The Prize I "Won"

I got a call today from a weird number I didn't recognize. I usually don't answer those at all, but I went to the chamber yesterday and left my number for hotels to call me so I could block rooms for the wedding.

I answered.

"Is this Lisa?" the voice asked.

"Yes, it is, hi," I said.

And then he went into a long speech about how I won a prize with a $700 value, which was an all-inclusive trip to numerous destinations (which he didn't name) unless I didn't like flying, in which I then won a domestic non-all-inclusive trip that I could get to in only one to two tanks of gas and all I had to do was sit through one ninety minute presentation this Saturday to claim my prize.

Pause to end his run on sentence.

"Are you excited?" he asked.

"Well, no," I said. "See, this prize doesn't sound familiar and your name doesn't sound familiar and I don't remember signing up for any sort of prize that is similar to this."

"Oh you did," he assured me. "You signed up at the door of a bridal expo you attended on July 30. I'm just getting to pick the winners now. So are you excited?"

"No," I said. "See, I was at the airport on July 30. I wasn't at an expo."

Truth be told, I haven't been to an expo since March.

"Someone must have signed up with your information," he said, his enthusiasm never wavering. "But that's okay because you won."

"Listen," I said, "I didn't sign up. No one I know would have gone to an expo as me without telling me. So, I'm going to pass. Thanks."

"Are you sure?" he said, launching into another run on sentence about how this prize was so great.

"Yes," I said. "I'm sure."

I bring this up because this is not the first time my information has been sold (there is a particular and very popular dress company that has assured me it does, in fact, sell your information to partners it thinks you would be interested in -- but never asked what my interests are. Since a cruise is a honeymoon idea, the store sold my info to a cruise line, unaware of the fact that my greatest fear is boats and open water). And there's a good chance that your information will be sold along the way as well. I just want you to be aware of this and be ready to hang up the phone in case you win a "prize."

Really, this prize is a scam. You often have to pay something (initial travel costs, for sure) and you have to sit through a presentation (a time share, kitchen equipment, etc.). Your fiance must attend with you. And then you get a gift at the end (a trip that you still have to pay a part of, rings, or kitchenware is the most common "prizes"). Everyone "wins" this raffle -- which is often entered because you put your name on a form when you walked into a bridal expo. This scam has been around for a long time, so be ready for the call.

BRIDAL BABBLE: How do you usually get a spammer off the phone?