Don't Pick Up the Phone

When I first started watching this documentary, I started laughing so hard at the unbelievable gullible manager and victim that was going along with what was being suggested on the phone - and was also laughing at the narrator's description of what was happening. At first it seemed like it was one incident in a small southern town and I was thinking I can't believe there are towns out there where people could be so innocent and believe such a thing. Being from Chgo suburbs I thought this would never happen where I live - no one could fall for such a thing. Then they got into how many incidents all over the United States this happened, and started announcing the towns and I couldn't believe that it happened also in Oak Brook, IL - my stomping grounds - and the actual headquarters at the time of the fast food company. By the time the doc was all over I still can't believe quite honestly that people fall for this, but it wasn't so funny anymore. I am sure that there are many other victims out there that are just so embarrassed that they got taken they never reported it and suffered all alone, so if it helps others to see this, there is value in airing it and also for a warning to not be afraid to speak up; know your rights at work.

This is a documentary about a con man who impersonated a cop calling fast food restaurants and convincing the manager on duty that a female in the restaurant had stolen money from another customer. The caller then convinced the manager to take the woman into the back room and have her remove her clothing and conduct various weird or perverted acts in the name of justice.

Tough to know where to begin. It's hard to believe this happened - but I vaguely remember hearing about it on the news. The perpetrator has to be a sick, despicable individual. Those who were fooled are utterly stupid and/or brainwashed people who revere authority over humanity.

I agree completely with other reviewers who've say this is a horrible crime, the crime itself it not at the top of my list. What was more troubling, and should concern us all is that our society has reached the point where such a thing can happen over and over again. It's not so much a case of a random bunch of stupid people taken in by a criminal. More accurately it signals our complete separation from reality and our need to be told what to do. I found watching this was sickening, as it comes with the realization that we are at the mercy of the sharks that rule us. The story told here shows what has resulted from the measures they've taken to ensure we follow blindly and thank them for their guidance.

This story happened from the mid-90s to 2011 and was basically the canary, dead in the coal mine.

Thanks to our government and it's manipulation of the educational system and mass media, critical thinking is obsolete. The old phrase QUESTION AUTHORITY is meaningless to generations X,Y and Z. We stand at the crosswalks and wait to be told to cross the street in the brave new world and perverts like David Stewart can tell people he's a cop and they turn into mindless, compliant zombies who will torture innocent people on command.

Why is it we're conditioned not to question cops when they're supposed to be public servants? And for that matter why are all cops now looking like they're equipped for combat duty? This is a reflection of the type of society we've become and if you're in your right mind, it should make you sick.

I've noticed that many reviewers pour all their emotions into the sick sadsack that committed the crime and the stupid people who followed his orders. While that is deplorable, the large issue here is our future.

This documentary is effectively a case study that exposes this sociuety's sickness. Yes, it's worth watching.

Hard to watch if you are an intelligent, educated person, because you can't believe anyone could be so stupid as to believe they have the authority to strip search a fast food employee EVER under ANY circumstances unless they are cops. But these - uneducated, credulous, fearful - are precisely the "right" people to target if you want to scare them into heinous acts. Show is VERY slow paced, as these shows always are, stretching a one hour show into three hours. You have to give the culprit credit for his cunning, although you also have to realize what a pathetic worm he is that THIS is the way he has to get his kicks. Moral? We need to - NEED TO - educate our populace better. We need to value education in this country.

Wasn't too hooked on watching this at first. I was thinking what's the worst that could happen from a prank phone call? The story is incredibly sad and dark. The fact that this person did this with the idea that it wouldn't come back to them is horrible and disturbing.

The aftermath is basically a blame game and it gets pretty toxic. It all started with one individual's cruelty snowballing into innocent victims and their supervisors not being able to distinguish right from wrong. The domino effect leaves some with traumatic experiences and ruins the lives of suckers who do not think twice.

I always love Netflix docs, and while this is no exception, it breaks my heart to watch people being preyed on.

I hate to admit that when I first heard this story in passing years ago I found the unbelievable gullibility hilarious. I didn't know all the details and hadn't heard the human stories.

This sick, twisted person preyed upon people's respect for authority (which shouldn't be a bad thing) as well as their desire to help and prove their honesty.

I am a pretty cynical person and I went in thinking I would end up laughing at these people. It truly isn't funny.

The perpetrator should spend the rest of his life doing serious hard time. A prank isn't funny unless no one is hurt. I can't believe McDonald's didn't do more to warn managers and employees. That defense attorney is almost as bad as the perpetrator.

Kudos to the dedicated cops determined to crack this case.