Posted on 11/30/2011 7:50:37 PM PST by EveningStar
Caller ID has been celebrated as a defense against unwelcome phone pitches. But it is backfiring.
Telemarketers increasingly are disguising their real identities and phone numbers to provoke people to pick up the phone.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
They’ve been doing this for 10 years at least, and so do bill collectors.
If a number comes up I don’t know I just answer “City morgue - you kill’em, we chill’em.”
Or, “You stab ‘em. We slab ‘em.” :)
All you have to do is a web search on the number itself. Most of the time several sites come up with many pages of complaints on who the caller/scammer really is.
Then set the phone down and go about your business.... and they will remain on the line getting no place fast on their dime.
Or give the phone to your babbling toddler to "talk to."
Hey, maybe they could set it up like a group contract thing. All the people that report the same number can split the cost.
They can call it 'Hit-Split' or something ;)
Back when Caller I.D. first became available, my Dad thought it was great. He'd greet unwelcome callers with "Seventh Precinct, Sergeant O'Malley speaking..."
1-800-WHACKED
I just knew that there would be someone else who does the ‘set the phone down’ trick ;-)
If it’s a land line, you should tell them someone is at your front door and to please hold. Then set the phone down and ignore it. That way it costs them money until they realize you aren’t coming back.
Calls to your cell phone are another story. That costs you your minutes and your battery.
The calls became more frequent, rude and they even laughed at me. Well I filled out the online complaint form at the FCC web site and I kid you not, the calls stopped within a week.
That would be great unless you work out of your home. Might tend to alienate some people.
Here is the best anti-telemarketer prank I have ever heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvJQxgtJW94
If the phone number starts with the number 8, I generally click on and then off on my phone. Just the other day I was listening to an old Clash song when the phone rang, The number began with an 8, so I quickly played “Straight to Hell” for the caller’s ears.
Caller ID is great. We know who calls us and so if the number on the readout is not one we know... we simply let the phone ring. Doesn’t bother us. We go about our business. We are not suckered in by any of it because WE are in control of our lives and who we choose to speak with.
Caller ID is great. We know who calls us and so if the number on the readout is not one we know... we simply let the phone ring. Doesn’t bother us. We go about our business. We are not suckered in by any of it because WE are in control of our lives and who we choose to speak with.
Caller ID is great. We know who calls us and so if the number on the readout is not one we know... we simply let the phone ring. Doesn’t bother us. We go about our business. We are not suckered in by any of it because WE are in control of our lives and who we choose to speak with.
Who has time to answer the phone?
I might answer it if I already have the number programed in, but the norm is leave a message or text me.
rupert caller-id spoofing.
Keep the charger handy? But that only helps if you also have unlimited minutes.
That is SO good. Still laughing...LOL
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