Powerwash Scam?

[Nashida]

Just got this call a second ago, I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas.

I picked up the phone when it rang and when I answered, no one responded. I followed my usual rule of "three hellos to hang-up" and after the third I got this message:

"My name is <name> and I run a powerwashing, upholstry cleaning, brush trimming business and I wanted to know if you would give me just one chance to make your home beautiful. If you would like me to come out there and powerwash your home, clear your brush and clean the upholstry, please press 9 now and I'll come on the line and sign you up for our current special. Please press 9 now."

I hung up obviously, but yowza, they are getting creative. It's an automated message, I discoverd this after several attempts at saying "Not Interested" weren't acknowledged.

Figured I'd give a heads-up, as this sounded a little more convincing than car insurance expiring.

[Stormraven]

Out here in CA, I'd automatically assume they're scamming. Robo-calls are illegal in CA. Elsewhere, I don't know. It just sounds like a sucky cold-calling technique.

[Andara Bledin]

I auto-hang up on any call that is not a human being.

With the sole exception being for services I actually pay for and am expecting an automated call for, such as from my doctor's office.

^-.-^

[jjllbb]

Greetings, friend. Do you wish to look as happy as me? Well, you've got the power inside you right now. So use it. And send one dollar to Happy Dude, 742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield. Don't delay! Eternal happiness is just a dollar away.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

One dollar for eternal happiness. Mmmm...I'd be happier with the dollar.

[blas]

All of the telemarketing calls I've gotten lately have been automated voice calls.

I think I'm insane for trash talking to a machine, but hey, it's better than lashing out at a real person.

"If you'd like to lick my ass and do me doggy style, press 3."

[Stormraven]

Cue the gutter dwellers in 3... 2...

[ditchdj]

Just when you think the telemarketing industry can't stoop any lower they outdo themselves yet again.....

Now their "robo-dialers" are clogging the 911 phone lines......

http://www.kypost.com/content/wcposh...LcKfufLpg.cspx

[EricKei]

I know you can get into legal trouble for PRANK calling 911...There's gotta be some law about this stuff, as well. It might even be covered under that same law...

[Andara Bledin]

Now their "robo-dialers" are clogging the 911 phone lines......

The worst part is that they don't seem to be taking any action in going after the robodialers dialing random numbers. They're just using a technological fix to make them no longer able to call in to the 911 centers.

It seems to me that this is a great opportunity to at least bust one of these groups.

It also makes me think that they should maybe set up some monitored lines so they can track these jerks down.

^-.-^

[Ironclad Alibi]

I know you can get into legal trouble for PRANK calling 911.

And there have been many stories in these forums about people getting arrested for repeatedly calling 911 for non-emergency issues (not pranks).

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Well, when you consider that auto dialers with automated messages are illegal, especially in light of the fact that there's no way to opt out, which is also illegal, you can kind of figure out what kind of company we are talking about.

[Nohbody]

Out here in CA, I'd automatically assume they're scamming. Robo-calls are illegal in CA. Elsewhere, I don't know. It just sounds like a sucky cold-calling technique.

National law, in the US. Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (not sure on year, early 90s definitely) prohibits robo-calls unless there's a pre-existing business relationship (doctor appointment reminder and things like that).

Good luck in getting any enforcement on the matter, though. Even if you take the offender to court and win, collecting on the judgment tends to be a neat trick if you can pull it off, since it's not a criminal matter, but a civil suit.

[Darkforge]

Well, when you consider that auto dialers with automated messages are illegal, especially in light of the fact that there's no way to opt out, which is also illegal, you can kind of figure out what kind of company we are talking about.

They're illegal in the US?

wow, i wish they were over here in England. We do have a law that if you ask not to be called again then they are not allowed to call you but i don't actually want to wait till the end of the recorded message and then press a button just to speak to someone who will tell me that they can't remove the number and have to put me through to a supervisor. (though i often leave the phone off the hook until they hang up just to cost them an extra few seconds of phone bill...)

[crazylegs]

i don't actually want to wait till the end of the recorded message and then press a button just to speak to someone who will tell me that they can't remove the number and have to put me through to a supervisor.

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/ This website allows all UK phone numbers to opt out of marketing calls.