Cell Phone Telemarketers about to call you

[K7FE]

In a few weeks, all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

Call this number from the cell phone that you wish to be "BLOCKED". # # # # #1-888-382-1222

As a check, it will prompt you to entering your cell number.

This is the NATIONAL DO NOT CALL LIST. #Registering your cell number here will block your cell number for 5 years. You will need to re-register every 5 years.

You can also go on the internet site and register now.

donotcall.gov (https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx)

Please pass on.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[KA9VQF]

I have a Tracfone. I may not have the same number for five years. Guess I’ll just have to hope they don’t call and waste my 'units'.

[W4TEY]

I find this absolutely appalling that someone else can "spend" my money against my wishes. The legislators allowing this horses*** to happen should be tarred and feathered and ran out of town on rail. It would seem to me to be unconstitutional in nature.

[KA9VQF]

I suppose that I could always hang up on them. If I don’t let it go for more than 30 seconds I don't lose any 'units'.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[k6pme]

Terry, Thanks for the heads up.

Monty

[W8CEI]

Thanks for the posting, This realy stinks. 73

[N0KLT]

Several months ago, maybe even a year ago, I had a plumber over working on my water softner and his cell phone went off. He answered it and then got this really odd look on his face, asked the caller how the hell he got that number and then hung up. Turns out it was a telemarketer. The plumber said he had the phone and that number about a week. I have no clue how the telemarketer got the guys number unless he was just blind dialing after figuring out the prefix of some cell phones. I know the plumber was certainly unhappy. I consider the event and also the warning that started this thread as just another reason not to get a cell phone.

Gary NØKLT

[kd5dhr]

I hate those things that arrive in email that people believe without researching the facts (http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp). I love Snopes. It has the skinny on alot of that stuff.

[n0ov]

This stinks.

The only option you have is to register your phone number with the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry and hope the government does their job. Registration is free - you simply register online at www.DoNotCall.gov. (http://www.DoNotCall.gov) add your phone number and respond back to an e-mail to activate the restriction.

To register by phone, call the toll-free number 1-888-382-1222, TTY 1-866-290-4236

Hope this helps. Also notify your wireless carrier in writing and tell them you do not want your number published in a phone directory or provided to marketers without your written permission.

[n0ov]

Quote[/b] (N0KLT @ Dec. 03 2004,23:18)]Several months ago, maybe even a year ago, I had a plumber over working on my water softner and his cell phone went off. He answered it and then got this really odd look on his face, asked the caller how the hell he got that number and then hung up. Turns out it was a telemarketer. The plumber said he had the phone and that number about a week. I have no clue how the telemarketer got the guys number
Phone companies are using something called number pooling. They get a block of phone numbers -- if they don't use the block within a specific period of time, they must give them back for another carrier to use.

This means a phone number which may have been classified as a home or residence in a past life may be assigned to a mobile phone. Marketers often use auto dial software to dial phone number ranges that are thought to be residential. So when the residential numbers are assigned to mobile phones .........well you can figure out the rest.

The best thing you can do is to get your name on that no call registry. When you receive a call, get the callers name and company like you're interested in a sale, then tell the person on the other end that they have called a mobile number, that you are on a no call list and NOT to call this number again.

Then report the contact to www.DoNotCall.gov. (http://www.DoNotCall.gov)

[n0ov]

Quote[/b] (W8CEI @ Dec. 03 2004,15:09)]Thanks for the posting, This realy stinks. 73
ditto

[KA9VQF]

I would kinda like it if all telemarketers had to use Tracphones or some one of the other similar prepaid wireless services to make the calls form their end in the first place. I would be willing to bet that would really slow them down. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ai4ep]

What happens if your dell phone is turned OFF ? Will it still be charged for the incoming call ?

Alaso what if you have the "leave a message " system, and the phone is turned off ?

[KA9VQF]

It costs me a half unit to review each message that has been left in my voice mail or text message box on my Tracfone.

I’m pretty sure that the telemarketers have software that detects whether or not they have reached an answering device or a human. Usually my caller ID on the wired phone will have a blinking light and message that says “outside call area” or “unidentified caller” or “toll free call” with the number that the call originated from or just a row of dashes, but there will be no message on the answering machine. Few actually do leave a taped message that runs longer than the answering machine allows so it is cut off.

[WS2L]

Terry,

Thanks for the information, I remember reading somewhere that cell numbers were going to be available to telemarketers but wasn't sure of the date. Usually when they call it comes up as "Unknown Number" or "Unknown User" with no phone number which I don't even bother to answer. Gosh, there just is no way to get away from these telemarketers and if you do you have to sign up on lists and god knows what else. What happened to the days of just having an unlisted number being enough?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[kd5dhr]

I guess I wasn't concise in my other post. IT"S NOT TRUE! Do not panic. Check it out for yourself if you don't believe me. Nothing is being released to telemarketers.

[K8ERV]

I don't have a cell phone. Never get a sales call on 2-meters (yet)

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[n0ov]

No sales calls on 2 meters? Wait until K1MAN discovers echolink http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kj5t]

If your cell goes off, and you don't know who's calling.. then don't answer it.. Most cellphones have caller ID's.. others allow you to enter in names and numbers, then on the caller ID, it will not only show a number, but the name of the person calling.. also with the cell phone directory service, maybe everyone who calls you will have a name come up.. if you get a name that comes up you don't know.. don't answer it..

People whine about this, its no big deal.. Telemarketers are annoying, but they are doing their job.. Their job is to annoy us.. as for those people paid to send out hundreds of junk mail messages.. people whine about commericals on TV.. Advertising can be annoying, but you must learn to deal with it.. If you don't like it.. Sign the do not call list, and hope that telemarketers don't call you.. Otherwise, there is no need to to complain...

[K7FE]

When commercials air on TV or radio, it does not cost me money, #nor does it when I am called at home or receive junk mail. #Unwanted Cell Phone calls do cost consumers money without their permission.

What I posted is real. #

The "National Do Not Call Registery" phone number (888) 382-1222 is sponsered by the California Attorney General and the United States Federal Trade Commission. #

Call it and see for your self, and while you are on the line with them, register your cell phone number, because it takes three months from the date you register to become effective.

[KC0REY]

Quote[/b] (kd5dhr @ Dec. 05 2004,16:20)]I guess I wasn't concise in my other post. IT"S NOT TRUE! Do not panic. Check it out for yourself if you don't believe me. Nothing is being released to telemarketers.
Not only were you concise, but you're wrong as well. Go back and READ the article you linked too. Particularly the last two paragraphs.

BTW, what makes Snopes accurate? Just because they say it isn't so, doesn't mean it isn't so.

[kd5dhr]

Quote[/b] (KC0REY @ Dec. 06 2004,01:14)]Not only were you concise, but you're wrong as well. Go back and READ the article you linked too. Particularly the last two paragraphs.

I often find things in your postings I respect, especially the "I am John Kerry", so don't think I'm trying to argue. I do, however, think you should READ not only my link, but check it out for yourself.

Releasing numbers to telemarketers isn't even the issue. It's all about having a directory of cell users combined together from several service providers. The numbers aren't released to telemarketers. It is, of course, possible that telemarketers could get the number and add it to their database of people they want to annoy. I think it's a little bit of a reach though to automatically assume that numbers are being turned over to telemarketers so that they can reach you on your cell phone. I do concede that scenario of the 411 service is a possible ploy by the cell providers to increase cell usage. In fact, what else could it be. Generousity? Bah! #

There is nothing to indicate at all that any numbers will just be handed over to telemarketers, but I think what the concern should be is that the numbers are going to made available to an information service. That does stink, in my opinion. Opting out will apparently be cost free though, at least according to the about half-dozen links I have Googled.

See, I'm not wrong after all. I thought maybe you should understand what the real issue is, but I'm happy to explain it to you.

[W1RKW]

Andy Rooney from CBS's 60 Minutes, tips for telemarketers


Three Little Words That Work !!

(1)The three little words are: "Hold On, Please..." Saying this, while
putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt. Then when you eventually hear the phone company's "beep-beep-beep" tone, you know it's time to go back and hang up your handset, which has efficiently completed its task.

These three little words will help eliminate telephone soliciting.

(2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end? This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone.

This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a "real" sales
person to call back and get someone at home.

What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one there, is to
immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times, as
quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialed the call and it
kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to have your name in their system any longer !!!

(3) Junk Mail Help:
When you get "ads" enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return these
"ads" with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their own junk mail away.

When you get those "pre-approved" letters in the mail for everything from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return envelope.

Most of these come with postage-paid return envelopes, right? It costs them more than the regular 37 cents postage "IF" and when they receive them back.

It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The postage was around 50
cents before! the last increase and it is according to the weight. In that
case, why not get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it in these
cool little, postage-paid return envelopes.

One of Andy Rooney's (60 minutes) ideas. Send an ad for your local chimney cleaner to American Express. Send a pizza coupon to Citibank. If you didn't get anything else that day, then just send them their blank
application back!

If you want to remain anonymous, just make sure your name isn't on anything you send them.

You can even send the envelope back empty if you want to just to keep them guessing! It still costs them 37 cents.

The banks and credit card companies are currently getting a lot of their own junk back in the mail, but folks, we need to OVERWHELM them. Let's let them know what it's like to get lots of junk mail, and best of all they're paying for it...Twice!

Let's help keep our postal service busy since they are saying that e-mail is
cutting into their business profits, and that's why they need to increase
postage costs again. You get the idea!

If enough people follow these tips, it will work---- I have been doing this
for years, and I get very little junk mail anymore.

Andy Rooney

[kj5t]

Quote[/b] ]When commercials air on TV or radio, it does not cost me money, #nor does it when I am called at home or receive junk mail. #Unwanted Cell Phone calls do cost consumers money without their permission.


It won't cost you a penny if you just let it ring..

[KC0REY]

Quote[/b] (kd5dhr @ Dec. 06 2004,03:23)]I often find things in your postings I respect, especially the "I am John Kerry",
Have I posted there? I post very little, I'll go look but I think maybe you have me confused with somebody else.

[kd5dhr]

Quote[/b] (KC0REY @ Dec. 06 2004,09:08)]Quote[/b] (kd5dhr @ Dec. 06 2004,03:23)]I often find things in your postings I respect, especially the "I am John Kerry",
Have I posted there? I post very little, I'll go look but I think maybe you have me confused with somebody else.
Yeah, you started the topic. The classics stand out. I have a semi-photographic memory. Anything that amuses me sticks in my head.

[KC0REY]

Quote[/b] (kd5dhr @ Dec. 06 2004,13:14)]Quote[/b] (KC0REY @ Dec. 06 2004,09:08)]Quote[/b] (kd5dhr @ Dec. 06 2004,03:23)]I often find things in your postings I respect, especially the "I am John Kerry",
Have I posted there? I post very little, I'll go look but I think maybe you have me confused with somebody else.
Yeah, you started the topic. The classics stand out. I have a semi-photographic memory. Anything that amuses me sticks in my head.
My mind must be going...........I see it. I do not remember posting it. Hmmmmmm.....................

[KF0RT]

Quote[/b] (KC0REY @ Dec. 06 2004,01:14)]Quote[/b] (kd5dhr @ Dec. 05 2004,16:20)]I guess I wasn't concise in my other post. IT"S NOT TRUE! Do not panic. Check it out for yourself if you don't believe me. Nothing is being released to telemarketers.
Not only were you concise, but you're wrong as well. Go back and READ the article you linked too. Particularly the last two paragraphs.

BTW, what makes Snopes accurate? Just because they say it isn't so, doesn't mean it isn't so.
Snopes has an incredible track record. If they've ever been wrong, I haven't found it. It's accurate because it's impartial and seeks only the truth. The owners of this site have been providing a huge service to the Internet community for years, and they ask nothing in return.

73, Rob (KFØRT)

[KC0REY]

Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ Dec. 06 2004,20:28)]Quote[/b] (KC0REY @ Dec. 06 2004,01:14)]Quote[/b] (kd5dhr @ Dec. 05 2004,16:20)]I guess I wasn't concise in my other post. IT"S NOT TRUE! Do not panic. Check it out for yourself if you don't believe me. Nothing is being released to telemarketers.
Not only were you concise, but you're wrong as well. Go back and READ the article you linked too. Particularly the last two paragraphs.

BTW, what makes Snopes accurate? Just because they say it isn't so, doesn't mean it isn't so.
Snopes has an incredible track record. If they've ever been wrong, I haven't found it. It's accurate because it's impartial and seeks only the truth. The owners of this site have been providing a huge service to the Internet community for years, and they ask nothing in return.

73, Rob (KFØRT)
My question has been answered well.
Thank You KF0RT.

I still can't remember posting that deal about John Kerry. I liked it though.

Do you think it is possible somebody posted it for me? Maybe I should go change my password...........

[w7auw]

i tell the tele-market people that this phone is for my convienience and not yours and hang-up.

[KD8AQO]

Quote[/b] (K7FE @ Dec. 04 2004,10:38)]In a few weeks, all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

Call this number from the cell phone that you wish to be "BLOCKED". # # # # #1-888-382-1222

As a check, it will prompt you to entering your cell number.

This is the NATIONAL DO NOT CALL LIST. #Registering your cell number here will block your cell number for 5 years. #You will need to re-register every 5 years.

You can also go on the internet site and register now.

donotcall.gov (https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx)

Please pass on.

73,
Terry, K7FE
Where did you get this information. I haven't heard anything about it.


73,
KD8AQO