Cell Phones & the Telemarketing Nuisance

BigRedskinDaddy · Post by **BigRedskinDaddy** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:00 pm

As the late great Phil Hartman used to say on SNL, "I'm just a caveman; your modern tools frighten and confuse me." To wit: cell phones and cold calls from people who want to sell you things.

Let me ask the more tech-savvy members of this forum: A little over two months ago I got a new cell-phone. The number has clearly been used by someone else in the past, because within a matter of DAYS I started getting calls about credit card accounts, among other things, to my phone. I never picked up any of them until finally I could stand it no more and took one of the calls. The guy on the other end of the line asked for Travis Wade, at which time I informed him, politely, that he no longer had this number and would they please stop calling me about his stuff.

Didn't change a thing. I still have companies leaving messages on my voicemail - where I clearly state MY name - about this other guy. I have a couple of other 888 numbers that also call, to which I have never responded. How in the world can I stop this from continuing? Your answers are most appreciated.

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:53 pm

https://www.donotcall.gov/

BigRedskinDaddy · Post by **BigRedskinDaddy** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:15 pm

Awesome. Thank you Cappster. All 3 of my immediate family's numbers have just been registered.

ATX_Skins · Post by **ATX_Skins** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:38 pm

The National registry will not stop creditors from calling, only sales people. They WILL NOT stop. The best thing to do is switch numbers. I mean after all, thats how Mr. Wade got them to stop calling.

KazooSkinsFan · Post by **KazooSkinsFan** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:08 pm

ATX_Skins wrote:The National registry will not stop creditors from calling, only sales people. They WILL NOT stop. The best thing to do is switch numbers. I mean after all, thats how Mr. Wade got them to stop calling.

Yep. I've had my current number for about 4 years and bill collectors still occasionally call. I like my number though so I don't want to change. I never answer anyway unless I recognize the number.

BigRedskinDaddy · Post by **BigRedskinDaddy** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:19 pm

ATX_Skins wrote:The National registry will not stop creditors from calling, only sales people. They WILL NOT stop. The best thing to do is switch numbers. I mean after all, thats how Mr. Wade got them to stop calling.

Yeah, I get that - but what's to guarantee the next number won't come with the same baggage? I think I'll just follow Kaz's approach, but it galls me that these people can't recognize from my vmail greeting that, oh I dunno, SOMETHING'S different.

KazooSkinsFan · Post by **KazooSkinsFan** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:33 pm

BigRedskinDaddy wrote:
ATX_Skins wrote:The National registry will not stop creditors from calling, only sales people. They WILL NOT stop. The best thing to do is switch numbers. I mean after all, thats how Mr. Wade got them to stop calling.

Yeah, I get that - but what's to guarantee the next number won't come with the same baggage? I think I'll just follow Kaz's approach, but it galls me that these people can't recognize from my vmail greeting that, oh I dunno, SOMETHING'S different.

My favorites are the ones that call me and then put me on hold when the call isn't even for me. I do answer sometimes. But I generally avoid it and let them leave a number if it's not someone I know.

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 3:36 pm

Block the numbers. Works on land lines, should work on cell.

ATX_Skins · Post by **ATX_Skins** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 5:32 pm

NC43Hog wrote:Block the numbers. Works on land lines, should work on cell.

You can block however it will cost you a 5 dollar monthly fee. Problem is bill collectors will just call from a different number.

My buddy always prank calls me from a 714 (Escondido) number. It's never the same exact number.

Personally what I like to do is talk to them, tell them a funny story and just ramble on especially if they are calling for someone other than me. They will stop calling you if you annoy the crap out of them. Ignoring them is the worst.

welch · Post by **welch** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 10:02 pm

...and I just got a call from someone offering to cut my Con Ed bill by 20%. I hung up, so they sent a text...now I'm getting angry...

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:30 pm

Register for the do not call list. The only problem is, when they violate, they use fake numbers... and, of course, the politicians insist on a loop hole for their robocalls... bastards.

KazooSkinsFan · Post by **KazooSkinsFan** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:12 am

welch wrote:...and I just got a call from someone offering to cut my Con Ed bill by 20%. I hung up, so they sent a text...now I'm getting angry...

Oh that's completely legit. I...er...they....did mention to write your utility check to "cash" right?

welch · Post by **welch** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 4:25 pm

KazooSkinsFan wrote:
welch wrote:...and I just got a call from someone offering to cut my Con Ed bill by 20%. I hung up, so they sent a text...now I'm getting angry...

Oh that's completely legit. I...er...they....did mention to write your utility check to "cash" right?

No. They said that Con Ed has gone "check-less" to simplify payments. Something about "put cash in an envelope and mail to Cuernavaca".

Should I be suspicious?