I’m Not Going to Call It a Tax Rebate Scam…
You can make up your own mind.
Here are the facts:
Today, I received an official looking letter from the “Indemnification/Disbursement Division” of “The Offices of Government Insured Loans.” This is not a federal agency - despite the fact that the company is trying very hard to look like it with their kraft brown envelopes and green ink. A quick Google of “The Offices of Government Insured Loans” will result in the following:
(Information) No results found for “the offices of government insured loans”.
It was stamped “Documented Mail” - a term that the United States Post Office does not use but that the company is trying really hard to make you believe is “official.” The green faux bar code on the front of the envelope is clearly meant to imply some sort of Certified Mail and is stamped “FIRST CLASS” when in fact, this mailing was not sent first class. It was sent bulk metered mail.
But wait -
The most offensive part is the term “Housing Stimulus Rebate Enclosed” stamped on the outside.
You and I both know what this is about. This company wants you to believe that there is a link between what’s inside and your economic stimulus/rebate check.
Inside, the header reads “Housing Stimulus Rebate”: $1200. No coincidence there, huh? That is the exact amount that the government will issue to most married taxpayers in the form of an economic stimulus/rebate check.
In bold letters, you are encouraged to “Call Today” - the “approval code” conveniently ends in GVMT.
The letter advises me that the FHA has “authorized us to assist in substantially reducing your over-all monthly payments and interest rate on your mortgage.”
Mortgage?
That’s right - this so-called “Housing Stimulus Rebate” is really a solicitation for a refinance from Mike Hall (yep, plugging his name in so that you’ll know who is responsible) of The Money Store. We get these kind of solicitations all of the time and while I have issues with the manner in which many of them try to - we’ll call it “win” your business - this one takes the cake.
You tell me: clever marketing campaign or slick attempt at trickery? I know what I think…
