The Do Not Call list does not require names, just phone numbers, so I don’t see how this is a workaround. The best workaround is a foreign company doing the calling.
Simple solution... don’t pick up the phone (assuming you have Caller ID) if you do not recognize the caller. If they really want to talk to you they will leave a message.
Do you have caller ID? If so, do you answer calls from names you do not recognize? That could be your first problem.
If I don’t recognize a caller’s name, or if it says “Unknown Caller” I lift the phone and hit on and off in that order very quickly.
Eliminates a lot of useless calls-—especially from politicians......as well as from people wanting to sell you something, or wanting you to donate to something, etc etc. Also, the caller can’t leave a recorded message.
My family and friends call me on my cell phone.
No but we have some ‘credit card’ protection company calling twice a week, sometimes twice a day, and it does no good to tell them to take you off the list. And we are on the Do NOT CALL list.
Buddy of mine worked out a good solution for when you get tricked into taking a telemarketing call. One of those little air horns they sell for use on boats. Most telemarketers wear headsets...
We are on the Do Not Call list yet “Cardholder Services” relentlessly calls. Of course it’s a recorded message, press “9” to speak with a customer service representative.
I press 9 and when I get a live human I tell them things I cannot post here.
Phone systems should have a password system where if you call the number you have to enter a password to make the phone ring, no password, no ring, hello voicemail.
Some telemarketers are using various loopholes in the law (i.e. it’s OK to call someone with whom you have an “existing business relationship” and they stretch that to the breaking point).
Others are simply violating the law, and to heck with the consequences.
Very annoying and frustrating, but if I can’t ID and avoid the call beforehand and I end up on the line with one of ‘em I simply hang up immediately, and with ZERO guilt.
I installed that phone line for MY convenience and I pay the bill. I owe a stranger who calls me for a handout or a survey or a sale absolutely NOTHING, not even the courtesy of an explanation or listening to their pitch.
And as far as charities — Mrs. Tick and I give liberally, but we do NOT make our decisions on to whom to give based on cold phone calls. So I tell them that and hang up on them.
FRegards
You can also check numbers on Who Called.US. LOTS of complaints.
Since you seemed to have already figured it out and obviously know what the solution is:
What exactly was your question again?
=8-)
Same happened to me. Once I realized it was a telemarketer, I toyed with her a little bit, then hung up.
I have one of these, purchased 3 years ago and it works.
http://www.privacycorps.com/products/?id=20
I have no affiliation with his company.
One word of advice, you must, connect it to your telephone “Demarc” which is the first tel “jack” that appears in your home. If you are not sure where the Demarc is located, call someone who wires houses or tel-co.
The only thing that gets by is “incoming call” on your caller ID
You also need an AC outlet near by.
any questions, PM me
The real answer is caller ID AND an answering machine (NOT central voicemail) — you can listen to the caller leaving a message on your answering machine, while they are leaving the message, i.e. monitor it.
Let friends know that if they call from unfamiliar numbers or block their number to start leaving a message, then if you recognize them, you pick up.
Avoids running to the phone, just to find it’s a telemarketer and the annoyance of having to deal with them, and you don’t miss any calls you do want to answer.
If you recognize the number you pick up, if not, wait another minute to see if you recognize the person leaving the message, otherwise no need to pick up.
It works like a charm.
My phone has Call Blocker. I add the offending phone numbers to my Call Blocker List and whenever they call they hear the phone ring once, then a busy signal and then the phone automatically hangs up. On my end it rings once and on the screen it says “Caller Blocked.”
Got rid of the house phone about 2 years ago and just use my cell. Haven’t had a solicitor since.
The remedy I use for telemarketers is this: “I’m sorry... Can you hold on just a moment?” Then I put the phone down and forget about it. Later on I’ll remember to go back and hang it up, but in the meantime I feel good knowing I wasted at least a little of their time and temporarily tied up one of their lines.
A friend of mine responds to telemarketers with “What are you wearing?”