I received a strange text message on Friday.  Forgive me for paraphrasing the message because I erased it later that day, but it went something like this:

You have won a $200 Wal-Mart gift card.  Please call 1-866-xxx-xxxx.  Gift Code: xxxxx

I found this text strange for a couple of reasons:

1. How did this company get my cell phone number?
2. Why are they sending me this message?  I didn’t sign up for any contests.

Initially, I ignored the message, but later on, my curiosity got the best of me.  Everybody likes free, right?

I dialed the number and a young foreign man answered the phone.  The conversation went as follows:

Me:  Hello, I received a text to call this number about a free $200 Wal-Mart gift card and I would like to know what this is all about?

Telemarketer:  Yes, Ma’am.  You have been selected to receive a $200 Wal-Mart gift card.  Please give me the Gift Code and you will be receiving it in the next few days.

Me:  Gift Code Number is xxxxx.  Sir, I’m trying to understand what this is all about.  So, you are just going to send me a $200 Wal-Mart gift card?  What is the catch?

Telemarketer:  Ma’am, there is no catch.  We are going to send you the gift card along with some information for you to review within a 10 day period.

Me:  Is there a charge for this information you want me to review?

Telemarketer:  No Ma’am, there is no charge for the information, we just would like for you to review the information for 10days and even if you don’t like it you can keep it and pay no additional cost.

Me:  (AHA!!! Now, I’m getting closer to the truth)  So what you are not saying is that after 10 days if I don’t call to cancel, I will be charged for this product?

Telemarketer:  Yes, ma’am, but we’re going to send it to you for free and all you have to pay for is shipping and handling.

Me:  (AHA!!!  Now the Real Truth)  No Sir, I don’t want it.

Telemarketer:  Ma’am it’s free.

Me:  No Sir, I don’t want it.  I may forget to call after 10 days and then I’m stuck paying for a product that, at this point, I know nothing about.

Telemarketer:  Ma’am, you can call us back after 10 days to cancel.

Me:  Sir, No Thank You…I DON’T WANT IT!!!  (By this time he’s really frustrated with me because I’m not buying into his “offer”)

Telemarketer:  O.k., have a great day Ma’am?

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If I had a survey to complete for this telemarketer, I would give him an A+ for politeness.  He always called me “Ma’am”.  But that’s really not the point.  The point is this:  If that text was sent to me, how many countless other people was it sent to?  How many of them didn’t say…NO?  How many of them didn’t ask the right questions?  How many will now have to pay after 10 days because they are too busy to review the information?  I guess we’ll never know.  But what I do know is that I have just saved myself unnecessary aggravation and frustration of dealing with a company looking to get rich off my ignorance and busyness.  Their philosophy is normally, “You win some, you lose some, but we’ll just focus on the wins.” 

In summary, be careful.  Bad dishonest people will try all kinds of sneaky ways to get you to send them your money.  I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “There is nothing in this world for free.”

Until next time…Thanks so much for reading!!!

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Have you had contact with any sneaky telemarketers?  Share your experience in the comments.  I’d love to hear from you…