# I'm calling because you took a cruise **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 29, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259 "2017-03-29T01:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/41 "2017-03-29T15:25:43Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > That stopped the answering machine from recording a dial tone, but, is doing that mean? Or no? My wife thinks it’s mean, or at least not nice. I think, Let them talk to a black hole. I don’t think you can be too mean to telemarketers. Here’s the [epic rant](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=51270&highlight=telemarketer) by **Cervaise**. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/42 "2017-03-29T15:28:01Z")
Mostly what I get these days are calls about “a car accident I had in the past three years”. “I don’t own a car.” “An accident you were a passenger in.” “No.” “An accident a family member was in.” “Nope”. “You once saw an ugly car and it mentally scarred you” “Nuh-uh.” Etc etc etc. In reality I now say “no” and hang up after the first question. I mean, the blatant fishing would be laughable if it weren’t so annoying. It’s like talking to John Edwards’ spirit guide. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/43 "2017-03-29T15:32:15Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I’m surprised at how many of you actually answer calls from unknown numbers. > > I figure if it’s someone I know and it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail. I don’t answer the landline. I’m amazed at how many times it rings & the ‘caller’ hangs up when the answering machine picks up. Since it only records if they’re still there after the beep (at the end of the outgoing message), there’s nothing for me to play/delete. > [@Emily\_Litella](#): > > “Hello, is Martin there?” I used to be polite and tell them they have a wrong number. When someone suspected of being a telemarketer calls my BiL & asks for him, he puts on his most somber voice & says, “Oh, haven’t you heard, he’s no longer with us.” ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/44 "2017-03-29T15:39:44Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > The one that calls me pretends to drop her headset, then laughs about it, to try to make me think she’s all human. Oh, yeah, Emily. She calls me all the time. > [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Yeah, they then ask if you can hear them. If you say “Yes”, they record you saying that, and use it later as proof that you agreed to pay for their service, whatever it is. Urban myth. There are calls like this, but there are no cases where they charge you and use a recorded “yes” as proof. I think they ask if you can hear just to get you engaged in a conversation with a robot. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/45 "2017-03-29T15:44:51Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Oh, yeah, Emily. She calls me all the time. > > Urban myth. There are calls like this, but there are no cases where they charge you and use a recorded “yes” as proof. I think they ask if you can hear just to get you engaged in a conversation with a robot. [FCC warns consumers about new ‘Yes’ phone scam](https://gma.yahoo.com/fcc-warns-consumers-yes-phone-scam-233916329--abc-news-topstories.html#)(Auto-play video at top of article)) > [@](#): > > The Federal Communications Commission is warning consumers about a new scam that is hooking consumers with just one word: Yes. > > “According to complaints the FCC has received and public news reports, the fraudulent callers impersonate representatives from organizations that provide a service and may be familiar to the person receiving the call, such as a mortgage lender or utility, to establish a legitimate reason for trying to reach the consumer,” the news release said. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/46 "2017-03-29T16:12:16Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > [Snopes](http://www.snopes.com/can-you-hear-me-scam/) says this is “unproven,” which strongly suggests it is not a valid complaint. No one has yet found a concrete example of this claim. I’ll be glad to give the scammers all the “yes”-es they want (and I have), and let them try to use that to get money from me. It won’t work, and the warning doesn’t make much sense. It does make sense in a way. My SO recently picked up a call that she thought was from someone else and got into a Yes game trying to confuse her into sending money. She hung up before they got any billing info but people who are easier to confuse wouldn’t be so lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/47 "2017-03-29T16:18:53Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > When someone suspected of being a telemarketer calls my BiL & asks for him, he puts on his most somber voice & says, “Oh, haven’t you heard, he’s no longer with us.” My favorite is the dynamic robo (computer) that begins, “Can I speak to the lady of the house?” My response is, in a very deep voice, “Speaking.” The response (since the robo is programmed to continue regardless) is “Oh, hi, I’m so sorry to take you away from your chores, but I must talk to you about breast cancer…” [QUOTE=running coach] FCC warns consumers about new ‘Yes’ phone scam(Auto-play video at top of article): > [@](#): > > The Federal Communications Commission is warning consumers about a new scam that is hooking consumers with just one word: Yes. > > “According to complaints the FCC has received and public news reports, the fraudulent callers impersonate representatives from organizations that provide a service and may be familiar to the person receiving the call, such as a mortgage lender or utility, to establish a legitimate reason for trying to reach the consumer,” the news release said. [/quote] I think you are confusing two types of calls. The one where the caller gets you to say “yes,” then uses the recording of you to establish your approval for some bogus service has never been proven to be a real situation. If you can prove this, Snopes would like to hear about it. The claim may stem from slamming years ago, which used similar tactics. The other type is where the caller fakes something like a survey. If you respond to the survey, no matter what you say, yes, no or fuck you, their robot is programmed to believe you are now a customer and proceeds to the sales call. I have recorded & logged calls like this, with my giving nonsensical answers. When the live clerk comes on, if I say “why are you calling someone who is on the DNC list?” he says, “Because we now have a business relationship with you (from the survey) and can call you anytime we want, legally.” ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/48 "2017-03-29T16:19:06Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > See, THAT is why I hate cell phones. It’s really hard to hang up with any kind of vehemence when I have to hunt around for the disconnect button and press it very carefully so I don’t accidentally turn on speakerphone. I simply don’t bother picking up a number I don’t know. I haven’t had a telemarketer get more than two rings in years. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/49 "2017-03-29T18:01:00Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > I simply don’t bother picking up a number I don’t know. I haven’t had a telemarketer get more than two rings in years. Are you\* insane\*? It may be Publisher’s Clearinghouse! ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/50 "2017-03-29T18:24:37Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > It does make sense in a way. My SO recently picked up a call that she thought was from someone else and got into a Yes game trying to confuse her into sending money. She hung up before they got any billing info but people who are easier to confuse wouldn’t be so lucky. Trying to get someone to agree to accept a charge for something that is bogus is certainly the way many of these scams work. Even the classic bait & switch falls into that category. But that’s quite different from trying to obtain an **audio recording** of someone saying “yes” just so you can show a bank or CC company\*\* that an unrelated charge was approved.\*\* I don’t think that works, and Snopes seems to agree with me, at least until more evidence is offered. It smacks of urban legend. Remember the bloody hook on the car door? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/51 "2017-03-29T18:33:23Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Remember the bloody hook on the car door? That happened to the friend of a guy my cousin knows! ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/52 "2017-03-29T18:33:49Z")
> [@txjim](#): > > OK, I’m way off topic but can’t let this go unchallenged! > > [Wikipedia’s take on the subject](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Cruise) They play Frankie’s version on “Fiftys on 5” quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/53 "2017-03-29T19:05:03Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > But that’s quite different from trying to obtain an **audio recording** of someone saying “yes” just so you can show a bank or CC company\*\* that an unrelated charge was approved.\*\* I don’t think that works, and Snopes seems to agree with me, at least until more evidence is offered. It smacks of urban legend. Remember the bloody hook on the car door? [Here’s](https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-warns-can-you-hear-me-phone-scams) what the FCC has to say about it. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/54 "2017-03-29T19:16:11Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I’m surprised at how many of you actually answer calls from unknown numbers. > > I figure if it’s someone I know and it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail. Unfortunately some of us don’t have a real option to not answer. I literally receive calls from all over the country due to my work. It took my company 6 months to get me a work phone so my personal cell is still making the rounds. Fortunately Jenny or Emily only try calling me once a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/55 "2017-03-29T19:18:15Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Trying to get someone to agree to accept a charge for something that is bogus is certainly the way many of these scams work. Even the classic bait & switch falls into that category. > > But that’s quite different from trying to obtain an **audio recording** of someone saying “yes” just so you can show a bank or CC company\*\* that an unrelated charge was approved.\*\* I don’t think that works, and Snopes seems to agree with me, at least until more evidence is offered. It smacks of urban legend. Advising people to say not “yes” to any cold call is a good idea. Just leave off the part about recording them. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/56 "2017-03-29T19:28:31Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > [Here’s](https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-warns-can-you-hear-me-phone-scams) what the FCC has to say about it. I read that doc some time ago, and was struck how the FCC made such a claim with little or no evidence of an audio recording of “yes” being used to receive payment. Their warning is based only on fear. That article also mentions “cramming”, similar to slamming, or changing someone’s phone or long distance provider with the slimmest of pretexts, sometimes just by sending a check with the fine print that said, “by cashing this check, you are agreeing to phone service by XXX…” We know these tactics were used some years ago, and I remember getting some of those checks and vouchers. I have in my library a pamphlet put out by a police officer some decades ago, warning about satanic forces in the neighborhood, and what you should do to avoid being skewered on the stake by satanists or your children sacrificed on a bloody altar. The pamphlet included lists of satanic symbols and practices you should watch out for. A scary pamphlet, but based on nothing but fear, not evidence. Did I mention it was from an “official” source who should know all about criminals? The idea that someone could obtain money from your bank account just by presenting a recording of your voice saying “yes” has no evidence and is unlikely to seriously exist. In case someone still doesn’t get my point, I advocate being careful and not gullible to any and all unsolicited claims that come by phone, but not to worry about saying “yes” in fear of being caught by a recording. You have not handed your bank account to someone who tricks you into saying “yes” when asked if you want a cookie. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > Advising people to say not “yes” to any cold call is a good idea. Just leave off the part about recording them. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/57 "2017-03-29T19:58:07Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > One word: [Nomorobo](https://www.nomorobo.com/). > > I added this to our land line (before we got rid if it) and it definitely worked. I have not done it for my cell phone (not available yet for Android). Fight robo calls with a robo answerer. Mr Number works on Android. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/58 "2017-03-29T20:10:09Z")
So, if somebody asks “Can you hear me?” we should just say “No” and see what happens… Leaving my cell off is starting to look like a pretty good idea. I’ve gotten five valid phone calls in the past six months, and two of those were reminders for an appointment that I already knew was coming up. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/59 "2017-03-29T20:12:08Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > [Here’s](https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-warns-can-you-hear-me-phone-scams) what the FCC has to say about it. What they say is the warning is based on media reports and complaints. There is no shortage of panicky people willing to call the FCC with a complaint because they heard an urban legend and then got asked a yes or no question on the phone. Someone on a neighborhood group I participate in did just that. There was no slamming, or cramming or anything involved, just a question and a complaint. The FCC pointedly did not say that anyone had been victimized by this, just that they had had complaints about it. The same person also posted a warning about some person who claimed to have been targeted by sex traffickers in an IKEA, so there you have it. I’m a little reluctant to put much credence in an FCC alert based on stuff they heard on the news. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259/60 "2017-03-29T20:28:07Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > So, if somebody asks “Can you hear me?” we should just say “No” and see what happens… I did that the other day and they hung up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259.md?page=4)