You could try a couple of things:
Block the 2 numbers you know.
Don’t accept blocked calls. Make callers unblock their number before proceeding.
No.
Why not just get your number changed? By answering the phone you’re giving them exactly what they want; attention. Ignore the calls, get your # changed and carry on with your life. Nobody has time for that BULL.:rolleyes:
“Please remove my number from your list”, here in Canada, if you say those words, they gotta do it.
Have you tried offering them your ‘good buddy’s’ phone number in exchange for not calling you again? Cause I’d be giving him up in a NY minute!
If you arn’t charged by the minute, you can do what my Mom always did.
Whenever a buisness called her she would be polite and ask them to hold because some just came to the door. Then she would put the phone down and then just leave it. They make money on volume of calls, so if they waste huge amounts of time calling you, they will eventually stop. If they work on commission it’s even better.
The OP explained upthread that the number being called is his business number which he has used for 10 years or more. Changing it is going to create more (if different) problems.
Even better, forward calls from those numbers to the “friend” who borrowed your phone and started this mess. Or forward the calls to his wife’s phone.
Oooh! Can you forward only calls fromt heir numbers? If so, send them to the police station or local FBI office.
Muuuwahahaha!
Up til CitizenPained, I was wondering why no one was suggesting this:
They start talking. You interrupt and say:
“Put me on your Do Not Call List. If you call this number again, I will file a complaint with the FTC.”
If they try to argue, feel free to repeat exactly that once, but if it were me I’d just hang up. They heard me, after all.
Every subsequent call from them, I’d 1> immediately hang up on them (don’t say a word, just hang up as soon as they say who they are), and 2> hop over to DoNotCall.gov and indeed file a complaint. For EVERY call after that point. It takes less than a minute.
Is it an Android cell phone? Install a call blocker. I use one called Root Call Blocker (requires that your phone be rooted). Calls I don’t want don’t even ring, they just get silently booted.
Or, the low-tech version: create an entry in your contacts list called “Do Not Answer”, and add all the offending numbers to it. Set the ringtone for that contact to Silent. Presto!
And those complaints will be completely ignored, because:
Dude, I mentioned CitizenPained’s post IN MY RESPONSE. AND CP quotes your quote, and then quotes the relevant text from DoNotCall.gov to show why it’s wrong. Agh. Go back and read it again to see why you’re wrong.
Here is one answer to annoying telemarketing calls. Get the drill down and you may come to enjoy such calls!
Cell phones where I live are charged only for calls they initiate (unless accepting collect call, or “roaming” out of country). The other way would drive me crazy.
The thing is though, there are some cunning individuals who will find a way around getting their number blocked. They can still call him from other numbers…his best bet would be to get his number changed no matter what problem it creates.
Hi T-bonham thanks for the post.
It was 5 minutes because I took time to explain the issue to them like I did in my post. He would laugh and tell me about my problem gambling and might as well be with a winner, tell me how if I keep giving him lip he will pass my number on to everyone else in the office and ask them to call me more than they already do.
I’ve been registered for several years and even went to the site to verify I’m currently registered, got the email saying I am.
They say because they aren’t telemarkerters and that “I” called them initially looking for a service or item (sounded like he was reading from a template) that they can continue to call me for 3 years.
And the way it works is that they call you and then the date they call you becomes the new contact date, even if you don’t answer. So if the offending call was made Jan 1, 2011 and he tried to call on March 1, 2011 then the new date is March 1 that “I” tried to call them.
Hey Citizen Pained,
I called the phone company and they said we can block up to 30 numbers for you for 5.99 a month. I was like ok, but they a lot of times call unknown or blocked, and I have to answer those calls because of work.
I was dumb enough to post on a sportsbook forum looking for their help that maybe someone there would have some advice on how to get in touch with an actual person to make these calls go away. I’m beyond stressed. The forum took to pages and pages of making fun of me, accusing me of being a troll, and calling me the name of a troll name changer on there. He said you only have 6 posts. I said yes I do and that is from the 5 replies to the original topic.
Was hoping at some point someone on here would throw out more ideas and I am not afraid to try them.
Oh, emails to the NV attorney general are go unanswered.
Hiya Max,
I have iblacklist and it works nicely when I have their number.
they use burner phones. I don’t need to describe them here because this list has the smartest people around on it.
When they do come with an actual phone number I’m able to add it to the list.
The other night I got so excited because I thought I found a way to block 702 area codes, but it wouldn’t accept it.
I guess a remedy could be to somehow block unknown or blocked numbers and instruct all clients add *82 and then my number.
What say you all?
Well, I don’t mean to sound like a commercial, but Root Call Blocker Pro, the one I use, allows you to set the number of digits the app will compare to its list of blocked numbers (default=8). So, minor variations on the same number should get blocked. If you want to block everything from area code 212 with prefix 505, you could add the wildcard number “212555*” to the blacklist, or if you want to be more specific, “212555####”, with the hash marks representing any digit. Or block all 212 numbers with “212#######”.
RCB Pro also allows you to choose the reject method: immediate hangup, system reject, or endless rings. Choosing the method will allow you to determine whether the blocked caller can leave voicemail or not. It’s a pretty nice app.
See, at this point, the company has proven that they’re a bunch of dicks. So, personally, I’d go about this two ways. Keep in mind, it costs them time and money to call you.
1 - Every time they call, never resist – just keep asking them for information. First name. Last name (probably won’t get it.) Extension. Employee #. Workplace street address. Callback phone number. Supervisor’s name. Keep getting as much as you can and document the date and time of each call. They are in violation already, make 'em sweat. If they resist, just repeat “Sorry, I need this information first” and repeat the question. Don’t debate, just keep re-asking until they hang up. Stick to your ‘script’. Keep filing complaints. Eventually, if you’re ballsy enough, you can file suit, too – people have made good money from spam callers like this. You can also use this one: http://egbg.home.xs4all.nl/counterscript.html
They’ll probably hang up and call back. Just make sure you’re consistent every time.
2 - Throw caution to the wind and just waste their time and amuse yourself. Put them on hold and and come back every minute or so saying “Just a second” until they hang up. Or, play stupid:
Them: “We’ve got winners! You know you want to win money!”
You: “Money is good! I like buying candy!”
Them: “… Just give me your credit card and I can tell you all the winners!”
You: “Do you like it when they throw the foot-ball? Or when they catch the foot-ball?”
Them: “What’s your credit card number?”
You: “I like it when they kick the ball!”
Or, just be irritating:
Them: “C’mon man, I’ve got to make a living! You know you want winners!”
You: “I like winners but, I’m really concerned about my vacuum cleaner. Do you know anything about vacuums?”
Them: “Uh, no–”
You: “But it makes a weird noise!”
Them: “I don’t really–”
You: “Wait, just listen to it!”
<go vacuum>
Them: “You gotta believe we got winners!”
You: “Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?”
Them: “Wha–”
You: “Are you born again, son? Have you seen the light?”
Them: “Yes?”
You: “You are doing the work of the Devil! Pray with me!”
Them: “Uh–”
You: <shouting> “Oh Heavenly Father, please forgive these sinners as they know not what they do. YEA, for they are doing the work of Satan, lord of Hell and all of the fallen angels, and will burn forever in the fiery pit of sulfur and fire and burning for all eternity unless they accept thy mercy!”
The key is don’t fall into their script. Clearly they’re expecting resistance and are prepared to browbeat you down. Don’t fall for this. Use your own script.