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How To Profit From Telemarketing
jsprat writes: "From the Seattle PI: A man gets an automated message from a telemarketer. He complains. Two weeks later, he gets a check and an apology! In the article, another man is mentioned who claims to have collected $2650 dollars over the last year for illegal spam, faxes and automated calls. Another weapon to fight these clowns?" What's your personal cash-won record?
Telemarketers call YOU so THEY can make money....
Hi there - this is a note to the reader of slashdot. If you are reading this message, then the software has cored and the experiment is over.
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Even your emails to Taco were ironic - you didnt know, but Taco is actually a QuickBasic program on an old XT!
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Woah! Hey relax - its a joke (I've seen the Matrix too many times)
Ben Livingston has a web page with a lot of good hints for anyone interested in suing these people. He also has a complete list of everyone he's sued, the outcomes, and in some cases, even a scanned image of the check they sent him.
I hate to brag, Timothy, but I think you're being just a little short-sighted about this.
Carousel is a lie!
If a get 1 buck from ever spammer that sends me unwanted messages Im gonna get rich soon! :))
Is there a law in US that obligates spammers to give people money or that makes spam a crime? Here in Brazil we have no such law neither any law that makes spam a crime. I believe obligating these stupid people to pay some money to people they send spam would descrease A LOT the amount of unwanted messages we get everday...
Fabio - Sumare/Sao Paulo/Brazil/South America/Earth/Solar System/Milky Way/Universe
http://www.morroida.com.br
the power of noisemakers. When you know it is a telemarketer, just set the phone next to any of the following for an extended period of time. Say . . . 5 minutes. -A blender -A garbage disposal -A TV/Radio speaker -You ass after eating beans -etc. Remember, they pay for those calls. Make them earn em!
I tried unsubscribing and sending complaints via email. Next day I received some more email from them, so I actually openned and read some of them and they all offered me GREAT deals on cool merchandise.
Hello friends, how would you like to make some easy money?
... (hmm... accentuated silence!)
human: Sure!
It's simple, all you have to do is listen to this message, follow a simple procedure and BOOM! its money in your pocket
human:
Simply send 10 dollars to the following address, or leave us your credit card details, and we'll send you all the information you need to complain about us! Yes, it is that simple!
c - a blessed +5 grain of salt
Schroeter, who already works at home and consequently hates telemarketing calls more than the average person...
right...
he hates telemarketers more on average then i do, just like i'm smarter then the average person and drive better then the average driver.
--------------------------------------------
Customers are taking to many free napkins...
The key here is persistance. Its amazing how almost anyone will crumble when faced with a legal threat. Think about the way Scientologists went after slashdot, thats how I go after spammers. I may even be on thin legal ice so to speak, but the mere threat of the law usually sees these guys settle. At the moment, its cheaper for them to do this.
Its also worth noting that I am Canadian which makes it a whole lot more complicated (and therefore expensive) from a legal perspective.
I would urge slashdotters to take up my hobby, it takes about 1hr/week and can be very lucrative.
and we just got (pinky in mouth) One Million...oh wait, this is enemy territory....never mind...
You know, $500 is not a lot. Especially compared to the actual cost of a lawsuit. The number of people who know their rights, and properly preserve the evidice is low. It might just be part of business-as-usual for YourHomeCareer.com to pay those who know the law.
They get PR (and all PR is good PR), come across as "ok, we did something wrong but we're good upstanding people who are willing to be good members of the community and make amends." They come out smelling like roses for a fairly paltry sum. It's a wonderful thought.
=Blue(23)
LITTLE GIRL: But which cookie will you eat FIRST? C. MONSTER: Me think you have misconception of cookie-eating process.
(I was on the fence about putting this out as someone may start doing it, but...)
I received a phone call a few months ago. The call rang once and ended before I could pick it up. When I checked the Caller ID (never go home without it) it had a number outside of my area code with a label, "Prize Claim Dept" attached.
When I checked the area code it was somewhere in the Carribean. I have seen more than a few jobs listed in the classifieds that had similar numbers, charging $20 a minute (legally) without warning.
This was pretty crafty, though. First, they get you to initiate the call, making it much easier for them to get your money. Second, if there ever was a problem, they could easily argue that they dialed the wrong number, realized it, then hung up. They didn't expect you to call them.
Ethically lacking, but pretty crafty.
Well, you wouldn't necessarily get $10000, but the telemarketing firm would have to pay that in fines if you request that you take your name off their list and they do not do that.
I've worked for a telemarketer before (yes, I have been to hell and back), and I k now for a fact that we were required to immediately, upon request, take a person or business' name and information off our list without any questions asked. If we did not, the firm was risking a $10000 fine. This is federal law. If a telemarketer continues to bug you after requesting that your name be taken off this list, just remind them if this little law.
// file: mice.h
#include "frickin_lasers.h"
This also explains why some telemarketers would be sending people money. They'd rather pay $500 to $2500 instead of $10000. This is just a way to keep people from saying anything.
// file: mice.h
#include "frickin_lasers.h"
What's so hard about writing down what time they called and if they call when they're not suppose to to send a letter?
Free Mac Mini
A local telemarketer has ignored my do-not-call requests seven times in the past two years. At $500 a pop, that's quite a bit of money, especially when you consider the possibility of treble damages (it's obvious that they are willfully and knowingly ignoring their do-not-call list, since we've reminded them every time). I've written a letter demanding payment for damages, but how should I proceed if they ignore it? The damages are too high for small claims court. Is it worth the trouble of going for the full amount, or would it be better to lower my sights and stick with small claims? Have any of you ever (successfully) sued a telemarketer for more than $3000?
so I wouldn't know about using the law to get back at spammers (as in the article), but here in redneck country we have much more effective methods.
For example, just last Tuesday I got $574 dollars and a $200 Rolex from a salesman who failed to notice the "no solicitors" sign on my front gate. He said he'd sue for excessive force and I said he's welcome to have his other eye blacked out too, and to get the fuck out of my house before I take that spiffy suit to go with my new rolex.
Must be new to the area.
I don't receive any telephone calls from telemarketers (that block their ID), since I've got this nifty little "privacy manager" service.
:)
Basically, it just asks the caller for their name, and then prompts me whether I wanna accept or deny (similar to collect calls). I notice that nowadays I have 0 messages on my answering machine, whereas before, I'd get 2-3 junk calls a day.
Also, whenever I sign up for "advertising" promotions (kroger plus card, big bear card, etc) I use my modem line. I've actually heard someone call it, probably to the tune of once a month. I can imagine their suprise when they hear the modem on the other end.....
Karnal
See this page for a method that would surely destroy the telemarketing industry if enough companies did it.
I think it would be nice if we could get a copy of this law. Print it out, set it by the phone, wait for the telies and the start reading....
Here is more information on the state of Indiana's anti-telemarketing law that was recently passed, and everything that goes along with it.
We might not have daylight savings time, but at least we are trying to keep out telemarketers. I suggest you look over the text of the law before making any comments, since it provides many ways for people to legally call you, such as not-for-profit orgs using their own volunteers, etc. Anyway, I think it has helped tremendously, and I'm still waiting for a business to get sued over it to really enforce it. (That will be the true test of the law.)
I also believe it is being challenged by a number of groups right now. At least it is a step in the right direction. Heck, the attorney general based his entire last campaign on this issue alone.
What?
Checkout Spamcon to see if there is a local law allowing you to sue spammers.
As x approaches total apathy I couldn't care less.
I saw an ad last night for some device which I believe was sold by the sharper image which you hook up to your phoneline. The device then dectects if an autodialer has been used and then claims to delete you from their database.
As I recall it was called the telezapper. And costs around 50 bucks.
http://www.telezapper.com/
From their website:
The TeleZapper is designed to "zap" calls made by predictive dialer computers by doing two things: first, by disconnecting predictive-dialed calls before you can be connected to a live telemarketer and second, by deleting your phone number from telemarketing computer lists. Whether the TeleZapper will affect computer-dialed calls from other sources depends on the type of computer equipment and how that equipment is being used. Therefore, it may also "zap" calls from other organizations that use predictive dialer computers, such as charitable organizations, blood banks, public safety and service organizations, market researchers, opinion and political pollsters, and academic institutions.
They "delete" you from the database by sending a line disconect signal. I don't know of anyone who has used this device so I can't attest to how well it works.
Bring back the old version of slashdot.
Yeah, work from home by just picking up telemarketers' calls, and then collect the loot...
Say no to software patents.
When ever telemarketers call me, i usually play songs on the keypad. mary had a little lamb usually goes over well
--JonnyBlog
Does Canada have a similar law regarding to this as well?
kawai
File a separate suit over each incident in which they called you illegally. I would guess that the small claims court's limit would allow for a $500 suit. (Wouldn't it?)
It'll be slightly more of a pain in the ass for you, and you'll have to pay the seven filing fees, but it's probably easier and cheaper than hiring a lawyer and going to a full regular court over it.
Most telemarketing systems call a bunch of people (say 4) at a time, then connect the first person who picks up to the available operator. That way they don't waste time on people who aren't home, etc. This is why you get so many hangups when you answer your phone....they don't need you anymore.
"Hey, asdasd!
Do you want to get rid of all those spammers? You can earn BIG MONEY by suing them.. bla bla bla...
Just click here to buy the unique 'How to sue the bad guys' whitepaper for just 9.99!
This is a one time opportunity! Request it now and get instant access to our pr0n affiliates for free!"
Pennsylvania just passed a law that could make telemarketers liable for up to $3000 for each call. The new law allows residents to be placed on a "Do Not Call" list. The list will be made publicly available to telemarkets, and if they make the call then they get zapped with the fine. Here is the press release.
Here in NJ, when most of these companies are located out west or south, it's easy. I sue for 499 a pop, they never show, auto judgement for me, and if they refuse to pay I can fill out and file for free an asset seizure on their bank accounts.
The deal is that anything sent to my business domain name is for business (in or out). I clearly have a statement at the bottom of the site that states that unsolicited email will result in an hourly charge, with a two hour minimum for my services and time. The judges here crack up when they see that, but they have yet to rule against me. I just don't do it enough to be annoying to them.
Specifically, I have filters with auto responders in place stating that the email was unsolicited and that I reserve the right to bill them for time and expenses per my companies standard policy. My email details that they should remove me from their list and immediately disclose the source from which they acquired my private email (which is NOT listed on the site or given out freely on the net). If they don't respond, fine, if they respond negatively or I recieve email from them again unsolicited, I sue. If they actually hand over their source for the mail address (a few have), I sue that company for disclosing my private email and information without permission (that suit is automatic by the way in NJ).
Most just remove me and don't send any more mail, a few are irate and spam me some more or repsond directly in a derisive way (they get sued), a couple have given me their sources and remove me from the list, and a few even apologize (usually the larger, more legitimate outfits).
So far I have spent about four hours in court (I only make 175-200 an hour, so I profited here) and about six hours on the net or working towards filtering and responding. I laugh my ass off at the ireate repsonses, and even more when I have their bank acount frozen until they pay their legal obligation to me settled by default in small claims court.
If you live in the UK here's how to stop unwanted telephone marketing and fax spam, just go to these wonderful web sites and sign up. It really is as simple as that.
http://www.tps-online.org.uk/
http://www.fps-online.org.uk/
These are the links to the telephone preference service and fax preference service.
Telemarketeers are not allowed to call you by law if you are signed up to these services. And any half decent telemarketeer with respect them (I know that's an oxymoron) otherwise they won't be in business for long.
> What's your personal cash-won record?
Telemarketing his highly profitable. I *can* make 2000 dollars
a week, working from home, and being my own boss.
Even a wyoming highschool dropout can do this
If things go as planned, I will retire at the tender age of 35, married to a russian
woman, and grow my penis upto 25".
--
1. Answer the phone politely. Determine that it's a telemarketer.
2. Say "One moment please."
3. Put the phone down and go about your business for 5-10 minutes.
4. Pick up the phone, say cheerfully "Hello!", (telemarketer reminds you), say cheerfully "Sorry, of course! Just a sec."
5. GOTO 3.
I watched a friend's mother waste someone's time for close to an hour this way...
==================================
neophase
When you know it is a telemarketer, just set the phone next to any of the following for an extended period of time.
Nahhh.... too easy
You should piss about with them insted. eg
Them: Selling double-glassing (very common in UK)
You: Sorry mate, my house dosnt have any windows (over time, tell em you live in a nuclear bunker or something)
Them: "I'm carrying out a survay for..."
You: HAHA.... so am I !!! What are the chances of that!!!
Just keep 'em on the line and wind them up for as long as possable until they tell you to fuck off and slam the phone down! :-)
The other alternative is yor very own free porn chatline. Just talk dirty for a bit and see how long it takes 'em to hang up
Anyone quoted by a reporter knows how little they understand
Don't believe what you read is the truth.
I have been doing work in a lot of Insurance Agency offices and a lot of them have war-dialers. THey start @ 9am CST and stop @ 5pm CST and start @ XXX-0000 and dial to XXX-9999. They generate reports and call back those that get machines at a different time of the day.
I HATE FUCKERS THAT CALL ME WITH THAT SHIT. It fucking drives me NUTS. Everyone I know hates that automated calling shit.
One office set it up 2 weeks ago and last week they had 4 appointments based off the calls and 2 new accounts created.
The other office I know that uses it averages 5 new accounts per month from that machine
We hate them - yet they are suprisingly effective and cheap to own/use
The ultimate network admin tool needs HELP!
... two month after such a stunt, you hire a new guy whose name happens to be Feynman. The poor rookie will get all those cranky telemarketers' calls...
Say no to software patents.
Unfortunately, most people don't know this, and are buying devices that quietly send a signal that sounds like the 'number disconnected' tone when you pick up the line, just to cut down on the problem. Make the telemarketers shell out the cash, not yourself!
Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
I always use my cell phone number whenever I give out my number to anyone. In fact, since my non-cell phone belongs to my roomate, I don't really have any other number to give. In any case, while I used to get phone solicitations on a regular basis, I've gotten exactly 3 since I got the cell phone almost a year ago. Yes, I could have sued for $1500 (3x$500), and I may have won, but it wasn't worth it for me, because they stopped.
It's really nice getting zero telephone solicitations. Unfortunately, I can't sign up for USPS payment services (can't give them a cell phone number, has to be your home number), and had to fudge the truth when I signed up for Netbank (can't give them a cell phone number, so I gave them my efax voice-mail). I probably would have given the USPS my efax voice-mail number, but then they started asking for my SSN and my driver's license number, and I thought that was a little too ridiculous.
There have to be five articles a week on Slashdot about some schlub who got some money from a spammer or telemarketer! Give it a rest already!
- Have a picture
If you participate in that kind of infantile behavoir, telemarketers will put you down as 'not home' and you'll be called again and again and again until you bother to act like an adult.
Okay, I've been a telemarketer, and let me tell you that the job sucked enough as it was, without clowns like you thinking they where being cute by attempting to screw with us. (There where plenty of people who tried to screw with us, by the way, so the telemarketer you talk to has probably heard it all already.)
Look, for a while, working as a telemarketer paid the bills pretty well, compared to other jobs you can get as an undergrad student. If you don't want telemarketing calls, just ask to be put on the company's do not call list, which every company must have by law. And be nice to the HUMAN on the other side of the phone. They're just trying to make a living.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be the name of a store, not a government agency.
Here's how! Get your name and number on everyone's telemarketing list, and then sue them when they call.
For more information, send your (certified) check for $500 to [ADDRESS CENSORED]!!!!
Fascism starts when the efficiency of the government becomes more important than the rights of the people.
...for my mother at X-mas. It emits a tone everytime the line is picked up. Last I heard, the number of crap calls had noticeably dropped. I don't know if telemarketers will be able to work around it either. They'd be fools to not program their auto-dialers to listen for those tones and remove the "bad" numbers from their list. Someone will probably think of something though.
um, any way to to block stories from the 'please-kiss-this-man' department? it's not really my lifestyle choice.
go get it
Anyone else find it extremely funny that someone called 'prisoner' also works for the RIAA? :)
Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
One of our local TV stations did a feature on it. They determined that it doesn't work very well at all.
Article is here
My problem is worse then spam and soliciters, it's faxes. The kicker is I don't even have a fax machine. I finally borrowed one from a friend so I could get the number to call back and cancel but it takes time, and fax spamers don't seem to care what time it is, I get calls at 2am with no regard for the fact I am sleeping.
Most of them marketing faxes, some are from large companies who say they can't figure out were the fax is comming from (I haven't gotten any since my last call so I hope they figured it out), one is from the Nigeria scam. This is crazy, there needs to be a law regarding caller ID on faxes, If I hadn't borrowed a fax machine I would still be unable to call them. It's illigal to fax unsolicited, but I have to pay for the fax machine to find out who it is?
I would change phone numbers but I've had this one for about 6 months now, at first it was not bad but it got 100 times worse since then. Based on some of the faxes I am quessing my number used to belong to a realestate agency.
iRepairIT - iPhone, Mac, & PC Repair
Collecting money is not that easy, and not that cheap. I had a service business for many years, and had to deal with a lot of deadbeats. Getting judgements was not the problem. Collecting the money was. Even if you already have the bank account info, and even if there's money in it, it costs a lot to collect it. At the very least, you have to get an abstract of judgement, then there's a fee to file the lien. Last time I did this, the courthouse fees alone were almost $200. On top of that, there's another fee to actually get the money from the offender's account. You have to pay this up front- the marshalls won't just take a commission, like lawyers will.
I know I'm just preaching to the choir here, but...
Telemarketing should be outlawed. Seriously. All it does is annoy people and invade their privacy, and for what? So someone can get an easy paycheck? Come on. Get off your you-know-what, find a real job, and stop supporting an industry that does NOTHING but piss people off.
I pledge allegiance to the flag...
of the Corporate States of America...
Put your phone number in a newspaper, make it cheap, do it once and advertise you will "rate the telemarketers expertise for $1000 a call"
Simply answer the phone, get the pitch, request the address and phone number of the company.
Then, mail them a bill.
Once the bill is mailed, wait two weeks and file a lawsuit suing the company for not meeting a contractual agreement. Keep a copy of the ad handy and you will win in court.
I actually heard about a friend who did this and won. He did it quite often, he got quite a bit of money the first year. Now, he rarely ever gets calls.
Might be worth a try.
Larry Parker got me, 2.1 Million....
Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
You know, the company might actually be happy about the whole thing.
Many people read their website name in that article.
Sometimes even negative publicity is good publicity. Unfortunate but true, they are likely to get some sales as a result of that.
Just because it CAN be done, doesn't mean it should!