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Share this PageHow to Bypass Phone Systems and Talk to a Human
If you're a victim of identity theft, you will likely need to contact banks, credit card companies, and department stores. Most companies have what's called an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) in place to "help" you.
These systems can be very frustrating, especially when you're stressed out and just need to talk to a fellow human being to work out your problems. That's where the IVR Cheat Sheet comes in handy.
Paul English, Boston resident and CTO of travel search engine company Kayak.com, decided to take matters into his own hands and create a cheat sheet for major institutions in the U.S. and the U.K.
Here are some examples of what you'll find:
- Trans Union - 800-916-8800. No cheat is necessary. Just press 2 and you're connected directly to a real person.
- Bank of America - 800-900-9000 and press 0.
- MasterCard - 800-MC-ASSIST and then press 000 on each menu.
- PayPal - 402-935-7733 and then say "agent."
- eBay - 800-322-9266 and then press 0,0.
Isn't this fun! The list contains over 259 companies as well as a how-to guide for companies that aren't listed.
Here's the link: The IVR Cheat Sheet
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49 Comments
Mike Hunt-Steenks
It's the old saying, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
Anonymous
If you entered the Sundance Vacations Sweepstakes and you have been the recipient of uninvited or unwelcome telemarketing calls, and you are registered on the federal or state DNC lists, you may call the FTC at its toll-free hotline at: 1-888-382-1222. You may also submit your complaint online at DONOTCALL.GOV or you may call the specific state in which Sundance Vacations has sales offices. The consumer is entitled to financial compensation for the exposure of telemarketing calls in violation of the DNC lists.
(1) Illinois 1-800-386-5438
(2) New Jersey 1-800-242-5846
(3) Pennsylvania 1-800-441-2555
(4) Wisconsin 1-800-422-7128
Additional information may be obtained at this blog >>> http://tinyurl.com/aa9k29
Anonymous
If you entered the Sundance Vacations Sweepstakes and you have been the recipient of uninvited or unwelcome telemarketing calls, and you are registered on the federal or state DNC lists, you may call the FTC at its toll-free hotline at: 1-888-382-1222. You may also submit your complaint online at DONOTCALL.GOV or you may call the specific state in which Sundance Vacations has sales offices. The consumer is entitled to financial compensation for the exposure of telemarketing calls in violation of the DNC lists.
(1) Illinois 1-800-386-5438
(2) New Jersey 1-800-242-5846
(3) Pennsylvania 1-800-441-2555
(4) Wisconsin 1-800-422-7128
This blog will also offer additional information >>> http://tinyurl.com/aa9k29
SANDY CALLAWAY
HI,
I HAVE BEEN SCAMED THE SITE IS www.AdWareAlert.com.. I had a free download and this AdWareAlert.com found over 4000 virus on my Laptop and you had to purchase the AdWareAlert with more options to clear your PC OF ALL THE VIRUS.. I paid $39.95 for a life time and wouldn't have to pay ever again.. I downloaded the better AdWareAlert and after the download I WENT TO USE IT AND IT SAID,"YOUR PURCHASE HAS EXPIRED.. I JUST PAID FOR IT AND AFTER 15 MINTUES IT EXPIRER AND NOW THEY WANT BE TO REUSE MY ADWAREALERT.. HAS ANYONE ELSE BEEN PLAY THE FOOL FROM THIS SITE??? IF SO PLEASE EMAIL ME,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO I CAN REPORT THIS SITE TO.. THEY NEED TO BE STOP AS OF NOW!!!
THANK YOU FOR READING THIS...
CAT
I just wanted to let you all know that the owner of goshoppingmall.com was recently arrested last year during the show To Catch A Predator that was filmed in Flagler Beach, FL. MSNBC does a show that catches adults trying to solicitate underage children through the internet. So not only is the Goshoppingmall.com a scam, but the president is a child predator.
Something to think on!!
sucker
I have been bitten. The diet tea company Wu-Yi is fake. They declined my credit card and 5 minutes later my bank was calling me saying someone was trying to access my account. GO FIGURE!!!! Stupid me. Now I have to cancell that card plus others to make sure they do not try any thing else.
Also, If you get anything from the U.K. or any place over seas saying you won the lottery or you inherited some money... Don't waste your time or money pursing it. I did and almost went to jail for trying to cash the check they sent to me.
http://www.lcdrepair.net/
BE AWARE OF THIS SCAM!!! This website has several names, such as www.lcdtvrepair.net. They boast a flat rate repair service for LCD screens. I emailed them for an RMA for a computer screen with a bad backlight - they emailed me the next day saying they could fix it and gave me an RMA #. I shipped out the monitor. Two weeks later, no word from them. UPS.com showed that they received the package. I emailed them 8 times over a period of two weeks - no response. I sent them two letters via USPS - no response!!! The phone numbers listed on the website are ALL disconnected! And they still have my $600 computer screen!
kelly
i recieved emails from GEORGE ANDERSON wanting to use me for a photo shoot where i was going to be doing hair! he said he was mailing me a check for $600.00 for the day and once i cash it i was booked for the day. i had a very good feeling it wasnt right because i have never worked like that before. so i looked up the link that was on one of the email and they had never heardof him!!!!!!! something smells fishy!!
sandy
There is a webiste ccalled habbo.com habbo.co.nz habbo.com.au
I allowed my daughter to get some credits there by txt wchich costs 3 dollars everytime you send one. She did send it and the recharge numbers didn't come up.
So she sent it again becuae she thoght she typed it incorectly.
Im not sure how many times she attepemted it but she lost at least 18 dollars. I sent an emai. to the company demanding my money backl or atleast putting all those credits back into her ccount.
They sent me an email back saying I needed to tell what time i sent the txts and the exact this etc.
In the end i lost all that money and im so angry becuase they just ripped my daughter off.
elaine andrews
i would also like to report an scam in afica here is one more that they tried to get me to do
Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2007 19:05:08 -0200
Dear Friend,
I am happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds
transferred
under the cooperation of a new partner from Hong Kong.Presently I am in
Hong
Kong for investment projects with my own share of the total sum. Mean
while,
I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring
those funds despite that it failed us some how.
Now contact my secretary in Cotonou, Benin Republic. His name is
Mr.Ekeson
in his Email Address: (ekeson_eze1@yahoo.co.uk) and ask him to send you
the
total of $950.000.00 which I kept for your compensation for all the
past
efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter. I appreciated your
efforts
at that time very much. So feel free and get in touched with my
secretary
Mr.Ekeson and instruct him where to send the CHECK to you.
Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share
the
joy together after all the sufferness at that time. In the moment, I am
very
busy here because of the investment projects which I and the new
partner are
having at hand, finally, remember that I had forwarded instruction to
my
secretary on your behalf to receive that CHECK, so feel free to get in
touch
with my secretary Mr.Ekeson, he will send the CHECK to you without any
delay.
Thanks and God bless you.
Dr Edu Laja
elaine andrews
i woild like to report schultz interantional is a scam if you got any emaisls froms them do not go through with it. i did and they gave me a bogus check. this is what it looks like
My name is Megan Sisson, I work for Schultz International, Inc.
I must remind you that you have to send to our company our 90% from
Jacqueline M Parsons payment in Max. 48 hours after you have received the
check from our client.
We must receive $2165 from this check, the rest is your commission
$255.9 and Western Union fee $135.
Please update us with the status of the payment.
Thank you
Megan Sisson, Schultz International, Inc.
Location Berlin, Germany Address Am Karlsbad 12, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Phone +49 (0) 30 2511 2422 Fax +49 (0) 30 2511 2424
rip off
i cant even log on to mine now. they ahve all of my info and i cant even delete it. i got frm a ford delership. i was excited and my dad drove 45 minutes to get it when all he got was identity theft. this is a scam. their items arent even worth anything, much less the s&h!
Peggy
I just got a phone call from The Used Car Factory in Madison, TN. They told me I won a $1227 shopping spree, and wanted to make an appt for me to come pick it up. They said that they got my name and number from one of the banks they work with. I have signed up for the 'do not call' registry. I figure this is some kind of gimmick to get me to come in. Can a bank give them my phone number legally if I have signed the registry? Should I go see what it is that I have won?
Rozaidy
Hello, I want to report SCAM. Fx-Mails is SCAM because Admin or Webmaster cheat or lie to me. I'm loss my money USD$319.95 for upgrading membership and bank fee. They say to me, after pay USD$220.00 for Premium Membership and USD$99.95 for Bank Fee, they set status to me for upgrade membership (Premium Membership). So, what I can do? I have already report to FBI but cannot responding from them. PLEASE HELP ME...
Steve Waite
These emails are all from the same person but different email addresses because you can tell the way that they are written
BEWARE!! He's a scammer from Nigeria!!
Information about inquiring person:
Name:
Email: bamii_white@yahoo.com
===================================================
Hello seller, I saw the placement of your advert for Item for sale which i'm really interested to purchase and i will like to know your lowest price,present conditions also with pics if available,I will be waiting
to read from you soon.
Information about inquiring person:
Name: vivian kelvin
Email: vivianfabrics@yahoo.com
===================================================
Good day,
i saw your advert placement and wish to know if the plasted item is still avilable for sales kindly get back to me the details and the last asking price........
looking forward to read from you soonest......................................
Information about inquiring person:
Name: edward seen
Email: edward_seen@yahoo.com
===================================================
HELLO,
I'M HIGHLY INTERESTED IN PURCHASING YOUR (2004 Honda GS-37) I WILL LIKE YOU TO GIVE ME THE LAST PRICE YOU ARE WILLING TO SELL IT AND I WILL LIKE YOU TO E-MAIL ME THE PIC'S AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT ALONG WITH THE PRESENT CONDITION AS OF IT NOW AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE SHIPPMENT I HAVE A SHIPPING COMPANY THAT WILL CATER FOR THE SHIPPMENT AND I WILL LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT MY TERMS OF PAYMENT WILL BE A CERTIFIED BANK CHECK DRAFT IN U.S FUNS..HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOONEST..
BEST REAGRDS
Information about inquiring person:
Name: Robert Bennett
Email: robbennett00@yahoo.com
===================================================
Hello,
This is Mr Robert Bennett, i saw the above metion ads pasted for
sale
and i am interested in it that is why i mailed you.pls let me know if
it is
still available and if so kindly get back to me with the requested
details
below.
Information about inquiring person:
Name: mark ben
Email: mark_ben004@yahoo.com
===================================================
Good day seller,
Am interested in your item for sale listed on internet to buy .
Can you let me know if it still for sale.
l will like to know the ..........
PRESENT CONDITION...........
LAST PRICE............
PICTURE IF AVAILABLE
So that payment can be made out to you via certified bank chegue by
my
associate.
Hope to hear from you ,my regards to you and your family.
Thanks......
Mark.
Information about inquiring person:
Name: Mr Larry
Email: larry_woods2007@yahoo.co.uk
===================================================
Hello
How are you doing today.I saw your Advert on the internet about the 2004 Honda GS-37 you have for sale.I am interested in buying them.I need you to give me your last asking price and Pics so i could have a Clear View of what i am buying.I have an International Shpping Agent that will come over to you Location for Pickup. I await your vast reply.
I am Located in Ireland(UK).
Thanks and God Bless.
Mr Larry Woods.
OTHER EMAILS TO BE AWARE OF:
Pastor Brian
Andrew Nelson
Charles Smith
Abdullahi Yusuf
I have receive a massage with the promise of money and expected to pay so money. can you help me
Martec Washington
Now get this...This is what u do u go to whoever you got the card from and you tell them that u owe me a howmuch the price is shopping spree becoust this web site does not work and its a scam and u should have checked it out berfor advertising it and so if i dont get a shopping spree i will and can sue tou for fauls advertisment that is what u do so tell them that they need to give you a shopping spree or loose thousands in court...Now that how you take care of that
Victim
Somehow my post was just removed. They stood outside a Major sporting event giving out forms to win a trip. They called and convinced us to attend a presentation. We got the $500 certificate which we cannot use because the ites on the site were cheap and the shipping was so high. I noticed on line they are going to be part of the Motivation Show in Chicago on September 26-28th. I guess their business is growing?
victim
They are also at MAJOR sporting events getting people to attend their panels.
Angry customer
I also received A 500 dollar shopping spree from sundance vacations after sitting through a wasted hour and a half lecture. I was convinced that the 500 dollar shopping spree was legit. sundance was legit and how could a legitimate business be promoting a scam. Turns out goshoppingmall.com is either an actual business that is very unorganized...or.... ITS A SCAM!!! I ended up ordering an item, paying a ridiculous shipping fee and 2 mths later never recieving anything. I ended up calling the number on the back of the card which was just an electrinic voice promter who eventually hung up on you once you prssed an option. At this point I was pissed. My dad had been telling me this whole time that "this is a scam, people dont just give shopping sprees away" and I wanted to prove him wrong. I did some internet searches on the company and stumbled onto the direct phone number to the President of goshoppingmall.com from the better business bureau. William Roach is his name and he can be reached at 386-271-4545 ext.242). I spoke directly to him and he attempted to give me the same number I had called with no success but I refused to hang up with him until he either gave me what I payed for, gave me my money back, or transferred me directly to a live person that could help me. He chose to transfer me to a live person which you can reach directly by dialing the same phone number but chose ext. 237 or 226. To make this long story short, I argued with the customer service people who weren't very helpful or sympathetic, got my money, an am now telling you all, hoping you will flood their customer service lines until they make some changes. Turns out my dad was right. "You can't get something for nothing"...Darn!!!
Listen UP
I'm glad I found this website before trying to register and use my "free $500 shopping spree" card at goshoppingmall.com. I got the card from Sundance Vacations, another POS scam attempt. People should definitely look up information about this website before trying to use it. I think the site should be shut down. It has crappy products, and highly priced shipping charges. Good luck all...
Pete
Same deal with my local dealership...what a rip off. I hope someone with more money than I realizes that using a scam like this to get intrenet addresses and personal information that profits them is called "Theft By Deception" and sies their asses.
Looked at the raw page data, and the SQL error code on the top; it was put there intentionally to make it seem like the error was on the page, when in fact they appeared to put the Country Code Blank on purpose, probably for 'plausible deniability' down the road. Note that it DOES keep your personal info...which allows telemarketers to call legally.
Franklin-ites
We will add our comment to Kims, and thank this site for the warning about the "free shopping spree" scam...in addition, we think the advertising was deceptive as it said they were selling used/repo/demo cars at a "sacrifice" for "pennies on the dollar"...but we found that was not true. Franklin Pontiac/Buick/GMC would do better giving me a free pen than a scam in exchange for my time...when I am ready to purchase a vehicle, I would hesitate to return there! This is NOT building good customer relations.In addition,we are sending our "free Shopping Spree card" on to the Attorney General TN for investigation.
Kim
Thanks everyone for your comments. I, too, got a flyer from a car dealership. Boy were my kids excited when they thought they were going to get a "$1,000 Internet Shopping Spree." They will get a hard lesson in life when they come home from school this afternoon and I have to tell them that, basically, Franklin Pontiac in Franklin, TN is engaging in deceptive advertising to try to get us to come in to their business.
CINDY
IM SO GLAD I READ EVERYONE'S COMMENTS. I JUST RECEIVED A $500.00 CARD FOR LISTENING TO A RIPOFF COMPANY TRYING TO SELL HOTEL PACKAGES (SUNDANCE CO.) I THOUGHT THE S&H WAS DEDUCTED FROM THE CARD BUT I GUESS NOT. NOW THANKS TO ALL I WONT EVEN LOG ONTO THIS SITE.
patti
i recieved a 1000 dollar shopping spree from a car dealarship and i cant even register boy am i nieve i thought it was too good to be true they kept telling me that my e-mail address was wrong. i guess i am wrong, you dont get anything for nothing dah
Carole
I keep gettimg email from people from other country's that want me to help them get money over here. I delete the mail & block the sended, but I think this must be illeagle. I need to find out who to notfy before I get in trouble. Can any one help me.
Kelly
I knew something was up! My ex-husband gave me a $500 card for goshoppingmall. I asked why and he said - can't I just be nice??? Now I get it! The place is a big rip off. On the back of the card they even print out - The shipping and processing charge is designed to compensate goshoppingmall for the services we provide that enable our members to enjoy the convenience of home shopping and delivery of our products as well as overhead costs associated with those services. Believe me.............by the time you pay for shipping, you are paying for the item at least once over. You are paying for the item yourself and you are paying the salary of the person shipping it for the company, and a profit for the company to stay in business ripping more people off! If companies are buying these cards from this place to use as prizes, the companies and prize winners are being ripped off. If companies are getting them from this place for "free" to give out as prizes, then they are just as guilty as goshoppingmall in ripping people off!
Fred,
I received a $100.00 certificate from Trend West at Oceanside California. I was leery when I discovered that GOSHOPPING demanded that a person register before any information or look at their products is released! I did not intend to give my information to them, and now, after reading everyone's comments my suspicions are confirmed and I will look into them to get reembursement. I called the phone number on the coupon once today but a recording said they were closed. It looks like there is no point in calling them next week or wasting time on their web! I am very supprised and thankfull for this link and I will come back to look at new postings and add to the information available when I find our more.
Brooke
Total Scam
Tom
I got a sale paper from Program cars out of Dothan Alabama and said THAT I had won a $1,000.00 shopping spree. The people that are behind this scam should be prosecuted. What a rip off.
olga
I also received a $ 100.00 dlls certificate from transwest to use in this web site www.goshoppingmall.com and i never get to use it because the web site did not work. I think is a scam.
PUEBLO CO.
YOU ARE ALL CORRECT. THEY'RE BAD TO DEAL WITH. SHAME ON THOSE CAR DEALERS.
cheri
I also recieved a $1000 "shopping spree" from a car dealership. The products they have on their web site are not worth the shipping and handleing. I believe they are ripping people off.
PS
Goshoppingmall.com is registered with the Better Business Bureau. Please make a report with the BBB so that the BBB can eventually remove them from their reliabily program.
Brit Bosch
I received a 1000 shopping card and went to register and it said "free Bahama vacation" for registering.I register and NOTHING about a vacatin and the produts that I saw were not even worth the shipping and handling. A big waste of time and a big rip off
T Ful
Sometimes the site doesn't work but even though you get a gift certificate you still have to pay for shipping and handling. They hike the cost of S & H up so much you're still actually paying for the product. It's obsolutely ridiculous. I saw the same product in Kmart for less than their shipping and handling fee. I hope everyone stays away. The people giving you this gift certificate should also get in trouble. They lie.. there's no "shopping spree."
dan in colorado
this has to be a scam, i went to a toyota dealer and they gave it to me and the guy next door won one also, i have tried several times to talk to some one tried the number on the back of the card and the number on the web site to no avail, as many e-mails. live and learn
T Ross
I also have had problems with this site.I can't get in and I ordred 4 products on a 500.00 gift card and only got 2 products sent to me.I'm still missing some items.I want people to know this site is suspect.
Happy Customer
I have used goshoppingmall.com several times. I am disdabled and not able to go to stores to buy gifts for people. I find it very handy to have the items shipped directly to my friends and family.
Kathleen
We went to a Worldmark Trendwest presentation in Angel's Camp, CA and received a $100 gift certificate because we gave 10 names and phone numbers. I was going to use the gift certificate, so I did a google search for www.goshoppingmall.com. I was suprised to see a link to this site saying the whole thing is a big scam. I am glad I didn't register and give them all of my info. Thanks for the heads up.
Theressa
I got my card from a drawing at Dayton mall in ohio and came right home after a 2 hour long spill on vacations and tried to use it and it just cuts off after registering for a free vacation i never got to go shopping, ITS A FRAUD I LEARNRD
fran
THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING ME A HEADS UP ON THIS GOSHOPPINGMALL.COM. I GOT MY SHOPPING CARD ALSO FROM A CAR DEALER....ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ALL OF YOU.....THANKS.
FRANCE LOCK
I ALSO RECIEVE A 1000 DaLLOR GIFT FROM TOYATO AND CAN'T GET ANT RESULTS FROM THE WEB SIT I ALSO THINK IT'S A SCRAM. PLEASE LET US NO IF IT'S NOT A SCRAM AND TELL US HOW TO GET IN.
Jo Fennema
I have a $1000.00 gift card won from Toyota I have tried so many times to get thru. I must be a rip off Would someone contact if it is not and tell me what to do I am 70 yrs old and have never won a thing I guess my luck continues. I hope you can convince me this is not a sham Jo Fennema
toejam1
scam is the right word, live and learn!!!!
Robert Kahn
I also think its a scam site. Went to Trendwest presentation in Seaside, Oregon and they gave me $100.00 certifacate. Went online with it and after selecting items they said the certificate was expired or not valed, just got it in the last week. trying to get back online to them is a joke, wait forever for nothing, Am waiting to hear back from trendwest, no response from them at this time..BEWARE......
I logged on once and now i can`t even get to where i need to ,to even brose and look at anything. It must be a ripoff!!!
http://www.goshoppingmall.com
I would lke to report this web site http://www.goshoppingmall.com is a scam.
I got a $100 certificate from Dave Dove (Sale Rep) because I gave them 20 names. I went to a sale meeting at Worldmark by Trendwest in Drapter of Utah in the end of 2005.
I order me to use a $100 certificate, I have to register with their web site. A $100 certificate is not working. I sent to an email to help@goshoppingmall.com and I got $500 certificate, but it does not work either after I finished shopping on their web site http://www.goshoppingmall.com. When I click on CHECT OUT button and it never work. I had been tried in many times and it is still not worked. The screen blanks out on me in many time.
So, I sent an email at this email help@goshoppingmall.com. I got a fee back from them and states only they are working on it. They are not respond with no rep name and valid phone numuber.
I called this phone #866-824-9948 from their feed back email. I got IVR greeding only and then I got a dead error call. I was trying to call this phone #866-824-9948 in many time. Same problem. All I got just an IVR greeding and then a dead error call.
This is a scam web site http://www.goshoppingmall.com. This web site does not have their address or any location. They use this web site to still the client information.
They are got my name, address, phone number and email address. I have to delete my profile in their web site.
Please take an action on these people from this web site. http://www.goshoppingmall.com so next time they won't still some one else information.
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