Thread: Credit card counseling phone calls...ARGH!

Originally Posted by Freebeemom

I have gotten these calls as well. The ones that really drive me crazy are the FOP fundraisers. Sorry, but don't tell me you are a state police officer or whatever and how much can I afford? Sorry...but I feel like they are bullying me. I donate locally, and I do tell them this, nicely but they push and push and then I feel like if I don't donate, my car is going to be towed or something awful will happen because I didn't....

Those are the most annoying because even if they are legit they - the fund raising solicitors are getting a nice big percentage off the top of any "donation". I get aggravated at my office when "the Shriners" call - I ask the person which Masonic Lodge they are a member of and they always say "none" that is when I ask how they can be a Shriner since you have to be a Mason before you can be a Shriner. They really start stepping around then. I just hang up on them after that.

My favorites from my office are:
Hi this is Joe from New York can I speak with (boss). I say No we don't talk to people from New York.

Hi this is the copier company can you tell me the model # of your copier? Oh Heck NO - they are a huge scammer and will send you hundreds of dollars worth of toner with a big fat bill.

Hi this is a very important "business call" I need to speak to (boss). I can here the 30 other people in the back ground so we play the game: Me: What company are you with? Jerk: I need to speak with (boss) this is a important business call. Me: Um No not unless you answer my questions first. Jerk: Well you are going to be terminated when I get through to him since this is such an important business call. Me: I just laugh and hang up.

Originally Posted by baragabrat

My husband gets to answer the phone occasionally and he has been known to listen to the whole spiel. And he has a hard time too, being hard of hearing. Anymore, he listens to see if he can tell who it is and then just hands me the phone if he thinks it's a solicitor. (we have to listen because the doc's office calls just before our appts. and we want to make sure nothing has changed and so we can verify them, but it's not life or death if we don't.) Anyhow, I then proceed to tell them to take our phone # and all our info out of their database. I'm decent about it but not overly friendly. Succinct and to the point.

But 'diabetes management' called one day and hubby answered and he told the caller that he didn't have diabetes. The caller replied, "then why did you answer the phone?" Like, huh? Finally I told them that was my husband was dead. We haven't heard from them since and they used to call 1-3 times a week.

Ok What is diabetes management anyway - they called my house the other day and asked me if I was diabetic. I said HIPPA would prevent me revealing that info to them. Confused the crap out of the girl and I then hung up. Yes I know HIPPA has nothing to do with it but it was fun screwing with her.

Just who is doing that CC call, I have gotten it so many times it drives you crazy. Most of the time I just hang up but once I hung on for the transfer to get a live person to tell them to take me off the list but it disconnected. WTH? I thought they wanted to talk to me, guess they knew what I was going to say.

Can't they be tracked down and stopped at all? Seems most people are being bothered by them now. I need a phone that announces who is calling. My sis has it displayed on her TV but what can you do when you aren't watching TV when they call? My phone should say---CC call or telemarketer calling. LOL

I just got a call to sell me something. Those are usually easy ones to get rid of. I tell them I already have it. LOL, can't sell me 2. New windows? "I just bought them", new siding? "just ordered it", want to buy ????? "I already have it." Ok, thanks for your time, goodbye. LOL

The best way to get rid of the windows/siding/home loan/ etc...people...tell them you rent. They are gone so fast, and they don't call back!

Originally Posted by janelle

I just got a call to sell me something. Those are usually easy ones to get rid of. I tell them I already have it. LOL, can't sell me 2. New windows? "I just bought them", new siding? "just ordered it", want to buy ????? "I already have it." Ok, thanks for your time, goodbye. LOL

Originally Posted by gocards

The best way to get rid of the windows/siding/home loan/ etc...people...tell them you rent. They are gone so fast, and they don't call back!

My standard answer to those calls is "My husband is a contractor and can do it all himself" or " I have worked over 25 years in the construction industry and have better connections than you have so I don't need to pay you to do something I can get for a lot cheaper and better". They generally say Thanks and hang up. Occasionally I get one that wants to challenge me on this stuff and I just laugh at them.