# JFYI...telemarketing calls and where your info comes from! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 31, 2015, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236 "2015-10-31T05:36:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/1 "2015-10-31T05:36:30Z")
As I’ve told youse all before, I’m a telefundraiser. Mostly I’m on ‘renewal’ calls, which means that I’m ringing you because you’ve supported us before and you know who we are and the cause I’m calling for. But every now and again I’m a ‘cold caller’ and the most frequent response when I’ve told you who I am is: “HOW DID YOU GET MY NUMBER???” Well…I’m here to tell you! a) You’ve purchased something from a major retailer b) You’ve filled out a Warranty Card for the thing you bought c) You’ve applied for a credit card d) You entered into a rental agreement with a landlord/estate agent e) You purchased a property and now have a mortgage f) You enquired about insurance on that property g) You purchased insurance for that property h) You entered a competition, online or via a television program i) You entered your details through a competition at the local shopping centre Seriously people, it’s not that hard. Every transaction you make is a DATA MINING exercise, and every one is available to the likes of me. Don’t like it? Well, suck it up, or go off grid. Simple. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/2 "2015-10-31T05:45:43Z")
Or just give a fake phone number. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/3 "2015-10-31T05:52:19Z")
I never answer calls I don’t recognize. It’s pretty much cut 100% of those spam calls out. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/4 "2015-10-31T05:55:30Z")
I don’t answer calls from numbers I don’t recognize. I don’t always answer calls from numbers I do recognize either. I put fake phone numbers usually, or a number I know is no longer active. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/5 "2015-10-31T06:02:26Z")
Yeah, but some DO answer the calls and then get shitty that we have their numbers. This MPSIMS is directed towards them. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/6 "2015-10-31T06:08:41Z")
I’m sorry the behavior you choose to engage in is causing other people to say things you don’t like. But there’s a foolproof way to not hear things you don’t like from people who have given you no reason to think your call is welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/7 "2015-10-31T06:17:26Z")
Just wanted to add that I do telemarketing too. It has to be (for me anyway) one of the easiest jobs I’ve ever had. I love it. Usually the shittier the customer gets, the nicer I get, until they hang up. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/8 "2015-10-31T06:43:57Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > I’m sorry the behavior you choose to engage in is causing other people to say things you don’t like. But there’s a foolproof way to not hear things you don’t like from people who have given you no reason to think your call is welcome. S’cuse me? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/9 "2015-10-31T07:21:13Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Or just give a fake phone number. Would ya stop giving _my_ phone number, though? Pick a faker one! 😃 (Seriously, that’s how right-number-wrong-name calls happen. I get more of those than I get right-number-right-name cold calls.) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/10 "2015-10-31T08:36:57Z")
I must say, if I have to be approached by a charity fundraiser, I’d rather it be over the phone rather than at the front door. It’s much easier to say “not interested thank you” and hang up than to try and get rid of someone from the door. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/11 "2015-10-31T08:41:23Z")
It is nice to know how the get my phone number, thanks. But I do not really mind the occasional telemarketing call. It is not the end of the world to get one… ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/12 "2015-10-31T11:25:11Z")
Hey Kam. Just curious: how do you get a number from someone who has a mortgage or insurance? I get the contests / competitions, but mortgages? Insurance? Making a purchase from a major retailer? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/13 "2015-10-31T21:38:06Z")
Let me rephrase the question then: WHY are you calling me? Why does my applying for a credit card, renting an apartment or filling out a warranty card suggest to you that I have the slightest interest in being contacted by you? Calling yourself a “telefundraiser” suggests that you’re working for a not-for-profit organization, so my being on the Do Not Call list doesn’t apply to you. On the other hand, why shouldn’t your employer be asking the organizations that supply you with call lists to make sure they’ve purged DNC numbers from them? Isn’t it a more effective use of time and resources NOT to contact people who’ve already indicated they don’t want to be called? And while I’m asking, what exactly is your policy when people say, “don’t call me anymore”? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/14 "2015-10-31T22:53:23Z")
“I am one of those assholes that bothers you every day, but I’m here to tell you that it’s your fault.” Does that about sum up this thread? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/15 "2015-10-31T23:32:14Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > “I am one of those assholes that bothers you every day, but I’m here to tell you that it’s your fault.” > > Does that about sum up this thread? OK, I apologize for the veiled insult. I thought this was in the BBQ Pit. Of course, now you can get me for junior modding… ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/16 "2015-11-01T01:54:34Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > And while I’m asking, what exactly is your policy when people say, “don’t call me anymore”? I can’t answer for **kambuckta** , but I do telemarketing too, and it depends on the requirements the client gives us. Some are pretty lenient, and someone implying they don’t want called is enough, some require the specific words “put me on your do not call list”, and some require the person requesting to be put on the do not call list to stay on the phone while I read a three paragraph disclosure. If they hang up in the middle of me reading it, too bad for the customer, they don’t get on the list because I didn’t finish my disclosure. Almost all require confirmation of the phone number at least, to be placed on the list. Most also require the actual person on the record be the one to request it, not spouses/roommates etc. Wrong numbers are never put on the do not call list. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/17 "2015-11-01T02:34:47Z")
> [@Mudshark](#): > > I can’t answer for **kambuckta** , but I do telemarketing too, and it depends on the requirements the client gives us. Some are pretty lenient, and someone implying they don’t want called is enough, some require the specific words “put me on your do not call list”, and some require the person requesting to be put on the do not call list to stay on the phone while I read a three paragraph disclosure. If they hang up in the middle of me reading it, too bad for the customer, they don’t get on the list because I didn’t finish my disclosure. Almost all require confirmation of the phone number at least, to be placed on the list. Most also require the actual person on the record be the one to request it, not spouses/roommates etc. Wrong numbers are never put on the do not call list. I work for a single charity, and technically we’re only allowed to remove someone from the list if they specifically say “please remove me from this list”, or words to a similar effect as **Mudshark** noted above. However, I’m a lot more liberal with my use of the ‘DO NOT CALL’ button as are most of my coworkers. I’ve yet to be questioned on the number of DNC’s that I process. We don’t have to read a statement or any other disclosure. I DO tell people that although I can remove them from THIS list, they will need to do that with every telemarketer call they receive as I can only guarantee no more calls from the charity I represent. Oh, and for those of you snarking in this thread…it’s been done before. Get a new schtick. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/18 "2015-11-01T02:46:55Z")
> [@Essured](#): > > Hey Kam. > Just curious: how do you get a number from someone who has a mortgage or insurance? I get the contests / competitions, but mortgages? Insurance? Making a purchase from a major retailer? Banks, insurance companies et al sell that information to ‘List Brokers’. They then compile ‘lists’ according to the demographic or the ‘special interest’ group that the company purchasing said list requires. For example, I had an ear op a couple of years back…in the months following, I had an inordinate number of ‘hearing aide’ companies calling to ask if I would like a free hearing test! Coincidence? Nup. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/19 "2015-11-01T22:32:21Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Seriously people, it’s not that hard. Every transaction you make is a DATA MINING exercise, and every one is available to the likes of me. Don’t like it? Well, suck it up, or go off grid. > > Simple. I like how you crafted your OP to make it sound like you are trying to be helpful, and then you end with this snarkiness. Careful! You’re manifesting your real agenda. FYI, I know that businesses public databases for names and address so that they can pitch their wares. It didn’t used to bother me to get an occasional telemarketer or survey, etc. However, such calls have increased tenfold in the last few years. Now I get maybe 1 legitimate call for every 9 telemarketer/politician/survey/Spammer. So, like the others above, I simply don’t answer any phone number that I don’t recognize. So keep calling, if you want. I promise that my voicemail won’t grill you as to how you got my number! ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236/20 "2015-11-02T07:25:37Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I like how you crafted your OP to make it sound like you are trying to be helpful, and then you end with this snarkiness. Careful! You’re manifesting your real agenda. You’re right PunditLisa! It was the day previously when I’d had to explain in great detail to THIRTEEN punters in a row how we got their data that got my hackles up. It’s not normally that bad…but I’d had a gut-full by the end of the day. I humbly apologise for any snark in my post, and hope that it has provided the info you might need for future telemarketing calls! Yer’ welcome! 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfyi-telemarketing-calls-and-where-your-info-comes-from/736236.md?page=2)