I got a lovely automated phone-scam message today whereby you could win a free trip to some exotic location like Florida. I pushed ‘9′ to talk to someone about it so that I could find out where they got my number. The conversation went something like this:
Them: Long, automated message.
(push 9 on they keypad to speak to someone)
Them: Hello, you heard the message?
Yes.
Them: Which location are you interested in?
I’m not. I’m interested in finding out where you got my number since it’s my cell phone and I dislike getting unsolicited calls to it.
Them: What’s the number?
352-871-####
Them: Ok, we’ll go ahead and remove it from our database.
I don’t think you heard me. I want to know WHERE you got my number from so I know it won’t happen with anyone else.
Them: Oh, I wouldn’t know, that would be our Marketing folks
Well, what’s the number to your marketing folks, then?
Them: CLICK (they hang up)
The caller-id on the cell was from: 1-214-279-0990 (or 12142790990 without the dashes). I tried googling both, the first produced some minimal results , and on the return call it turns out to be a fax line.
I’ve decided to come up with a list of ways I can get even with this the next time I get such a call. Current ideas include:
- Play dumb. Play really really dumb. Waste as much time as possible (after getting them to call you on a non-cell phone line) and never actually agree to anything, just act really confused, but vaguely interested.
- Variation on that theme is instead of having them call you back on a non-cell line, ask for a number to call them back since you don’t quite trust them. Once you’ve got that actual number, there are a lot of obvious extra bits of fun to have.
- Give fake (but realistic) information. Get them to think you’re signing up with something, but give them otherwise totally bogus information. Not sure of the legality or wisdom of this; it probably depends on how easy it is to dispute charges to your phone bill, since I’ve heard that it’s possible for other people to basically just directly charge things onto your phone bill. (how phone-sex lines work)
- Send them a fax to request they stop spamming me. A really, really long fax explaining the various legal reasons why they should stop. And maybe send it again just to be sure they got it the first time.
Any other ideas to torment and/or make such scams unprofitable for the folks perpetrating them would be appreciated.
Well if it’s a real fax machine on the other side, a really nasty one is to tape together two black pieces of construction paper, start faxing them through, then tape the other ends together as the first sheet comes out…so as to make a roll. Then go do errands or something.
Left by JFu on June 14th, 2005
Wow, that IS a nasty one. And by nasty, I mean a really good idea.
Left by Jordan on June 15th, 2005
Ellen got that call too, she hung up on them.
Left by Eric on June 16th, 2005
Leviticus 20:16b says, “They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
This is obviously not in the exact same context, but “X’s blood will be on X’s own head(s)” is a phrase that is repeated a few times in the Bible and it came to mind as something you might laugh at when you read it here.
On a more serious note… it is an interesting Biblical principle. That some things are so wrong that if someone were to kill you for them it wouldn’t really be the killer’s responsibility… because you deserved it. Like when claiming self-defense today. So, using the same logic, maybe telemarketing is so wrong that pranking their fax machine should be something that has no legal ramifications at all.
Left by David on June 19th, 2005
Just wanted to give you a little feedback on your phone scam setup. I used to work for MCI and some of these really make me laugh because people think its funny to do against telemarkets.
1) Play dumb. Play really really dumb. Waste as much time as possible (after getting them to call you on a non-cell phone line) and never actually agree to anything, just act really confused, but vaguely interested.
We work on calls per hour. The less we are making, the better we are doing. Meaning we are working our calls, really trying to sell the product. When someone played dumb with me I played a long and kept them on the phone as long as possible. Not only did this allow me to have some fun, it made me look better.
2)Variation on that theme is instead of having them call you back on a non-cell line, ask for a number to call them back since you don’t quite trust them. Once you’ve got that actual number, there are a lot of obvious extra bits of fun to have.
Believe it or not that only happened very rarely. Usually when they asked I gave them our customer service number. One time I had this kid on the phone joking around with me. He asked me for my phone number so I asked him if he had a paper and a pencil. He hung up. :s
3)Give fake (but realistic) information. Get them to think you’re signing up with something, but give them otherwise totally bogus information. Not sure of the legality or wisdom of this; it probably depends on how easy it is to dispute charges to your phone bill, since I’ve heard that it’s possible for other people to basically just directly charge things onto your phone bill. (how phone-sex lines work)
Go ahead, I just earned commission off the sale.
Good ideas, they just dont work too well like most think.
Left by Taylor on June 21st, 2005
Taylor…
All these tactics may benefit you, the phone rep, but they ultimately still hurt the company as they are incurring higher costs for a lesser benefit, no?
Left by David on June 21st, 2005
I just got a call from this number, no response on the other line. I looked it up, and I got your page and another which warns if you push the prompted key, long distance charges will be billed to your phone acount. So just to warn you. JUST HANG UP!!
Left by Aisha on June 27th, 2005
I also just got a call from this number with no response . I looked it up, and I got your page.
Just add your cell number to the “The National Do Not Call Registry” 888-382-1222
Left by Ron on June 28th, 2005
I just got that same phone call today from the 214-279-0990 #. I didn’t answer my phone in time tho. I recognized it was a Texas # also tried to call it back & it was a fax#. I’m in FLA.
Left by amy M on June 29th, 2005
I just got the phone call at our VOIP phone at work…I thought I had some numbers for everyone (I pressed 9 and was going to act dumb). Then things went a little weird…it made it so I was the one making the calls…it was pushing me through to different 727 numbers. I actually got through to someone’s voicemail box.
Left by G on June 30th, 2005
I got the same call, but I missed it….I googled the number and found this page. I never usually get telemarketing phone calls on my cell, this is the first one. I’m curious of it, and will definantly ignore it if they call again…lol
Left by Jennie on June 30th, 2005
Just got the same call on my cell today - time for the Do Not Call Registry…
Left by J on July 1st, 2005
I got the same call on my cell and my work number. Bastards!
Left by Gino on July 1st, 2005
Really bad news for these jack-o’s!
They called my toll-free number which shows the ROUTING SWITCH CallerID that they CAN’T FORGE:
214-279-0990
305-675-6263
616 980 2255
All lead to:
The phone number “(641) 297-3000″ is a St Marys, IA based phone number and the registered carrier is Interstate 35 Telephone Co. However, due to number portability, some numbers have been transferred to a new service provider other than the registered carrier.
Search Suggestion:
297-3000, IA
That’s the culprit!
Left by Jon on July 12th, 2005
Pretty dumb idea to fax them back on a loop…Are you planning to “make them pay” by giving yourself a huge long distance bill? Makes zero sense to me. You might waste a bit of their ink and paper but I doubt it.
Left by stinkerbell on July 19th, 2005
To everyone who believes this is a phone scam of some type - BEWARE - it is more likely a trap line - When you call back and hit the #9 your calling number is transmitted electronically. THe balance of the call is fluff. THis is often used to unearth private or unknown numbers for individuals. The party calls the ‘known’ number hoping you will call it back from an unknown number such as your cell or work…a location they can easily find with the number. So if someone is looking to find you or locate you this process is quite effective.
Just so you are aware.
Left by KAMERON on August 31st, 2005
I just got a call from that number but didn’t answer it. I wanted to find out where it came from, so I googled it and got this site. Makes me feel good that I didn’t miss something important by not answering.
Left by Lara on August 31st, 2005
My wife and I both got this phone call on our cell phones. We believe that the real culprit is the cell phone companies selling your information. They are all corupt! You must always be ahead of the game. That is why sites like these are always so helpful in getting the word out when things such as this are not legit. The irony of this whole thing for us is the fact that this is a Texas number and our cell phone company is based out of Texas.
Left by Jeremy on September 7th, 2005
Apparently, according to Bell Canada, these calls from 214-279-0990 are just regular telemarketing, and not an attempt to steal anyone’s long distance time or personal information. See this page for more information: http://www.phonebusters.com/english/legal_2005_mar30.html
But, I do wonder why this company is not abiding by U.S. law regarding calling mobile phone numbers and do-not-call registry numbers. Strange and annoying.
Left by Jamie on September 7th, 2005
I got a call from this number too. The only way someone could have gotten the particular number on which I was called is from my business card. The only media related company that I have given this card to lately is ChoiceMedia. Has anyone here had any dealings with them and/or given them a card with their number?
Left by Sean on October 4th, 2005
I get these calls at work all the time, I just place them on hold until they hang up. Makes me feel better.
Left by Nancy on October 14th, 2005
i agree with comment 5.2
get a real number call them back -in a shout yell “Mike did you get the body bag?” tell them there is a crime investigation going on and ask who was calling and we need your name and number.
LOL
Left by FFK on November 4th, 2005
I just had this happen to me. I hate when people are calling your cell phone. I really hate telemarketers!
Left by Mich on November 29th, 2005
I just got a call from them a minute ago. Didn’t answer it but I looked the number up on here. If they ever call again I’m using your model, it’s just too funny! lol
Left by Kat Smith on December 1st, 2005
I just got this call on my cellphone, you mean I really did win something? Damn. It’s a good thing my cellphone voicemail doesn’t cost me cellular minutes or I’d be pissed.
Left by Brisco County Jr on December 31st, 2005
Why in the world would you think from reading the above that you had indeed actually won anything? It’s a scam pure and simple. I hope you were being sarcastic.
Left by Jordan on January 2nd, 2006