Lenny the telemarketing troll - for use against telemarkers (Page 2): Yes, but not answering can be risky. When my doctor joined a larger organization, the confirmation calls for an...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

sb wrote:

I don't either (answer my cell phone). Especially now that telemarketers make the phone number look like it is from your home area code. It makes it easy, though - I don't KNOW anyone in Warren, Maine, etc. If it is anything important they will leave a message and I will get to it - eventually!

Yes, but not answering can be risky. When my doctor joined a larger organization, the confirmation calls for an appointment began coming from a different area code. Luckily, I took a chance and answered the phone, so now I know.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I once had an especially tenacious telemarketer (before robocall) who would not stop calling even after being requested to. I put his number into my FAX machine and set the redial to 100. Tied up his line for hours with incoming FAX machine calls. Never heard from him again - good fun! Can’t do that now for the reason mentioned above - the “spoofed” number might be another private party, not the actual robocaller. Pity.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

TriX wrote:

I once had an especially tenacious telemarketer (before robocall) who would not stop calling even after being requested to. I put his number into my FAX machine and set the redial to 100. Tied up his line for hours with incoming FAX machine calls. Never heard from him again - good fun! Can’t do that now for the reason mentioned above - the “spoofed” number might be another private party, not the actual robocaller. Pity.

Best one yet! Too bad it's no longer possible or I'd be on it!

Redmond Loc: Oregon

I probably shouldn't but when hearing the voice realizing it is telemarketing if a woman I will say wtf Shirley we been waiting for your call wassup! They always hang up. probably not as funny as I think it is, but have way to much time on my hands.

twowindsbear

Look at the HIYA cellphone app. I've had it for a few months. Works for me. Good luck, everyone.

redlegfrog

Here is an oldie but a goodie on how to handle telemarketers if you have the time to spare.

howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnsfw.com

Rose42 wrote:

"In 2009, the anonymous IT worker began using an interactive automated message to handle telemarketing calls to the company where he worked. He called the chatbot “Lenny” in homage to his elderly neighbor who used to collect plastic shopping bags in a “giant man-height stockpile” in his backyard."

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/d3b7na/the-story-of-lenny-the-internets-favorite-telemarketing-troll

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TriX wrote:

I once had an especially tenacious telemarketer (before robocall) who would not stop calling even after being requested to. I put his number into my FAX machine and set the redial to 100. Tied up his line for hours with incoming FAX machine calls. Never heard from him again - good fun! Can’t do that now for the reason mentioned above - the “spoofed” number might be another private party, not the actual robocaller. Pity.

I'll have to bring a fax machine down from the garage, just in case.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

NJFrank wrote:

If I don't recognize the number I don't answer the phone. If they want me, they can leave a message and number to call them back. Some of these people call three or four times a day. Some times I will answer the repeat numbers and not say anything until they hang up. Very few have a real person on the other side who will say hello right away.

I think you are on the right track (answering and not saying anything). I have thought about trying to develop a campaign to frustrate these leaches. They dwell on speed and percentages. They know if they make 200 calls 5 people will respond. If you immediately hang up then you give them a little more time to pester someone else. What I do is answer the phone and lay it down so the maximum time is expended. Then when they hang up I block that number. If it is a live person, engage them for a minute or so and then just quit talking --- they will think there is a loss of signal and they will keep asking if you can hear them two or three times before disconnecting. If we all did that eventually they will see there is no mileage in using this kind of advertising.