anyone have this telemarketer problem?- Page 2

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 3:54pm

I usually pick up the phone and if it is a real person, I ask them what they are wearing and proceed to sound all breathy on the phone, like I am having a intimate moment with myself.
It usually gets them flustered. One woman yelled at me but I told her, "Sweetheart YOU called me, I didn't call you!"

[CJR]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:32pm

I just pulled my credit history 2 months ago. It typically takes 3 months for anything to show up on a credit report (good or bad), so I'll be pulling it again in the next few months to find out if there's been some sort of "identity theft"

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 9:54pm

There is a website that tracks those pesky telemarketer calls. If a number comes up on your caller ID (usually an 800 number) you can search for its identity on this site. It is pretty cool and I have been able to figure out who was calling me on several occasions (along with other information). The only catch is that the number has to appear and not just "CALLER UNKNOWN" -- so obviously this would be of no use to the original poster. Anyway..I thought I would toss this out to everyone else though.

http://www.whocalled.us/

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:23pm

Hello, telemarketer here. (Hey, times are tough, and a gal's gotta pay the bills somehow.)

How NOT to get calls:

Do NOT simply hang up on telemarketers. They will simply call again. Screaming or singing to the person on the phone may be fun, but it won't get them to stop calling you. Do NOT think that saying "I'm not interested" will get them to stop calling you. It won't. You HAVE to ask to be taken off their lists. A reputable telemarketer will immediately give their FULL name and the organization on whose behalf they're calling. If they fail to give you that information, you have the legal right to ask and be told honestly.

If you don't want their call or any calls in the future, again, you HAVE to ask to be taken off their lists. If the person calling you is particularly rude or defiant, don't hesitate to mention the $11,000 federal fine for breaching the DNC list. And then get your number on the do-not-call list!

Now, take it a step further. Don't EVER give your number out to companies. Don't put it on a sweepstakes entry form, give it out in an online survey, or write it down to get your local grocery store's discount card. Every time you give a business your number, you are giving them permission to call you. And if the Bath & Body Works cashier gives you a hard time when you won't give her your number, either remind her that you don't have to give your number, or MAKE ONE UP!

Pass this info on to friends and family. Smart companies who utilize telemarketing realize that DNC lists are their friends, because it's useless to call someone who already knows they DON'T want your services.

Updated On: 7/23/07 at 10:23 PM

[CJR]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:32am

How true. When someone calls who's not supposed to, I tell them Im on the DNC list and that they need to take me off theirs.

By the way, you never HAVE to give out your phone number (unless we're talking about banking and stuff of that nature).... you can always tell the woman at Victoria's Secret, Toys R Us or Bath and Body Works that you are uncomfortable giving it out. If they press the issue, rattle off the number for telecharge LOL (that'll work for you if you live in the tri-state area -- 212 239 6200 lol)