Phone Calls for "The Person Who Pays The Washington Gas Bills" (sales, insurance)

[Caladium]

We've been out of town quite a bit in the last month, so I'm guessing that something took place with Washington Gas that I don't know about. Can somebody briefly explain?

All I know is, since we've gotten back we have been getting 2-3 calls a day, every single day, all of them asking to speak to "the person who pays the Washington Gas Bill." They call in the morning, they call in the afternoon, the call at 9 p.m.

I can't make heads or tails out of what they're trying to tell me or exactly what it is they want me to sign up for but every time I get one of these calls red flags go up in my brain. Is this some sort of scam? It just doesn't feel right.

I've asked to be sent something in writing--they get nasty and claim they have. My husband recalls seeing something about an automatic bill paying program that we weren't interested in signing up for. Is this what they're talking about? The phone solicitors are hard to understand and I can't quite grasp what they're trying to tell me but it seems to be about letting some other company handle the billing "if we qualify" (and then they want us to answer questions to qualify).

How do we convince them that we are not interested and do NOT want any more calls?

I mean it's getting ridiculous. Normally I just wouldn't answer the phone but we're going through a family emergency right now and need to answer every phone call (and also keep the lines clear).

Is anyone else having this problem?

[Carlingtonian]

Hasn't happened to us--but then, we don't have a landline.

Why not just call up Wash Gas and ask them what's going on? And then if it turns out it's really them, you can ask them to stop.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Hasn't happened to us--but then, we don't have a landline.

Why not just call up Wash Gas and ask them what's going on? And then if it turns out it's really them, you can ask them to stop.

Maybe I can go next door and ask the neighbors if they could do that. Like I said we're trying to keep our phone lines free right now. I'm even working at home and not leaving the house because I'm waiting for an important call. I'm worried that Washington Gas would keep me on the line for a long time

[robbobobbo]

I use Washington Gas and have a landline. No calls from them, and I use paper billing. I've never had a utility call me; my water company occasionally sends mail wanting me to buy water/sewer line insurance, that's it.

It sounds as if you have no assurance that it's actually Washington Gas calling you. I'd put my phone on the Do Not Call registry, and next time they call, spend the time to ask the name of who they represent, the caller's name, a return phone number, etc, and then tell them you are filing a complaint (if they are not Washington Gas. If they are, you have a business relationship with them and they can call you).

I used to get the scam calls about my car warranty about to expire, and they even asked my wife for the car's VIN.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by robbobobbo

I used to get the scam calls about my car warranty about to expire, and they even asked my wife for the car's VIN.

We used to get those, too. Finally complained to Toyota and they said there was nothing they could do about it. I'm probably just more jumpy about it because I'm waiting for a call (and answering the phone more than I usually do). Since this doesn't seem to be a legitimate issue I'll just hang up the moment I hear "I need to speak to the person who pays the gas bill."

[springfieldva]

Next time they call and ask to speak to the bill payer, just say "May I tell them what this is in reference to?" If the caller tries to dodge with a non-specific answer, ask them "Is this a sales call?"

Keep asking them questions until you get to the bottom of it. Once your curiosity has been satisfied tell them that you're not interested and hang up.

[Flamingo13]

Just don't answer the phone, when your machine picks up they'll hang up - presumably whomever you're waiting for call(s) from wouldn't. By now you should know what number and/or what the caller ID says from that company.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

Just don't answer the phone, when your machine picks up they'll hang up - presumably whomever you're waiting for call(s) from wouldn't. By now you should know what number and/or what the caller ID says from that company.

It's always a different number and a wide variety of caller ids. Either it's different companies, or they've contracted the phone calls out.

[South Jersey Styx]

Have you tried Googling the number? You'll see posts from other people if it's a scam.

[michgc]

Originally Posted by South Jersey Styx

Have you tried Googling the number? You'll see posts from other people if it's a scam.

True, you can do a reverse lookup. Hope you hear positive news regarding your family emergency. ((hugs))