A Perfect Con

Please note: This is MY PERSONAL opinion. By reading past this point, you agree that you are entitled to your own opinion, and will not judge me (or sue me) for recounting my own experience.

I got phoned by Thulani from Rhino Marketing about a guaranteed prize that I had to claim. Here’s how the call went, starting from when I pick up the phone (there are a couple of free lessons at the end):

me: Hello James speaking.
thulani: Hi. Sorry, who’s speaking?
me: James
thulani: Ah yes, that’s who I’m looking for. I just want to tell you that because you entered a competition by filling in a survey, you have won a guaranteed prize.
me: What survey?
thulani: Either a survey at a petrol station or shopping center. You may not remember it because it was quite a while ago.
me: Ok.
thulani: You have won either a laptop, a 42″ plasma screen, R50000 in cash, a weekend away, or a quad bike.
me: Ok.
thulani: You can come and collect it on Thursday, either at 3:30, 5:30 or 7:30 in the evening. Which time is convenient for you?
me: Do I have to listen to a talk about Holiday Club?
thulani: No, you just have to fill in a survey about crime and South Africa.
me: Ok. And I’m not going to have to buy time share or anything.
thulani: No. Not at all. Just fill in a survey, answer any way you like, whether negative or positive, and you will still receive your guaranteed prize.
me: Ok. Definitely no holiday club?
thulani: No. Do you want holiday club?
me: Definitely not!
thulani: Ok, so will you come to collect your prize?
me: Fine. 3:30pm.
thulani: Ok. GREAT. Can I have your cellphone number so that I can contact you and confirm the time with you? And help you with directions?
me: Sure. It’s #########
thulani: Thanks. Sorry, I just need your surname.
me: Hmmm. It’s (what ever it is)
thulani: Will you be bringing someone? Liek a wife or girlfriend?
me: No, I’ll come by myself.
thulani: Are you married?
me: Yes.
thulani: But you’ll be there by yourself? I just need to confirm numbers.
me: I’ll be there by myself…
thulani: Ok, thanks. See you tomorrow. Don’t forget!

So, what can I learn from the above?

- If it’s too good to be true, it is!
- If they say you’ve won a prize, and you need to come fill in a survey, it’s for Holiday Club.
- If they say it’s NOT for Holiday Club, it’s for Holiday Club.
- If they PROMISE you it’s NOT for Holiday Club, it’s for Holiday Club.
- If they LIE to you, it’s NOT for Holiday Club, it’s for Holiday Club.

What typically clever con tricks did they use?

- I said my name, and they pretended they knew it.
- They asked for all the details that they SHOULD have already had. Especially my cellphone number. Any competition form will ask for this, and I will give it. And, come ON now! Would I not give my SURNAME?!?!?!

Anyway, I did realise what was going on from the start, but I decided to play along. I even went to the little survey thing, and almost made a grown man cry in disbelief when I didn’t sign up for the Holiday Club, but THAT is a story for another day.

You can read even more about this stupid scheme here: “Profiling gone wrong“

5 Responses to “A Perfect Con”

  1. tje  on November 5th, 2009

    I have had the same experience. They said a charity sms competion. Now thats disguisting, saying charity when its holiday club. My husband told the telesales lady that he was unemployed and has been for the past 6 months, she confirmed that it was not time share and that him and his wife had to come to collect our prize. What a waist of petrol to drive an hour to a holiday club thing when we were assured it was not. We are 4 adults and once toddler and i am the only one employed so it was really hard for us to understand how heartless one can be after you have told them that there is no money that we can spend. I asked the woman who give the mid-week voucher away if she ever gives out other gift and she said NO! what a big surprize. Something should be done about the Holiday Club, they should be banned from advertising faulely.

  2. James  on November 5th, 2009

    I totally agree with you. THEY ARE SHARKS!

    I was completely lied to on the phone as well!

  3. Richard  on November 25th, 2009

    There are so many people being ripped off by these holiday club groups, me included.

    Do you have any reports of a group called Global Grand vacation club.

    I have been caught out big time by them and need to communicate with other people who have the samne problem

  4. James  on November 26th, 2009

    I have a feeling all these vacation clubs are a scam, but unfortunately (or fortunately) I haven’t heard anything about Global Grand vacation club.

    I hope things get sorted for you.


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