nativetexan

I just cancelled my land line and one hour later got a call on my cell phone which is only for my emergencies in my car! go figure.

madamekelly

If you give them your phone number you are granting permission to sell or otherwise profit from it. It cancels your "do not call" registration. FYI- the "Do Not Call" number to protect you from sales calls and texts, is 1 (888) 382-1222. You must call from the phone you want to protect, so if there is more than one number in your home, be sure to call from each number. I have used it for years and it really works!

klswift

use your area code and 555-1212, that 's the number for information.
When a store wants info for their 'rewards' card, I use their ad and put in their address and phone number. I only give my correct email I can get the coupons.

Stitchit123

I don't give my number out on the computer. I close the page. And I only answer the phone to numbers I know -the rest can go to the machine. I tried being polite and telling telemarketers to delete my # but they still call anyways.

ILoveToQuilt

I go to a lot of different types of "shows"...antiques, hunting & fishing, quilts, etc. Often, there will be vendors there selling home improvements. When stopped by them I always tell them "my landlord won't let me...(install new windows, gutters, etc.)". Stops them cold...

My absolute favorite nuisance call is from "Windows" (yes, I know it is a scam). When they start in, I tell them that yes, I have windows, need new ones, but want the ones that tilt in to clean, have permanent screens, are tinted...they hang up on me quickly.

If you do answer a sales call and they ask you to say, "push #2 to opt out or stop these calls" DO NOT DO IT! This confirms to the company that they have reached a working phone and the calls will continue. Best to just hang up.

Also, if you have any type of credit card (not sure if debit cards work this way), you can and will receive calls from "card holder services" (gee...how many of us know Rachel???) about lowering your interest rates, etc. Being on the Do Not Call list means nothing. Because you have a card, you agree to get these calls. I have spoken with both MasterCard and Visa about the calls and they have told me it is written in the list of "rules" etc., you receive when you first got the card. You have agreed to the calls when you signed up for the card. Only way to stop these calls...cancel the card. Except then you will get the calls asking you to "come back"...a no win situation.

I've noticed that a lot of the so-called "contests" are not contests at all. You have agreed to a "time share" sales opportunity ("you have won an all expense paid weekend at XXX Resort", a free 3 day cruise, etc.). Different companies are using these tactics (Cabela's, LL Bean, Bass Pro to name a few) and unless you read the small print on the back of their "contest" form (front usually says something like "Win a $500 gift card or shopping spree to XXX") you won't be aware that you have just opened yourself up to calls. Being on the Do Not Call list won't stop these calls because you agreed to receive them just by signing up to win that gift card. The stores do award the gift card to a winner, but the "sales" company gets so many more names to hassle!

mojo11

I'm with you on this. I pay for my phone for my use------not for anyone to use to call me. I have told numerous people that, that call me without my permission. I'm stinky about this too.

JanieH

I was in Washington, D.C., as a chaperon for school kids and was asked for my phone number at a store. I didn't want to give it and the clerk said she had to have A NUMBER. So I gave her Pennsylvania 6- 5000. When she asked about the "Pennsylvania" I told her to put in 73 for the first 2 letters in the name. She did so very happily.

I guess she was too young to have heard the Big Band song using that number!

Sewnoma

I used to use my dog's name when signing up for stuff, so I would always know it was a telemarketer if I got calls/messages/mail in his name.

One day I got a call for him saying he'd been pre-approved for a Visa card. It ended up really hilarious because I kept saying things like, "Oh he works for me as a household guard and companion but I don't pay him a wage, he just earns room and board." They said that was fine if I was willing to cosign. I said that would be great, "He'd love to buy his own food and toys!" At the end she said she just needed to send a form for him and for me to sign and we'd be all set. I said, "Oh, that's going to be a problem, he can't sign his name. He doesn't have any hands, you see." She hesitated and asked if he was handicapped and I said, "Oh no, that's just how he was born, he has paws instead." She hesitates again..."Paws?" "OH yes, he's a dog!" "Oh I'm sorry ma'am, we can't give a credit card to a dog!" Then I start wailing, "BUT YOU SAID HE WAS PRE-APPROVED! He's a really GOOD dog, he deserves a Visa card!"

I can only imagine the stories that girl had after that conversation, about the insane woman who wanted a Visa card for her dog. LOL I wish I could have recorded it, it'd be YouTube gold!

Barbshobbies

I worked on a cash-register for many years, and did not have to have a phone # unless the register asked for one. And that wasn`t very often and mostly for out of town checks.As far as the begging calls, once they knew we were retired, we had no peace. Finally, I told them I only give to home town people. When we found out if your house burnt down, you could get a voutcher for far less than we had already given to the people we knew. Since then I tell them I give only to people in our area and to org. that keep the money in our county. I`m first to help for a benefit or take needed things to people I know. Big organized groups have too much over head and don`t use their money wisely! Another thing, I heard on the radio that if you press the # key and 22 before you hang up, they cannot use your number again. Don`t know if that is true. If any one knows for sure, please let me know.

yngldy

Wish that registry worked here! I have been on it for years, call every year to make a new request and still get 35 calls a day. I did slow them down though, I have the phone answer after 2 call and say "You have reached a number that is on the do not call list. Due to the vast amount of telemarketers that do not honor that list, we are now screening our calls. (I go on, but they usually hang up by the second sentence.) I do not answer if unknown, anonymous or private caller. I may have missed a few calls, but oh well. Most legit calls will LM.