Wednesday, February 10, 2010

PCS Notice: There is a Gift Waiting For You

In this author's opinion this is not a scam, but it is an unethical practice. You are trading your rights for a fruit basket. There is a law that is known as the "3-day cooling down period" law. You know, the 3-days rule to get out of a contract.

Under California law, a consumer can cancel a contract within three days if they change their mind, but... this law — this right — applies only to people who are 'induced to sign a contract by a salesperson canvassing a neighborhood,' and does not apply if the consumer made an appointment or invited the salesperson to make a sales pitch, or if you have signed the contract at their place of business. The law is quite limited. So, for the promise of a fruit basket of unknown value (or suitability for human consumption), the unsuspecting consumer makes an appointment to be pitched by an experienced salesperson, thereby giving up their Cooling-Off Period rights.

This is not illegal. It is done in various forms all the time. But I, personally, do not like this practice at all.

In my case, this notice arrived on my own front porch Feb. 10, 2010 in Encinitas, in the San Diego area. My notice was pink, but others have been reported with green paper. At its heart, it is actually an advertising ploy involving deception, which is why I list it on my scams blog — though I have no reason to believe, at this point, that it is a traditional scam designed to rip you off. It is deception, nevertheless. The deception comes in the form of the pictured pink (or blue) notice dropped on your doorstep.

In my case, I work at home, and I always hear a knock or the doorbell since my desk is in very close proximity to the front door. So, I always know when someone claims to have made an attempt when I have been home.

Second deception, the notice is designed to look like a real package attempted-delivery notice, and third, they use a pre-printed, 2-color printout using a "handwriting font" which is meant to deceive you into believing it was handwritten by the person who attempted the delivery. In reality, no one came to your door with a fruit basket. Only the notice.

And they did the same thing to every neighbor on your block.

How the scam works:
The reference number is a database code. When you call the number on the form, the operator (phone-pool monkey) answers and asks you for the reference number, which he/she enters into their computer, which brings up information from the particular advertiser that is paying them to get them new customers.

The phone monkey tells you you are to receive a free [in my case] 'fruit basket' from a [fill in the blank service] to introduce their services to people in your neighborhood.

This scam is meant to circumvent laws related to the No-Call List. They get you to call them, instead. This also, as noted, circumvents the 3-day cooling off laws, since, technically, upon making an appointment you have invited them to come to your home to make the sales pitch.

While I sympathize with companies who have a harder time getting new customers due to No-Call List Laws, and I sympathize with people who need a job so badly that they will take a job deceiving people all day on the phone, I think they should choose work that has more integrity. I personally do not use the services of any company that employs deception to gain my trust.

Here is the text of the notice for Google Searching purposes:
PCS NOTICE:
There is a Gift Waiting For You
Phone
We will call again
Your delivery was left at
You may call between
9 am - 7 pm
Monday thru Friday
Saturday 9 am - 3 pm
619-928-7753
We attempted delivery
of 1 Package(s)
PCS Reference # 01040 or 44539 or A1 / Al
This as our:
First Attempt
_ Second Attempt
_ Final Attempt
Delivery Confirmation:
Item
Signature
PCS Distribution Center
San Diego, CA

These are being spotted in the San Diego area, Scripps Ranch, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Miramar, Tierrasanta, Jamacha, Spring Valley, Rolando Village, Leucadia, La Mesa, Rolando, Mt. Helix, Imperial Beach, Point Loma, Pt. Loma and lower Orange County. If you received such a notice in an area not included, please post your city in the comments so I can add it here. One commenter has added the phone number 805-680-1537 -- Thanks for all the help --David

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96 comments:

  1. Just got one today!! I hate these things as well... mostly because of waste of paper and waste of time...

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  2. Has anyone ever taken it further? What happens when you accept the fruit basket? Do they ask for money? I'm curious, but not enough to do it myself. I got one yesterday and before calling the number, thought I'd google it instead because it was clearly not a typical delivery.

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  3. Seriously, do you want a fruit basket from anyone who does business this way?

    Commit to only doing business with straight up people, and don't take free stuff from people whose service you will not likely use, and then you will prosper — and then you can buy your own fruit basket, and be way ahead.

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  4. Reference number has changed to 73627. Ooooh that will surely throw me off when I do a google search on you, Mr. Scammer. Look, not the same reference number as the scam I read about online. it must be legit.

    Puhleaze.

    Just as this webhost does, I also work from home and never got a knock, but found their first attempt to deliver my fruit basket was unsuccessful. Today, a second attempt. Keep trying, folks. One of these times I hope you have a fruit basket in hand and the courage to ring my doorbell.

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  5. Just got one yesterday. A small green note, and it even has a "SECOND ATTEMPT" stamp on it, making you think it's legit. Shady! Thanks for the info bro.

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  6. We got a little green note with a "SECOND ATTEMPT" stamp on it too. With more websites like this, it'll help more people avoid becoming victims of the scams. The scams play on our ignorance, curiosity and greed. Usually, flowers, fruit baskets etc are sent from relatives/friends. I almost attempted to call and investigate, but before I tried, I think it is better to give a check on the company. Thank you very much for the info.

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  7. ditto. I got the green notice with a little drawing of a fruit basket, and the "second attempt" "stamp" on it. what a smarmy way to get around the no-call list. unreal.

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  8. I too got a little green notice, I called the number back at approx 5:30pm, and was rudely told that that particular dept was closed and to call back in the morning, she then hung up on me when I inquired what company it was. Very rude scammers!!!!

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  9. I just received the little green notice, ref#44539, and did call the phone number:619-928-7753 as there is a special occasion coming up, but there was no answer - not even a recording, so I decided to look it up and found you...thank you, now I won't be wasting my time!!!

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  10. What makes anyone think there would actually be a fruit basket???

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  11. We received the notice on our door today! I'm glad I decided to google it before calling the number. Glad I did that! Thank you.

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  12. They are working Spring Valley/Paradise Hills this week! LOOK OUT! PCS Distribution pink flyer, using 619-928-7753.

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  13. I received a notice last week while out of town. My grandma is known to send fruit baskets so I thought it may be from her (ha!) but mentioned to my husband that it is really strange the company name is not listed ANYWHERE on the notice. Had to wait until after the weekend to call on Monday - called and was quickly put on hold for a few minutes - while waiting I googled the number and found your blog! Thanks for the heads up. I hung up :)

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  14. I just received one of these notes a few days ago and just called - they offered a free fruit basket and shampoo of any 2 rugs or carpet in my home as a welcome to the neighborhood gift. They said they were opening a new location in my area and I asked where - when they said they didn't know yet - I started to second guess the conversation. What company offers free gifts to people "as a new neighbor" when they don't even have an address for this "new" location. When they asked for my address I told them I would talk to my husband and call back - which I won't! Has anyone ever taken this further in calling the police?

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  15. Received one in Scripps Ranch today. Looks like this company is still at it!

    Thanks so much for the heads up!

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  16. Got one in La Mesa. Didn't call them. Then I decided to look them up online. Just like I thought.

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  17. Got one in Mira Mesa too.

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  18. Got one today. I live in tierrasanta close to miramar marice corps base

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  19. I also live in Tierrasanta and received one of these today. It looks so bogus. No company name or anything. I want to get a hold of them just so I can figure out what this scam is. I'll post back if I can actually get someone on the line. The phone number listed is 619-928-7753 - WHAT A JOKE!!!

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  20. Got one today in Spring Valley. Thought it was odd, who sends fruit baskets anymore? Googled the phone number and your website popped up! Thanks for this site! Wasn't gonna call, but glad to know what it is.

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  21. Got one today in Spring Valley, I knew it had to be a scam as we were all home all day and my dog barks like crazy when someone knocks. Googled the number and ended up here

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  22. Got one in Spring Valley. I've been using the notice as a bookmark. Thanks scammers!

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  23. Got this exact thing in La Mesa this morning. What a waste of paper and my time.

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  24. got one too (La Mesa/Spring Valley area)...and was Suspicious of it immediately. So used the backside for scratch paper...and finally got around to checking on it online. I LOVE the internet for finding such scam info.
    Thanks for posting this David.

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  25. I got one of these today and we live in Lomita Village in San Diego County. We are near Spring Valley and Lemon Grove areas.

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  26. I received my PCS notice around 6:00PM on this Sunday, 24 October, 2010. the Reference number was 01040AC. I live in Rolando Village near SDSU.

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  27. Hi Same here...Rolando Village in the 92115 area. What a scam! It just goes directly in the recycle bin!

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  28. Just got one, Jamacha community near spring valley

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  29. Just got one today in Spring Valley. Glad I decided to do a search on "PCS Distribution Center" to confirm my suspicions. Into the shredder it goes!

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  30. My Father-in-law in Spring Valley just received it yesterday. Can someone contact the authorities about this?

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  31. The most recent comment says: "Can someone contact the authorities about this?"

    This is exactly what is wrong with our country — someone else should do what your instincts dictate. You can't even do what you think should be done. Why don't you call the authorities yourself?

    Maybe you don't call because you instinctually know that they are not doing anything illegal, but you're annoyed that for a second you fell for it, thinking you'd get a free gift basket?

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  32. Got one in Spring Valley today (91977)
    Has anybody caught the people distributing this?

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  33. Oceanside today, in the valley.phone is 619-928-7753 #with ref.
    #44539 I don't answer door for anyone, but looking out window notice d woman with 2 small children walking away from my door.g

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  34. got one in Oceanside today

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  35. I dunno...seems pretty harmless to me. It's in the same category as all the other "deals" I get hung on my door. I wasn't fooled for even a moment, for most of the reasons noted above (machine font, etc).
    "Call the authorities"?? Other than for littering, I'm not sure what the offense here is.

    In any case, the lack of a straightforward pitch for a service or product puts me off immediately. It's already in the trash.

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  36. Got one 1st week of December 2010 in San Diego; found this posting and threw out the ad. thanks for the blog about it. :)

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  37. Also glad I decided to google it to check it out... Got that same notice in Lakeside on Dec 2nd or 3rd....

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  38. Just recieved this today, and like the author of this site, I'm home & didn't hear anyone make an attempt to deliver a package to me. I also looked across the street & took note of how many of my neighbors "have a gift waiting for them". Too many! I knew immediately that this was a scam & not just for me.

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  39. Received Red PCS notice today December 6th, 2010 in La Mesa.
    PCS Reference: 01040. First attempt.

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  40. I received one of these notices from PCS today at my home in the Bay Park area of San Diego. Thanks for confirming that it not only looked to be a scam but it is a SCAM!

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  41. Got one today, too, also in the Bay Park area. I also work from home and was taking an extended lunch break on my couch. I saw the kid walk to my door with a stack of flyers and what looked like a small gift-wrapped package, drop the flyer, and leave. I popped my head out the door and they were working in pairs to flyer the street. Still curious as to what the wrapped package was, because the other guy was carrying one too. Maybe if someone actually answers the door while they're sneaking the flyer under your doorknob they can claim that was the package?

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  42. I found one of these slips on my porch in Del Mar tonight.

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  43. I just received one of these notices in the country estates area of Ramona .Todays date is 02/08/2011.

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  44. I also got one in the country estates of Ramona. I was expecting a package, so I called but thought it was fishy. So I googled it. When I called it was just music, kinda sounded like a radio station broadcasting through the phone, with traffic updates and everything. Got it yesterday as well 02/08/2011. We must be neighbors :)
    the number on my sheet says 619 928 7753

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  45. I received two today in Oceanside - one on the car windshield in my driveway and another one on the front door of my house - which ticks me off. Asides from the deception, I do not like strangers touching our cars, and especially the front door (or any door for that matter) of our house - how would I know if they are not casing the house and actually trying the door to see whether or not it is locked? Jerks! Stay away from our homes. Anyway, both notices went promptly into my recycle bin.

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  46. Got one today in National City.

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  47. I got one today in the Tierrasanta area. It looks identical to the picture above.

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  48. Today in Coronado. New it was a scam before I even read it! I mean, hello, I'm in an apartment complex and there was literally on one on every door! What, NONE of the hundred or so people here were home, and they all got packages?

    Might have been fooled, since my bday is Friday, but seeing hallways full of orange missed notices made me laugh. Hopefully nobody else in the complex is fooled. We have a lot of older retirees who don't use the internet...

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  49. *knew not new. Stupid auto type!

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  50. Just got one today in Scripps Ranch. The nerve of some people...

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  51. I got one in Mira Mesa today. The info looks like it's hand printed, but it's not. Reference number 01040, just like previous reporters. Anything to make a buck...

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  52. They rang my doorbell today, waited a minute then knocked. I'm surprised I am the first. They waited 3-4 minutes before leaving the note and moving on.

    I have made it a policy not to answer the door for salesmen ever since a young guy got really angry and cursed repeatedly as he walked away after I told him I wasn't interested in his kirby vacuum. A couple of weeks later a guy matching that description, also selling kirby vacuum cleaners kidnapped an elderly woman and drove around in her car for several days with her tied up in the back!

    Ever since I have decided to heed the advice my parents gave me as a kid and I no longer answer the door for strangers. It seriously is not worth it!

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  53. Just got one of these this evening. I live in Santee.

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  54. I just received these in Santee, CA (eastern side of Santee, CA - Magnolia & Holly Meadows Dr.) on Thursday, April 21st, 2011 - Thank you for posting this article, damn scammers! You give them too much credit/sympathy - THEY ARE BASTARDS! Well, I'll tell ya, they are NOT GETTING ANYTHING FROM ME or my neighbors!

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  55. They are making the rounds in Rancho Bernardo this week!

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  56. Well I am writing to inform all of you from
    reading your comments above that you people are crazy. I received my pink flyer today 06142011 and I called 619-928-7753 and they answered promptly. They scheduled my gift between 5pm-6pm and let me tell you people I am very happy with my gift. Apparently you do not appreciate others who are working very hard to make a living. Your judgement and bias opinions hurt others. My home smells wonderful and clean, very clean! I got my fruit gift basket too and it was worth every minute visiting with the kindest people who just are trying to make an honest living..I am here to say this was a gift and bless the hearts of those that are doing this for others. Get of your laurels and find a job will you instead of being overly critical and extremely untrusting..where is your faith and hope, I pray for people like you! Stephanie

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  57. I leave in the zip code of 92114 between San Diego, and Lemon Grove. When I came home today, there was one of these notices on my door. I googled to see what this is all about, since I was suspicious.

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  58. 92104, North Park, San Diego. Today.
    Thank you for this awesome public service, David! I was fairly wary on reading the notice, and your effort quickly confirmed my suspicions. Frankly, I have much harsher feelings towards lowlifes like this that involve fingernails and bamboo wedges. If practices like this aren't outright illegal, they should be. Unless you're a magician, actor or other entertainer, making money by deceiving people should earn you a warm spot at the Earth's core.

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  59. Thank you for the information regarding these notices. I found one on my door today in San Diego (SOUTH PARK/GOLDEN HILL).

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  60. Just got one today in Poway. Seems like a waste of money on their part, but I guess it's cheap to have someone walking around littering.

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  61. Thank you for the information! I received a pink flyer today. Seems they have targeted Rancho penasquitos area this time. Beware!!!

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  62. Got one in poway 7/19/11

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  63. Thanks for the info David. I got my pinky note on my Poway home on July 19, 2011 - PCS Ref. # 01040.

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  64. I got one in Poway too.. thanks for posting this. I thought the "handwritten" font looked scamish. ;)

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  65. Got one in poway on my doorstep, first attempt PCS Ref #: 01040. Thanks for the blog.

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  66. got 1 today. 7/26/2011 in the summit at mission bay apartment complex in clairemont, ca... seems like they may have been inactive for a while but now they are back in action. i caught the guy putting it on my door because i was doing my laundry. I asked for my gift and he tried to take back the piece of paper. hahahaha they suck. thank god for google:)

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  67. Lady put one on my door today, she knocked in a pattern on my door - weird. I didnt answer and just watched until she left, she stood there for a bit. I think if they come back while I am home I may answer the door just to see what they do, since it seems that no one has actually spoken to them. Why knock on the door if you are going to leave a note, wouldnt it be quicker just to leave the note?

    Live in Clairemont - Summit at Mission Bay complex

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  68. Received this in Sabre Springs!

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  69. I just received one today at my house in Santee. I thought I would google it before calling and I'm glad I did. Thanks David for posting this article.

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  70. Green note in Mira Mesa yesterday. Box checked was "kindly phone". Yeah right.

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  71. Just got one in Escondido.

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  72. Yeah, I just got one in Escondido as well. Looked like a scam, smelled like a scam... oh yeah.. IS A SCAM. Thought I'd look it up first. Thank you for this blog post. Saved myself from unwittingly sending out my phone number to data miners.

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  73. Just received a green note in Escondido on 10/26/11 that was there when I got home at 5:15 PM. Thank goodness people have posted about this on the internet because I was so clueless. Thanks for the scam info!

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  74. I got one 11/14/11 in Rolando. Green, "Kindly Phone", 619-928-7753, and reference # A1 (actually handwritten in ... how awfully clever of them).

    Apparently they haven't heard of Google, or sites like this. Well, quel domage!

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  75. Got one in Imperial Beach.

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  76. Got one today in Pt Loma. Thanks for posting this blog.

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  77. Received one today in La Mesa (Mt. Helix)

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  78. Received one on Dec 15th in Normal Heights. Thanks for posting about this!

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  79. We got one on Dec. 15th that's identical (ref # and all) to the image posted on this blog. We're in Scripps Ranch. Never seen this before, but was suspicious of it. Funny thing was, I had my wife call and she got a "Sorry that mailbox is full" message?! LOL! I found this blog by Googling the tel # on the notice.

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  80. Looks like they are here in Lakeside now. I called and left phone number before I did the google (dumb). Will tell them off when they call back if they do....

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  81. Got one in Lakeside also, yesterday. Thanks for the info.

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  82. Got one in Lakeside too....thanks for the info

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  83. Got one in Chula Vista.

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  84. Just received one in RB with an 800# and the company aka as D.B. Distribution Center is at 3585 Corporate Court, SD 92123 beside a Police Station and Montgomery Field.
    Obviously these guys have been around a couple of years!

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  85. Just so happens I broke my Android Tablet and called in the warranty, so today I got a pickup notice from D. B Distribution Center at 8641 Elm Fair Blvd. Tampa, Fl. 33610 phone# 1-855-338-3400 and I had to sign for it from my mail lady.It stated they were holding an android tablet the same exact one I had a warranty for and a gift card but I had to call to schedule a pickup.I thought it was odd the company wouldnt just mail the tablet directly to me so I Googled. I have a question: If I call from a payphone "right outside my house" and set up a pickup time would I actually get the tablet? I've heard of a person who bought 2 dresses from a D. B. distribution center and she got them.Should I just go for it and see what happens as long as I protect my data? I guess I will see what I can do and I will post back if I actually get something.Thank you for this article and all of everyone's comments,the internet is wonderful when it lets us warn each other about things.

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  86. I just received one of these today in the Point Loma area. It is now on a piece of white paper with black ink. Glad I googled PCS Distribution Center and this site came up! Thanks Scam and Eggs!

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  87. I also received one today in Point Loma. Like the poster above, mine is also on white paper with black ink - it obviously looks like a photocopy. The old telephone number has been blacked out with 805-680-1537 written below it.

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  88. Received the same white photocopied paper in Point Loma yesterday as well.

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  89. I just received one today in Point Loma! I called and it was a wierd voice mail. I did not leave a vm but since I called and they have my number does this mean that was an invitation to return my call! Oh no!

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  90. I've recently received one of these as well in Point Loma couple days ago.

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  91. I just got one in my apt Mission Valley today. White photocopied paper. They were sneaky and folded it up 3 times so it didn't stick out from the door frame at all, because they didn't want people to see these things on everyone else's doors too.

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  92. Mission Valley -- same comment as the person above. Too bad we cannot visit them and give them a piece of paper.

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  93. Anonymous Aug.21,2013

    I just got one last night. Strange, thanks for the info University Heights watch out!!!!

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  94. I just got one today. And thank you so much to post this!!! I almost called the place but I realized that I'm not expecting any package so I thought I should search about this first. Again thank you very much about this posting and watch out Kearny Villa rd.!!!!!!!!

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  95. Normal heights watch out! just got one of these on my doorstep today

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Feel free to post a helpful comment.

But, please do not post the full content of similar e-mails you have received. It is appreciated, however, if you post a comment with the name, e-mail and company/address of similar spammers. Thank you!

(Posting full texts of e-mail you receive doesn't help with Google searches, since comments are not included in Google indexes.) If you post the whole e-mail, it will just be deleted when I get around to it. Thanks.

Including links that are not supportive of the content of the post will likely get your comment removed. Spamming will be deleted and reported.