This one's more of a general vibe than one definite con. There's been more than a few of the same theme going on. They tend to blend in to each other in my brain because of how they operate.
How It Works
- Tell the mark they're due a refund
- Get the details necessary to rip them off
- Promise money and not only not deliver, but also siphon off the bank account
My Stories
This is the one that's most like a blur. The ones attempting to refund me from Microsoft failed on the first round because it went most like this:
Them: We have a refund waiting for you from Microsoft Corporation
Me: But I don't have any Microsoft stuff
Click.
Some others didn't get any further.
Them: We have a refund waiting for you from the Taxation office
Me: [Almost dies laughing] Yeah like the tax office would actually give me money if they didn't have to
Click.
I had them claiming to be iTunes, too, but I just asked them why they didn't credit my account. Same with a "lottery win" when I don't play the lotto and so on. I'm a terrible mark and it kind'a shows with these.
How to Stop it
A little knowledge is a useful thing. People who are legally obligated to give you money will NEVER call for your details. Your bank, the tax office, Microsoft, iTunes, Steam, and so on don't need your details to give you money. They already have those.
If they're legally obligated to give you money, they will merely credit your account and send you a message by post or email letting you know about it. End of.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Dimjul]