"the all cash sweepstakes" phone call

A company in Florida has somehow gotten it's hands on a list of sweepers and is calling them.

I got the call yesterday (and I'm selective on who gets my phone number)

The conversation went something like this:

Me: Hello

Them: Hello, Is this Bill?

Me: Yes...

Them: Congratulations!!! You're a potential winner of $50,000! Isn't that exciting Mr. Westervelt?

Me: (As my heart is in my throat and I feel dizzy)

What contest? (thinking of the Bankrate BMW creative presentation that just ended)

Them: The All-cash $50,000 Sweepstakes!

(I'm puzzled, not recognizing the name)

Now, Mr. Westervelt, what is your FAVORITE major credit card?

(I'm thinking if this was a contest sponsored by Visa, Mastercard or Amex...)

Me: Umm, Visa?

Them: GREAT! To validate your entry (uh, oh) we're offering you a years free subscription extension to your choice of magazines.

Me: (coming off the high and going into 'Another damn telemarketer' mode...) Oh? Where are you calling from?

Them: (fast) This is Christine with (inteligible). Now, all you have to do is order any of your favorite magazines and we'll AUTOMATICALLY extend that for 12 months, absolutely free!

(I realize that I have not won anything and am kinda pi$$ed)

Me: (sarcastic) Wow, I'm so lucky, how did I get to be so fortunate?

Them: Your name was selected at random from a list of major credit card holders with excellent credit (haha, my credit sucks so bad, hookers ask to borrow it...)

Which of your favorite magazines can we send you?

Me: 'Car and Driver'

Them: (Typing) Great Bill! We will send you 36 issues of Car and Driver for ONLY $64! May I have the account number of your credit card?

Me: (Switching to 'kook' mode) I don't give that information out on unsecured lines. Are your phone lines teflon coated and guaranteed not to rust?

Them: (click)


<HR>

sigh, so now I'll just sit back and wait for my $50K!

~Not~


-Bill

Thanks, I hope that they call me. I will play the game and when they get to the credit card I will say: hold on while I get it from the other room. Then I will keep comming back saying: Hold on just another minute I am still looking for it, I will be right back and I will see how long they hold on.

There is a thread about this at RHSS boards and someone suggested that the information was from Jackpot.com!

I registered with them when they were still in BETA and it seemed possible to win a 'real' prize, but haven't been there in a LONG time.

Any other Jackpot registrants get the call?

-Bill

I didn't get a call, but I did get a "WE'RE GOING NUTS TRYING TO REACH YOU" e-mail from Jackpot.com regarding this ALLCASH Sweeps. I'm really irritated about this. A couple of months ago I received an identical e-mail from BuyBidWin (and we all do love those guys, don't we). I called the 800 number that time. I could hardly understand a word the woman said, but she practically hung up on me when I told her I didn't have a credit card. I think we should all file complaints with Jackpot.com.

I got that "We are going nuts...." email also, almost called the number, then sobered up (not really) and realized it was just a marketing ploy. I am too gullible for this stuff.

Kim

Today I got the "going nuts" email, too, but I'd seen that it was just a marketing scam. Deleted it and had a good day knowing I had not wasted my time on it.