Telephone Pest

[ndrosen]

While I was at work Friday afternoon, my cellphone rang, and I answered it. It was a kind of scam call that has been attempted on me before; I don't know whether they're all from the same organization, or there are different boiler rooms doing variations on the same thing. I had some difficulty understanding the telemarketer's Indian accent, but I caught "free sample", and could guess what kind; I asked him what the samples were.

He told me that they were for "male enhancement" (wouldn't you just know it?).

I told him that the only thing I wanted from him was to be placed on his organization's do not call list, so that I would not be called again. I was firm about that.

He told me that since this was my only opportunity, he would tell me about his company's wonderful products during that call.

I hung up on him.

I'm not sure just what their scam is. Do they expect to gain paying customers, thanks to the placebo effect? Or are they gathering address information for future use, e.g., in identity theft?

I just wish they'd leave me alone.

Comments

[kk1raven]

I deal with scam calls with real people rather than a recording by asking them for their company name, then the caller's name, followed by their phone number. Eventually they get uncooperative and ask why I need that info and I tell them it is so I can report them for violating the do not call laws. They usually hang up at that point. I rarely get enough info to successfully report them, but they typically stop calling me. Simply asking them not to call again doesn't work in my experience.