Stupid Or Scammer? We May Never Know.

I work in a hospital. I receive a call at work from an outside number. We mostly receive internal calls, but sometimes staff or patients call from their personal phones, instead.

Me: “EEG department, [My First Name] speaking.”

I just hear a crackling sound.

Me: “Hello?”

Caller: “Yes, hello. I am calling from federal tax remediation.”

Me: “I’m sorry? You’re calling from where?”

Although it seems unlikely, I want to make sure I haven’t misheard and it’s not actually some sub-department of billing.

Caller: “From federal tax remediation. I need to speak to you about your—”

Me: *Cutting him off* “I’m sorry. I don’t think this call is meant for me.”

Caller: “No, this call is absolutely for you. We are calling about remediation for your federal tax return. Your return—”

Me: “Sir, you have called a hospital.”

Caller: “Ohhhh…”

Me: “Yeah. Goodbye.”

I hung up. I’m not sure how he expected to convince me the call was for me when he clearly wasn’t paying attention to my introduction.