FUN with Telephone Solicitors

Started by Hoofer, April 02, 2021, 03:16:42 PM

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Hoofer

thanks for the reminder.


I cannot find, a CID, phone with white/black lists.  Worst than that, I just remembered, I don't have CID on one of my lines (the 2nd one, which never takes calls, it's not listed).  These blocking units are sold as stand along, cost as much as a phone.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

walkstall

Quote from: Solar on May 19, 2021, 03:44:54 PMI know, I really need to get one, but I hate going to the VA, I may just have to bite the bullet and pay for one.

IF you don't have to go to the VA to see a doctor.  Why would you have to go to the VA for hearing aids?
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Solar

Quote from: walkstall on May 19, 2021, 05:59:09 PMIF you don't have to go to the VA to see a doctor.  Why would you have to go to the VA for hearing aids?
Because they issue the unit after testing. I'd still have to go there to be fitted.
I'll see if there's another option...
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walkstall

Quote from: Solar on May 19, 2021, 06:29:58 PMBecause they issue the unit after testing. I'd still have to go there to be fitted.
I'll see if there's another option...


MY hearing aids are from L & I.  The place I was tested at did all the paper work and did the fittings.  They also check and clean them every 3 to 5 months, L & I pays for all this.  Also L & I has to pay to fix them if need be.   Also I can get a new set every 5 years, they also do all the paper work for the new hearing aids.  All they needed was my L & I claim number and they have that on file.
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Hoofer

All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Hoofer

After a 3-4 week reprieve.... the very DAY I start my vacation for 10 days... the phone starts ringing.

Wifey likes to just HANG up on them - I always press "1" before they get through the message, It's gonna transfer me to *someone* who speaks broken english, right?  We got them going today, it's not even 1:30pm.

4 calls of silence (they know we're home.... heheh)
1 Call for lowing my VISA interest rate (can't do that, it's issued by my bank, know it's a fake)
1 Call for Discover Card (don't have one, can't get me one, can't lower a non-existent interest rate).
1 Call for Social Security Admin (darn - wifey beat me to the phone & hung up)
1 Call for Auto Warranty..

Last call, PRESS 1 - "Hello, Mr., Scammer, what are you gonna try and sell me today (I think he was cursing at me in another language).  "blah-blah-blah..."   "You might want to take us off your call list, cause I'm gonna keep you on the phone, as long as I can - >click< -  and buy nothing." 
The dude was starting to whine, "awww... you blah, blah >click< "  Why should I get into an argument, I work in the industry, THEY called me, I can say anything I want - I did not solicit their call, and my phone numbers are STILL on the government Do-not-call-registry.

Besides... I'm NOT interested in carrying on a conversation with an accent that reminds me of WORK.
I might be like the telephone version of Second Hand Lions, chasing off the salesmen (after you sent that post card, asking for a visit.)


So, I could use s few ideas, suggestions to really piss these people off.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Solar

Quote from: Hoofer on June 14, 2021, 10:44:10 AMAfter a 3-4 week reprieve.... the very DAY I start my vacation for 10 days... the phone starts ringing.


FBI, Hold pleas, while I connect you special agent White in fraud. CLICK!!

Or just pretend you're switching them to other people in the industry. I'm sorry, HR isn't answering, let me transfer you back to registration, please hold. Rinse and repeat.
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Hoofer

Quote from: Solar on June 14, 2021, 12:34:33 PMFBI, Hold pleas, while I connect you special agent White in fraud. CLICK!!

Or just pretend you're switching them to other people in the industry. I'm sorry, HR isn't answering, let me transfer you back to registration, please hold. Rinse and repeat.

When I had my telephony business ... I had a Definity PBX, and phones scattered around the house.  I had to have everything my customers could possibly have, including call center setups... 24 extensions in a 3 bedroom house, digital phones!

So, we'd get a crank call into our 4 phone lines, and, "Hold on please!"

On Hold music was a crow calling tape.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Hoofer

Since I'm on vacation...  I get to reach for the phone.

"You're under federal investigation for fraud...  Someone has been using your SSN...."

(Oh, yeah, we got these before...) - presses "1" repeatedly...

"Hello sir... blah"

GOOD MORNING Mr. Scammer, how are you gonna try and scam me today!!?

-<click>-


Sigh... they hang up so FAST, don't they? 

Social Security Administration DOES NOT CALL, they write.

... I'm thinking... these cold calls have got to be near the end of their effectiveness.   
What are they going to try next?  Texting, or hacking phones for stored credit accounts?
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Hoofer

Well, I was gone with the FIL for a bit, but, 2 calls today - Medicare companies trying to sign me up.

"I'm looking for Mr.  _*me*_, are you turning 65 in *month*..."

Normally, I'm not home... I got caught off-guard... "Yes - who is this again...?"

"This is such-n-such insurance group... Blah, blah, blah..."

I didn't call you, so this is an unsolicited, illegal call -<click>-..."


IMO - you'd have to be a real SUCKER to buy from a "cold caller" over the phone - without anything in writing.  He could have been *anyone*, calling from a prison cell, collecting credit cards, and running them up to the hilt.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

p1tchblack

Quote from: Sick Of Silence on April 23, 2021, 04:40:44 PMNext time, ask the girl what she is wearing.

 :blush:

That is a great idea.  I'll be using that one.

I received 3 phone calls, in two days, from the same guy.  Two calls were from a Jamaican phone number and one from California.  He was from "Publishers Clearing House" and I was a winner!  So, he calls me in the morning from the Jamaican number and, after screwing with him for awhile, I say "I didn't know that publishers clearing house was based out of Jamaica.  That's weird!"  He tries to explain it, so I hang up on him.  He calls back a few hours later, from a California number, and tries the same story again.  And I say, "You just called me two hours ago from Jamaica. How did you get to California so quickly?"

My favorite one, which may be unique to states bordering Mexico, is when Customs and Border Patrol (CBT) calls you because a box full of contraband (usually drugs or fake ID + money is in the box).  I let them go on for awhile and then I ask "How much money".  Sometimes they make up a number, other times they say they don't know.  That's when I ask "Do you guys deliver?"
I Disapprove of What You Say, But I Will Defend to the Death Your Right to Say It

WalterEgo


I keep a small pocket recorder next to the phone.  Phone rings, Caller id tells me this has a 99.999% chance of being spam call.  While holding the recorder with finger on Play button I answer the call and they hear the sound of a FAX machine answering instantly.

Actually it was a Verizon employee who told me about the FAX trick.  He said the calling system can detect a dead end call, i.e. "That number is not in service".  Notice how if you do call an out of service number it always starts with that three note squeal?  The phone number is kicked to a dead file.

After starting the fax thing it went from 2 and 3 calls every day, sometimes 4, to one maybe two a week. It only took a week and they just stopped.


Solar

Quote from: WalterEgo on July 26, 2021, 05:18:15 PMI keep a small pocket recorder next to the phone.  Phone rings, Caller id tells me this has a 99.999% chance of being spam call.  While holding the recorder with finger on Play button I answer the call and they hear the sound of a FAX machine answering instantly.

Actually it was a Verizon employee who told me about the FAX trick.  He said the calling system can detect a dead end call, i.e. "That number is not in service".  Notice how if you do call an out of service number it always starts with that three note squeal?  The phone number is kicked to a dead file.

After starting the fax thing it went from 2 and 3 calls every day, sometimes 4, to one maybe two a week. It only took a week and they just stopped.
:lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

That is excellent advice! :thumbup:
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Grammy

The new thing now is for the number calling you to look a LOT like your own mobile number.  Which is just weird.   :glare:
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