Phone harrassment solutions?

[FTP Guy]

I thought I saw it posted here a few months back but I can't find it...

Someone (Fred?) had posted a long list of questions to ask phone solicitors that would get them so frustrated that they finally hang up, never to call again...

Anyone still have this list laying around?

[Helen]

I saw that somewhere too, can't remember where, all I know for sure is I
didn't post it... sounds to me like coulda' been Fred's post too. :)

Now they're talking about putting cell numbers in phone books... so far I
think verison is not going for it, but who knows, it is early yet. :roll:

I found out an interesting thing about those automated solicitation
messages.... almost all give up after the fourth ring. :shock:

Like most people, I used to answer after 1st or 2nd ring... unless I'm right
next to the phone, (and don't have the ringer-thinger turned down) it now
takes me more than 4 rings to get there. :wink:

[Crystal]

we have gotten prank calls from time to time, we normaly answer at the 3
ring or let the answering mech kick in. people that makes those prank calls must not have much of a life so they get bored or something, :roll:

[Fred]

It may have been a post by me - I don't recall. Anyway, I don't know if this is the same one but I found this in Google.


Answers for telemarketers phone calls:
1. If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.

2. If they start out with, "How are you today?" say, "I'm so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care,and I have all these problems. My arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died . . . "

3. If they say they're John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located, how long it has been in business, how many people work there, how they got into this line of work if they are married, how many kids they have, etc. Continue asking them personal questions orquestions about their company for as long as necessary.

4. This works great if you are male. Telemarketer: "Hi, my name is Judy and I'm with XYZ Company. " You: Wait for a second and with a real husky voice ask, "What are you wearing?"

5. Cry out in surprise, "Judy? Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?" Hopefully, this will give Judy a few brief moments of terror as she tries to figure out where she could know you from.

6. Say "No" over and over. Be sure to vary the sound of each one, and keep a rhythmic tempo, even as they are trying to speak. This is most fun if you can do it until they hang up.

7. If MCI calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends Plan, reply, in as sinister a voice as you can, "I don't have any friends, would you be my friend?"

8. If the company cleans rugs, respond: "Can you get out blood? Can you get out goat blood? How about human blood?"

9. After the Telemarketer gives his or her spiel, ask him or her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you can't just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.

10. Tell the Telemarketer that you work for the same company, and they can't sell to employees.

11. Answer the phone. As soon as you realize it is a Telemarketer, set the receiver down, scream, "Oh my God!" and then hang up.

12. Tell the Telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask him/her if he/she will give you his/her home phone number so you can call him/her back.

When the Telemarketer explains that telemarketers cannot give out their home

numbers say, "I guess you don't want anyone bothering you at home, right?" The Telemarketer will agree and you say, "Me either!" Hang up.

13. Ask them to repeat everything they say, several times.

14. Tell them it is dinner time, but ask if they would please hold. Put them on your speaker phone while you continue to eat at your leisure. Smack your food loudly and continue with your dinner conversation.

15. Tell the Telemarketer you are on "home incarceration" and ask if they could bring you some beer.

16. Ask them to fax the information to you, and make up a number.

17. Tell the Telemarketer, "Okay, I'll listen to you. But I should probably tell you, I'm not wearing any clothes."

18. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. "Come on, Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how's your momma?"

19. Tell them you are hard of hearing and that they need to speak up . . . louder . . . louder . . .

20. Tell them to talk very slowly, because you want to write every word down.

NOTICE: The above have all been tested and approved for use on telemarketers.

[FTP Guy]

Yup, that's the one Fred! Thanks buddy! :P

[Josh]

If you want to do away with the calls altogether, you can sign up for the "Do Not Call" list at:

http://www.donotcall.gov

I did, and the calls stopped in three months. It's nice to sit down for dinner in peace now. :D

Josh