Soon after I retired, the scam calls began. Seems they want to separate me from my Social Security money using a variety of silly reasons. As long as I can't seem to stop the calls, this morning I decided to have a little fun with it. The goal was to get them to hang up on me.
There are those who call me by name. So those I told that she had died 3 days ago and nobody could talk to them until after the funeral. CLICK.
Some try to sell me home improvement items. New windows. New house siding. Other various and assorted items. So when they ask if I am the home owner, I proudly tell them that yes, I am the owner of the pretty blue tent pitched down along the riverbank. CLICK.
Then there are the ones who offer "End of Life" insurance. I let them run through all of the stellar benefits for me and my family. And when they ask my age to see if I qualify, I tell them I am 97 years old. CLICK.
And then there is the ever popular "Car Warranty" scam. Let them go through their script right up to the place where they asked the make and model of my car. When I told them that I do not own a car, CLICK.
Sometimes you just need to make your own fun!
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I'm proud of you! Keep it up, ma'am!
ReplyDeleteAw...Thanks, Rev. I kind of think those scammers forgot the part where we "oldies" are retired and have all the time in the world to think up stuff to mess with them. :)
ReplyDeleteI understand many of those that make the calls are only trying to keep their job. Still, they usually know of the scam they're pushing, and like the vitamin, pain relief, miracle fish oil supplements, tinnitus relief, Medicare advantage, weight-loss products based on junk science, and personal injury attorneys, it's a constant chatter of BS that never seems to end. Playing with their heads keeps them sharp, and I'm glad you make a strong effort to keep them on their toes.
ReplyDeleteJess, I really hope you are just joking.
DeleteI'm one hundred percent behind you. I don't get many calls, but now have started getting texts from different places, including political ads. I don't know how some found my phone numbers, but it's irritating, and if I could find a way to turn the tables on them, I would jump at the opportunity. Maybe a text that bombards them with texts, and keeps them busy for hours deleting them.
DeleteJess...I'm thinking maybe a blow horn, but my apartment neighbors might not appreciate that!
DeleteI finally gave up trying to get rid of the idiots so my only other alternative was to just mess with them. I am old. I have time. Sometimes it is just fun to screw with fools!!
I had one that kept calling, Vicki. It was a collection agency looking for someone who I didn't know. The same agent kept calling, day after day, getting nastier every time. She called me one Sunday morning at 8:00am. I told her that I wasn't who she was looking for and that she'd woken me up early on my day off. She said "AWWW, Is That all it takes to make you mad? Poor booooyyy!" Yes, she really said that! I told her that the next time she called I was going to blow a police whistle into the phone. I hung up. She called back! I indeed did blow a police whistle into the phone and then hung up. She CALLED BACK and said "I can't believe you blew a whistle into the phone! I can't hear anything now!!!" I said "well, next time, BELIEVE ME!!!" and hung up. She NEVER CALLED AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteI have no time for these people...
One more thing for you everyone out there: When you answer the phone, don't answer with "Yes?" If someone calls you and asks if you're (insert your name here), don't say "Yes." That "Yes" can be used as a digital approval signature, setting you up to pay for whatever they're selling without you ever knowing it until you get a bill! Answer with "Hello" or the like; never "Yes?" If they ask your name, say "Who are YOU?" It sets them back on their heels. If they don't hang up it forces them to identify as the salesmen they are so you can hang up immediately. If they don't tell you who they are, well, also hang up immediately...
ReplyDeletePete...Might just have to give one of my kids a call and ask them to pick up a whistle for me. Sounds like fun and might just persuade a few to leave me alone.
DeleteI never, ever utter the word "Yes" when dealing with spammers. There is one who instructs me to say 'yes' to talk to some specialist. My response - "I would just be delighted to converse with your specialist."
Saw a cartoon some time back. It was a little lady of about my vintage, settling into a rocking chair with a cup of tea and a blowhorn. Caption - "Getting ready for spam calls."
Take good care. It is already 9 degrees below zero here and the temp is dropping. Thank God my apartment stays warm!!