[Highland Park] Carpet cleaning?
I received a phone call this morning from a man who asked for me by my last name. He then told me which street I live on and made reference to someone else "who lives nearby who he had done work for". He said I'd probably remember him calling me last year (he's keeping records of when he calls me?), which I do remember. He sounds like an older man, gruff voice, and he speaks very quickly. He says he lives on Stanton Avenue and has been in the carpet and upholstery cleaning business in East Liberty for 70 years and wanted to know if I needed any work done. He said he charges some rate (which I can't remember), but then said he has also done work for women who can't afford that rate, but he'll just take whatever they can pay him. Last year when this happened I thought it was a scam, so I asked his name and he very quickly said "ok have a nice day" and hung up on me without giving it. This time he did give me a name. I tried using the return call service to get his number, but they said it was listed as private. Has anybody else had a similar phone call? I thought I'd mention it in case it is some kind of scam. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but the phone calls are very rushed and it's a bit unsettling when a stranger calls and tells you your name and address and the last time they spoke with you - especially since I'd never heard of him in the first place.
Hello Jessica and the Highland Park Community, If you receive similar calls do the call trace feature. It costs 50 cents a call however, the phone company will release the information to the police department and I can track similar calls to determine the validity of his business. In the interim, your information address, name can all be obtained on websites and msn.com or any reverse look-up feature. If you travel, are elderly or single please use caution when speaking to someone with a private line as they may be putting out "feelers." You can also block calls from all private line via your service providers. Cmdr RaShall M. Brackney, Commander Zone Five Station Penn Circle West and Ansley Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206 (412) 665-3605 -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com] On Behalf Of JESSICA SUTARA Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:37 PM To: Highland Park Subject: [Highland Park] Carpet cleaning? I received a phone call this morning from a man who asked for me by my last name. He then told me which street I live on and made reference to someone else "who lives nearby who he had done work for". He said I'd probably remember him calling me last year (he's keeping records of when he calls me?), which I do remember. He sounds like an older man, gruff voice, and he speaks very quickly. He says he lives on Stanton Avenue and has been in the carpet and upholstery cleaning business in East Liberty for 70 years and wanted to know if I needed any work done. He said he charges some rate (which I can't remember), but then said he has also done work for women who can't afford that rate, but he'll just take whatever they can pay him. Last year when this happened I thought it was a scam, so I asked his name and he very quickly said "ok have a nice day" and hung up on me without giving it. This time he did give me a name. I tried using the return call service to get his number, but they said it was listed as private. Has anybody else had a similar phone call? I thought I'd mention it in case it is some kind of scam. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but the phone calls are very rushed and it's a bit unsettling when a stranger calls and tells you your name and address and the last time they spoke with you - especially since I'd never heard of him in the first place.
Hi all, Many people responded saying that they receive annual phone calls from the same man, Mr. Amen. He usually gives the same line about having done work for someone that lives nearby. Some people have seen him dragging his carpet cleaning things with him on the bus or along sidewalks in Highland Park. Others have had him do a job for them and said his work is fair. People also said that he can be argumentative and eccentric. The general consensus is that he is a harmless old man, maybe a bit lonely, who is looking for some extra income. I hope this helps to answer whatever questions were out there. Several people expressed their unease with the phone calls, so I am reposting the advice that Commander Brackney gave at the end of this email. Thanks for your replies. Hello Jessica and the Highland Park Community, If you receive similar calls do the call trace feature. It costs 50 cents a call however, the phone company will release the information to the police department and I can track similar calls to determine the validity of his business. In the interim, your information address, name can all be obtained on websites and msn.com or any reverse look-up feature. If you travel, are elderly or single please use caution when speaking to someone with a private line as they may be putting out "feelers." You can also block calls from all private line via your service providers. Cmdr RaShall M. Brackney, Commander Zone Five Station Penn Circle West and Ansley Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206 (412) 665-3605
participants (2)
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Brackney, Rashall
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JESSICA SUTARA