Weblog
08/17/01 12:02 PM: NRCC Scam
This is pretty crazy.
I get a phone call this morning, but I don’t answer it because the caller ID says it is from “Unavailable” which means it is probably a telemarketer. They leave a message. It says that they are calling from the National Republican Congressional Committee and that I have been selected for the National Leadership Award. They leave me a number to call back. I am thinking this has to be some kind of scam. I call the number back.
“Congressman Tom Delay’s Office, how may I help you”
“Uh… I just received a telephone call saying I have been selected for the National Leadership Award…”
“Are you David Stroup?”
“Yes…”
Then for about 5 minutes they play around with their database, and then they play a recording of Tom Delay’s voice. The recording says I have been selected as a top business leader and I am invited to attend conferences with other leaders at Capitol Hill to discuss deregulation of business.
Ok, I am thinking “WTF” right about now.
A different woman comes on the line and talks for like 5 minutes about how much of an honor this is, etc, then I hear the words I knew were coming…
“President Bush hopes to launch a new media campaign, and to that end we are asking all recipients of this award for a one time contribution…”
I cut her off right there, “I am not sure how you got my name, but I am a student and I do not own a business.”
“Oh, are you sure?”
“Quite.”
“Well, I apologize then, thank you for taking the time to call our office.”
Nice. I just received an unsolicited call from the House Majority Whip to give a donation to the Committee. Wonderful! I probably could have exploited this more, but I didn’t feel like giving large sums of money to the Republican Congressional Committee. Oh, and I am sure I’d fit in well with a group of business leaders.
