Has anyone come up with a system for shutting down telemarketers?

2017-01-09T18:01:41-05:00

Help! The telemarketers are driving me crazy. My wife too. They keep calling. Our phone numbers are listed on the Do Not Call Registry but they claim they aren't telemarketers. They're calling with a survey. Or with a "prize" notification. Even worse, they have a new ploy to get you hooked. As soon as you answer the phone, they ask, "Can you hear me?" C'mon people. Think of something original. At least kiss me before you screw me.

Has anyone come up with a system for shutting them down. Something that works?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2017 6:05 PM

2017-01-09T18:05:30-05:00

I have started to ask them who they are, what their personal contact information is, Their Supervisors information and how they know the deceased "Mr Stinson" as this is an active crime scene.

Response by SFC Dante Alanis made Jan 9 at 2017 6:11 PM

2017-01-09T18:11:27-05:00

It's a hassle, but I block the numbers on my cell phone. In some states, if you ask them to remove your name and information from their call list and never call again, they are SUPPOSED to comply with your request. I've tried it and it generally works, but every time you give out your phone number to other businesses they sell it forward. At Walgreens, Best Buy and others, I ask the clerk for his/her phone number to be entered and they get the hint. They don't truly need it for any warranty or other bogus reasons they give.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 9 at 2017 6:14 PM

2017-01-09T18:14:55-05:00

I just curse a bit, or if bored I ask them to explain their pitch then put the phone down and take a nap. SCREW THEM

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jan 9 at 2017 6:16 PM

2017-01-09T18:16:17-05:00

They are required to tell you who they are and where they are calling from. SO I look them up on the internet, give them the address, and inform them that I am retired, have nothing better to do and am enroute to blow up their building. They generally NEVER call back

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 9 at 2017 6:17 PM

2017-01-09T18:17:09-05:00

You could try this approach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmKtS-k12b0.

Another one: "Hang on caller, you'll be on the air in 1 minute!"

If you send any phone number you don't recognize to voice mail on your cell phone, you can go back later and call the number. I've found many of these numbers give you the chance to opt out of further calls by "press 1".

Ask the marketer the name of the company and its address, write it down (take your time). Ask questions like "Is that where the legal department is located?" "Do you know where we should refer a law suit against the company?" Remind them your number is on a do not call list and you intend to refer their company to your state attorney general. The more of their time you tie up in nonproductive discussion the better. They may be paid by the number of calls they place per hour. Ask if there is somebody there who speaks English as their first language. Eventually they will figure out you're not buying what they are selling and take your number off their list.

Tom Mabe - Telemarketer Prank Call Murder Scene on the Bob and Tom Show (Scipt).avi

Tom Mabe Murder Scene Prank Call

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 9 at 2017 6:21 PM

2017-01-09T18:21:35-05:00

There are many ways around "do mot call". Best bet is to use call screening using answer machines and Caller ID (shows up on my TV). If I don' recognize the mumber, better start identifying yourself.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jan 9 at 2017 6:48 PM

2017-01-09T18:48:38-05:00

I always Block the numbers of telemarketers. If the caller is from a charity I tell them "Neither my wife nor I will donate to anyone who calls us on the phone! They are free to send us information in the mail if they already have our address. However, If they call again, we will never donate to the charity again." Then I say good bye and hang up.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 9 at 2017 6:54 PM

2017-01-09T18:54:04-05:00

Ask them what they are wearing...

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Jan 9 at 2017 7:46 PM

2017-01-09T19:46:29-05:00

Only have a cell phone- and then block the number. I hang up as soon as I know it is a telemarketer and block it. cuts down annoying calls to about 2 a month.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Jan 9 at 2017 7:46 PM

2017-01-09T19:46:34-05:00

You can try an app called NomoRobo. It has thousands of robo call numbers in it's database and tags then as such when it comes up on your caller ID screen. The only glitch I've found is that the VA uses robo calls sometimes, but they should leave a message being legit.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Jan 9 at 2017 7:46 PM

2017-01-09T19:46:35-05:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2017 8:12 PM

2017-01-09T20:12:14-05:00

I just do not answer the phone! I can listen to my messages at my leisure!

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jan 9 at 2017 10:15 PM

2017-01-09T22:15:39-05:00

I like the old Calvin & Hobbs cartoon: Calvin answers the phone by saying "At the sound of click, please leave your message.", then hangs up.

Response by PFC Jim Wheeler made Jan 10 at 2017 2:03 AM

2017-01-10T02:03:16-05:00

I had read somewhere before that if you asnwer without saying a word or making any noise their system logs the number as "dead;" or something along those lines.

I have been doing that recently and it seems to work. Usually, if you answer without saying anything you will hear silence, followed by a "click" sound, and then they hang up.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 10 at 2017 11:51 AM

2017-01-10T11:51:10-05:00

Depending on your carrier, you can block their number if they have been using the same one(s).