The calls we have received are from salesman acting as if they are Nationwide Auto Insurance saying they can get us a better deal on insurance.
When we called back we heard from a real person acting like he works for nationwide insurance saying "Nationwide is on your side, how many vehicles would you like a quote for?"
We told the man answering the phone the reporter's name and am calling from 17 news, looking for more information. He replies, "ya no worries it's an independent agent's office, we're just looking to see if we can give you a free quote."
But 17 news found a few problems with this, the cell phone number he called is on the National No Call List.
And according to a law clerk at Chain, Cohn, Stiles in Bakersfield, most automated calls in California are illegal.
We tried to get more information from the caller but he didn't want to give it and he just hung up.
We talked to Nationwide Insurance and they said they are looking in to the situation. A local Nationwide agent tells us to never give out personal information.
"To protect yourself I basically would not give out driver's license numbers until you get a legitimate rate that says I am going to get this rate," says Gilbert Valenzuela, a Bakersfield Nationwide Agent.
If you want to make a complaint for calls like this, call your phone company or the Public Utilities Commission. To take part in the National No Call List go to www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
