In the last five years, I've written at least three times about the nefarious scams based in Nigeria. I'm still receiving copies of letters that have just recently been highlighted on the TV magazine programs about variations on these get-rich-quick schemes.
This was a phone conversation between me and a caller to my home phone.
Caller (in a deep male voice with an imperious manner): Is this Harry S Gross?
Harry: Yes.
C: I'm calling from the jury selection office at the federal courthouse. We sent you a summons for jury duty, and you have not reported to serve. Before we get a bench warrant to force you to come in immediately, I need to get some information so I can help the person on our summons detail.
(Could the call be a mistake? After all, I didn't get the original summons, and I never got the customary questionnaire for prospective jurors. Could it be one of my friends getting in an early April Fool's "gotcha?" Or could it be a "phishing expedition?")
H: I never got your questionnaire. I never got your summons. Why don't you send me copies? Better yet, you can fax me copies, so I can speak about these things more intelligently.
C: That's not the way we operate. Now are you going to cooperate, or should I send my notes to the judge and get that bench warrant right now?
(Here, I decided to play along, but on my own terms. I wanted to see what this was all about.)
H: I'll cooperate. What would you like me to do?
C: I need your exact address.
H: Why don't you give me the address you have and I'll confirm or correct it?
C: Look, I'm trying to do you a favor, and you're giving me all kinds of conditions. Now, give me your address!
H : Well, I guess there's no harm in that. It is (and I gave him the correct address).
C : That's what I have. Now I need your date of birth.
H: January 12, 1954. (I lied.)
C: Right.
( Now, I knew what was happening. This toad was looking to get enough information to steal my identity. I continued to play along. He was a phisher.)
C: I'm pleased that you're cooperating. Now, I need the last four digits of your SS number.
H: 7533 (I lied).
C: That's not what I have. (A clever ploy.)
H: What do you have?
C: (In a very strong domineering voice) Who's doing this interview? If you don't cooperate, you might just as well hang up and let me go on to other business. Now, what's it going to be?
H: The number I gave you is correct.
C: In that case, you'd better give me the whole nine digits.
