A few minutes ago I received a call that said name and number unavailable. I did not recognize the number and I was not familiar with the area code. I did not answer the call. They did not leave a message. Does this sound familiar to anybody? Sometimes we can get two or three calls a day.
I Googled the call I just had and found out that it's a scam. They want to lower your credit card interest rate. All you have to do is give them your credit card number and they will do the rest!!!!
In Canada they have established a do not call list. I put myself on the list. I still get telemarketer calls. There are loop holes in our law. Telephone surveys are legal so that means make a little survey and then sell. Enforcement of do not call is a sad joke so the bad guys will see if they can get away with things. Canadian do not call laws do not apply in the U.S. So calls can be made from the U.S. and our do not call list has no authority.
Sometimes I tried talking to the caller and trying to waste their time. Most of the time they were only too willing to visit. Questions like how's the weather there and where do you live were pleasantly discussed.
Now recently I learned that I can use a feature on my phone and block unwanted callers. Most of you probably know this as I'm usually far behind in these little technical features. Not all phones have this feature. Now I block every telemarketer. I can block up to twenty numbers. Once I hat twenty I should be able to take the first numbers off as they usually don't use the same number for very long.
So all who dislike telemarketers block their numbers on your phone. I'm sure if we all get together we can put them out of business. Just think..no more calls in your dinner hour.
I didn't know you could block these calls. Thanks for pointing this out.
ReplyDeleteYou have to have a phone that has the feature.
DeleteI have done everything possible, including reporting the offenders to the authorities, to no avail. My husband just answers the call, then hangs up on them. I usually try to opt out, but nothing works. I have been resigned to dealing with it, but I will check to see if we can block numbers. Hope that works!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how many phones have the blocking feature. I sometimes look at the number and if I don't know it I don't answer. One time it was my daughter phoning from Chicago so I missed her call.
DeleteI don't get them, since I only have a cellphone and they haven't started calling on them much yet. But before I moved and had a landline, they called all the time. It is really annoying! Blocking the calls makes sense but only 20 numbers, they'll be back bothering you again soon...
ReplyDeleteI think by the time you have twenty on the list the first dirt bag will have left the number and gone on to something else. At least that is what I hope.
DeleteThis is good info, Red. I have a client being bugged by her overseas son, begging for money. He called 3x's on morning, she told me.
ReplyDelete*67 does the trick. You do that, then dial the number you don't want.
It is financial abuse, but I cannot teach her to stand up for herself and block him. She still feels guilt about being a single mom, and few $ resources. I'm so sad for her, mind you she phones everyone she knows to complain about him. I'm thinking of blocking her if it keeps up.
Cheers, thanks for all your comments and visits. You make my day in Cottage Country!
Your example is one where you really can't win. Somebody else has to make a decision.
Deletei detest those calls. used to be they'd be marked w/ a company name or 'unknown caller'. nowadays they use cell phones w/ real numbers so you never know if it's a 'real' person or a telemarketer. yuck.
ReplyDeleteYou're right , you never know. They must get enough suckers to keep on phoning.
DeleteI didn't know you could block calls....I'm going to have to find out about that. They always call at mealtime around here and it make me mad when I have to get up to see who's calling and it's a 1-800 number. I don't answer them either.
ReplyDeleteSome phones have this feature. You'll have to read your book on the phone you bought. YOU HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF. nOBODY WILL DO IT FOR YOU!
DeleteRed there was a Jerry Seinfeld episode once which he received a call from a telemarketer, he asked them for their name and number and told them he was busy and would have to call them back. I've done the same thing and guess what, they don't seem to bother me much anymore when I'm home, maybe it's because I'm rarely home, who knows but what I love is when the individual on the other end hems and haws and says I can't give you my work number. I then tell them if they can have my number it's alright if they give me their home number and I can call them at a convenient time. It's not so much the person calling that annoys me, it's the companies that put them up to this, after all we all have to put food on our table... I just like driving them nuts and making them earn their money I guess! lol Worst case scenario, ya block them.
ReplyDeleteYes you're right. We often give these people a rough time but it's the company or individual behind the call that is the problem.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you!!! I have begun answering numbers I do not recognize with a ridiculous accent at a ridiculous volume. I'm not sure if it has cut down on the number of calls I get, but it makes me feel better and it entertains my children.
ReplyDeleteI like your style and I know you are an expert at accents. It probably makes you and your kids feel better but I'm not so sure about cutting down callers. Most are trained to handle various responses and now many are robot calls. But keep on having fun.
DeleteRed, I'm afraid there are too many legal loopholes one can use to their benefit and other's harm. I don't see the number of the calling person on my landline phone so I always answer it and when it is a commercial offer I hadn't asked for, I just say I'm not interested and hang up. Fortunately, I haven't had many calls like this.
ReplyDeleteAbout half our calls are robot calls so we have a recording to listen to. The last one I got they wanted to reduce my credit card interest rate. If I would give them my card number they would reduce the rate. Ha1
DeleteI'm on the US do not call list...with my cell phone! I also have caller ID...if a number pops up I do not recognize...I don't answer, no matter whether it's friend or foe! If you're going to call me make sure I have your number in my contact list so I can recognize it!
ReplyDeleteI rarely receive "tele" seller calls anymore...I do receive JUNK snail mail! I probably throw away a tree a week! However my email services have such good junk mail filters I rarely receive junk email!
I usually just say "one moment please" and put the phone down and let em wait until they hang up. Everytime they call my house they wait - you would figure they would get the message by now. Also, have asked for their number because I'm busy or ask them for their home number so I can call and harass em. Oh, yeah, if you put your name on the do not call list, they get it anyway and moreso, because you put your name on it. Sure am glad I don't do that for a living - job SUCKS. They should be outlawed :)
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ReplyDeleteI've done everything I can to get rid of those people. Now I block them on my phone. I can even block politicians!
ReplyDeleteLinda
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I will have to read my phone instruction book. Thanks Red..The few calls I get are very annoying..one from the same Credit Card Company and the other from a questionable non profit..I keep telling them mail me the info I don't give out my credit card over the phone:(
ReplyDelete