The VAT’s Out Of The Bag

I get a phone call from an unknown number. I sometimes have to take calls on behalf of my mother who I am taking care of and who cannot do these things for herself, so I answer even if I don’t know who’s calling me. Some doctor’s offices have their numbers hidden so that they’re not inundated with patient calls, and those are the majority of my hidden number calls. I answer the call by saying my last name, as is common in Germany.

Scammer: “Good morning, I am calling on behalf of [biggest lotto company in Germany]. This is about an outstanding invoice. Am I speaking to [My Mom’s Name]?”

Me: “No, this is her daughter. What is this about?”

Scammer: “Your mother recently took out a subscription to our lotto service for regular playing in [type of lottery]. The first payment was due on the first of the month, but we’re still waiting on the payment.”

Me: “My mother did not take out any subscriptions.”

Scammer: “I have an online order for [lotto subscription] in [my mother’s] name. I can see from the account data that she has logged in three times in the last month. Can I have an email to send the invoice to? Alternatively, you can have your mother fill out the direct debit authorization and send it back.”

At this point I know this has to be a scammer. First of all, my mother hasn’t handled her own finances in years. After my dad died, I took over her finances as well as her shopping. This woman doesn’t even have an email, let alone the skills to do anything online. She is not subscribing to anything online. And if she does have an account at this supposed website, how come they don’t know her email? Everything online asks for your email or google account.

Me: “My mother hasn’t subscribed to anything.”

Scammer: “Well, someone took out this subscription for her. Of course I can cancel this for you, but the deadline for the free cancellation period has passed. We will need the first two months’ subscription payment before any cancellation I put in now will take effect.”

So that is their scam: they try to get people to pay for this ‘subscription’ and the ones that refuse, they try to get to pay for ‘cancelling the subscription’.

Me: “Can I have your name again?”

Scammer: “My name is [Super Common German Name, think John Smith].”

Me: “And what was your company’s name?”

Scammer: “We’re calling on behalf of [lotto company].”

Me: “Yes, you said. But what is the name of your company?”

Scammer: “We’re based out of [big city].”

Me: “Okay, I want you to tell me your official company name, your company’s official address, that is street and postal code plus city, and your company’s VAT number.” 

Note: none of this is secret information; if your company has a website in Germany, this info must be provided on it by law to let people know this is a legitimate business.

Scammer: “No, I’m not telling you. I’m calling on behalf of [lotto company]. Why do you want to know anything else?”

Me: “Because my mother did not do any kind of business with you; she is medically incapable of it. And I’d like to know who exactly I need to report to the police for this scam.”

Scammer: *Click.*