Telemarketing Scams
The lines are getting blurred. Lately, every time I get a telemarketer call, it reminds me of one thing or another that I've written up on my Anti Spam Site. So it seems that the telemarketers are taking lessons from spammers, which - in my opinion - is a pretty awful trend.In an earlier entry I commented that I have some degree of sympathy for telemarketers who are stuck in such a dead end job. I have much less sympathy for "telemarketers" who are actually scamming people.
Do Not Call
The "Press Three To Have Your Number Removed" option is very much like the "click here to unsubscribe" option. It doesn't work. How many times have you gotten recorded calls from someone claiming to be from "Dish Network", and they offer you the options of pressing one to be learn more about DVR, and pressing three to be removed from their call lists. Three doesn't work. Believe me, I've tried.
So I press one. And then I go on to work on other things while the muzak plays. Five minutes later someone on the other end picks up, and I say: "I'm sorry, I think you've got the wrong number."
Or, if I'm feeling particularly frustrated, I say, "Dish Network? Wonderful! I'd like a deep dish pizza..."
But here's my question: aren't Direct TV and Dish Network two different companies? Because when I asked the latest "Dish Network" telemarketer what his company website was, he gave me the Direct TV website...
We Talked Earlier
This is something you see in email all the time - the spammer says "I'm returning your email," or "I haven't seen you in awhile." Even though you've had no prior communication with the spammer.
Now telemarketers are getting into the act. This morning I got one that said, "We're calling about your mortgage application we are currently processing." Remember, anyone who starts a message like this is a crook and a scam artist. If it was a real company that you really were dealing with, they would introduce themselves and their firm, so you would know who you are dealing with.
Since this was a recorded message, I went on hold, left a message, deleted the message, recorded it again, deleted it again, asked to be connected to an operator, recorded and deleted another message, and when I finally got a real person, said, "Is this regarding the mortgage on my Deep Dish Pizza Network?"
Addressee Unknown
Don't you hate it when you get emails addressed to Joe, Sam, Julie, Walter (or any other name that isn't yours?) Now telemarketers are doing the same thing. "Hi Bill, I'm from Satellite TV. Please press one..."
So I pressed one, just so I could explain to them that my name is not Bill. When they asked what my name is, I told them that they were the ones that called me...if they don't know my name, who does?
If At First You Don't Succeed...
Ha ha. It was some "Reader Service" thing. They wanted to talk to the "lady of the house," and get her to do a survey. I explained that was a non-existent person. "Sorry to bother you," they said, and hung up.
The next day they called again. "You know, you called yesterday, and I wasn't married. I'm still not married." More apologies.
The next day. "Look, I'll tell you what. Why don't you give me your number, and if I ever do get married, I can give her your number." They didn't like that suggestion.
Yes, that's right...the next day. This is the day I came within inches of losing my temper. I actually asked the guy if English was his first language. He didn't understand what I meant. So I explained it again. I'm not married. Don't have a wife. Live alone, if I ever do get married, yada yada..."
And he said (I kid you not) "I'm sorry. I'll try calling back later."
The real tragedy is, they're starting to get wise to me...now whenever I wait through the recorded message, the moment they pick up the phone and I say "Hello?" they hang up on me.
Posted On May 17, 2006 at 2:09 PM
On May 17, 2006 Trent wrote: Quote:
| The real tragedy is, they're starting to get wise to me...now whenever I wait through the recorded message, the moment they pick up the phone and I say "Hello?" they hang up on me. |
You have misunderstood Douglas. Now they are just treating you like all your Friends
I'm kidding of course
(please note glog public, I have inserted this in the hopes that Doug will truly believe I am kidding and post this. Here's Hopin')
Doug Replied: speaking of wise guys...
On May 18, 2006 Trent wrote: My comments tend to get more sarcastic the later I post. Perhaps, I should have held "un" to that one until this morning.
But it seemed reeeeaaaall funny last night.
(please note glog public that this should not be misconstrued as an apology in anyway)
Doug Replied: *sigh*
On May 21, 2006 Kay wrote: Just FYI, Doug, I have read this to at least 5 people now - from here down to Florida! (Since some of my friends are still at PCC, working through the summer.) Leave it to you to take something frustrating and get me laughing so hard! My AP Language teacher from high school would LOVE your writing style!
Hope I've succeeded in making you smile! (Or at least in making you feel like you're accomplished something.)
Doug Replied:
Thanks Karolyne. And welcome home!
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