National Leadership Award?
I received a voicemail this morning at my work phone number from a Bill Barkus claiming to work for Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) and the National Republican Congressional Committee. According to the message, the RNCC wants to recognize me with their “national leadership award”. Of course I’m immediately skeptical as I consider:
a.) why would a Rep. from Oklahoma want to recognize me as a national leader?
b.) why would the RNCC want to recognize a Democrat?
c.) how did they get my work number?
I thought surely that someone had nominated me as a joke.
However, I needed some answers so I searched on the Internet for “Tom Cole leadership awards“. Lo and behold the first site that came up was another blog about these so-called ‘leadership awards’ and I learned that many, many people had been called. You can read all about it here.
Apparently they ask permission to use your name in a full-page ad they’re taking out to “support further tax cuts and to defeat the Democrats in the upcoming elections” and they also ask that you donate a few hundred dollars to help out with the “media blitz”. I’m assuming that their goals have changed since the Republican defeat in November. Then again, maybe not. They may just be that out of touch.
The common link seems to be registered business owners, but it’s still odd that I was called on my work number. My DBA doesn’t list my work number. The other commonality seems to be that we’re all Democrats (or at least vote that way), but I don’t believe that can be substantiated. Perhaps it’s just Democrats who were skeptical enough to research it further on the Internet.
I haven’t called the number back yet, but I think I might tomorrow sometime just to have a little fun. I did, however, put a call into MY Congressman, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) to inform his office of this scam on the part of the RNCC in case they were not aware. I’m hoping that someone will introduce a symbolic resolution demanding that the RNCC stop harassing and trying to dupe voters across the country. That should embarrass Mr. Cole, Mr. Reynolds, and the already disgraced Mr. Delay.
Update: (03/16/2007): I just received another phone call from Mr. Tom Cole’s office. This time the caller identified herself as Amanda Peyton on my voicemail, but gave the same spiel. They should google their name and their award. They’d see that I come up first.
Update: (04/27/2007): Congratulations to this guy. It’s a real honor to be considered for this award and not just some money-making scam that casts a wide net.
Update: (05/02/2007): These guys are UNBELIEVABLE! I just got another voicemail, this time from a Douglas Wilson with the Business Advisory Council telling me that Congressman Cole would like to invite me to dinner with President Bush on June 13th. This time I was instructed to call 888-383-8065, so it looks like they’re changing up a little bit.
Update: (05/11/2007): It will never end. I returned from lunch just now to find yet ANOTHER voicemail from Jacqueline Grupe (sp?), my contact at the Business Advisory Council. I was asked to call the same 888-383-8065 number as before and to do it with urgency to be able to have dinner with President Bush. Tom Cole must really, really want me to join them for dinner.
chansen wrote:
I too recieved the call today. I’m a republican and I too think it is a scam…makes me somewhat bitter.
Posted on 12-Feb-07 at 6:48 pm | Permalink
Kelly wrote:
While that is so wrong, I can’t help but admire the cleverness of it all.
Posted on 13-Feb-07 at 4:00 pm | Permalink
Trisha wrote:
My fiancee also received a call this morning from Dee Lamasta at Mr. Cole’s Office. We are registered small business owners in CT, however, as he is a “resident alien” and not a “citizen” he is not registered to vote for any party. I thought it sounded fishy and looked it up on the internet and saw all the “scam” blogs! Thanks for your help with this! As small business owners with a brand new company, we cannot afford to be taken by this nonsense.
Posted on 21-Feb-07 at 9:24 am | Permalink
Tere wrote:
What a bunch of crap. I called just to hear what it said. An operater congratulates you and then has you listen to a message from Tom Cole. Wow… I was so honored… right. So I asked how much will this cost. She said nothing to be put in the letter and I would receive a picture of President Bush to put in my office or home…… Okay, finally, “Can I tell Tom Cole we can count on a $500.00 donation?” Hell, no, and don’t call again.
Posted on 22-Feb-07 at 3:29 pm | Permalink
Barb wrote:
I got the same call. Thanks for the heads-up. Just goes to show how much reform is actually needed in our government.
Posted on 23-Feb-07 at 2:28 pm | Permalink
Gail Patterson wrote:
I am a small business owner in California, who was contacting regarding the National Leadership Award from Tom Cole’s office. I am thankful that I checked it out via web searches prior to calling. I think this is a smarmy and outlandish scam. I am going to let my representative know about this contact from RNCC and hope others do as well.
Posted on 24-Feb-07 at 4:11 pm | Permalink
Kris wrote:
I too recd. this call. Didn’t bother to return the call to Tom Cole’s office. Thanks to all those who gave heads-up on this.
Posted on 25-Feb-07 at 6:45 pm | Permalink
Jennifer D. wrote:
Wow - am I glad I checked all this out online after receiving the VM this AM. Amanda Peyton from Tom Cole’s office at 877-213-0603 left me the message that I had won the National Leadership Award. I am a registered Republican but by no means active in any way (hate Bush). I am a professional landscape photographer on the side of my regular 9-5. This blog was very helpful - no way am I going to call her back. This is simply a disgraceful way to raise money and apparently it’s been going on since 2002 (see http://aggressive-voice.com/zz532.html). Maybe I should switch to Democrat.
Posted on 27-Feb-07 at 8:50 am | Permalink
Sal G. wrote:
I received the Award for Co-chariman of the Samll Business Advisory committe and NRCC 2006 Businessman of the year award. I am also a small businessman and can not afford handing out money. Therefore I sent a letter to Cngree man Reynols congreman asking them to pay my travel, hotel and business luncheon in Washing DC for the Republican Summitt Business Luncheonwhen I am supposed to receive my 2006 National Congressional Businessman of the year award. FYI the luncheon tickets cost $5,000.00 each. I will keep this site informed to see if what they are offering is ture or a scam!
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 2:11 am | Permalink
Ryan wrote:
Sal,
That’s a great idea. I should have requested that I be flown out to DC and put up in a hotel to accept my reward. I’d even tell all my friends so it’d be good PR. Do let us know how it all turns out.
-RYAN
Posted on 28-Feb-07 at 11:05 am | Permalink
Barb S. wrote:
I received the same call yesterday while out of town, and a confirming note by fax this AM. Figured it was a scam, and glad I checked. Now I am tempted to call to see what they say if I ask for them to pay for the trip/lunch etc.
I will think about it!
Posted on 01-Mar-07 at 9:26 am | Permalink
Lynne Fonda wrote:
Thanks for your helpful site! My father received the same call, from Rep Tom Cole - OK., asking for me, this a.m., Since I haven’t lived with my parents for the better part of 35+ years, I began to research it.
After consideration of several facts, I came to the following conclusion:
1) I JUST renewed my Monterey County, CA. dba. It had to be published.
2) Since I’m in Colorado Springs, I used my parent’s address on my long term (22 yrs) dba.
3) A Republican would never choose engagement in any discussion, with me!!
4) Apparently, these people are using a cross-reference address/phone; thus my parents phone number. My business # has a toll free 866 number
The conclusion then became quite simple!! I simply told my dad; it’s a scam. This is NOT roket science, and fortunately is a well-earned embarassment to the skewed GOP! Cool, one more tangible piece of evidence they have huge black marks, on their performance.
Many thanks for your info! Your mention of the dba solved it for me, in about 30 seconds!!
Thanks! Keep the Faith!
Lynne Fonda
Posted on 03-Mar-07 at 8:09 am | Permalink
Danielle wrote:
i got a call also and i did research it on the net first total scam i did call back and listen but the i hung up when they asked me for $500.00 what a joke i’m democrat i told them if i was gona donate it would be to the democrats
Posted on 10-Mar-07 at 10:43 pm | Permalink
Ruth H. wrote:
Just got the same message today from Tom Cole’s office…same pitch…same return phone #…small business owner…registered Democrat. Because of this site, and several others like it, I will not be returning that call. Thanks.
Posted on 12-Mar-07 at 7:56 pm | Permalink
Kristen wrote:
I received a similar call on my company’s phone line today from Beverly Brown, who also said she was calling “on behalf of Congressman Tom Cole and the Republican Congressional Committee” because I’d been selected for their so-called National Leadership Award and she wanted to speak with me about a press release. There was a similar telemarketing scam coming from Tom Delay’s office a few years ago. I didn’t bother to return the call because what they don’t bother to tell you in their message is that they want you — the supposed “award recipient” — to pay for the press release. Some of them also want you to pay big bucks to attend a dinner supposedly held in honor of you and all the other “award recipients”. What a joke.
Posted on 15-Mar-07 at 2:05 pm | Permalink
Bill wrote:
I got the same call. Although I’m registered as a Republican (however, not to happy about the way the GOP is going these days) I think I’ll pass on the call back. At first I thought they must have gotten me and my father confused because I doubt I’ve done anything “leaderly” lately, at least not on a National level.
This all kind of reminds me of those Liberian money transfer scams
Posted on 15-Mar-07 at 2:45 pm | Permalink
Candice Breyer wrote:
I too received 2 phone calls for the award, and I’m a republican. Actually, these kinds of awards are prevalent throughout the country. I’ve been nominated now for the National Leadership award, the National Poetry award, Who’s Who in Business, Who’s Who in Leadership, and Who’s Who in Poetry. The other day I received an email from the British version of a poetry award.
Every last one of these so called “awards”, that get you nothing in life, costs you at least a few hundred dollars. I’ve researched every one of them, and realized that they only exist to get more money out of people with little to show for it in return. Quite honestly, I would be embarrassed to have bragging rights like that on the wall of one of my offices, because I wouldn’t have a response as to how I earned it, and you know that everyone would ask–”so how’d you get that?” and I would have to reply that I paid $500 for it. How embarrassing.
Posted on 16-Mar-07 at 7:53 am | Permalink
cameron wrote:
Today at work they left a message with one of my employees for me, same BS as everybody else, they would like to present me as a business owner with the national leadership award. Thanks for the heads up people!!! At first I thought it was my creepy peeping tom stalker sub human homophobe biggot nieghbor screwing with me, well not this time it’s just a republican congressman.
Posted on 17-Mar-07 at 1:13 am | Permalink
Jack wrote:
Ditto, and ditto. Ya know… they left me their 877 number to call them back… and they get charged everytime someone calls it… hmmm… 877-213-0603… I think I’ll give them a call, or 500.
Posted on 19-Mar-07 at 12:06 pm | Permalink
Phil McIntyre wrote:
What scam to use by a “Republican Party Member”, due to businesses leaving the country and false info to the American people on the war by President’s staff. What’s next? A job offer in Washington as an Assistant to the Assistant of the Award Search Committee and I can make these same calls? Even better, “How to raise money to Install Rig Voting Ballot Machines in Democrat’s states?” What a Big Joke!
Posted on 20-Mar-07 at 8:39 am | Permalink
Phil McIntyre wrote:
I received a called today on my machine from Heather Cole who left this message:
This message is for Mr. Phil McIntyre. Hi Mr. McIntyre, my name is Heather Yoland Sullivan. I’m with Congressman Tom Cole in the National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington. We would like to recognize you sir, it’s with our National Leadership Award. But I want to talk with too about a press release, because we do want to send that out to you. So again, my name is Heather Yolanda. My number is 1-877-213-0603. So please call as soon as get the message. Thank you sir and you have a good day.
What scam to use by a “Republican Party Member”, due to businesses leaving the country and false info to the American people on the war by President’s staff. What’s next? A job offer in Washington as an Assistant to the Assistant of the Award Search Committee and I can make these same calls? Even better, “How to raise money to Install Rig Voting Ballot Machines in Democrat’s states?” What a Big Joke!
Posted on 20-Mar-07 at 8:42 am | Permalink
Bob B. wrote:
Just retrieved the VM this morning from Walter Stevens obo Tom Cole’s office to call back for more award info(877 213-0603). They butchered my name; and how they got it is scary. My rather large company recently filed DBA (seems like the common denominator), but in no way am I an owner. Amazing what a little googling can do. Thanks for the heads-up.
Posted on 21-Mar-07 at 8:23 am | Permalink
Cj wrote:
I just received the call this morning from Monica Ewok. Same exact message as those listed above.
I am neither a registered voter, nor am I a registered business owner. I used to sell Avon so I presume that’s how they found me.
Sounded like a scam so I immediately searched the web. Thank goodness for the web! :)
Posted on 21-Mar-07 at 1:06 pm | Permalink
Dan B. wrote:
I was wondering about this….. Especially since I was just out in DC 10 days ago lobbying on behalf of ProSpace (a Space advocacy group). I didn’t recall meeting with any Legislative Directors from Tom Cole’s office. And why the hell does a congressman need a toll-free number?! I see now that they must have found me from being the “owner” (director) of a non-profit organization. I should be the one calling their office soliciting donations. Hmmm…..
Posted on 21-Mar-07 at 8:29 pm | Permalink
Matt B wrote:
Same story as everyone else - I’m the registered contact on my DBA, although I hadn’t had a chance to google prior to calling. I was asked for a $500 donation to support a full page ad in the WSJ (which I rejected after they couldn’t disclose the content of the ad). I’m a moderate libertarian, so I’m not exactly a supportive demographic for the current administration.
Posted on 22-Mar-07 at 8:26 am | Permalink
discovering community » National Leadership Award Nomination–Congressman Tom Cole wrote:
[...] I am so proud to tell everyone that I have been nominated for the National Leadership Award by Congressman, Tom Cole. Unfortunately, Google happens. [...]
Posted on 22-Mar-07 at 2:26 pm | Permalink
Brad Hoffman wrote:
Was called at my Business number and a message was left saying I won!!! Same girl Amanda the porn star!
that wants you to meet her, then refers you to her personal add trying to get you to hook up with her!
I think ill give them a call back!! Saying im her pimp!!!!
Posted on 22-Mar-07 at 4:53 pm | Permalink
Karen Goeller wrote:
Hey, I got the call today. Now I feel like a member of some club. Glad I didn;t fall for the scam! I always do a reverse lookup and if nothing shows, then I tyoe the nuber into google.I am so glad I did that because I found all the dirt on these sleezes! Thanks for posting this information. I’d rather spend a minute responding to this post than a ton of time and energy trying to figure it out by calling them back! Thanks again for the information!!!
Karen
http://www.StrengthTeacher.com
Posted on 22-Mar-07 at 9:21 pm | Permalink
Annoyed Callee wrote:
I, too, have received these calls. In fact, I can’t count the number of times they’ve called by business line since last June or so. Sometimes, several times a day. Most of the time they don’t leave a message, but sometimes they do. They’ve left two messages in the last two days, and I’m starting to get fed up.
I have never, ever called back. I wish they’d get the hint.
Posted on 23-Mar-07 at 7:50 am | Permalink
Big Winner wrote:
Yippee!! Im the newest recipient of the award!!!
Posted on 23-Mar-07 at 4:25 pm | Permalink
Shelli wrote:
I am a receptionist for a company that was called on the scam. I stupidly gave them my fax. i hope nothing else comes of this.
Posted on 23-Mar-07 at 5:04 pm | Permalink
Ralf & Bobbi wrote:
Is This for real ? How stupid do they think we are? As Business owners we know ain’t nothing in this world for free. Well maybe if We had time we might consider calling back ….not. Why are they wasting our time with this GOP bull sh*t?
Posted on 24-Mar-07 at 12:00 am | Permalink
Aaron wrote:
Yah, same story….
But I think you should call Tom’s office. Dial *67 first to blcok caller ID, then given it’s a 877 number we’ll ring up quite a bill for this A-Hole.
Posted on 26-Mar-07 at 8:18 pm | Permalink
Jason H wrote:
I got the call today, too (actually, my wife did at home). Saying this is a “scam” is overstating things a bit. And the Do-Not-Call list doesn’t cover political campaigns. Basically, these calls have to be chalked up to being an annoyance that we have to live with.
I’m apolitical (I refrain from participating in the political system), so they couldn’t have gotten my name from a voter registry. They must be using Social Security or Driver’s License records to call people in areas where they are “likely” to have support. I live in Texas, which is predominantly Republican, of course.
Posted on 27-Mar-07 at 2:39 pm | Permalink
Carol wrote:
I too just got the call!! I just received a real national honor and thought could I be so hot that even the republicans want to give me an award…I guess I’m not that hot!!!
Posted on 27-Mar-07 at 7:24 pm | Permalink
Robert Dickson wrote:
Jason - Apparently, they don’t only call places where they think they’ll have support. I live in Maryland, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1, and I go the call. Click on my name to read my story.
I have no political affiliation, but it enrages me that any political party would stoop so low as to pull this kind of sleazy scam.
Posted on 27-Mar-07 at 9:03 pm | Permalink
Mike wrote:
I wonder if they will address my award to “my company”…it’s just a bogus thing for IT stuff and my co’s name is Bitch and Bastid website ubastid.com. Email me my award dammit!
Thanks for starting this blog, but I think I will still call and corner their butts by telling them I’m too poor and ask them to please mail it. Yay!
Posted on 29-Mar-07 at 3:41 pm | Permalink
Vincent Eddy wrote:
I recieved my call telling me that I was a winner!
I had to do some research before I could consider.
I am no mad, I an not bitter
But for $500 dollars I will be a quitter
Posted on 30-Mar-07 at 1:58 pm | Permalink
Babs in Texas wrote:
Got call yesterday. Pretty sure it was a scam and figured they wanted money. Googled it just to see what was the deal. Do they think people are stupid?
Posted on 31-Mar-07 at 9:55 am | Permalink
Brad Hoffman wrote:
Oh my god!! more calls even after calling the secretary and telling her to “F” off! She then reminded me that the conversation was being recorded! I said “good then everyone can listen to this” and oh………..”F” off! I like to call them and put them on hold!! its kinda fun and better than playing solitaire!
Posted on 09-Apr-07 at 2:28 pm | Permalink
Cynthia in California wrote:
I have been called about 5 times by Congressman Tom Coles office. I figured it was a scam and never called back. They have talked to my employees and when they finally reached me, they said I was being honored with a National Leadership Award, then went on to ask for $500.00 or even $300.00 if I couldn’t work with the 500 figure. I was right, they just wanted money ! Why does a Congressman from Oklahoma want to honor me , he has no idea who I am and what I do. They must think we women are stupid
Posted on 10-Apr-07 at 6:02 pm | Permalink
Holly in Chicago wrote:
I have been called twice. Both times it was someone from Tom Cole’s office telling me that I was to be honored with a National Leadership Award. The second call even said that I was invited to be an honored guest at a dinner with The President and Mrs. Bush. Oh, please! I can hardly stand to watch him on TV. I don’t think I would enjoy a dinner with him in the same room.
Posted on 19-Apr-07 at 10:44 am | Permalink
K Tackett wrote:
My husband just received “the call” from Tom Cole’s business advisorary Council. There is no such word as advisorary, but that is what she said! They obviously have been doing this for a while, I wonder how many people have actually fallen for this. I’m going to call and ask them what advisorary means -Merriam-Webster says it is not a word. ha ha!!!
Posted on 07-May-07 at 3:55 pm | Permalink
Andrew wrote:
haha, I too am invited to dinner with President Bush. I got a ring from my main man Brian. Thank God Im invited to the fake party of the year.
Posted on 08-May-07 at 2:05 pm | Permalink
Steve Silberberg wrote:
Thanks for posting this and exposing it for the underhanded phone spam I figured it had to be.
Steve
Posted on 09-May-07 at 12:46 pm | Permalink
David wrote:
The funniest thing is that when you’re googling this, you find press releases from the suckers who think this is really an award to be proud of!
Posted on 10-May-07 at 12:45 pm | Permalink
Earl wrote:
Ha. I got one too.
Seems like only democrats are getting invited to be on the National Republican Congressional Committee as the Business Advisory Council. Cool - if they keep this up, maybe the dem’s will kick the Rup
s oput.
Posted on 10-May-07 at 1:09 pm | Permalink
Thomas wrote:
I am a Republican and I got the message. Rep Tom Cole wants me to have dinner with Bush 43 on the 13th. Who are they kidding? I have had better phone scams than this tried on me. Couldn’t they get someone from your own district to invite you? I would rather have dinner with my new Democrat Lampson than the sleezy Tom Delay I had.
Posted on 11-May-07 at 8:46 am | Permalink
Jan Chilton wrote:
I just got the same BS call about having dinner with President Bush. Can’t Tom Cole’s office do something about this scam? I would think he’d be outraged.
I’m also a registered Democrat, but my business is homebased and NOT registered. They are probably getting their information from some website directory for small businesses.
Jan
Myrtle Beach, SC
Posted on 11-May-07 at 9:57 am | Permalink
Davien Crow wrote:
Well I just got this phone from the same number, they have been calling my Business line every day for the past month or more from 1(888)383-8065 as an Uknown Caller. They didn’t leave a message (I never answered the calls) on my business line but started calling my personal line instead. They left a messagge this time it said something along the lines of “Hello, my name is Bonita Hagar, I’m calling on behalf of the Business Advisory Council”… of course there is no single Business Advisory Council let alone I am not a member of any political party or have registered to vote (because I have thought all of the candidates were morons thus far in my adulthood) “… We want to invite you to a dinner with President Bush on Tuesday the 13th, please call back.. the number is.. ” blah blah blah .. you guys know the drill.
After getting the message I simply looked the number up, found this, and other sites, red flagging it, and looked on my call history, notes, and such… AND THERE I noticed they had also called months ago and pretended to be a Virginia Senator as well. A family member had written down the call for me and sure enough that number was the same.
DO NOT FALL FOR THIS PLOY, it’s obviously too good to be true, and very far fetched by any standards unless your Bono or a CEO.
I don’t know the consequences of falling for this typical Phisher ploy, but it will most likely get you more calls, mail, and possible even involve identity theft or result in some other substantial loss.
I suggest somone call the FBI and contact the BBB immediately. What they are doing is most likely illegal.
Posted on 11-May-07 at 8:26 pm | Permalink
Geri M wrote:
This is retarded! I got a call from a “Betty Lake”. I was thinking, “WTF!” What would they want with a World of Warcraft gamer! Seriously!
Posted on 13-May-07 at 12:06 am | Permalink
Nichole wrote:
I just received a call for my husband for this same scam. It was from a Kenny Richman & said that Tom Cole wanted to invite my husband for dinner with the President on June 13th. He also gave 888-383-8065 as the call back number.
You would think people would have better things to do with their time.
Posted on 15-May-07 at 7:19 am | Permalink
JL FLores wrote:
I just got a call from “my contact, Jason Cohn (con?) with the Business Advisory Council” leaving a 1-888-383-8065 # for me to call back regarding Congressmand Tom Cole inviting me to Pres Bush’s dinner on June 13th. What?!?! So I googled it and found you guys. Anybody report this to Cong Tom Cole’s office?
Posted on 15-May-07 at 10:32 am | Permalink
Matthew Cornell wrote:
Yet another person who got the call today. Dinner with the president, Tom Cole, from my “contact” Susan Bates, 888-383-8065. What an honor! Let me check my schdule… June 13th - shoot, I’m hosting an impeach Bush dinner. Maybe I can shift a few things…
P.S. I recently signed up for a federal contractor database - I suspect they harvested it.
Posted on 15-May-07 at 11:48 am | Permalink
K. Burr wrote:
OK~Just received a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OFFER I can absolutely refuse!!! I myself got the gracious phone call from the WONDERFUL Betty Lake!! Anyone recognize this one?? Well got to lookin’ at the names and found they were all odd!?!? Who the hell named their child Susan Bates(Hotel Heir related?), Betty Lake(Pinup?), Jason Cohn(Director?), Bonita Hagar(Comic strip or Rock star??) Anyone catch the similarities?? Such comedy ~ did not know a scam could be so fun!!!!
Posted on 15-May-07 at 10:59 pm | Permalink
Rachel wrote:
Hi - My husband got the call. Looked up the telemarketing company, Infocision……..(http://www.infocision.com/ContactUs/Pages/ContactUs.aspx) - - I called and asked to be put on their Do Not Call list. Hopefully they will scrub my number off their database and the calls from Infocision will stop.
Posted on 16-May-07 at 7:19 am | Permalink
William Rogers wrote:
I’m a behavioral neuroscientist involved in an ongoing quantifiable research investigation pertaining to the current administration. All of our staff received similar calls from one Michelle Gorman inviting us to meet with President Bush. We called back and have been asked to interact either in Oklahoma or DC. We do have questions relating to our study of “why certain humans behave in the manner and fashion that they do”. We will follow through and see what happens.
Posted on 17-May-07 at 4:52 pm | Permalink
Lisa Perales wrote:
This seems as if it might be interesting. We will contact several of the participants to see if there is something worth exposing.
Posted on 17-May-07 at 7:49 pm | Permalink
Lisa Perales wrote:
http://www.WorldNewsWatch.org
Posted on 17-May-07 at 7:50 pm | Permalink
Dee Greenberg wrote:
I got a call today from Wilma Stevens (05/18/07)
from the Business Advisory Council. She told me I was invited to dinner with George Bush (Ha!) and to please call her back at this number as soon as I get the message: 888-383-8065. I own a very small start up business venture and am a registered business owner as well as a registered Democrat. I did not for one minute fall for this hype — yeah like George Bush really gives a crap about me . . . .
Glad I found this site! ;-)
Posted on 18-May-07 at 4:17 pm | Permalink
G~ wrote:
WOW - I just got the call from Bonita! This sounds fantastic! It will be an honor to have dinner with all of you .. : )
Posted on 23-May-07 at 11:45 am | Permalink
Barbara S wrote:
Got the same call this AM. I’m fairly sure Pres. Bush does not want to be in the same room with me (I have a daughter in the military)….so glad I checked the web and found this before I called back. thanks for all the useful information.
Posted on 23-May-07 at 12:20 pm | Permalink
T wrote:
My husband and I are small business owners in Texas (We recenlty reloactaed from arizona to tx) and got a call this morning from a Debra Cambell with Congressman Senator Tom Cole advising me to call this number 888-383-8065. They would like for my husband to have lunch with President Bush on June 13… Of coarse not calling the number I immedieatly felt a scam and googled the number, and ran into this. Felt that I should leave my feedback.
I have no idea how they got our unlisted number, cause our business just opened up within the last couple of weeks in this state.
Anyhow, I’m not forking any money over >
Posted on 24-May-07 at 7:42 am | Permalink
David MacGregor-Lambert wrote:
I thought I would add a note as I too recieved a call to go to dinner with Congressman Tomco and President Bush. I am a legal alien here in the US. I am from the UK and run a small (just me) computer repair company in San Diego. The funny thing is I can’t vote anyway, so maybe I should go for the free food. Oh, I guess nothing is free right!!
Posted on 24-May-07 at 7:52 am | Permalink
Jim wrote:
Yes, I received 2 calls recently from the same. Both were stating that Pres Bush wanted to have dinner with me (Well, just come on over to my place, I will throw some pig on the grill)
Anyway, didn’t call back and the number they called was actually a co-owner of a business I closed 2 years ago, but they asked for me!
You should say, yes I would love to get a picture and love to go…and $500, sorry, I checked the box on my tax return to donate to the Presidential Campaign and that is the bulk of my political contributions for the year.
Posted on 25-May-07 at 11:02 am | Permalink
dave wendel wrote:
Same call, twice. I wish that there was a way to take legal action.
Posted on 25-May-07 at 6:49 pm | Permalink
call from Ashley Fritz wrote:
I received one today saying “Hello, this message is for Mrs………. , My name is Ashley Fritz, I’m your contact with the Business Advisory Council. Congressman Tom Cole would like to invite you to dinner with President Bush on June 13th. Please call me as soon as you get this message at 1-888-383-8065.Thank you”. Thank you for having this post!
Posted on 29-May-07 at 1:42 pm | Permalink
marc wrote:
i too received htis call
my soin says..you don’rt want to have lunch with president Bush…You hate hime,
i said your right I would NEVER want to have lunch with him
my son is so clever he is only 9
Posted on 29-May-07 at 5:30 pm | Permalink
marc wrote:
sorry wasnt able to edit last comment
Posted on 29-May-07 at 5:31 pm | Permalink
marc wrote:
re: president Bush
i told my son, who was 6 at the time, we were going to washington DC and he said i dont want to go
i might see president Bush..
I said well if you dont have anything nice to say yhen dont say anything although if he said something mean I wouldnt stop him
Posted on 29-May-07 at 5:32 pm | Permalink
Brandie wrote:
I received the following VM this morning:
Hi this message is for Miss Brandie, my name is Barb Wells, and I’m your contact with the business advisory council. Congressman Tom Kohl would like to invite you to dinner with President Bush on June 13th. Please call me as soon as you get this message at 1-888-383-8065. I have not returned the call, but I do see the agenda on the Business Advisory Council. I see from above posts, it’s not cheap to go!
Posted on 31-May-07 at 1:11 pm | Permalink
Martin Hanson wrote:
Ditto for me on 05/30/07 like this:
Hi this message is for (insert my name), my name is Charles Perry, and I’m your contact with the business advisory council. Congressman Tom Kohl would like to invite you to dinner with President Bush on June 13th. Please call me as soon as you get this message at 1-888-383-8065.
It doesn’t sound like a recording, call was to my work number (I’m not in accouting or finance), and the last sentence conveys some urgency.
I didn’t call it, waiting until I got home today and could check it out a little–was going to have my secretary call it.
I’m not that well connected to be invited to a presidential dinner.
Posted on 04-Jun-07 at 7:16 am | Permalink
Danielle wrote:
I have also been receiving these calls for several months - on my home AND work number, both directed to my name. I am getting really PO’d with them - they are nothing more than phone spam.
I found this blog because today the message left a return phone number 1-888-383-8065 which I decided to google to see what the number was. I see I am not alone in being harrassed.
Posted on 06-Jun-07 at 7:46 am | Permalink
Joe wrote:
I just thought of a response to their request for donations while I was reading all your comments: “No, I will not contribute, I am already contributing at the gas pump!”
If the republicans want to stay in power they had better fix this one.
Joe :o)
Posted on 14-Jun-07 at 8:11 am | Permalink
Alex wrote:
Just got the call! Wow! Let’s get these crooks!
Actually the odds are it has NOTHING to do with Tom Cole, or any party, that it is actually an “honest to goodness” SCAM/FRAUD by a totally unrelated group, using the guise of political fundraising to keep everyone from reporting it to the FTC..The people steal your money and run.
(Ftc claims that fundraising is allowed, but if this isn’t really fundraising, then it’s a felony on multiple levels)
Think about it, if that nice convenient 888 number isn’t Tom Cole, then these people could be in for some serious charges, including fraud, telemarketing, impersonating a government official, identity theft…
Everyone take the time to officially REPORT THIS! To both the FTC and to Tom Cole! You can bet something will be done.
(ftc.gov works, and google Tom Cole’s Congressional page, not his campaign pages, obviously don’t call the number from the scam)
Most imporatantly report the Number. Everything else is likely a Lie, but high ranking gov officials should be able to trace the number. File an official FTC Fraud complaint (it’s a pain, but if we all do it something should get done about this).
Also you can register for the ftc no-call-list, 30 days later report JUST the number (because we really don’t know who is calling)
Really, lets act like the “Business Advisory Chairs” that we are and get these people either put away, or exposed.
Posted on 14-Jun-07 at 8:35 am | Permalink
Cathy wrote:
Yup, they’re still going at it. I got back from vacation today and heard this spiel from a woman claiming to be “Samantha Benniger.”
I just formed a new business in April… more confirmation that that’s where they’re pulling our names from.
Posted on 20-Jun-07 at 12:45 pm | Permalink
Brandon wrote:
Same deal with me. This time they claim you’re wanted for a business council. I called Tom Cole’s offices in D.C. to see if they’ve made an official press release about this scam and was referred to the National Republican Congressional Committee at 877-565-1309 (I got a voice mail though). I’d asked the woman at Cole’s D.C. office if they’d received other calls regarding this matter and she said “..Quite a few.”
Posted on 22-Jun-07 at 7:15 am | Permalink
Brandon wrote:
Just found this link when I googled the last phone number I mentioned.
http://www.flyteblog.com/flyte/2006/10/national_leader.html
Posted on 22-Jun-07 at 7:26 am | Permalink
elizabeth wrote:
I have received a call from Rep. Tom Cole’s office and the Business Advisory Council on about five different occasions so far, and the calls have encompassed everything mentioned on this page so far. I think it is annoying that they keep calling me!
Posted on 26-Jun-07 at 8:19 pm | Permalink
Translate This! » Blog Archive » Wanted In Washington wrote:
[...] Addition: A bit more background – another blog post. [...]
Posted on 29-Jun-07 at 11:11 am | Permalink
Dustin wrote:
It just so happens that I work for this company …and while some information is excluded in the initial call (that’s just part of marketing) the president’s dinner is absolutely real …for those of you calling this a “scam” …looks like you so called “business people” better do a little more research
Yes, there are people who want to go to this dinner, there are people who have even attended this dinner repeatedly …when we call your business we are “prospecting”, and again…any so called “business person” should know what that means, and thusly your apathetic refusal to call back only prompts us to call you again. A good salesman never gives up.
The president’s dinner…of course it isn’t free, are you kidding me, hundreds of people taken to DC on the NRCC’s funding?! How would that be good fundraising, which is exactly what the president’s dinner is…any half educated “business person” as you all like to be called should know that.
Posted on 03-Jul-07 at 4:10 am | Permalink
Dustin wrote:
You want good word of mouth, concerned the least bit about your “business” image, then be courteous to anyone who places a call to your “business” telemarketer or otherwise..
Posted on 03-Jul-07 at 4:14 am | Permalink
Dave F wrote:
The virus is morphing….
…the award that is dangled is now something called a Congressional Leadership Medal. If Tom Cole wants to raise funds, or invite someone to a dinner that they have to pay for, that’s fine. Don’t blow smoke up my keister by telling me I’ve won an award, and as a business person, don’t waste my time with this crap. It’s insulting. I’m contributing the $500 to anyone who will run against this a-hole
Posted on 17-Jul-07 at 11:16 am | Permalink