After visiting Comic Con last Saturday, Juzie and I were walking towards the other end of Megamall and as we neared the escalator going down to the movies we were approached by a very apologetic gay man who asked us if any of us had a credit card. I said yes I did and was immediately congratulated because he told us we won an umbrella and some other schwag. We even had a chance to win a car, he said. Fine. I was told to follow him and follow him we did into the office of Philippine Prudential Life although I could see it was Dunville something in the front.
I was told to wait a while and all throughout this time, this man kept winking, saying he was sorry for taking up our time and thanking us because we added a lot to his commission. He kept complimenting me and asking me where I was from and where Juzie was from and exclaiming what a wonderful place this and that was. He also told me that if I were asked inside the office if I was willing to listen to a presentation I should answer yes. Note that I was never given a spare chance to think for myself.
We were then called inside to meet a woman who introduced herself as Reynalyn. She gave me a questionnaire to fill out.
After asking for the basic information like name and address the questionnaire asked "What do you want for yourself, your family, and your children?" with lots of spaces to fill out a nice essay. I answered for myself "Gardening. World Domination. Immortality." For my family I answered "Security and World Domination." For my children I answered "Happiness."
After filling the questionnaire out Reynalyn gave a quite convincing spiel. First she asked me "How would I be able to fulfill my goals of-" (she looks at my answer) "Gardening. World Domination!" Without skipping a beat, "Immortality!" All this time she's writing upside down on my questionnaire but I can only make out the peso sign and stuff like "Today".
Well, after a long chat about millionaires having a chance to earn 4-8% interest on deposits if their initial deposit started at a million (I forgot the term) and how I could earn that much if I trusted my money with them, she asked for my credit card. I asked for seven days to think about it since I really hate making spot decisions on my finances. She wouldn't take no for an answer and for someone as shy as me, I found it hard saying no. Good for her that her manager suggested I take a cheaper option and so I took it just to get it over with. It's a good thing I already almost maxed my card or else I'd be charged with 1680 every month. I came away with a 365 peso charge to my credit card and a small pillow.
I took solace in the fact that Juzie was there for the whole presentation and that she would learn a thing or two about persuasive selling.
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Madness!
ReplyDeleteTheir primary objective is get a hold of your credit card. Remember to still check your monthly statement for succeeding months. You might still get charged.
Did you sign anything when you were charged?
My brother was scammed similarly as well. His scammers were much more deceptive, though. They only offered a seminar and a free umbrella. There was no hint whatsoever that money will be involved (in your case, they already brought up the idea of investing). They asked if they could see my brother's credit card, and that he didn't have to hand it over. He was asked to show both sides of his card. Right after that, the scammer began writing something down. My brother looked over and saw that they got his credit card number AND the 3-digit security code. He walked out of them then.
He arrived home an hour later and called his bank to report that his account might have been compromised. The bank agent then told him that he had been charged online for more than 3000 pesos, not even an hour ago. He had it cancelled immediately.
Yes I signed. Which reminds me, I have to look at the papers they gave me. :(
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