It pays to be "praning"

I have always been wary of telemarketers even since I fell for the free insurance scam - Yes, I was a victim of time, unfortunately. They called my Dad up for free insurance and being the dutiful daughter who happens to work in Makati, I decided to drop by. I was ushered in to a room filled with other victims and then they explained that they are raffling off insurance policies. After I picked up a slip of paper from the roulette, they whisked off the slip of paper and told me they will process the papers. While waiting, they tried to sell me a new insurance policy and gave me time to review time of new policy. I didn't bother to review. (Hello, at my age, insurance was the last thing on my mind.) After what seemed like an hour, I followed up the free insurance only to be given a handwritten name (fill in the blanks generic format) insurance. The name was incorrectly spelled and on crap paper and crappier envelope. The service plummeted from then on. I showed myself out the door and thanked God I escaped wallet unscathed.

I digress.

A few minutes ago, I received a call from a professional sounding female telemarketer claiming that "in tie up with MASTERCARD and VISA" and they informed me that "I was part of the top 100 clients of VISA and MASTERCARD" which is why they called me to "give me a VIP card" which can deduct purchases up to 50%! This will be delivered on Monday or Tuesday. The first question that popped in my mind is, how come I am part of the top 100? I am not a big spender. In fact my spending is too low that when I tried to have HSBC waive my annual fee, they only gave me 50% off. So a cloud of suspicion started forming in my head and in my voice.

Second question. If I am part of the top 100, why do competitors VISA and MASTERCARD collaborate? The're competitors! They shouldn't share information.

Third question, if they have the list of top 100, why do they need to ask me about my expiry date and card number? She said "for verification may I know your card number?" Shouldn't they know it if they did indeed have my information? By the time I'm voicing out all my concerns, the telemarketer on the telephone was getting flustered. I asked her, "what company are you from?" I had my laptop in front of me and searching for them will be a breeze. She said she confidently that her name was Nigel Silva (Suspicious name!), their office address was in Shaw Boulevard and even their telephone number - which I didn't bother to write down. I prompted, "what company is that again?" She gave me two company names before she finally said Guidelink Incorporated. I said, "Miss, wala kayong website?" I actually gave her a clue that I was searching in the internet. My bad. Since my laptop choose that moment to lag, I heard her stay on the phone for a few seconds and then - thank you Google - Metro care marketing services / Guidelink Corporation / Guidelink marketing and the word scam were synonymous. A light bulb went on in my head, and suddenly the line got cut and I heard the dial tone. I think they read my mind. Hehehe

I was actually quite disappointed. I was actually looking forward to giving her a piece of my mind if she thinks she could have scammed me! Deadma na if she knew my name, my name is common to begin with. Grrrr!

So why am I writing all this? THREE REASONS

First, awareness. Following Chris Lao's "I should be informed", people really should be informed with this type of scam. I read they offer discounts vouchers that are from unknown retailers and have typos in them. TYPOS in ads are a mortal sin. Not to mention, you need to pay Php 5,850 to get those so-called typo vouchers.

Second, reality check. if people say you're part of the top 100 of valued clients (and you know your current standing - reality check!) or there is a tie-up between two competitors VISA and MASTERCARD (Note that competitors will NEVER work together unless in a post apocalyptic world or in the same way Jolibee or McDo will never work together to offer a discount card - DUH! reality check), or give 50% off? (Get REAL! Retailers will never give 50% off in the Philippines for new items. The VIP card would've been popular now if it were true. No word of mouth = nothing) all those should sound a silent alarm in your head.

Third, never give out confidential information to people you don't know. It's like airing your dirty laundry.

Hopefully, I never have to encounter anything like this again, and if I do, I hope to give them a piece of my mind. hehehe...