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Anyone getting AI coin hustler calls?

Last week I got a phone call from the local area code, and the guy sounded pretty human. He was hawking "recently discovered rolls of Morgan dollars" from some year in the 1880s that I forget. Original mint wrappers. Worth $9000, but I can buy one for $3800. Maybe TWO if I act now!

I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but off the top of my head, I have no idea if that's good deal. I would assume it's not, because "Random Numismatics Inc" is probably marking these up to the moon, if they're even genuine. Anyway, I tell the guy I'm not interested, and he tone AND VOICE shifted immediately. I kind of assume it was some AI thing. He/it tended to repeat what I said back to me. For example, right before I hung up on him/it, I said "I have to go. I have a Zoom call in five minutes." "You have a Zoom call in five minutes? That's OK! We can do this deal in 90 seconds!" >click<

Has anyone else gotten a call like this recently?

Occasionally successful coin collector.

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    @MrBear said:
    Last week I got a phone call from the local area code, and the guy sounded pretty human. He was hawking "recently discovered rolls of Morgan dollars" from some year in the 1880s that I forget. Original mint wrappers. Worth $9000, but I can buy one for $3800. Maybe TWO if I act now!

    I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but off the top of my head, I have no idea if that's good deal. I would assume it's not, because "Random Numismatics Inc" is probably marking these up to the moon, if they're even genuine. Anyway, I tell the guy I'm not interested, and he tone AND VOICE shifted immediately. I kind of assume it was some AI thing. He/it tended to repeat what I said back to me. For example, right before I hung up on him/it, I said "I have to go. I have a Zoom call in five minutes." "You have a Zoom call in five minutes? That's OK! We can do this deal in 90 seconds!" >click<

    Has anyone else gotten a call like this recently?

    Yes I got a call like that earlier this week. I let him ramble on for a minute and then said "Not interested" and then hung up.

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    I got a scam call for a phony 1,299 cell phone charge... twice! same script and same ai recording. 2 different spoofed numbers.

    but that was left as a message. If it's not a number I recognize, then i don't pick up. i happily call back those that leave a message. blocking? possible, but with the ability to spoof numbers it's mostly useless.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    I got the same call and they were 1888 dollar rolls. With the recent rise in silver, for many issues low end uncirculated are worth just a touch more than circulated.

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    I get calls like that every day. Everybody has a deal for me.

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    Called the cable company on something and wanted me to take a a 60% off deal. Spend money to save money, got it 👍

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    In CT we have the "do not call" list with varied success. It used to be if you got on the telemarketers list they'd trade those with others, many were on Long Island, other places where the boiler rooms operate. Some of them such as the hustlers at "numisgroup" went to jail.

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    If I don't recognize the calling number or ID, I typically don't answer. If I'm unsure whether the call is important to me or not I will accept the call without saying a word like "hello," for example, and just wait a few seconds for the caller (or bot :s ) to say something. No response within 10 seconds or so results in me hanging up the phone. I effectively rid myself of probably 90% of scam calls by using this technique. It's my phone, I pay for it, so I answer or not answer it as I see fit.

    “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15, KJV)

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    I typically don’t pick up when I don’t recognize the number. But I live in Savannah, and I get local calls often enough that I always pick up a 912 number. If I was still living in LA, this wouldn’t have happened

    Occasionally successful coin collector.
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    @davewesen said:
    I got the same call and they were 1888 dollar rolls. With the recent rise in silver, for many issues low end uncirculated are worth just a touch more than circulated.

    That was it! I wonder what a legit price for those rolls are. Probably half or less

    Occasionally successful coin collector.
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    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    LiquidatedLiquidated ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 26, 2026 2:49PM

    I get the exact same calls. Now AI whereas in past was real person.

    4 original Morgan rolls, can only sell me two. Cites someone else’s pricing. Same sales script. Uses local dialer to hide number.

    For years these people/AI now has called. Do not call has no effect, block number does not work as just reassigns new local number

    Previously would bounce between avoiding and messing with the people. No idea how got my number. Never bought from bullion dealer. No coin subscriptions. US Mint and then Heritage, Stacks, Great Collections only auction houses and had calls before ever working with GC. Calls started during Covid.

    Undoubtedly now AI with same script.

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    @jmlanzaf said:
    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    Why you assume people cannot differentiate AI vs a recording?

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    jmlanzafjmlanzaf ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 26, 2026 4:45PM

    @Liquidated said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    Why you assume people cannot differentiate AI vs a recording?

    I didn't assume anything. I asked because I've been getting recorded solicitations for 20 years. There's actually no reason to use an AI unless you want it to respond to commands. And, apparently, I missed that last part of his post.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    @jmlanzaf said:
    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    Because it interacted with me and responded to my comments. Like I said above, right before I hung up on it, it repeated my words back.

    FYI, got another one this afternoon. When I interrupted it and said “1888?” It said “No, 1900 Philadelphia.” When I told it I wasn’t interested, the voice changed and when I commented on that, he said “No, I just got off Bluetooth.” I didn’t mention that his voice aged 20-30 years, as well. My guess now is that they switch from AI to human when you say no.

    Occasionally successful coin collector.
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    @MrBear said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    Because it interacted with me and responded to my comments. Like I said above, right before I hung up on it, it repeated my words back.

    FYI, got another one this afternoon. When I interrupted it and said “1888?” It said “No, 1900 Philadelphia.” When I told it I wasn’t interested, the voice changed and when I commented on that, he said “No, I just got off Bluetooth.” I didn’t mention that his voice aged 20-30 years, as well. My guess now is that they switch from AI to human when you say no.

    Thanks, that's what I wondered. I missed it when I first read it.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Liquidated said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    Why you assume people cannot differentiate AI vs a recording?

    I didn't assume anything. I asked because I've been getting recorded solicitations for 20 years. There's actually no reason to use an AI unless you want it to respond to commands. And, apparently, I missed that last part of his post.

    You assumed…

    @jmlanzaf said:

    “ Or are you just assuming it's AI?”

    To answer your question, which has been answered … yes it is interactive.

    There is a pause in conversation where it generates a response to answers. Scary how it can con, interesting how accurate this has become in short period.

    As I stated in past would mess with the people. AI now uses the script. I called the number back several times just to see how interactive could be. At one point when prompted for credit card provided numbers, address used a non appropriate wording for street name.

    It recognized my choice of words, responded with something along the lines of “I can see you are not serious, good bye”. Each time called number it would run through same script and respond accordingly to my answers accordingly with a directed approach to move forward with the sales pitch.

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    MasonGMasonG ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 26, 2026 5:07PM

    @Liquidated said:
    You assumed…

    @jmlanzaf said:

    “ Or are you just assuming it's AI?”

    If he really was assuming, he wouldn't have asked the question.

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    @MrBear said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    Because it interacted with me and responded to my comments. Like I said above, right before I hung up on it, it repeated my words back.

    FYI, got another one this afternoon. When I interrupted it and said “1888?” It said “No, 1900 Philadelphia.” When I told it I wasn’t interested, the voice changed and when I commented on that, he said “No, I just got off Bluetooth.” I didn’t mention that his voice aged 20-30 years, as well. My guess now is that they switch from AI to human when you say no.

    Can you post the number for people to call and learn how to recognize the AI?

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    @Liquidated said:

    @MrBear said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    Because it interacted with me and responded to my comments. Like I said above, right before I hung up on it, it repeated my words back.

    FYI, got another one this afternoon. When I interrupted it and said “1888?” It said “No, 1900 Philadelphia.” When I told it I wasn’t interested, the voice changed and when I commented on that, he said “No, I just got off Bluetooth.” I didn’t mention that his voice aged 20-30 years, as well. My guess now is that they switch from AI to human when you say no.

    Can you post the number for people to call and learn how to recognize the AI?

    Go play with Notebook LM and you'll quickly realize it's virtually impossible to recognize an AI voice. Have it make a podcast out of any document you have and it is seamless.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    @Liquidated said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Liquidated said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    What makes this AI vs simply a recorded voice? Does it respond to questions? Or are you just assuming it's AI?

    Why you assume people cannot differentiate AI vs a recording?

    I didn't assume anything. I asked because I've been getting recorded solicitations for 20 years. There's actually no reason to use an AI unless you want it to respond to commands. And, apparently, I missed that last part of his post.

    You assumed…

    @jmlanzaf said:

    “ Or are you just assuming it's AI?”

    To answer your question, which has been answered … yes it is interactive.

    There is a pause in conversation where it generates a response to answers. Scary how it can con, interesting how accurate this has become in short period.

    As I stated in past would mess with the people. AI now uses the script. I called the number back several times just to see how interactive could be. At one point when prompted for credit card provided numbers, address used a non appropriate wording for street name.

    It recognized my choice of words, responded with something along the lines of “I can see you are not serious, good bye”. Each time called number it would run through same script and respond accordingly to my answers accordingly with a directed approach to move forward with the sales pitch.

    Should I diagram the sentence?

    Nah, what would be the point? I ASSUME you don't like me and won't listen anyway.

    Have a great night.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    @MasonG said:

    @Liquidated said:
    You assumed…

    @jmlanzaf said:

    “ Or are you just assuming it's AI?”

    If he really was assuming, he wouldn't have asked the question.

    Thank you, but he's not going to listen or care. [I AM assuming that. lmfao.]

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    @jmlanzaf said:

    Go play with Notebook LM and you'll quickly realize it's virtually impossible to recognize an AI voice. Have it make a podcast out of any document you have and it is seamless.

    You failed to recognize the suggestion for a working number to be posted was not for me, but for others to learn about this scam.

    People continue to fall for scams new and old. Best way to recognize a scam is to know how they work. Too many people feel it would never happen to them and then new angles emerge.

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    @jmlanzaf said:

    Should I diagram the sentence?

    Nah, what would be the point? I ASSUME you don't like me and won't listen anyway.

    Have a great night.

    Just stating it as it is.

    You originally assumed incorrectly as has been illustrated, but ASSUMED correctly this time. That is progress. Congratulations and good night.

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    I receive an outrageous number of spam and scam calls since my personal phone number is published all over the place, including on our website, on our literature, etc. As a result, I answer calls only from people in my contact list. Otherwise, they have to leave a voicemail and let me call back later.

    The way the iPhone transcribes voicemails is extremely useful, allowing me to quickly report spam calls and avoid wasting time on them altogether.

    Official PCGS account of:

    www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com

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    I don't need no hustlers, AI or otherwise, trying to sell me anything on the phone. If I want to buy something I will call you. If I do call wanting to buy something and find that I am talking to an interactive robot? Have a good day. I have suddenly lost interest in buying anything that your robot-run operation is selling.

    “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15, KJV)

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    i got a scammer called one time told me they was the law and there was a warrant out for my arrest. i replied by telling him to put it with the rest of the warrant and hung up. they never called back

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    I hate it when the caller says your first name like they somehow know you. Had one the other day that tried that and told them the number no longer belonged to the individual they were seeking to speak to. Then he shouted at me and started with, ‘well who is this then?’….so I hung up and blocked the number. I had recognized the voice from a guy recently trying to sell me unc morgan rolls….which I said I wasn’t interested in. These scammers seem to have unlimited numbers to call from so blocking them doesn’t do much good any more.

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    @johnny9434 said:
    i got a scammer called one time told me they was the law and there was a warrant out for my arrest. i replied by telling him to put it with the rest of the warrant and hung up. they never called back

    I got a call from the IRS saying that I owed some back taxes. They told me that I could pay it over the phone with my credit card or they will have to issue a warrant for my arrest. :D

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

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    @safari_dude said:
    These scammers seem to have unlimited numbers to call from so blocking them doesn’t do much good any more.

    telephone numbers can be spoofed.

    they can even spoof your bank or police dept numbers ad caller id will show it's from them

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    Every once in a while, I'll get a call from Bullion Sharks. . .the script never varies and the guy always claims "we spoke a few weeks ago." I usually ask, " Does your mother know you do this for a living ? " and then I hang up. . .The caller ID shows a local area code. . .

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    I can't imagine what you have to do to get put on somebody's target list for coin based scams. That would make me more afraid that somehow my contact information is associated with the that might possess numismatic stuff... I'm an off/on tiny collector who has interacted with some bullion and some auction places and have never been targeted like this. Shiver

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    Back in the 70's I bought some raffle tickets at a major coin show, filling out the tickets with my name, address, and phone #, as the winner was going to be picked after the show. Within weeks I got inundated with phone calls and mail. Obviously, my information was sold. Sad. Live and learn!

    Autism Awareness: There is no limit to the good you can do, if you don't care who gets the credit.
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    I've heard that some companies use voice recognition as well when they talk to you (amongst other things)

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    MsMorrisineMsMorrisine ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 28, 2026 10:05AM

    @johnny9434 said:
    I've heard that some companies use voice recognition as well when they talk to you (amongst other things)

    i refuse to provide my voice:
    it only takes a few seconds of recording before ai can clone your voice.
    once cloned they can fool your company that has recorded your voice

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    @MsMorrisine said:

    @johnny9434 said:
    I've heard that some companies use voice recognition as well when they talk to you (amongst other things)

    i refuse to provide my voice:
    it only takes a few seconds of recording before ai can clone your voice.
    once cloned they can fool your company that has recorded your voice

    these days yes. just say no and hang up. its bad out there :)

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    JBKJBK ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 31, 2026 6:52AM

    My routine for strange numbers, if I answer, is to pick up a say nothing for a few seconds. If they don't start talking then I hang up.

    I've heard that some operations are advanced to the point that if you say a greeting in a foreign language they'll do their pitch in that language.

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    Even if the price was good, I’d be afraid to buy from a rando caller.

    Years ago in LA I used to “enjoy” a weekly radio infomercial for “The Gold Show” with Jonathan Gold. Same format every week. Interview-style with a “host.” They’d mention some current events, then launch into the spiel about how you HAD to buy gold! I checked a few years later, and they were out of business 😜

    Occasionally successful coin collector.
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    I would only buy gold from an unknown phone salesman if they promised to provide me with free long-term storage in their vault. Otherwise, no deal. ;)

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

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    @PerryHall said:
    I would only buy gold from an unknown phone salesman if they promised to provide me with free long-term storage in their vault. Otherwise, no deal. ;)

    I will be happy to do that for you! And I will sell you bullion for the low, LOW price of $5500/oz!

    Occasionally successful coin collector.
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    Damn! I never get anything cool like Morgans offered to me. I keep getting calls from some company hawking Franklin halves! Fresh to the hobby rolls for stupid money. I usually just hang up after the initial 20 seconds of listening but last time I decided to waste their time... It was fun telling him that I can get graded coins from eBay in individual lots cheaper that his claimed low low price rolls...

    Troll the trolls is what I say. Hopefully they will mark you as a waste and not keep calling.

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    @Samets said:
    Damn! I never get anything cool like Morgans offered to me. I keep getting calls from some company hawking Franklin halves! Fresh to the hobby rolls for stupid money. I usually just hang up after the initial 20 seconds of listening but last time I decided to waste their time... It was fun telling him that I can get graded coins from eBay in individual lots cheaper that his claimed low low price rolls...

    Troll the trolls is what I say. Hopefully they will mark you as a waste and not keep calling.

    I’ve gotten those Franklin calls as well. I’ll do a little research so for the next Morgan call I can tell him “I can get one of those rolls for half of your ask price, so why would I buy from you?”

    Occasionally successful coin collector.
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    I got another call yesterday. I asked if they were 1888 or 1900 and they said no 1902-O from New Orleans. It isn't often you find mint wrapped rolls of Morgan dollars over 120 years old. The rising cost of silver was one of their selling points and $3600 for a roll of 20 is a great deal because others have them for as much as $7200. I told them silver was near $65/oz making the unc silver Morgans near $55 for melt, making the roll near $1100. They said these were all gems, not scruffy looking uncirculated. I asked how they knew being a sealed roll, they said they were all graded MS65. I laughed and they said they also have 17,165 ants and they hanged up.

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    @davewesen said:
    I got another call yesterday. I asked if they were 1888 or 1900 and they said no 1902-O from New Orleans. It isn't often you find mint wrapped rolls of Morgan dollars over 120 years old. The rising cost of silver was one of their selling points and $3600 for a roll of 20 is a great deal because others have them for as much as $7200. I told them silver was near $65/oz making the unc silver Morgans near $55 for melt, making the roll near $1100. They said these were all gems, not scruffy looking uncirculated. I asked how they knew being a sealed roll, they said they were all graded MS65. I laughed and they said they also have 17,165 ants and they hanged up.

    Just got my first Morgan call. Same spiel about 1/2 off $7,200 with only a few rolls available and only 1 could be sold to me. But to sweeten the deal he was going to throw in some bullion...

    The roll offered to me was 1898-O and he made a point of telling me multiple times that these are Federally wrapped rolls...

    I trolled him for a while as he was upselling me on the rarity of the sealed rolls...

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    I saw $5 age's proofs on the television for $1299 a piece. Do the math and the infomercial was very short lived

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