Posted on 01/15/2011 8:18:03 AM PST by tuffydoodle
Have telemarketers found a way around the do not call list? I have been getting calls from telemarketers where they always ask for the wrong name. When I reply that they have the wrong number, they say, "well, maybe you can help me." The first time it happened, I listened for a minute, wondering why this person on my phone would be asking a stranger for help. When I realized what they were up to, I simply hung up. I've had several calls since, with the caller using the same tactic. Anybody else have any experience with this scam?
The Do Not Call list does not require names, just phone numbers, so I don’t see how this is a workaround. The best workaround is a foreign company doing the calling.
Simple solution... don’t pick up the phone (assuming you have Caller ID) if you do not recognize the caller. If they really want to talk to you they will leave a message.
Do you have caller ID? If so, do you answer calls from names you do not recognize? That could be your first problem.
If I don’t recognize a caller’s name, or if it says “Unknown Caller” I lift the phone and hit on and off in that order very quickly.
Eliminates a lot of useless calls-—especially from politicians......as well as from people wanting to sell you something, or wanting you to donate to something, etc etc. Also, the caller can’t leave a recorded message.
My family and friends call me on my cell phone.
I try to let the poor person know their cell # has been hijacked. It's only happened a couple of times but is becoming more common.
The only problem with that is I have children in college and they sometimes will call using a school phone or friends phone. I’m always afraid to ignore a call in case it’s an emergency.
I have 2 phone lines, one goes to my property gate. I have no way of knowing if it’s someone at my gate or a phone call so I need to answer. Also, as I said before, with kids living in colleges out of town, they will sometimes call from unknown numbers and I’m afraid to miss an emergency call.
No but we have some ‘credit card’ protection company calling twice a week, sometimes twice a day, and it does no good to tell them to take you off the list. And we are on the Do NOT CALL list.
My auto mechanic lost his cell phone, so he got a new one while keeping the same number, and switched carriers. I got a phone call from his old phone! So I guess phone numbers aren’t that secure.
Buddy of mine worked out a good solution for when you get tricked into taking a telemarketing call. One of those little air horns they sell for use on boats. Most telemarketers wear headsets...
Our home phone is transferred to the cell phone...and hubby will answer any call. He does hang up on pols, and sales, charity he is beginning to ask if they are paid solicitors and to take us off the list.
I’d just hang up on all of them.
We are on the Do Not Call list yet “Cardholder Services” relentlessly calls. Of course it’s a recorded message, press “9” to speak with a customer service representative.
I press 9 and when I get a live human I tell them things I cannot post here.
Phone systems should have a password system where if you call the number you have to enter a password to make the phone ring, no password, no ring, hello voicemail.
That is a fabulous idea! How funny.
Some telemarketers are using various loopholes in the law (i.e. it’s OK to call someone with whom you have an “existing business relationship” and they stretch that to the breaking point).
Others are simply violating the law, and to heck with the consequences.
Very annoying and frustrating, but if I can’t ID and avoid the call beforehand and I end up on the line with one of ‘em I simply hang up immediately, and with ZERO guilt.
I installed that phone line for MY convenience and I pay the bill. I owe a stranger who calls me for a handout or a survey or a sale absolutely NOTHING, not even the courtesy of an explanation or listening to their pitch.
And as far as charities — Mrs. Tick and I give liberally, but we do NOT make our decisions on to whom to give based on cold phone calls. So I tell them that and hang up on them.
FRegards
You can also check numbers on Who Called.US. LOTS of complaints.
Since you seemed to have already figured it out and obviously know what the solution is:
What exactly was your question again?
=8-)
I’m just not getting any calls where they know me by name. They always ask for a different name and when I say they have the wrong number, it’s the same reply, “well, maybe you can help me.” No one else is having this happen? It’s happened to me 4 or 5 times in the last month.
read post 19.
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