Sick of Scam Calls SMS Emails!

Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 12:37
Last edited 17/08/2018 - 14:10 by 1 other user

We are so sick of these Scammers disrupting our lives day and night, everyday everywhere. It's hard because we have a small business and have to maintain our mobiles and emails. On the verge of declaring war with them.

Most of our friends have stopped their landline service because 99% of the calls are Scams. We still keep ours but wont pick-up calls anymore, so you'd miss out if you call without leaving a message. We hate the way these Scams control our lives but really at our wits end. This includes "Charity" organisations which is exempted from the DoNotCall Register.

This has gone worse in the past 2 weeks. More than 20 SMS and a few calls to our mobiles. I asked the callers where they got my number from and the answer was Unanimous "Survey". The only recent "Survey" I can think of is a Product Review on a Merchant website of an appliance we bought. Thought I was being nice to give a nice review…… But they denied when I asked them.

Have looked at the Scamwatch website, nothing too helpful. Saw WA has a Scamresponse where people can submit scammers numbers. But surely this country would be able to stop this? How did they manage to have names like "Cares4U"?

Found many anti-scam Apps on AppStore but unsure which would be good…..

So Brains Trust, any help please?

Mobile

Comments

  • Savas on 17/08/2018 - 12:46
    +6

    I think they get most of their numbers from old phone books, atleast in some random video I saw.

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 13:16

      Thanks for responding, but I doubt it because this surge happens suddenly in the last 2 weeks.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/08/2018 - 23:02

        Thanks OP, I am sick of these scammers. Something should be done.
        Especially emails, Google, Yahoo,… and Microsoft wouldn't let you delete your email address and get a new one without losing your entire account. Also marketing calls and messages should only be sent to people subscribed for it. The government should do something about it

        • D6C1 on 19/08/2018 - 20:50

          Wrong. Using Microsoft email (outlook, etc..) allows you to setup an alias account to the same email. I have three aliases to the same email account

        • Pumpkin_rrr on 20/08/2018 - 14:00
          +1

          Yes @pal, let's doo something. I know i am about to..

        • So lo on 28/08/2018 - 09:59
          +1

          @pal, You want to transfer your emails to a new account? I.E. You already have the email address [email protected] and want to abandon it, in favour of your new email [email protected]

          Download any desktop email client, and follow the set up guide to add your email [email protected], making sure you set it up as an IMAP (not POP3)
          Now, click File > Add New Mailbox. Follow the set up guide again to add your [email protected] account, again as IMAP.

          Now, open the Inbox of [email protected] and Select All, and then drag all your emails to [email protected]
          Wait for it to copy
          Repeat with contents of Sent Items
          Drag over any other folders you want moved

          Now, all your emails are moved to your new email provider.

    • RedHab on 19/08/2018 - 13:29
      +2

      Also domain registration whois data.

      • bluesky on 19/08/2018 - 15:12

        Very true. Hence, where possible, worth getting the private registration. Granted, may not be possible for some suffixes, such as .com.au. If the domain suffix is not crucial, would prefer to pick one where it is possible to get private registration. Some registrars now offer this free with the domain name.

  • vinni9284 on 17/08/2018 - 12:51
    +17

    I think our numbers are sold off to 3rd party telemarketers from Utilities, Banking, Insurance etc …
    Basically our souls are sold off when you decide to use a service.

    When my phone rings, if I'm in front of the PC, i do a google search and can see that there are numerous complaints with that number, end call and block. Then repeat.

    If I decide to answer the call and hear someone trying to sell me something, I just hang up.

    The down side is that a legitimate call may not be answered due to it being interpreted as a scam call.

    Cheers

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 13:17

      Doesnt this make your furious? Who give them the right to do it?

      • vinni9284 on 17/08/2018 - 13:26
        +1

        Yes absolutely!!!

        It is a scam!! "If you don't agree to our Terms and Conditions, then you can't use our product" … but then all of the same services are like that.

        The problem is, is that they're too many out there that have a "suck it up" and "too hard to contest" attitude.

        We are getting shafted in all directions tbh

      • apptrack on 17/08/2018 - 13:41
        +8

        Newer android phones have a auto screening service that tells you if it's a scam call or not

        • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 13:42

          Mine is a Samsung S8. Is that new enough? How does the warning look like please?

        • apptrack on 17/08/2018 - 13:44
          +6

          @Pumpkin_rrr: When you get a call the screen goes red and tells you like this.

          Update your phone and use the google phone app

        • allegiance86 on 17/08/2018 - 14:32
          +1

          @apptrack:

          I was going to mention this. I never get scam calls anymore as my phone pops telling me it's BS. So good

        • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 14:46

          @apptrack: Thanks so much! Unfortunately it says "Your Device is not compatible". Aarggh

        • apptrack on 17/08/2018 - 15:07

          @Pumpkin_rrr: :(

          Have you updated your phone to latest?

        • burningrage on 17/08/2018 - 21:37
          +1

          Samsung has this thing from Heya that does it for you.

          It makes the phone goes orange if scammer calls. So far it works ok but the downside is a lot of scammers are churning new numbers using their on-line web callers.

        • StealthBargins on 18/08/2018 - 17:04
          +1

          @Pumpkin_rrr: i have an older android phone, what i do is put all the spam phone numbers into a contact called spam then select option 'all calls to voicemail' in the option for that contact, any further calls just go to vmm, its still a pain to go through the vmm but after time i think they stop ringing when the see no one picks up, have about 10 contacts in there.

        • oztite on 18/08/2018 - 23:17

          @Pumpkin_rrr: I have an S8+ and it definitely works. I can't see how S8 doesn't have that function… something's not right on your phone

      • Oz8argain on 17/08/2018 - 13:49
        +1

        you give them the right if you clicked I Agree to T&C

        • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 14:49

          I dont think I specifically give them that right.
          Even if it is in the T&C, sometimes there are so many and varied, and other times you need to purchase from them. I hope it is an invalid T&C. A bit like the Consumer Law protect the consumer even though the warranty is shorter than the perceived lifespan of the product….. Hmm, something to think about.

        • Dazza610 on 18/08/2018 - 11:01
          +1

          Seriously… Who, in this day and age, actually reads ALL of the T&C's.
          Especially since they ALL seem to start the same way.
          Then halfway down page (125 ?), is the part that is different, specifically applying to them.
          Me… I can't get to page 5 before I start to nod off. And this is exactly what they want.
          I could have signed my life away without noticing!!!!!!!!

    • steven231 on 18/08/2018 - 22:43

      It should work, i had the S7 before i upgraded to the S9. I'm 90% confident the default phone app on the S7 told me if someone is suspected to be a scam caller. Definitely happens on the S9.

    • anastasiastarz on 21/08/2018 - 00:39

      I try to do the same, esp with international numbers (china and my Nigerian prince) XD

  • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2018 - 12:52
    +2

    It seems to be a really big problem in Australia.

    When I was last there in April, my phone went nuts with scam callers just minutes after landing in Australia and putting my sim card into the phone (which I haven't used for 6+ months by then).

    The week I was there, got easily 30+ calls.

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 13:18

      Yep I wonder that too. Anybody from overseas can confirm this ? (Big problem in Australia)

      • Yoo on 17/08/2018 - 15:48
        +1

        It's not only Australia. When I go back to Europe it's the same. Most family has stopped their landlines cause it's all scam. When I get a scam call in Australia, I tell them I'm an overseas student. As they need residents/citizens, they take my number out their list. Much less calls recently :)

    • RedHab on 19/08/2018 - 13:32
      -1

      Telstra makes you pay an extra $1.70 a month in order not to list your number in their Sensis directory.

      • bluesky on 19/08/2018 - 14:23

        The Silent Line requires a fee. Just having your number "unlisted" from White Pages directory, there is no fee.

      • Baysew on 20/08/2018 - 09:55
        +1

        Silent line privacy fees removed

        • bluesky on 20/08/2018 - 16:13
          +1

          Quite right - I stand corrected. Even acted on it when it was first posted on OzB here.

  • hogwarts on 17/08/2018 - 12:54
    +3

    I have an Android phone and I use an app called Truecaller. It has a database of peoples names or companies and lets me know automagically when I get a call from someone that is not in my contacts who it is. That is if they have it. It is worth a try.

    • ShadowCrimson on 17/08/2018 - 13:05
      +3

      I have a smiliar app called ShouldIAnswer for android.
      its a commmunity database run app. When you get a call from a number you can leave feedback after if it was a scam etc.
      Then others see the rating when they get a call from same number and see straight away if it is a scam, annoying person etc.

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 13:18
      -1

      @hogwarts Not sure why you got neg'ed. Wish that person explains it.

    • Clear on 18/08/2018 - 10:26

      Google and Nexus phones will have the stock dialler go red and say "Suspected scam caller". Everytime I've picked up it's been a scam call.

      • anastasiastarz on 21/08/2018 - 00:58

        Samsung has that too, but it rarely works.

    • FirstWizard on 19/08/2018 - 09:30
      +2

      Do NOT use Truecaller. When you install it you give it permission to upload all the phone numbers, information including names in your contact list to their servers.
      That's how their automagic system works. Which means of you have someone number with their name address sometime even DOB in your contacts, that information is now public!

      This is one of the ways scammers get new numbers and information because who is to stop them from selling the info from time to time.

      • hashtagbargain on 19/08/2018 - 16:17

        This is so true, your identity can be compromised by your contacts. Stay away from Truecaller!

  • 2ndeffort on 17/08/2018 - 13:07
    +1

    They get lists of numbers off the internet. I get approached 2-3 times a month by people trying to sell me these lists. I normally get an email form somebody that is a 'Business Development Consultant', they want to partner with me for some blah blah blah they pester me for a phone call (never face to face). They are very persistent so ignoring them takes a long time. I normally shut them down with an email quickly and I then get offered 'Lists'.

    Here is a cut and paste from one of their pitches: "I'd like to check back if you need help generating qualified sales leads for your business. My company specializes in providing companies with sales leads and qualified selling opportunities to support their sales and marketing initiatives."

    If you follow this narrative through, and i have once just out of curiosity, you get offered customised lists of names which they promise to tailor to your business/market sector. I assume they are literally getting them from the data you leave behind on the net best case or from illegal data thats been stolen worst case. Anyhoo, lists cost $9K ish if you buy but when i laughed and walked they seemed extremely 'negotiable' on price…..not negotiable enough for somebody that was only trolling them to find out how it works though so i just hung up and screened their return calls……for the next week and a half.

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 13:20

      Can you give me their contact please?

      • 2ndeffort on 17/08/2018 - 13:30
        +2

        www.salesmagnetsolutions.com is one of them but either they change their name often or there are a load of them around. here's another cut and paste from a company calling themselves corporate-database.com these guys are cheap!!

        working for a company that specializes in the provision of B2B database and I am keen to know if there are any possibilities for us to work with your company.

        We are offering pre-package lists wherein you can acquire 300,000 Australian business contacts against your investment of $749. Please find the attached sample for your review.

        The list includes the contacts of Director Level, C-level, VP level, Managers and non-manager contacts within Marketing, sales, Procurement, HR, IT, operations and many other functions across a variety of business sectors.

        All of these contacts will have the basic business information i.e., company name, Job title, email address, contact number, company name, URL, mailing address, Employee size, revenue size, SIC code and Industry classification are 100% populated in the database.

        We have similar lists for other countries as well (USA, UK, Middle East, Singapore etc.) Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing such contacts from any other countries, accordingly I would be happy to update you on the size of the database along with the price.

        I look forward to hearing from you.

        Another from a company called 'bizwarm'

        Would you be interested with a Database? We can provide you with email lists across any industry, contact details of your target companies and other information based on
        your specifications.

        Target Industry: (ex. Information Technologies, Computer Software,Computer Hardware etc.)
        Target Location: (we cover, APAC, NorthAmerica, Europe, etc)
        Target Key Decision Makers: (C-Level, VP, Director, Manager, etc)

        Just please fill in those specifications for me to pull out records and send a sample list for your review.

        Looking forward hearing from you.

        i could post up loads of these!!!

        • jnewau on 17/08/2018 - 15:30
          +1

          Yeah we get dozens of these a week too at work.

          They all start -

          I've found that you're a "Partner of VMWare*" - replace VMWare with HPE, Adobe, Autodesk , you name it, they're there. (IT Provider here)

          All with the same sort of promises for C Level contacts etc

          They call themselves Techleads, Marketing Partners for a few…all the same form letter. Sometimes they don't even bother to change the name used - Annabel Taylor must be real busy!

  • HighAndDry on 17/08/2018 - 13:29

    I don't have this problem… as in I have a landline, mobile, haven't changed numbers in years and years, and I get maybe half a dozen spam calls a month if that. I get a lot of marketing calls, but most are from places that I'm aware of (my gym, other gym I got a free trial at, etc).

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 13:40
      -3

      "I don't have this problem" - really?

      • HighAndDry on 17/08/2018 - 13:51
        +1

        Yes…? I don't know what else to tell you. I get about half a dozen spam calls a month. That's few enough it doesn't bother me.

        • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 14:50
          -1

          I get that number in one day :-(

        • HighAndDry on 17/08/2018 - 15:03

          @Pumpkin_rrr: Ouch. I think I might just start swearing at everyone who called me if that happened… and you're not even getting a free drink out of it =/

          Edit: Speak of the devil. JUST got a spam call from some lady spruiking energy something.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2018 - 14:23

      Me too. I get the occasional crap like anyone else.

      Between my phone (pixel 2xl) screening the calls and the poor attempts at scamming, I don't see how this can be a "huge" problem.

      Maybe we don't get that many random calls cause we do not give away our personal information for a free drink.

      Maybe it doesn't bother me that I occasionally pick up these calls because I can spot an attempt to sell from the first word they mutter.

      • Pumpkin_rrr on 17/08/2018 - 14:51

        I am very cautious in giving out my number to anyone. As mentioned in my post, I suspect it's the recent "survey" that I've done for a product review.
        And I dont go for free drink :-(

  • slow on 17/08/2018 - 13:34
    +9

    I don't answer any calls that aren't from someone I know. If it is a genuine call they can leave a message and I will call them back

  • EightImmortals on 17/08/2018 - 13:49
    +3

    Whenever I get a spam call I put them in my contacts so that I know who they are if they ring again so I can choose to answer or not. Have also blocked some of the more persistent ones.

    If only I could do the same on my hotmail inbox. :)

    • apptrack on 17/08/2018 - 14:07
      +1

      Have a look at my comment above

      • EightImmortals on 17/08/2018 - 14:10

        Hey thanks. :)

        I assume that the app maintains a list of sus phone numbers on it's own or do we have to manually flag them in some way?

        • apptrack on 17/08/2018 - 14:17
          +1

          Does it through crowd sourcing. If you hang up on a unknown number after a few seconds it asks if you if it was spam or not :)

    • Gandalf the Thrifty on 17/08/2018 - 15:24
      +1

      Switch to Gmail, it seems to do a good job of filtering most scam crap out.

      • EightImmortals on 17/08/2018 - 16:04

        Yeah I have a gmail account for my main account and I agree, much better at removing spam. Might setup another one. :)

    • Eddie8 on 19/08/2018 - 07:46
      +1

      I just GMAILIFY'd my hotmail. Best thing i ever did. I was getting 10+ spam emails a day directly into my mailbox which wasnt being picked up by hotmails spam filter even though i was flagging them as spam every day.

      All you need to do is create a new gmail or use an existing gmail and link your hotmail via "Check mail from other accounts:" in settings.

      Now Gmail acts as a client to your hotmail and has a much better spam filter. 100% recommend doing this.

  • big1964 on 17/08/2018 - 14:26

    I have a landline with caller id if I don't recognize the number I don't pick up I also have call block on my phone i just add the number to that.
    I don't get any on my mobile though,

  • Gandalf the Thrifty on 17/08/2018 - 15:27

    We get occasional few on landline but rarely do I get any scam or donation calls on my mobile. My partner has had heaps of the Chinese mandarin speaking one lately though.

    • dharmesht on 20/08/2018 - 09:33

      I have also started receiving the Chinese mandarin speaking ones lately.

  • onetwothreefour on 17/08/2018 - 15:42

    I've had one spam call this year, can't remember the time before that. The call was a recorded message in Chinese which I think a lot of people received.

    Just be careful with who you give your number too, always untick the box that gives them permission to call you and register with the Do Not Call Register.

  • ScuseMe on 17/08/2018 - 18:02

    When i was with Vodafone few months ago i used to get many spam calls but now that I'm with Telstra and i don't get as many as before. Not sure if there's a connection or pure co-incidence.
    On a completely different subject i get lots of weird friend requests on Facebook now which is annoying but still far better than those spam calls

    • burningrage on 17/08/2018 - 21:39
      +1

      Actually when I was with Optus for just a short 5 day stint, I had lots of fake calls. Before then I was with Telstra and I would probably get 1 or 2 per day or sometimes none. With Optus, I get them daily and at least 5x.

      Now I am back with TLS.

  • Cluster on 18/08/2018 - 03:14

    I put all scammers/charities on my auto reject list. My phone beeps every day with a call from one of these scumbags. I include charities in the scumbags pile, as there's one that's been calling me for years even though I say no to them every time. They never learn. Also, if I want to donate I'll call the charity, not wait for them to call me. Additionally it's incredibly stupid to hand out your credit card details to just anyone who calls, regardless of who they claim to be.

  • Deltania on 18/08/2018 - 07:56
    +1

    The AMA and I expect other professional bodies give out your info to charities. The number of letters and phone calls we get asking us to donate is ridiculous. We have a landline, a silent number, but we literally don’t use it anymore, the phone isn’t even plugged in. The only calls we got were scams and charities. I don’t answer my mobile unless I recognise the number, it goes to voicemail so if they don’t leave a message they don’t get a response. This almost backfired when AGL was ringing about a tenant that stopped paying and they were going to disconnect as they rang often enough to make me think it was a scam but never left a message. Luckily I had to ring them about something else and we sorted it out but seriously leave a message or try email or send a letter AGL. You haven’t contacted people otherwise.

  • DarkOz on 18/08/2018 - 08:23
    +6

    I don't mind so much of SMS and emails as I always just delete them. You just have to deal with the calls in a way it doesn't frustrate you. Simply hang up on them or lead them around in circles if you have the time. Recently I had a call asking for my boss. I asked the caller if she knew where my boss is as I was looking for him too. She asked me why and I told her that my boss owes us some unpaid wages so we are looking for him too! She went silent and hung up.

  • Micko179 on 18/08/2018 - 08:47

    Get the Mr Number app! Make sure you report EVERY such call as a Scam or Fraud! My phone (Business) blocks many of these calls on a daily basis. You have a Samsung so it should also have a setting that blocks spam/scam callers!

  • [Deactivated] on 18/08/2018 - 10:43

    After the Page Up hack I started receiving sooo many spam calls and text messages @: :'o

  • johninmelb on 18/08/2018 - 12:42

    How do companies like Wish get to put just "Wish" as their caller/sender id and not a number? There is no option to block sms from them or any other company that uses a word, not a number. Infuriates me.

    • Micko179 on 18/08/2018 - 14:20

      Exactly the same way Officeworks (or any other company for that matter) does it!

      • johninmelb on 18/08/2018 - 16:08

        So do companies get some special option to hide their phone number? How do you block those sms's? It only works if there is a number.

  • HeWhoKnows on 18/08/2018 - 13:30

    No magic to divert scammers
    Just be on guard 24/7

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 18/08/2018 - 14:29

    In a way I don’t really mind if it is a genuine business promotion, but it’s really wrong when it’s clearly a lie… “Click here to collect your parcel”, “You’ve just we n an ToyotaKluger”…

    what do these people tell their spouses/ family /social circle about their work when the get home at dinner time, or around a BBQ party???

    • johninmelb on 18/08/2018 - 16:07

      Their friends are probably other scammers and crooks. Birds of a feather flock together and all that.

      And what wife is going to ask too many questions when she has loads of money to buy all the clothes and shoes she likes?

    • Ridiculous Panda on 18/08/2018 - 21:51

      They probably gather around and laugh at the old people they tricked that afternoon. You seriously don’t know they are a lot of bad people in the world who live a normal life? It is not just scammers, but a lot of other professionals with white collars too.

      • johninmelb on 19/08/2018 - 15:19

        Yep, especially bankers and insurance people.

  • Allan Thomas on 18/08/2018 - 16:30

    I use an app called "Who called me" on Android. I don't know if it's available on iOS. It works well in my experience, blocks spam callers, but not foolproof.

  • So lo on 18/08/2018 - 16:46
    +1

    Earlier this year, I was getting spam calls 2-3 times a day to my mobile from the "Bitcoin Survey group." They spoofed their phone numbers - I would get them from different numbers every time but it was always the same group calling. They knew my name and began by asking if I knew about BTC… I wouldn't even tell them if I knew or didn't know about it. I kept telling them not to call me, that I was on the DoNotCall Registry and hanging up. Eventually, I just started screaming "F-YOU STOP CALLING ME" for 2 minutes straight down the line at the person. Had to do it twice to never speak to any of them again. The next two weeks, I kept getting the calls, but then they'd auto-hangup on me instead of talking to me. Now, no more spam calls. Bliss.

  • bigticket on 18/08/2018 - 16:52

    I very rarely receive spam calls on my mobile. Don't have a landline.
    Maybe once every few months.

  • centrelink on 18/08/2018 - 17:26

    WHy? It’s fun. Just keep saying “Hello?” Over and over again until they give up.m and if they say something scripted for a long time always say “sorry could you repeat that?” Over and over again until they are fed up or just talk by adding “g’s” in front of everything you say to see if they understand g’do g’you g’know g’what g’I g’mean?

    • alvian on 20/08/2018 - 07:24

      I did the endless hello routine once. It started when the spammer's phone system was slow to connect my call to the operator. This low life called me a motherf.ker after 2 minutes, hung up, called once more and played back the recording to me.

      Mother.ker seems to be their favourite insult. I've been called that so many times when they finally realised I was stringing them along for the past 10 minutes. Incredibly one "Windows Technical Department" spammer didn't have enough, called me back to continue, and I strung him along for 2 hours with a Windows XP virtual machine. I don't know why he persisted as I had already given him the numbers and names on the fake credit card prior to his second call.

  • ShortyX on 18/08/2018 - 18:08
    +1

    Try registering the numbers on the Do Not Call register - https://www.donotcall.gov.au/consumers/register-your-numbers…

    Or try Lenny - https://shaun.net/notes/introducing-lenny/

    • woteva on 18/08/2018 - 19:23
      +2

      Put them onto Lenny

    • x d on 20/08/2018 - 18:38

      THIS.

      I used to get quite a few calls previously and was getting cranky.

      After registering, the numbers dropped to next to nothing now (though it took a month). The first spammer that called I asked who they are and which company they are representing, and advised them that I am reporting them to the Do Not Call complaint line (which is government run and gives out fines).

  • raiseyoursteaks on 18/08/2018 - 19:00
    +1

    Download this app "Truecaller". I've had tons of idiots calling me from scams to sales to charity to discussing my freaking utility bill.

    By default my phone setting blocks all private numbers and this app have been giving me advance notice of who are calling me based on their category. Everytime I get a call by chance and they're spam, I categorise them and submit and the next guy will get this warning.

    • anastasiastarz on 21/08/2018 - 01:31

      One year we had of the utility bill scams, my neighbour had the best answer ever, he simply said he lives in the psych ward XD

  • This Guy on 18/08/2018 - 19:21
    +2

    I started getting utility spam after using iSelect four years ago.

    The first few callers had an Aussie accent and identified themselves as from iSelect. The caller's I get annually now have thick accents and sell an unbranded utility. One year I received spoofed mobile numbers. Two years I received spoofed Victorian land line numbers.

    The general sales model for an outbound phone sales company is to recontact a dead lead (a non buyer) periodically using a trainee or a B team and read a sales script. They only give up only after 3 separate 'No''s. Multiple 'No''s in a row is only counted once. You need to respond to the script. This team needs to call daily until they get to present the script. Even if you have heard their script and showed no interest, they should still call back after a few days to try again as it has given you an opportunity to consider their 'amazing offer'. You should be considered a dead lead again after.

    Confusion and polite jackarsery can bypass the script. All overseas phone calls are recorded for performance reviews. Polite ignorance to their scrip gives them an acceptable out. Too many employers will give the same commission for aggravating a customer to a certain level as they would get for selling a product. It shows the sales person has done their job correctly and is ignoring social norms.

    'F*** off, don't call me!' should get you more calls. SOmething like 'please call back tomorrow, I am currently pregnant,' should skip the script (especially if you are a bloke) and earn you a final chance call a few days later.

    No one offering a competitive service uses an outbound phone sales model. Instead of investing in price or quality, they are paying a sales team. They are playing the numbers. Their models are designed to get a very low percentage of people to give in and buy their clients product.

    Now I am not saying that iSelect is the cause of my utility spam, just that I started receiving it after using their web service and the spam I receive is consistent with dead lead sales treatment.

  • Lockieasy on 18/08/2018 - 19:50

    Yeah that's why I almost never bother picking up the phone anymore if it's a number I don't recognise. I let it go to voicemail then google the phone number if they don't leave a message.

    Almost always the search results say it's a scammer or telemarketer. For me it doesn't occur often enough for me to bother blocking, but if it did I'd just use iPhone's built in number blocker.

  • DBBROS on 18/08/2018 - 21:24

    True caller and I haven't connected my home phone. Problem solved

  • Thaal Sinestro on 18/08/2018 - 22:28
    +1

    The solution is simple. Execute anyone with a marketing degree. Poisoning our lives with email spam, marketing calls and invasive web advertisements is what these parasites do. They make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year without contributing anything of worth to the world.

    Spam is simply capitalist propaganda. Capitalism is a economic system where everyone is trying to fleece everyone else so they can buy more investment properties. The concept of morality or decency is alien to capitalism. Greed, narcissism & selfishness are the only virtues in a democartic capitalist society.

    • Meowcat on 19/08/2018 - 00:26

      Have you heard of my friend Bill Hicks?

      https://youtu.be/tHEOGrkhDp0

    • Cave Fire on 19/08/2018 - 17:07

      Wow… life can be pretty tough with a Marketing degree lol, I've only had sales and Insurance work. Still hope to put together social and equitable businesses. Sometimes these kind of jobs are the only ones that people are able to get…

  • steven231 on 18/08/2018 - 22:51

    That's very interesting. I don't receive scam calls very often whatsoever. I probably get them twice a year. My S9 tells me if its a suspected scam caller so i just ignore the call. It seems they just don't bother trying again because they assume the phone number is invalid now? Also whenever i'm recontracting my phone number or moving plans i always deselect the option regarding putting your number on some registry (honestly don't know what its called, but its always an option thats preselected).

  • Neptunesblood on 19/08/2018 - 11:40

    I love getting random scam calls. Then the fun begins.

  • cwongtech on 19/08/2018 - 12:33

    Remove your resume setting for public or "companies can download" in Seek.com

    Both times I made it visible, I got calls within a week from people at "Australian national insurance", from a British guy in a food court dialing from a mobile.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2018 - 12:45

    Some years ago I had a website with free eBooks. The amount of phone numbers and emails I got in 1 year was incredible. The "privacy policy" I had on my website was just that, some words written on the website, not enforceable. It is incredible how much people will give you for free.

    If you ever had your number published on any website, signed up for anything, that's the source of it and it's no stopping. They get sold and then resold and then resold, no matter what the privacy policy states.

    I also built a scrapper that visits google and jumps from page to page endlessly and copies in a file all the emails or phone numbers it finds. So easy to do, so easy to be ran by anyone with no knowledge of computers. (it's on github)

  • DiscoJango on 19/08/2018 - 15:43

    has anyone got the voicemail left on their mobiles, from a lady speaking in chinese? something along the lines of picking up a package (got workmates to translate it). almost everyone in my department got the exact same phone call. data leak?

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