Even if we wanted to sleep in, we know it isn’t going to happen. The phone calls start every morning about 15 minutes before my alarm clock goes off. Heck, I don’t think I actually have needed an alarm clock for the last six months. Why waste the electricity when I know that an unwanted phone call will wake me up?
Sometimes when we answer the phone, there is no one on the other line; other times it is either a recording or a person calling trying to sell us some kind of home-improvement work for the interior or exterior of our house. The caller almost always starts the conversation by claiming that they had called before, that I was very nice, and had asked them to call back another time. OK, well, that never happened. I would never ask some unknown repair person to call me again. As my husband Steve says, “Why would I do business with someone who starts off the call with a lie!”
Our usual response is, “We are on a do-not-call list and are unlisted, so how did you get our name and phone number?” As a rule, at that point, either Steve or I just hang up the phone. Once in a while, when I am in a sarcastic, playful mood, I will ask the caller where their company is located. I have had several say that they are calling from either a Long Beach- or Signal Hill-based business. If that is the reply, I encourage the person to save time and money by advertising in their local paper, and refer them to the Signal Tribune. That usually shuts them up- but it certainly hasn’t stopped the calls.
A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling extra annoyed by the whole situation; some random solicitor called us early on a Sunday morning. Trying to use a calm voice, I decided to attempt to engage in a conversation with the phone pest.
I explained my frustrations to him, and asked him why the solicitors continue to call even though we are on a do-not-call list. His answer was, if you want the calls to stop, tell the person on the other end of the phone that you do not own the home— that you are a renter. He went on to say that the calls will diminish because the solicitors know that renters are rarely interested in home repair, and because of that, the companies will remove your number from their list of prospects. I thanked him for his honesty, and we both hung up.
Steve and I have taken heed of the young man’s advice and have started claiming to be renters. The calls haven’t stopped yet, but we have had no repeat callers, so far.
Another situation we have recently encountered are recordings by a person claiming to be an agent for the IRS. In that message, the man says that we owe a lot of money to the government and that if we don’t call the number he recites immediately, and arrange for payment, a lawsuit will be filed against us. The voice is very threatening and, I am sure, lures many unsuspecting folks to believe his claims.
One of our staff members, Cory Bilicko, has recently gone through something very similar. The difference is he received a call from a live person. Cory spoke with the fellow for a few minutes, just to make sure that it wasn’t the real deal, and then proceeded to give the guy a piece of his mind.
Cory asked the guy if he has trouble sleeping at night, knowing that he is stealing from innocent folks. The guy didn’t answer. Cory then asked the guy if what he does ever bothers him. The guy said yes. Cory said he ended up feeling sorry for the guy (kind of), imagining what desperate living situation might drive someone to take on such a “job.”
Do be careful with the random phone calls you receive. Moreover, do not give these people any of your personal information. They will use it against you. I can guarantee it. Also, do warn your friends, neighbors and family members about these types of calls. You may just save one of your loved ones from getting involved in a scam.
Also, I recently visited the website donotcall.gov and found the following information, yet something else to concern ourselves with:
Scammers have been making phone calls claiming to represent the National Do Not Call Registry. The calls claim to provide an opportunity to sign up for the registry. These calls are not coming from the registry or the Federal Trade Commission, and you should not respond to these calls. To add your number to the Registry you can call 888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register.
For those of you who would rather do your registering online, visit donotcall.gov.
