Apr 22, 2009
I received a call from 407-000-9873 today. I answered, they announced themselves as card services, offered to lower my interest rate, and gave me a prompt to talk to someone. Following the prompt, a man was on the phone and he told me that they called me because my interest rate on a card was between 12 and 16 percent. When I called his bluff, he told me that I had between $5,000 and $10,000 in credit card debt. Knowing that I don't have credit cards wih rates or balances that high, I asked him if he could give me my first name. He asked me to hold while he went into his computer and after a few minutes he apologized for the wait and said that his computer was having some difficulties. While holding, I asked for his company's name, where they were from, and a number I could call them back on. He said they were Sapphire Financial Services, out of Maitland, FL, and that the return number was 866-942-6441. After waiting a few minutes, I decided that I wasn't going to wait any longer for the guy to come up with my name (through his information or an attempted search on the internet with my phone number - Note: our first names aren't listed on the number). I told him that I was on the DO NOT CALL list and asked him to take me off their call list. After hanging up, I did a search for 866-942-6441 on google. It returned results for an add in craigslist of Orlando, FL as well as for a company by the name of Sapphire Marketing, Inc. I don't know how legitimate this company is, but presenting themselves as card services and acting like they know me/my situation, are acts treading on my last nerve. It's my opinion that they are playing on some generalized statistics (12-16 percent?, $5,000 to $10,000 debt?) and they hope you fall into that group. My advise? Anyone that calls you without you requesting the call before hand should be disregarded and reported. KEEP YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO YOURSELF. If you are in a situation that tempts you to take an "unbelievable" offer, just think of the situation you'll be in when you talk to the one that steals your identity. If you need help, go look for it from a reputable company (I know there aren't many out there right now, but there are some). Try going to a few local banks. Know what you are getting into. Don't accept it from someone on the phone. Sorry for the long post.