Even though my number is on a “do not call list” I still get these annoying calls. I had the number put on the list to avoid these pesky companies calling.
The most recent spammer that called was another one that was claiming to be calling from Windows. Ironic thing is when I said Windows doesn’t call people they just tried to ignore what I just said. Are these people really that stupid they think someone will believe that Windows cares enough to call you at home? —”Do Not Call List” is Not Working
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2011.
The “do not call” list will never work. It is a free list of thousands of phone numbers that almost any company has access to. What were you thinking believing that they would use it honestly?
Of course they are going to call you!
lol Yeah, having worked at outbound call centres, that DNC is useless.
It doesn’t prohibit companies who you are already in business with from calling, so that’s probably why these scambags use a name like Windows (wait, shouldn’t it be Microsoft?) that most people use. Some stupid people still fall for it, good for you OP.
Depending on my mood I’ll ignore it. Maybe even flash my junk derisively at the phone. If I’m feeling in a more cuntish frame of mind I’ll let Babu get 2 sentences into his spiel and then yell something brilliant like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzgT-fg01vY
I usually ask them If I can have their name and number so I can call back after I have eaten supper.I had one of those “Im from the computer maintenance department”.I politely asked for his name and number so I could call him back,,,He didnt give it to me,go figure. Works every time though
The Do Not Call List only works for legit companies within Canada. The scams such as the Windows one and the “your credit card may be compromised” one are originating from other countries. You’ll never be completely free from telemarketing. Unless you get rid of your phone, that is.
It does amaze me that these scams exist, though. I mean, they evidently work on someone or they wouldn’t continue to do it. There’s some really gullible people out there.
There’s one making the rounds now from a heavily accented guy who is calling from the “power company”. This “power company” is not NSP. Idiot was told not to call back so what does he do. Immediately calls back again thinking he is calling the next name on his list. Not even smart enough to get a calling list right.
this one’s for thomas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY47scQaM7o
Telemarketers have absolutely no right to use a service that I pay for to solicit their business. My telephone is paid for by me for MY use, not theirs. It should be illegal to use the phone to harass people this way. What they all fail to realize is that if I wanted their services I would be calling THEM, not the other way around. Forget DNC lists. It should be against the law. Period.
Don’t hate the people doing that horrible, soul crushing job though. I hate getting them too, but I hate people who treat the person calling like scum even more. It is what it is.
If I don’t reconize the number I just don’t answer it.
A special dedication from PG?! Thank you! I’ll check it when I get off work.
Simply put. I never give anyone any information if they call me. Not even if they seem to know enough information to reasonably sound legit.
“Hello sir, how are you today?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“I can’t tell you that either”
“Is there anything you can tell me?”
“I can’t tell you what it is”
🙂
If they are calling you OB, you’re doing something wrong. I got rid of all of them through telephone tactics.
I worked at a call center for four hours once. I was one of those people that would call you to do a survey. There were a list of reasons we could check off for not getting a completed survey and one of them was “deceased”. Next time someone calls you, tell them “he/she’s dead” or maybe even say “I’m dead”. I don’t think the operator on the other end will care either way and they’ll just check the box :D. I don’t know how other call centers do it though. Some of these aren’t actually telemarketers but are scams – there’s nothing you can do to prevent those. Also, don’t put your phone number down on anything like a contest or something because then people like me will enter all of your info into a database and you will be spammed :).
I had one of those ‘Window’ calls a couple of weeks ago. He told me to turn on my computer for an important message. So I said, o.k., paused for a few minutes (without going near my computer) and finally said: ‘Yeah, there’s a message alright. You’re a thieving cunt so stick that headset up your shithole’ and hung up. Haven’t heard from them since.
sorry young thomas, i forgot you can’t view at work. it’s ari gold on the phone
I’ve had the windows call twice now TTFN. Your approach is much better than mine. I told him I don’t have a computer. Next time they call I’m going to tell them I don’t have a telephone so this call is purely a figment of their imagination.
when they call ask them if they have ever heard the word of their lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Then start responding to everything they say by spewing bible verses at them.
They’ll put you on the REAL do not call list.
The only time I ever had a problem with telemarketers was when I had a shity bank credit card. Once I closed my account, the phone calls slowly died off.
At least fax-spam isn’t nearly as common as it used to be. Got hit by it pretty bad back in university, so finding the originating fax number and sending looped black paper for a few hours worked pretty good.
As for telemarketers and spammers… best investment this year? A phone with call blocking function. Get a call from a spammer/telemarketer once? Block the number and it won’t happen again.
A compressed air airhorn can also be used if you get to talk to the manager. Get the kind you can refill.
i_k,telling them that you are a praticing satanist helps too. but make sure you also add, that you are in the middle of choosing your next human sacrifice, then ask them their name, and where they are calling from. about 2 seconds later, you will hear the dial tone. works fine for me.
I kept getting these calls from a number that was apparently from the San Bernardino Valley in California. They called multiple times a day and it was just spam. So I just spammed them back by texting “FUCK” over and over again for 10 mins straight so they’d get that annoying text-to-landline robot calling them back constantly to say “fuck”. It worked, they stopped calling :).
Telemarketers get the same treatment as wrong numbers… “they can’t talk to you right now, I’ve got my dick in their mouth”
I almost never get the chance to say” can you call back in a half hour or so”
Because they always hang up !
That particular call from WINDOWS is a scam intended to get you to install their spyware on your computer. A good number of folk who don’t know better are falling for this one. Microsoft will never call you directly about a problem with your operating system.
I have fun when these people call … and they’ve called several times. On various occassions I’ve informed them that 1) I do not have a computer, 2) I am running a Macintosh, 3) that they have called the (insert name here) Police Department and their call is being monitored, 4) that I want their phone number so I can call back and speak with them at a later time, etc. They always freak out & hang up.
Life, huh? Gotta grab the larfs when you see ’em.
But, seriously folks, it’s a scam to hand over Administration rights on your computer. Don’t fall for it.
another scam making the rounds is reduce your interest. its a 403 area code. Just let everything go into voicemail. thanks for the great tips & laughs….
not only will microshaft not call…
if you call them with an issue, their outsourced call center won’t help you much even then.
“oh, you bought your computer with windows on it…
please go refer to whom you purchased it from.”
“but I have the disk and the product key is supposed to be valid… It was working up to me reinstalling the OS a half hour ago. You’ve even CONFIRMED it was a valid key….”
“Sir, go back to your point of sale and have them assist you”
WTF?!?!?!?
I couldn’t believe it…