Can you hear me

[JackDidley]

Pisses me off. I got the call today. Been hearing about this for a year or more. Phone rings, I say hello and the guy on the other end says who he is and, can you hear me ok ? I say no and he hangs up. It seems if one answers and says yes, the caller will add charges to your phone bill or credit card and use his recording as proof that you agreed to buy whatever he is selling. I hate scammers. If you get the call from 719 327 5147 just say no.

[sammyg2]

If the caller's name isn't in my phone book, I don't answer.
If it's legit, they'll leave a message and I'll call back

[Baz]

I never answer the phone. Except in extreme cases where I am expecting the call and can identify the caller through caller ID. Other than that - they can just leave a message, if it's important enough.

Otherwise I use email almost exclusively.

I just got a Magic Jack and can't wait to install it. It has a built in anti-spam program!

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

If the caller's name isn't in my phone book, I don't answer.
If it's legit, they'll leave a message and I'll call back

I normally do the same but I have some stuff listed on Craigs list so I sort of need to answer.

[pwd72s]

Getting you to say yes is an old scam...just answer the "can you hear me?" by asking again..."who is this and what do you want?"

I sometimes have fun with callers if they're not recorded robo calls. I got one the other day..a young guy's voice; "Grandpa?" I asked who..was told he was my favorite grandson. I said, "lemme guess, you're in a jam and need money." He hung up. Damn..I really wanted to hear a tale of woe, how to send the money..all of it. That before telling him the truth..I have no grandchildren.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

I normally do the same but I have some stuff listed on Craigs list so I sort of need to answer.

They will leave a message asking if the item is still available.

[Jeff Higgins]

The trick I've been getting now is a guy asking "is Debbie there?", or whatever female name he makes up. When you say he has the wrong number, he goes into this "well then, perhaps you are interested in...".

I now respond with "how do you know Debbie? Is this some kind of a sick joke? If you really do know her, you would know we held her funeral last week. Who the hell are you?"

[GH85Carrera]

I had a scammer call and ask if Debbie was there. Several times I said no, and hung up. He called back one too many times. Finally I said yes. He asked if he could talk to her, and I said not right now she has my *ick in her mouth. He hung up.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

The trick I've been getting now is a guy asking "is Debbie there?", or whatever female name he makes up. When you say he has the wrong number, he goes into this "well then, perhaps you are interested in...".

I now respond with "how do you know Debbie? Is this some kind of a sick joke? If you really do know her, you would know we held her funeral last week. Who the hell are you?"

Got that 2 times last week only it was Harry. I said, Harry who ? He did not know the last name.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

I normally do the same but I have some stuff listed on Craigs list so I sort of need to answer.

If you've put your number on the ad as you just about need to do these days, tell them to text first that you don't answer calls. Ligit users will understand because what it has come to, no one does or should directly answer a call. Businesses don't, why should you?

[Bill Douglas]

I had one from China calling me to say my internet with *** will be cut off. I explained that *** is a retailer, a different retailer even, and the internet infrastructure is owned by *** and you better get your facts right you lousy c*** if you are going to try and rob me. It seemed to work.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Zeke

If you've put your number on the ad as you just about need to do these days, tell them to text first that you don't answer calls. Ligit users will understand because what it has come to, no one does or should directly answer a call. Businesses don't, why should you?

My cell phone is my business phone. I answer all calls, and I never know if it is legit or not until I answer. I spent 5 minutes with a customer on the phone last year while I was on vacation. In the 5 minutes, I answered his question, and sent an email to a vendor to make a print for me and I would pick it up when I returned and I made over 300 bucks. I provided customer service and made a good customer happy. All because I answer all calls.