Marijuana “Phone Poll” Update – DO NOT CALL
***Last Update: It caused a lot of confusion, but we finally got to the bottom of it. It turns out this number is not a scam, just an innocent poll number set up by Humor Hotlines that got hijacked by mischievous user online who falsely promoted it. For more information, go here: http://www.showmethefacts.org/2009/04/24/marijuana-phone-poll-scam-confusing/
In light of the new information, I will strike out information from the article below but leave it for the sake of transparency.***
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As I pointed out in the last article, there was something suspicious going on in regards that 973-409-3274 number currently being passed around the internet.
The only legitimate tie it seemed to have were claims that it was backed by/associated with Change.org. Thus, the only logical thing to do was to contact Change.org for clarification. I just got this response:
Thanks for the note, Eric. We are in no way connected to the phone number you mentioned, and it also looks very much like a scam to us. We would really appreciate it if you would update your blog to let your readers know about this, as well as anyone else who may have been spreading the rumor that this is a legitimate number/operation, which it is almost certainly not. We will also try to write a blog post about it tomorrow clarifying things if we can find the time.
Thanks again for bringing this to our attention,
Ben Rattray
Founder and CEO, Change.org
Everything was pointing at “scam”, but this severs the last bit of potential legitimacy that the number had.
So please, DO NOT CALL 973-409-3274 as it appears to be a type of scam to either harvest phone numbers or even potentially charge you money by hitting the pound key (which would be the equivalent of you accepting charges).
STOP sharing this phone number as well. I literally sit and watch person after person share this on twitter thinking they are helping the cause when in reality they are just helping these scammers reach new victims. If you have shared this link, please post this update to let others know to keep an eye on their phone bill for any unauthorized charges.
Again, just to be clear: This number is not a legitimate polling number associated with any known marijuana advocacy group. Calling it does not help/support marijuana legislation in anyway and only risks you becoming a victim to some type of phone scam.
If you really want to help legalize marijuana, consider making a contribution to MPP, NORML, or other reputable, legitimate marijuana advocacy groups. Just like the many online petitions available, a “phone call poll” will hardly destroy prohibition.
Thanks again Mr. Rattray for your prompt response!
Want to share this link on your site/blog? Copy and paste this code:
April 24th, 2009 at 10:05 am
[...] Re: Dial this number??? This has been reported and confirmed as a scam to harvest phone numbers and possibly charge your monthly phone bill based on your input at the end of the message. Pressing # or 0 is the equivalent of accepting any charges. Supposedly this phone number is linked to Change.org. Here is a message from the CEO this morning. "Thanks for the note, Eric. We are in no way connected to the phone number you mentioned, and it also looks very much like a scam to us. We would really appreciate it if you would update your blog to let your readers know about this, as well as anyone else who may have been spreading the rumor that this is a legitimate number/operation, which it is almost certainly not. We will also try to write a blog post about it tomorrow clarifying things if we can find the time. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention, Ben Rattray Founder and CEO, Change.org" Marijuana “Phone Poll” Scam Confirmed – DO NOT CALL | Show Me the Facts [...]
April 24th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
[...] which would support this claim on Change.org’s website. I sent an e-mail off and got a reply from Ben Rattray (founder and CEO of Change.org) who dismissed the claim and denied any endorsement for the [...]
April 29th, 2009 at 12:27 am
[...] Re: Cast Your Vote Now That number is a possible scam or at the very least pointless. Marijuana “Phone Poll” Update – DO NOT CALL | Show Me the Facts [...]
April 29th, 2009 at 11:38 am
what is wrong with society….??? although I would love for this to be true. why do so many people not research any email/text etc you get before assuming that ist correct?
Statistically speaking how can there be any truth behind the statement that if 1million people vote…it will be legalized.
I mean think about it…
as of this post the US has 306,317,063 ( http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html )
if statistics can be believed, 14.8 million age 12 and older smoke at least once a month (as of 2006) http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
so…if that is true…why would the vote only need 1 million to legalize?thats not even a 10% representation of the actual potsmokers nationwide as indicated by the statistics.
Why do people not just THINK…??? Why do we take what the media/internet/texts/friends/religion tell us at face value and not make decisions based on reality that can be confirmed.
**end rant**
July 17th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
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