SS Fax scam soliciting people to call a "poll"

[ProgressiveFool]

Here's an interesting one - received a fax from "Constitutional Polls Referenda" asking me to voice my opinion re: Social Security.

"The issue: Social Security
The Social security Administration has estimated that by 2018 the social security trust fund could become insolvent as it will pay out more in benefits than it will receive in payroll taxes. President Bush has called for an overhaul of this system. He has proposed the introduction of 'personal investment accounts' that would receive part of our payroll taxes. Critics have called the suggestion a step towards 'privatizing the social security fund.' What do you think?

DOES PRESIDENT BUSH HAVE YOUR SUPPORT TO OVERHAUL SOCIAL SECURITY?"

Then you check "yes" or "no" and fax it back to their 1-900 number at $3.95 per minute, which they estimate will take 2-3 minutes to complete.

Er... not that anyone reading these boards is likely to fall for it, but it's just really sort of sad to see already misguided public policy used directly to fleece the ignorant sheeple like this. They've got these people so far over a barrel they can take bites out of their asses at will.

[pnutchuck]

1. It's hard to believe they were allowed to set up this

service in the first place. Do they say exactly what corporation or public entity is sponsoring this poll? You should report them to the phone company! How is this legal?

[ProgressiveFool]

3. here's an interesting blog about the practice

http://www.hyperorg.com/blogger/mtarchive/002168.html

Seems this company called "Senate Surveys" operating out of the UK, has most recently changed their name to "Constitutional Polls Referenda", and has a history of soliciting people for the RW point of view on issues like gay marriage, God in the Pledge, etc.

[jojo54]

2. And I bet the "$3.95 per min was in very small print

what a bunch of crooks

[ProgressiveFool]

4. smallest print on the page

except for their name :)

[jojo54]

5. Geez....

Let's not give them the important facts. Just make them believe they are the important thing so they'll answer the question and make us richer!