Nuisance calls rant...
-
I just got a call, purportedly from my bank who started the conversation by asking me security questions. Now, as a rule, I never provided them unless I am expecting the call or I ring up the bank myself. The call I had went roughly like: “Hello this is XYXZ is it a good time to talk?” “Well, maybe – is this a marketing call?” “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question until I ask you some security questions” “...” “To start with, could you please tell me the last three digits of your post code” “Could you tell me what the call regards?” “No, sir, you have to an-” *click* I googled the number and it is supposedly a number used by my bank, but FFS, they can’t tell me if it’s about marketing until I answer security questions? Piss off, that just sounds suspect. And even if they do have to contact me by phone - surely the most secure way is to ring me up and state that they would like to talk to me, and that I should ring the customer services number on the back of my bank card as soon as possible. They shouldn't be encouraging people to give out security details over the phone to any tom dick or harry. Honestly. :|
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
There's lots of things you can do: Get the name of the bank and file a complaint regarding telephone spam; report them as a phone phishing attack; write a letter to the CEO with a copy of a statement showing you've moved your accounts elsewhere... Having a go at the guy on the phone won't help (not that you did). He's either outsourced, or is a scammer himself. Either way he doesn't care and can't/won't do anything.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
-
There's lots of things you can do: Get the name of the bank and file a complaint regarding telephone spam; report them as a phone phishing attack; write a letter to the CEO with a copy of a statement showing you've moved your accounts elsewhere... Having a go at the guy on the phone won't help (not that you did). He's either outsourced, or is a scammer himself. Either way he doesn't care and can't/won't do anything.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
Get the name of the bank and file a complaint regarding telephone spam; report them as a phone phishing attack; write a letter to the CEO with a copy of a statement showing you've moved your accounts elsewhere...
Yeah, I think I will make a complaint, it's just massively annoying and they should know better!
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
-
Banks in the US do that too. They call you and start off by asking you security questions. I used to say I'll call back and explain that I don't trust incoming calls. Of course I don't need to do that nowadays because I never answer the phone if it's a number not in my contacts - genuine callers will always leave a voice message and I can call back. Telemarketers (even those from banks) never leave a message.
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com (recently moved from web-host to wordpress)
I tell them I'm armed and pissed off. They hang up immediately.
.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
-----
"The staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - J. Jystad, 2001 -
Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:
I wonder if the IRS leaves voice mail? Actually, I know they do because I got one once
Interesting. They've never called me :-)
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com (recently moved from web-host to wordpress)
They misplaced my 941 one year and were very interested in collecting that cash. I had to resend that form 5 times over the course of two years to get the matter straight.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. I also do Android Programming as I find it a refreshing break from the MS. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost
-
What I tend to do is say that I do not deal with such things via a telephone call, but if they send me something through the post I will look at it as my leisure. They invariably don't send anything.
------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC League Table Link CCC Link[^]
When my ISP offered me a less-than-generous saving if I agreed to sign up for year-long extension to the get-out clause of my contract, and I sounded less than enthusiastic about their offer, the Indian-sounding lady hung up immediately without a 'thank you' or a 'goodbye'. :sigh:
-
I just got a call, purportedly from my bank who started the conversation by asking me security questions. Now, as a rule, I never provided them unless I am expecting the call or I ring up the bank myself. The call I had went roughly like: “Hello this is XYXZ is it a good time to talk?” “Well, maybe – is this a marketing call?” “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question until I ask you some security questions” “...” “To start with, could you please tell me the last three digits of your post code” “Could you tell me what the call regards?” “No, sir, you have to an-” *click* I googled the number and it is supposedly a number used by my bank, but FFS, they can’t tell me if it’s about marketing until I answer security questions? Piss off, that just sounds suspect. And even if they do have to contact me by phone - surely the most secure way is to ring me up and state that they would like to talk to me, and that I should ring the customer services number on the back of my bank card as soon as possible. They shouldn't be encouraging people to give out security details over the phone to any tom dick or harry. Honestly. :|
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
Try this variation.... “Hello this is XYXZ is it a good time to talk?” “Well, maybe – is this a marketing call?” “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question until I ask you some security questions” "No problem. But first you will have to answer my security questions." "We can't do that sir, until you answer our security questions." "Well I can't answer your questions until you answer my questions." "Our questions are more important sir." "Especially a good reason to answer my security questions first. If your call is so important then the security questions will be extremely important, and I must securely identify you before I reveal the answer to your questions. Therefore you must answer my security questions first." :-D reminds me of a phone call with security I once had.... :-D
_________________________ John Andrew Holmes "It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." Shhhhh.... I am not really here. I am a figment of your imagination.... I am still in my cave so this must be an illusion....
-
Try this variation.... “Hello this is XYXZ is it a good time to talk?” “Well, maybe – is this a marketing call?” “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question until I ask you some security questions” "No problem. But first you will have to answer my security questions." "We can't do that sir, until you answer our security questions." "Well I can't answer your questions until you answer my questions." "Our questions are more important sir." "Especially a good reason to answer my security questions first. If your call is so important then the security questions will be extremely important, and I must securely identify you before I reveal the answer to your questions. Therefore you must answer my security questions first." :-D reminds me of a phone call with security I once had.... :-D
_________________________ John Andrew Holmes "It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." Shhhhh.... I am not really here. I am a figment of your imagination.... I am still in my cave so this must be an illusion....
Ohhh I likes it! I'm gonna have to print that out and keep it with me always! :)
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
-
When my ISP offered me a less-than-generous saving if I agreed to sign up for year-long extension to the get-out clause of my contract, and I sounded less than enthusiastic about their offer, the Indian-sounding lady hung up immediately without a 'thank you' or a 'goodbye'. :sigh:
she probably just signed you up for the extension anyway!
-
I just got a call, purportedly from my bank who started the conversation by asking me security questions. Now, as a rule, I never provided them unless I am expecting the call or I ring up the bank myself. The call I had went roughly like: “Hello this is XYXZ is it a good time to talk?” “Well, maybe – is this a marketing call?” “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question until I ask you some security questions” “...” “To start with, could you please tell me the last three digits of your post code” “Could you tell me what the call regards?” “No, sir, you have to an-” *click* I googled the number and it is supposedly a number used by my bank, but FFS, they can’t tell me if it’s about marketing until I answer security questions? Piss off, that just sounds suspect. And even if they do have to contact me by phone - surely the most secure way is to ring me up and state that they would like to talk to me, and that I should ring the customer services number on the back of my bank card as soon as possible. They shouldn't be encouraging people to give out security details over the phone to any tom dick or harry. Honestly. :|
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
I had two of those last evening, both form the same company. Although in fairness both of them declared that they were a Marketing Company upfront. "Hello" - My standard telephone answering phrase. That, or "Yes!". :) "Hello I'm Frazer from xyz Marketing can I speak to Henry please." "In what connection?" "We sent him an Email a few days ago and would like to speak to him about it. Are you Henry?" "What was the Email about?" "Are you Henry?" "What was the Email about?" "I can only discuss that with Henry. Are you Henry?" "What was the Email about?" "Err... Don't worry, we'll call again when it's more convenient." "Don't bother, bye". The second call went pretty much the same way although from a different person. I got the impression that the second caller was Frazer's supervisor or similar. Whether or not that was the case, it was obvious that their scripts did not have a section for this situation. :laugh: I have no idea if I got an Email from them (if I did, it went straight into the bin as soon as I saw 'Marketing'), and what's more I don't care.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”
-
I just got a call, purportedly from my bank who started the conversation by asking me security questions. Now, as a rule, I never provided them unless I am expecting the call or I ring up the bank myself. The call I had went roughly like: “Hello this is XYXZ is it a good time to talk?” “Well, maybe – is this a marketing call?” “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question until I ask you some security questions” “...” “To start with, could you please tell me the last three digits of your post code” “Could you tell me what the call regards?” “No, sir, you have to an-” *click* I googled the number and it is supposedly a number used by my bank, but FFS, they can’t tell me if it’s about marketing until I answer security questions? Piss off, that just sounds suspect. And even if they do have to contact me by phone - surely the most secure way is to ring me up and state that they would like to talk to me, and that I should ring the customer services number on the back of my bank card as soon as possible. They shouldn't be encouraging people to give out security details over the phone to any tom dick or harry. Honestly. :|
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
"Hello this is XYZ do you have time to answer a few questions?" "Sure - hang on a minute there's someone at the door..." Now just leave them waiting on the line, I once had a telemarketer waiting for nearly half an hour using this technique. As a variation occasionally pick up the phone and say "Be with you in a minute!" do it quickly though so they don't have time to get a word in :)
-
I had two of those last evening, both form the same company. Although in fairness both of them declared that they were a Marketing Company upfront. "Hello" - My standard telephone answering phrase. That, or "Yes!". :) "Hello I'm Frazer from xyz Marketing can I speak to Henry please." "In what connection?" "We sent him an Email a few days ago and would like to speak to him about it. Are you Henry?" "What was the Email about?" "Are you Henry?" "What was the Email about?" "I can only discuss that with Henry. Are you Henry?" "What was the Email about?" "Err... Don't worry, we'll call again when it's more convenient." "Don't bother, bye". The second call went pretty much the same way although from a different person. I got the impression that the second caller was Frazer's supervisor or similar. Whether or not that was the case, it was obvious that their scripts did not have a section for this situation. :laugh: I have no idea if I got an Email from them (if I did, it went straight into the bin as soon as I saw 'Marketing'), and what's more I don't care.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”
Awesome!
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
-
"Hello this is XYZ do you have time to answer a few questions?" "Sure - hang on a minute there's someone at the door..." Now just leave them waiting on the line, I once had a telemarketer waiting for nearly half an hour using this technique. As a variation occasionally pick up the phone and say "Be with you in a minute!" do it quickly though so they don't have time to get a word in :)
I'd not thought of that one! Great idea!
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
-
I just got a call, purportedly from my bank who started the conversation by asking me security questions. Now, as a rule, I never provided them unless I am expecting the call or I ring up the bank myself. The call I had went roughly like: “Hello this is XYXZ is it a good time to talk?” “Well, maybe – is this a marketing call?” “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question until I ask you some security questions” “...” “To start with, could you please tell me the last three digits of your post code” “Could you tell me what the call regards?” “No, sir, you have to an-” *click* I googled the number and it is supposedly a number used by my bank, but FFS, they can’t tell me if it’s about marketing until I answer security questions? Piss off, that just sounds suspect. And even if they do have to contact me by phone - surely the most secure way is to ring me up and state that they would like to talk to me, and that I should ring the customer services number on the back of my bank card as soon as possible. They shouldn't be encouraging people to give out security details over the phone to any tom dick or harry. Honestly. :|
"Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and dick." ~ Garth Algar "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." ~ Paul Neal "Red" Adair
I have an unlisted number, which makes it potentially illegal to cold-call me. I get more wrong numbers than junk calls. On the very rare occasions I get a junk call, my line is "Where did you get this number?" I only ever got one answer to that, which was "From the local phonebook". Silly b*gger hadn't suppressed Caller ID, so I told him (a) he's lying and (b) I'm going to report an unsolicited call from ....... (his number). You could hear his panic. Bet that wasn't in his script. ;P
Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994.
