Thread: Just got this E-mail about Mobile Phones

It is a hoax email - numbers are not being released to telemarketers on a public basis, only if you've authorised it through them or a 3rd party (eg be careful what you sign up for over the net/competitions etc).

You can enter your mobile on the do not call register in the same way as land lines, but not all companies have to abide by the register anyway...
From www.donotcall.gov.au
(Quote)
Will it stop all telemarketing calls?

Registering your telephone number on the Do Not Call Register will not stop all telemarketing calls to your number.
Some organisations operating in the public interest are exempt from prohibition on making telemarketing calls. You can also still receive calls from market researchers.

(End Quote)

A similar email went around in the USA.

The biggest giveaway is that it would mention a specific date if it was genuine.

Oh, just to make it clear, the donotcall website is a genuine website, its just the rest of the email that is false.

Seano

Thanks Seano, it’s the first I had heard of it and it sounded suss, hence the post.

Thanks again.

I reckon it comes from either UK or USA, iirc some phone plans over there charge for time on received calls as well as on made calls.

Simon

Just out of interest, how do others answer unwanted telemarketing calls?

A mate of mine loves them, when they call, he answers by saying he is a visitor but asks them to hang on while he gets the resident.

He puts the phone down and goes back to watching TV.

I use a few methods...

House cladding - I tell them I have a brick house. That stops them pretty quick

I've been known to say I'm a relative of the person they're calling (be it me or parents) currently in the house getting their personal effects in order as they've just been involved in a tragic accident. Gets a few good responses

Say I'm under 18 and stop harrassing a minor. It always works.

Not exactly telemarketing, but if its a financial/insurance/telephone/internet company talking about a specific product I hold, or parents hold, I've found they rarely ensure they're talking to the right person, so after a minute or so I'll ask to speak to their supervisor about them breaching their own privacy and security policies by discussing it with an unauthorised person.

Having said all that I don't receive all that many telemarketing calls. Lucky me!

Seano

hmm.... So mobile numbers will be accessible in like a white pages format then? Or are they already?

How does one go about stopping this?

If I get a telemarkeeter call, and they often have a heavy accent, I answer in Danish. Not yet found an Indian Danish speaker although I concede the possibility.

Ian did a great one in the UK........someone trying to sell him a conservatory he had them on the phone for about 40mins Ian was asking questions like "but do you think the neighbours would mind" and but wont it cast unwanted shadows etc" after all that and them wanting to send someone round for a signature he informed them that we live on the second floor, in a flat