. After about 6 months following my move in, he was hanging out in the garage with me and asked if I'd call him by his full name...Richard. Then added "I don't want to be a Dick anymore." I about split a gut, then asked if I need to clear it with his wife, then it was his turn to laugh.  Good folks, about 10 yrs. younger but always around for a chat. 

[Dagwood]

Hey John, if it happens that you get that check, I’ll expect you will be covering our trip to Billings. Just sayin  

[Willow]

John, we're friends.  You're going to have so much to spare.  Even before the check arrives ten or twelve K would be plenty for me.   

[John Schmidt]

Tim...Carl...don't hold your breath on that one cuz I sure am not. The way I look at it is it helped me kill a few minutes of boredom, quite certain that's only reward forth coming. 

[Moonshot_1]

The caller was persistent, called twice this morning. First call I hit the "decline" and figured so much for another stupid call. But no...they actually called back within a few seconds so I hit decline again. No call back this time so figured that was it. But no...a couple hours later we went through the same exercise with two calls...both were declined. So, not one to give up I guess, they called back about a half hour ago so this time I answered, I wanted to find out why they're so persistent and what wonderful product are trying to sell...that I don't need or want.

Here's the kicker...the guy isn't selling anything(yeah, right!). Stated he was a rep from PCH and had some good news for me. So I answered with "oh, you're from Publishers Clearing House" to which he said yes. Then told me I'm about to receive something like $7mil plus a new 2022 Mercedes so I told him I have no need for a Mercedes and wondered if I could just give it to my mistress. He laughed and said "if you wish." For clarification, the only mistress I have is sitting out in the garage and like most of them, she loves to be ridden. Didn't tell him she has three legs instead of two.

The entire entourage wants to meet with me at my place between 1300 & 1500 hrs. tomorrow so I asked why would someone or some company suddenly out of the blue decide to gift me with all that money. Supposedly my name was picked from a lotto type drawing of all entrants(which I wasn't one) and they want to be here at the above time slot. I asked why not just pull up, hand me the check and car keys, then leave? Then I added remember that mistress I spoke of, she'll be easy to spot. She'll be the one in blue...with a badge, along with a couple others(one of my apartment complex neighbors). Didn't phase him, said that's fine, they can follow us to your bank where I'll be giving them documents to prove authenticity. Keep in mind, I'm busting a blood vessel trying to keep from laughing but I managed. Said he'll call me at 0830 tomorrow, for what I don't know. I hate starting my day out with BS, guess I'll play along for a while, just know the only information they'll get will be my phone which they already have. I strung him along as much as I wanted but finally hung up, have better things to do. I got my $1200 tax refund, I figure that's the only "windfall" coming my way. 

Wow, a 2022 Mercedes and money for a day's worth of gas. Not worth the time.

[Ramie]

Give them the address of the local Police station.