Annoying Phone Calls from (866) 325-2373

Self | 07/06/06 | NerdDad

[NerdDad]

That complaint is already filed. I don't see it going anywhere though. All they do is put the number in their database.

[IslandJeff]

If you have Caller ID (sounds like you do), a message reading "Toll Free" could be an NRA-outsourced solicitation.

Nothing against the Association, mind you, but they can be aggressive.

[Number57]

Could be a prank

http://www.ospenterprises.com/phone/

[xrp]

Are other FReepers receiving these calls?

Nah. Only idiots answer calls from unrecognized, toll free numbers.

[SandRat]

put an answering machine on your phone line and for the "announcement" have the sound of a fax modem trying to connect. Let friends and family know what you've done; then smile knowing the unwanted caller is going get a very confusing response the next time they call.

[VeniVidiVici]

A few years back we had some construction company that called us late every night trying to send a fax. I got through to the company and got nothing but a run around.

A few years ago some doctor's office got our fax number mixed-up with Walgreens.

They would fax me prescriptions.

Duhhhh.

[xrp]

Wife will be filing a complaint with local law enforcement tomorrow.

Hahaha, for what? Battery with a ring tone?

[umgud]

I've been getting junk (spam) faxes to my dedicated fax machine/line. Some of these are graphic intensive and use a lot of my ink. This really irks me. So....... I use black paper (several sheets with white lettering) and fax back to them demanding they stop fax-spamming me. I wish I could figure out a way to do a continuous black paper loop.

[RandallFlagg]

I got an even weirder one last week. Someone called and I answered. A computer-generated Stephen Hawkings-type voice stated exactly this: "Watch out for the walking dude."

I have no idea, but the number was 303-191-9191.

[sinkspur]

Next time you see the number on your caller ID, pick up the handset, and hit the # key,over and over, until the caller disconnects.

If this is a computer-generated call, the # key tells the computer to null the number.

You shouldn't be bothered by that number again.

[ozzymandus]

I get this type call occasionally, but I don't record the calling number. I heard a story that this is caused by automated calling machines that call a block of numbers at once, and more people answer than there are solicitors to talk, leaving dead air. Sometimes I can hear people talking in the background.

[DCPatriot]

Yes, I am getting about 3 to 6 calls every day.

My phone number is only about 5 months old and my phone announces the number calling me and then I hear my factory default announcement asking them to leave a message..and they hang up.

I am on the DO NOT CALL list.

One time I picked up and there was a 4 second delay before the person with an Indian accent started to speak.

It was a mortgage lender selling the idea of refinancing.

Without fail, the number showing up on the screen is "unknown" or "private".

[Larry Lucido]

We've gone back to the old fashioned answering machine (digital) that lets us screen each call. If we recognize the caller (announced by the phone), we answer. Anyone else gets to leave a message, and we might pick up mid-message. Problem solved.

Now unwanted faxes are another matter. I disconnected our incoming fax number because I was getting 10 ads a day for cruises and aluminum siding.

[Dosa26]

If an (866) number is a toll-free number, just ask four of your friends to call it ten times every day for a week. Then have them each ask four more friends, etc.

Heck, if you want to commit harrassment plug the # into the dialer on a modem and let it call it non-stop till you are satisfied they have been sufficiently irritated.

[The Brush]

Our company uses dialers which sometimes have a brief moment (or more) of silence before we answer. We are required to ask for the individual and verify SS# before continuing, that's usually when the call ends.

I understand that some collectors don't follow that rule to the letter...

[NerdDad]

"that really does sound like a collection agency or creditor of some kind. Except normally, when you pick up, there'll be several seconds of silence while they transfer you to a human drone."

We've fielded our share of those calls in the past as well. This is not one of those. After we answer the call hangs up. We couldn't get the collectors to hang up. We screamed and cussed. We even made lovemaking sounds. They just kept right on with their script. And if we hung up on them, they just called back.

So glad we are past that point in our lives.

[Larry Lucido]

Can you tie your fax machine into your computer? I had it set so the computer would answer incoming faxes, so all the junk faxes were just saved as bmp's, ready for deletion.

[Not now, Not ever!]

Hadn this happen a few years ago, Local phone company asked me to open a Police report, once that was done they logged all inconning calls and stepped on the offender, it worked.

[Larry Lucido]

We couldn't get the collectors to hang up. We screamed and cussed. We even made lovemaking sounds.

Sounds like a night at your house could get quite interesting.

[the invisib1e hand]

for now you can keep changing numbers. but someday there will only be one number...