I debated with myself about where to put this. It may have a specific answer, so I considered GQ. It is certainly mundane, so I considered MPSIMS. But I do want opinions if no facts are to be had, so IMHO it is.
So far today, I have received four telemarketing calls at my home number, specifically asking for the former Mrs. Cee by name (first and last). She and I do not have the same first name. Furthermore, BobPi and the former Mrs. Cee have been divorced for 9 years, and she has not lived here or used this telephone number for nearly 10 years.
Two of the calls indicated that they were requested. One was from Debt Stoppers, and they left a voice-mail saying they would send the requested information by e-mail. The other supposedly requested call was from a discount travel organization, which said information had been requested from their website, giving this number.
I told all four parties (I called the Debt Stoppers guy back, since he left a toll free number) that the former Mrs. Cee was no longer at this number, and had not been for years.
I’m wondering what brought this spate of activity on. Are these companies using an outdated prospect list? Or is could be someone attempting to prank us, requesting information online in her name? (Yes, despite being over 50, the former Mrs. Cee is that immature, but there might be someone else who might find this amusing as well.) And yes, telemarketers are annoying enough on their own, but having someone ask me if I am she when I answer does add an extra layer of Grrr!
I dunno. I’m on the No-call list, but for some reason, I’ve recently been deluged with multiple calls per day by the Lupus people, the Salvation Army and some Disabled Vets organization. They’re downright pissing me off with the frequency of calls.
I should mention, that before today, we have received only one call for her in the past five years, and that was from a local business. So four calls in one day is highly unusual.
Some of it is a result of the company trying to cut costs by buying a second-hand list or an older list. The problem is that they’re often 10 years or more out of date. On the upside, if the people still have the same number, it’s often a sure bet they’re more established, own a home, and have more disposable income.
Much of the charity solicitation phone calls are timed to coincide with college kids home for spring break. Cheap, articulate labor is often hard to find.
I’m just worried that, since I don’t answer, someday some Lupus infested disabled vet in a Salvation Army uniform is going to show up at my front door asking for some Braiiiiinnnnnsssss!
