I found a new way to irritate telemarketers.

[lastlib]

I give them a chance to get into their spiel, just to make sure it's a telemarketer. I keep an empty plastic water bottle at the phone. Since I generally have them on the speaker, I hold that empty plastic water bottle near the phone and start to crush and crinkle it as loudly as possible--it makes a noise like extremely LOUD STATIC. They hang up immediately!

[padfun]

1. Three things I do with phone scammers

1. If it's the medical services scam, they will ask your age real quickly. I always tell them I am 450 years old. They hang up quickly.

2. If it's the police association scam (these organizations say they don't do this) I immediately talk over their soundboard and ask if this is about my warrants. I always get a quick hangup

3. If it's an Amazon scam or something like this, if they say my address, I tell them I sold that house four years ago and they should have known this since I still get Amazon orders at my new address. If they ask that new address, I tell them I don't trust them anymore and then the name calling begins (Their end).

I do other things as well, but I like to screw around with them. When one said my name, I told him that He is in prison and this is his son.

[lastlib]

2. I like the prison one!

I might steal it. Also might try "450 of your Earth years old" line.

Another one I've used is to answer with "Service contracts, this is Biffel." Then ask them for their account number. I've told them I handle service contracts for planimetric encabulators, and ask them if they want the 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year contract. It gets rid of them. Lately I've been getting calls from one company saying they want to tak a survey, but actually want to sell me a Medicare supplement plan. They've been so persistent that I started telling them that I had one answer for all their questions, then YELL at the top of my lungs, "STOP CALLING ME!" They usually hang up.

Yeah, I like to screw around with them, too!

[padfun]

5. I like the "Earth years old" part and will add that.

And I like the answering "Service contracts, this is Biffel." one. I will steal those two.

Thanks.

[mitch96]

13. "If it's the police association scam " We get that a lot for the Fla Hwy Patrol. What I do is...

In my best southern accent is I tell them I'll donate a few hundred dollars if they just stop
killing people of color..I usually get a pause and they they just start repeating the spiel and again in my best southern accent I repeat my request to stop killing people for no reason.
They usually hang up..
Have not gotten any "police begging" in a long time...
m

[JohnnyRingo]

3. I keep telling them that I'm hard of hearing...

...that they have to speak up.

They repeat and I let them go a while before reminding them I'm old and don't hear so well. Eventually they're shouting into the phone and I tell them "well, you don't have to yell at me".

[XanaDUer2]

7. I did that

And was told fuck you. Yeah. You're bugging me in my home, then cursing at me

[JohnnyRingo]

10. hahaha I've brought out the curses as well.

Another thing that bothers "Gerald" from the utility company is to imply I'm gay. Apparently they're in a homophobic country and don't mind expressing disgust. I'll say I have to ask my boyfriend, then start asking personal questions about them. "What are you wearing?" haha They usually just pull the plug, but many can't help but fly into an obscenity laced rage.

And I wonder why I'm on their frequent caller list.

[lastlib]

18. "Larry, I've always wanted to meet you..."

"One of the fellas said you had a really tight butt. Is that true?"

[JohnnyRingo]

21. hahaha

Today they called about diabetes pump. I told him I was diabetic though I'm not. He asked how often I take insulin. I told him I wait until I'm in shock and call an ambulance. The hospital does it and sends me home until next time.

Then he got into the personal info he needed. "Name?" Johnny Mabalzich. It's Polish I told him.
He wanted the numbers on my Medicare card and I told him my son has that. I'm not allowed to have it because I keep getting swindled by scam phone calls. He hung up.

[lastlib]

22. I like it!

[central scrutinizer]

4. I say, "can you hold on? I've got something on the stove."

Then set the phone down and go about my business. Eventually they hang up. I figure wasting their time is the best way to bother them.

[Conjuay]

19. my son once excused himself

by saying “excuse me, I have to check on the dog in the oven”

Do you to know each other?

[global1]

6. When I Know It's One Of Those Calls - I Just Quickly Say.....

Oh sorry - I must have the wrong number. Then I hang up!!!

[LiberalFighter]

8. I generally do the following.

Tell them they are being recorded.
Then tell them they are in violation of federal law.


Sometimes I will repeat what they are saying.

[keithbvadu2]

9. When you have spare time to kill.... (Entertainment value only)

When you have spare time to kill....
(Entertainment value only)
-----------------------------

How to answer spam phone calls...

Keep asking: What is your name?
... until you get an answer.

What is your company/org name?
... until you get an answer.

What is your company/org address?
... until you get an answer.

What is your company/org phone number?
... until you get an answer.

What number can I get in contact with you?
... until you get an answer.

So what if they lie?
You're just going to hang up on them anyway.
Even better if you say 'sorry, not interested'.
.
Their time is also important to them.
--------------------------------------------
(from another poster)
I always ask for their personal phone # so I can call them back after I research their charity. CLICK.

[SeattleVet]

11. When I get a call from number I don't recognize, I turn on the scanner radio...

and answer, "North Precinct; Fraud Division", with police calls going on in the background. If they don't immediately hang up I continue, "Clearly state your name and company name for the record."

[2naSalit]

12. Another is...

Just start reciting numerals. 8... 4... 7... 3... and just keep saying numbers. They don't know what to do about that. Especially if you can sound like a bot. I like to make them freak out as if they will be caught or have just been caught.


Or I just open the phone line and make no sound, even when the radio is on.

[Phentex]

23. My phone doesn't ring anymore...

but I like this idea!

[jmowreader]

14. I got this one guy once

My car has been insured by Allstate for...well, forever. When I bought the first one after I moved up here, before I paid my money I figured I'd get a quote from four or five insurers then go with the lowest one. The first place I went was Allstate, and they quoted me a rate reasonable enough I just bought it from them.

Well...about seven years after that Allstate hired a telemarketing firm to try to convince people to switch and save money. I got about fifteen calls from them and on fourteen of them I was like "sorry, not interested, I'm happy with my current insurance company." Finally I got fed up with their calls and the last one I went "oh yes! This would be great! I'd love to save money on my insurance!"

"Oh good! For starters, which insurance company are you currently with?" Real excited. Apparently no one else wanted to talk to him.

"Allstate."

"Oh...umm...they must have made a mistake, you shouldn't be on the list. We'll take you right off it."

[Wonder Why]

15. I told a Microsoft rep that said I had a virus that I was concerned but my computer was

by my other phone and could he call me at that number. He said he would so I gave him the sheriff's office non emergency number. He called me back a few minutes later and said that it was the wrong number. I told him I knew that and that it was the sheriff. He had no idea what a sheriff was.

[Iggo]

16. "No, thank you."

*click*

[Marthe48]

17. I saw a cartoon the other day

The guy answers his home phone and says, "Go ahead. You're on the air." And walks away from the phone saying, "I get rid of a lot of telemarketers that way."

[Different Drummer]

20. I recorded a new answering machine message today that seems to be effective.

I have a directory of trusted numbers in my phone and any call from a number not in my directory goes to my answering machine, The message:

"Thank you for calling. To continue in [language I don't speak]. press one. To continue in [another language I don't speak], press two...or, please hold for the next available representative. Calls may be monitored to assure quality service."