NYPD Retiree Mobilization System

[Oscarsjava]

Greetings! It's been a while since I've posted - too long, probably.

I'm hoping to gain some clarification (perhaps even offer a forewarning) regarding a phone call I received Friday. It rang once and promptly ceased, so I knew it was an automated call. I called the number back and was greeted by a voice identifying the number as being the NYPD Retiree Mobilization System. It then asked for my Social Security number. Being smarter than the average bear I hung up.

Has anybody else received this call? Is this legit, or, as I suspect, a scam? I'm not retired NYPD, nor have I ever been a part of the NYPD, but I did take an exam in 2004 and am currently slated to take next Saturday's written exam as well. If it is indeed a scam, whose attention should I bring this to?

Be well, all!

[phantasm]

Yes there really is a Retiree Mobilization System. Don't know why you'd get a call as an applicant. Maybe its just the # that shows up when it does call, or maybe it misdialed you by mistake. Who knows.

[Buffboy]

If it was legit, it could be as simple as a wrong number. Caller ID is quite easily spoofed and this is done often by shady telemarketers, so you may have called the number for the real NYPD Retiree Mobilization System in your return call. Then again, you may have called someone "claiming' to be from them. There is also a spoof out there where they hang up before you answer, you call a number that is acutally a "pay to call" number in another country, they keep you on the line with some pap and you wind up with a huge phone bill at the end of the month. You could find out with a google search for the real number but the best option is not to call back such numbers.

[viperphi]

Don't give your social security number to anyone if you did not initiate the call. Ever.

[retdetsgt]

Don't give your social security number to anyone if you did not initiate the call. Ever.

No ****, caller ID or not.... I wouldn't care if they were legit or not. If they don't already have my SS number, they don't need it. Besides, I'd think any organization even remotely associated with the police would know better than to even try to ask a question like that.

[MikeG]

telemarketers sometimes use this to get around "do not call" rules. They call and hang up. You call back. They are in the clear at that point.

Google the phone number. Scams are logged by a number of sites.

Don't ever call back 1-800 0r 1-877 numbers without knowing who they are. They get your phone number regardless of whether you have Caller ID block or whether you are unlisted. That's why they pay for the call.

[retdetsgt]

Don't ever call back 1-800 0r 1-877 numbers without knowing who they are. They get your phone number regardless of whether you have Caller ID block or whether you are unlisted. That's why they pay for the call.

That's a little severe. I found a message on my machine a couple of weeks ago from my credit card's fraud dept. asking for a call back. Sure enough, someone had tried to buy an expensive cell phone with my wife's CC number. I've also gotten msgs from people I've ordered stuff from asking me to call regarding the order.

I can't see NEVER calling back an 800 number just because it's an 800 number. I've never had a telemarketer leave any kind of message anyway and I've never had anyone leave an 800 number that wasn't legit, now that I think about it.

[MikeG]

That's a little severe. I found a message on my machine a couple of weeks ago from my credit card's fraud dept. asking for a call back. Sure enough, someone had tried to buy an expensive cell phone with my wife's CC number. I've also gotten msgs from people I've ordered stuff from asking me to call regarding the order.

I can't see NEVER calling back an 800 number just because it's an 800 number. I've never had a telemarketer leave any kind of message anyway and I've never had anyone leave an 800 number that wasn't legit, now that I think about it.

Without knowing who they are I don't. I meant it in the context of hangups. I've received a 1-800 hangup that I believe was telemarketers searching for residential phone numbers. Certainly I would call back those that leave a message or show up on caller ID matching what they say they are like your fraud example.

[Cat_Doc]

That's a little severe. I found a message on my machine a couple of weeks ago from my credit card's fraud dept. asking for a call back.

Yep. I won't call back a hang-up or someone who did not have the courtesy to leave a message. However, those who leave a message, in clear understandable English, warrants a return call. You never know, it could be of great importance.

p.s. My agency actually has a toll free number that we give out hoping it will help get return phone calls from those who may not have the financial security to pay for what may end up being a lengthy long distance conversation.

[Oscarsjava]

Oh yeah, I never give out my SS without knowing who I'm giving it to and for what purpose, I'm very careful about that. The number itself couldn't be found with a Google search, but it didn't match any numbers associated with the Retiree Mobilization System. I really think it to be a scam - I'll make a call tomorrow and see what can be done.

[dadyswat]

Yes there really is a Retiree Mobilization System. Don't know why you'd get a call as an applicant. Maybe its just the # that shows up when it does call, or maybe it misdialed you by mistake. Who knows.

So what is it for we don't have anything like that in Ohio?

[phantasm]

Don't know why they'd call an applicant, but more proof its a real plan.

NYPD - Administration

[dadyswat]

I guess I was just curious as to what kind of role they would play. The idea makes sense as there are many of retirees that are trained and with some in-service could be an asset.

[phantasm]

I think the purpose of it, at least in the minds of administration, was if there was another type of large scale disaster, or large event, than retirees, who have expierence working in the city, and want to volunteer to help, would keep their information current with the city.

[MikeG]

I guess I was just curious as to what kind of role they would play. The idea makes sense as there are many of retirees that are trained and with some in-service could be an asset.

"Active" retirees here

This looks like one of the members website Dunno.