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Rochester

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62. Get "Phone Tray Free"

Tue Jun 12, 2012, 11:14 PM

Jun 2012

It's a program that uses the dial modem in your computer to detect the caller ID information, and you can set it to automatically hang up on numbers you find undesirable. (It will not use the modem to place calls.) If you have the right kind of modem configured the right way, you can even set it to play a recorded message over the phone at the caller before hanging up. It comes with a few simple ones such as busy signals, line out of service tones, verbal directions to remove the number from their call list, even "YOU....SHALL NOT....PASS!!!" (my favorite!) Or you can make your own.

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At my wits end with telemarketers, I finally came up with a plan. [View all] Cleita Jun 2012 OP

If you don't recognize the number don't answer. deaniac21 Jun 2012 #1

That's what I've been doing but it doesn't stop them from calling. Cleita Jun 2012 #2

They have autodialers and I assure you they don't take the time to deaniac21 Jun 2012 #16

Turn off your ringer, Cleita. EFerrari Jun 2012 #17

That's the way I deal with it as well. badtoworse Jun 2012 #35

I turned off my ringer too. guardian Jun 2012 #88

It's different but liberating, imho. EFerrari Jun 2012 #90

This may shock you, but not everyone marybourg Jun 2012 #34

Aren't there little units that can be bought at Radio Shack EFerrari Jun 2012 #39

No. You need to pay monthly for the service marybourg Jun 2012 #63

I have Comcast cable and I get the call flashed on my TV RebelOne Jun 2012 #44

Free, huh. What are you paying monthly marybourg Jun 2012 #65

Caller ID is included with my phone service PatSeg Jun 2012 #89

This guy really was pissed off..... MindMover Jun 2012 #3

Weird, but how did it discourage callers? eom Cleita Jun 2012 #6

ok, you say his name out loud..... MindMover Jun 2012 #9

we have a repetitive call 'out of area' with no number spanone Jun 2012 #4

Must be the same one calling me. Cleita Jun 2012 #8

I get those calls and do not answer because I know it is a telemarketer. n/t RebelOne Jun 2012 #42

I like to toy with them......... Swede Atlanta Jun 2012 #5

I have chided them, but often they call when one of my Cleita Jun 2012 #10

That is an excellent idea! Especially the dead part. Might just get you off some Maraya1969 Jun 2012 #69

That finally worked with callers from the Florida State Troopers Association. Fuddnik Jun 2012 #87

The ones that drive me insane are the recordings The empressof all Jun 2012 #7

I used to get Rachel on a regular basis but haven't heard from Cleita Jun 2012 #11

Rachel calls me too Liberal Gramma Jun 2012 #32

I get 'Rachel' from Card Services alot too. PotatoChip Jun 2012 #82

I keep them on the line laundry_queen Jun 2012 #12

I never thought of that. Good idea. Cleita Jun 2012 #18

ive done that. Asked questions. act like I am interested. rateyes Jun 2012 #36

"Just a minute, I'll get her, "..put the phone down, walk away. lindysalsagal Jun 2012 #43

I have caller ID. If I don't recognize the name or number, they can suck it Warpy Jun 2012 #13

I'm with you on not abusing them. Cleita Jun 2012 #21

Same here. silverweb Jun 2012 #86

My trick was to say "I'm sorry. I'd love to listen to you, but I don't speak a word of English." Siwsan Jun 2012 #14

I used to do that. I would speak Spanish and say Cleita Jun 2012 #23

telemarketing has completely changed my approach to using telephones.... mike_c Jun 2012 #15

Really, it has for me too. Cleita Jun 2012 #24

report each call to the do not call registry!!!!!!!!!!! They will stop calling. It works! robinlynne Jun 2012 #70

I like to yell "FUCK YOU!" at them. They still call back (different person from India). HopeHoops Jun 2012 #19

They never give up because you can't Cleita Jun 2012 #27

Put them on hold Politicalboi Jun 2012 #20

I wish I had a five year old. I would do it. n/t Cleita Jun 2012 #26

Post removed Post removed Jun 2012 #22

I wish I knew. Cleita Jun 2012 #25

A friendo f mine gives them the Tom Mabe treatment TlalocW Jun 2012 #28

LOL! Cleita Jun 2012 #29

My favorite one of his was when liberalhistorian Jun 2012 #72

Wasn't there another where a carpet cleaning service called ... JoePhilly Jun 2012 #79

I liked the one where he got a telemarketer call around Christmas TlalocW Jun 2012 #80

You are not old, in any way, Cleita. Octafish Jun 2012 #30

I always try to sell them some imaginary stuff of mine.... they really don't 2on2u Jun 2012 #31

An idea of mine that I never used back in my landline days IDemo Jun 2012 #38

I say in an extremely loud voice, (shout) "I'm hearing impaired" and crunch60 Jun 2012 #50

Yes, I used to do that when I had a landline. HooptieWagon Jun 2012 #74

I generally treat them with respect and tell them I am not interested. LiberalArkie Jun 2012 #33

No, I try and make it funny, most of the time. Savannahmann Jun 2012 #45

I had a car salesman call from the dealership Mariana Jun 2012 #73

I like telling them Ilsa Jun 2012 #37

See Post #28. Ikonoklast Jun 2012 #81

First always enjoy the call. Savannahmann Jun 2012 #40

When they ask for my name, I spell it for them... rateyes Jun 2012 #41

ROFL lindysalsagal Jun 2012 #46

and I can't stop!!! lindysalsagal Jun 2012 #49

sorry bout that rateyes Jun 2012 #83

Oh rateyes, always the gentleman.... (gender guess) I wonder how many 2on2u Jun 2012 #54

good guess. rateyes Jun 2012 #84

tell them about jesus nt msongs Jun 2012 #47

I usually just hang up without saying anything if a telemarketer calls, but sometimes I ZombieHorde Jun 2012 #48

They like to call between 6 and 9pm - dinner time spiderpig Jun 2012 #51

File a complaint with the FCC. GoCubsGo Jun 2012 #52

Most of them aren't calling from the US. So the FCC can't help. jeff47 Jun 2012 #55

Cleita, nothing does much good as it's robocalls, almost all of it, so my ringer's off. freshwest Jun 2012 #53

"Our house has a strict policy" Mopar151 Jun 2012 #56

I wrote my phone company and told them they were complicit in the harassment dickthegrouch Jun 2012 #57

I have several strategies depending on my mood. mysuzuki2 Jun 2012 #58

Use a cell phone for incoming and the land line for outgoing. Speck Tater Jun 2012 #59

I don't get telemarketers, but I get bombarded by charities. Blue_In_AK Jun 2012 #60

Anyone blocking their caller ID can leave a message. DirkGently Jun 2012 #61

Get "Phone Tray Free" Rochester Jun 2012 #62

Two cheap and easy solutions: Change your number, or use Google Voice. Skip Intro Jun 2012 #64

ahh. but it certainly is enforcable. All you have to do is go online and report the phone number, e robinlynne Jun 2012 #66

Thanks robinlynne. I didn't know that's how you do it. n/t Cleita Jun 2012 #75

it looks like nobody knows. I just found it, one day in a rage and started using robinlynne Jun 2012 #85

link to file a complaint against telemarketers with the do not call registry: robinlynne Jun 2012 #67

P.S. you have to click on the continue button, not the other buttons. robinlynne Jun 2012 #68

People, everyone, DUERs, countrymen, file compaints with the do not call registry!!!!!!! They stop robinlynne Jun 2012 #71

I was so fed up DearAbby Jun 2012 #76

I just changed my phone number & got a cheapo cell that lives in my kitchen drawer SoCalDem Jun 2012 #77

Okay, I had a friend who was a telemarketer... Javaman Jun 2012 #78