So today I got a couple of calls from “Alex.” I learned her name when I called the number back. I was on the phone with my mother when they came in. In normal times, I don’t call unknown reasonably local numbers back, but this is life in the time of COVID19, and a call could be a vaccine appointment. I am registered for shot interest all over as a 1A so I have been calling some unknown numbers back. Like this one today which came in from Allentown 484-460-5990.
I recorded the phone call. One of the phone calls because I called back to see if they would give me a website address:
When I called back at first they said “Philly House Buyers”. Couldn’t find a website so I called again. This time “Alex” said “Home Buyers Incorporated” and gave the website of www.homebuyersincorporated.com . That gives a company in Nebraska (“NE”) , registered in Nebraska but I can’t find a registration in Pennsylvania (“PA”). BUT if you look up “Philly House Buyers” on the Pennsylvania Corporations Database, there is a company registered since 2009 with a Chadds Ford address. So are either of these companies the company behind the calls or are they both behind the calls? Here is what I found on state websites in PA and NE:
These scammers calling is nothing new. Just recently I wrote about scammer “Dan” who sends postcards who wants to buy your house:
“Dan” is so helpful on his pre-recorded message, yet I am still waiting for the first two notices he supposedly sent. Here is what you get when you call him up:
The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote about these types of calls (not the postcards) in 2019 and the pandemic has caused (in my opinion) an uptick in these calls and things like ads for online betting. They are opportunistic because a lot of folks are struggling.
by Christian Hetrick and Julia Terruso
Updated Apr 30, 2019
For a guy who has at least six phone numbers, “Will” is a surprisingly difficult man to reach.
For months, Will has been badgering Philadelphians with prerecorded messages, offering to buy properties in the city and New Jersey. He asks homeowners to call back if they’re interested in selling, promising an offer in just seven minutes over the phone. He’s super casual about it, acknowledging how “random” his dropping them a line might seem….
Not unlike the “We Buy Houses” signs that litter neighborhoods seeking cheap property in hot neighborhoods, the robocalls are more than annoying. They prey on vulnerable homeowners, who are sometimes tricked into selling their properties far below market value, consumer advocates say
Not to mention that they’re illegal under federal laws…. So we decided to ask Will “what’s up,” ignoring experts’ advice that you shouldn’t speak to robocallers, many of whom are fraudsters. [CLICK HERE FOR CALL RECORDING.]
We dialed the callback numbers he left in voice mails, spoke to evasive “investors” who gave inconsistent answers, and unearthed a larger robocall operation that touched major cities across the nation…..But Will consistently left the same callback number: 267-831-1593. We called the number more than 20 times and never got Will. But, we did speak with Cory, Logan, Steven, Sandra, John, two Justins, and countless Pats.
They claimed to be investors from the “Home Buyers Network” who quickly buy properties in cash. Several said they were based in Tampa. Aside from that, they didn’t agree on much else.
For example, Cory Gallagher insisted the group had a website even as he refused to provide it. “Just Google it,” he said. “Call back if you can’t find it.”
Later, a man who went by “John Chris” said: “We don’t have a website because we’re a small-time investment company.”
So we are living La Vida Loca scam style. And yes I did file reports today with the FCC and PA Attorney General’s office. Not that I am convicted they consistently act on these things, but I took the time to do it.
Anyway, be aware. Also note these people prey successfully on our most vulnerable like senior citizens.
Thanks for stopping by.
