Anyone ever copped a spam phone call?

I've heard of them, but never got one till I answered the phone this morning, and a recorded message said, (with American accent)

"Hello, you have been selected to go into the draw for a trip for two to Florida..Blah Blah Blah...."


At first, I thought Star and AbbySue entered me into a contest so I could visit them, but then I quickly realised what it was and hung up.

I was so annoyed as I supposedly have, and pay for, a private number.

 

Block what calls, I don't know who it is?


What I don't understand is how they can afford to call random people in the hope of snaring a sucker.

Sending millions of emails costs nothing, but phoning someone does, even if they are using VOIP.

 

Yeah, but I don't think it applies to this rubbish.

We don't have that here anyway, although it's being promised.

 

Here in North America, before the do not call list came out I use to tell the telemarketer that I was a lawyer and asked them a whole pile of questions like there name, phone number, place of residence Companies name, mailing address...till finally they hung-up on me and I got put on their companies do not call list, and this list is circulated among the Telemarketers believe me. Hey you have to fight fire with fire

 

We've signed up for that Telephone Preference Service, TimW...still seem to get the freaking calls though. I just ask if they can hold a minute, which they are always willing to do, and then I put them on hold and just leave them there lol

 

Yep, get spam calls occasionally, and my number is supposedly 'silent' too. Usually they come up as 'overseas' calls, and if I answer, they either have pseudo-American Asian accents, Indian, or some kinda computer generated "hello".

They don't even get a "no" from me, just immediate disconnection. They realise they're getting nowhere, and try to hassle some other sucka, eventually.

 

When i get spam phone calls, usually when the man or lady talks I say "Got Spam?" and hang up, not very friendly but hey it works.

 

This wasn't an actual person though. Those I get them all the time.

Usually, I tell them to hang on a minute, then start reading a few psalms out from the bible.

They never ring back again.


However, this was a recorded message. I've never had one of them before.

 

Don't have Caller ID........Don't have it Caller ID.........

Have answering machine, but don't use it while I'm at home.............Have answering machine, but don't use it while I'm at home.............


Reason I don't have Caller ID is I'm a cheapskate and it costs $5.00 a month extra.

Normally that would be money well spent, but most of the calls have a private number which don't display anyway, so what's the point?

 

Yep, caller id is useless most of the time, since most of the calls our house receives are "Private", "Anonymous Call", "No Message Sent", or "000-000-0000". Yet I still pay for it, lol.

 

I would still love to know how these idiots can afford to call so many people.

Unlike spam emails, it must cost a fortune to ring people.

Even if it's tax deductable, it's still a lot of money.

Must be profitable though, or they wouldn't be doing it.

 

Doest it work based on how many calls they place, thats how much they get paid per call, or else there wouldnt be so many calls these days from thiose bastards

 

@TimW, most calls I get don't have an ID as they are all private numbers, so I would be blocking everyone.

Don't think it's an available option anyway.


@Bladesofhalo, I think the people in call centres (if that's what you mean) usually get paid for each "customer" they snare, and not for the number of calls made.

 

Yeah, well...it's not all it's cracked up to be!!!! I, along with several friends and family, are registered for it, but it doesn't work!! Granted they are farther and fewer between, but even if they do keep hounding you...do you honestly think the governement is going waste their ever so valuable resources on trying to crack down on some dipwad that won't quit trying to sell granny a deal to put siding on the high rise senior center that she lives in...I'll believe it when I see it, and even if they do attempt it...we'll probably all be dead before they get results!!!! LOL

Roger

 

here in oklahoma, we have a state do-not-call-list, as well as the national list. we haven't received a telemarketer's call since it started. also, we don't have a landline and we only use our cell phones, which may have something to do with it.

 

I haven't received any calls other than political since we signed up for the Do Not Call list. Not one.

Hint: If a telemarketer DOES call you and you don't want them to, you have to stay on the line with them long enough to tell them you want to be removed from their list, and for them to confirm it. By US law, they have to remove you if you tell them to. Do not hang up, that doesn't work. Don't tell them to remove you and immediately hang up, that doesn't work. Tell them, get transferred to the person who can actually do it, and make sure they confirm it's been done.

 

i simply put the phone down. i also do not have 'caller id' for all the reasons mentioned, esp the 'it costs $5 and im a cheepskate". i dont get a lot of spam calls, maybe one a week. i just dont let such trivia bother me. i get more p*ss*d off about the spam on my puter. i have a bulk mail box that i empty every day, so thats not too much bother, but there are those that 'escape' the bulk mail. something called 'consumer expressions' is constantly turning up, despite being repeatedly marked as spam. i think if thats all i have to get uppity about, life is good.

 

I’m on the do not call list, but still get calls from people like the county sheriff association, and many like them, all asking for money….last week we had a election, and for a week before, lots of calls, that were recorded, and sent to my house….I just hang up….wobbles

 

Political calls are exempt from Do Not Call. As are places with which you have done business, and religious organizations.

County Sheriff associations, however, should NOT be exempt, and you can point that out to them.

 

I think they're funny as long as there isnt an excessive number of them,you can have some great fun,my favourite are the debt buster ones "Do you own your house,do you have debts" ect,start of by saying you own your house they like that but you need a £10000 loan,I love listening to them get excited answer as many questions without giving any personal info away,then say "actually changed my mind" and hang up LOL

The indian ones crack me up "Hi my name is Dave" in just legible english lol yeh right,Dave from Bombay

 

Yeah, real funny when you're eating dinner or still asleep and have to answer the phone!

The "do not call register", or asking to be removed from the list, is great for the reputable businesses and most telemarketers, but these recorded phone calls promising the earth are a scam.

They don't care about registers or laws. All they want is money.

 

And you always get the infamous...."Well sir/mam, I apologize, as it takes usually 30 days, after you ask to be removed from our call list, before it will register on our system...blah, blah, blah"!!!!

That pretty convenient, considering that is all they have to say, since it is someone different everytime!!

But oh well...if I don't recognize it on the caller Id as someone I know...then I don't answer it!!!! And the people I know...know that, so if they call from an unknown line/number...then they know to leave a message, or atleast to hollar over the answering machine, incase we are home and just screening our calls!!

However...since we just closed on our new house today, and the phone will be switched over on next monday, along with a new number...I'm curious to see how things start out!!!

Roger

 

LOL! that's funny!
abri

 

That is brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

 

I can do serious, and not more than 10 minutes before your post I had a chance to use it.

 

I get constant 'interviews' that are just software salesmen asking a lot of questions that I really don't want to answer.

 

Works like a charm here. The only legal exceptions are charities and people you've actually done business with in the past. So far so good.

 

i dont see kevmcq7's post any where....

 

You got a crush on him? All 3 of your posts ask that same question.

You're not fooling anyone; do not sign up with another username after the mods restricted you. Abby will deal with this in the morning.

 

i pm'd her giving a complete apology, explained myself and said i would try to not do it again (i have a hard time controlling myself)

and besides, i think she punished me enough with the barney thing, that was cruel

 

I have to admit I just fell for it in t'other thread. http://bestsmileys.com/blushing/3.gif

I shan't make that mistake again. I do know better.

 

I think non-profits may be exempt as well, but I'm not sure.

In any case, my telephone spam has dropped to almost zero since the "Do not Call" signup, although 1 or 2 sneak thru each month. I can live with that.

 

I knew there had to FAQs somewhere.

Will All Telemarketing Calls Stop If I Register?

29. If I register my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, will it stop all telemarketing calls?

No. Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will stop most telemarketing calls, but not all. Because of limitations in the jurisdiction of the FTC and FCC, calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship, or those to whom you’ve provided express agreement in writing to receive their calls.

30. Are calls from political organizations or calls soliciting for charities covered?

Political solicitations are not covered by the TSR at all, since they are not included in its definition of “telemarketing.” Charities are not covered by the requirements of the national registry. However, if a third-party telemarketer is calling on behalf of a charity, a consumer may ask not to receive any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If a third-party telemarketer calls again on behalf of that charity, the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $11,000.

31. What about telephone surveys?

If the call is really for the sole purpose of conducting a survey, it is not covered. Only telemarketing calls are covered — that is, calls that solicit sales of goods or services. Callers purporting to take a survey, but also offering to sell goods or services, must comply with the National Do Not Call Registry.

32. My number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. After I bought something from a company, a telemarketer representing that organization called me. Is this a violation?

No. By purchasing something from the company, you established a business relationship with the company. As a result, even if you put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, that company may call you for up to 18 months after your last purchase or delivery from it, or your last payment to it, unless you ask the company not to call again. In that case, the company must honor your request not to call. If they subsequently call you again, they may be subject to a fine of up to $11,000.

An established business relationship with a company also will be created if you make an inquiry to the company, or submit an application to it. This kind of established business relationship exists for three months after the inquiry or application. During this time, the company can call you.

If you make a specific request to that company not to call you, however, then the company may not call you, even if you have an established business relationship with that company.

33. Are telemarketing calls from overseas covered?

Yes. Any telemarketers calling U.S. consumers are covered, regardless of where they are calling from. If a company within the U.S. solicits sales through an overseas professional telemarketer, that U.S. company may be liable for any violations by the telemarketer. The FTC can initiate enforcement actions against such companies.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dncalrt.htm

 

If anyones interested the UK version of the 'Do Not Call Thingy' is here

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

 

Halo, I printed this out. LOL.
Think I'll get it laminated and keep it by the phone for the next unrequested interruption. Bazza

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