Did I just become a scam target?

Ianator

Got a cellphone call a few days ago asking for a survey (for cellphone users) and they left a message. They called back again today, and I went through it. Questions were about my phone and internet functions and usages. After the survey was over they offered to send a $5 check to reimburse me for my minutes, if I gave them my name and address.

Despite my mom's (probably on-the-money) protests I gave them my mailing info. They then said that the preceding survey was to be used on Pew Internet. Looking at the questions there, it seems to be legit, but I'm a bit bugged nonetheless, and mom probably is too.

So, is it time to start locking the doors, peeking out the windows and grabbing the mail with an extending arm? (Assuming I wasn't already...)

Euphoriac

You'll probably get nothing more bothersome than spam mail through the letterbox. But then, I don't live in America so maybe they really ARE murderers? :?

Kate of Lokys

The Pew Research Center generally does neat, worthwhile, reputable stuff - I don't even know how many times I've used their work in one of my various sociology papers.

Look at it this way: even if they're lying, even if they actually represent the Nigerian ScamCo McMoneyOrder Trust, what information did you give them? Some stuff about your cell phone usage habits, your name, your phone number, and your mailing address.

Know where else a scammer could get that valuable personal information? A phone book. I mean, yeah, there are minor differences between cell phones and landlines, but still, if they just wanted to harvest names and addresses for some nefarious scammy purpose, they have much easier ways of doing it than calling you, doing social research on you for ten minutes, then asking for your address.

Keep a casual eye on your cell phone bill just in case, but you're probably in the clear here.

chiasaur11

Euphoriac wrote: »

You'll probably get nothing more bothersome than spam mail through the letterbox. But then, I don't live in America so maybe they really ARE murderers? :?

Ah, everyone in America's a serial murderer.

It's a hobby. Most of the time we forget all about it.

A tip, though, for visitors?

Don't wear leathery black suits and ties. Just a bad idea all around.

JebusUD

I worked for my university doing survey stuff for a class once. Certain callers would be offered five dollars for their time, trying to incentivize people to actually answer and not just swear at you and hang up.

Ianator

Checking out the site not only showed it was legit (the Pew main site linked back) but had a listing of the very kinds of questions I was asked.

After a bit of thought I think we'll be alright after this. T'was a right scare though.

Eat it You Nasty Pig.

Your information will go into a consumer database that the folks conducting the survey will sell to companies who want to market things to you. Five dollars (assuming you cash the check) is a pretty small price for them to pay for a known working address that they can associate with clear age and usage habits.

It's nothing particularly nefarious, though the end result is you getting more junk mail.

Kate of Lokys

Eat It. Eat it, You Nasty Pig. wrote: »

Your information will go into a consumer database that the folks conducting the survey will sell to companies who want to market things to you. Five dollars (assuming you cash the check) is a pretty small price for them to pay for a known working address that they can associate with clear age and usage habits.

It's nothing particularly nefarious, though the end result is you getting more junk mail.

Not in this case. Like I said, Pew is legit.

The Pew Research Center Privacy Policy wrote:

2) Use of Personal Data Collected

The Pew Research Center will not sell, share, rent or disclose to third parties any individually identifying information, such as names, postal and email addresses, telephone numbers, and other personal information which you voluntarily provide to us, except (a) to provide the services you have requested; (b) to the extent necessary to comply with applicable laws or valid legal processes, or (c) to protect the rights and intellectual property of the Pew Research Center.

Sir Carcass

I want to say it was Pew that I did a phone survey for about 12 years ago. I gave my address and a couple of weeks later got a letter in the mail with a five dollar bill included.