How can I please get rid of these scum-bags from India or some other country trying to call me about my Windows PC, when I don't even own a Windows PC.
And it's always around 7pm in the evening.
Arrsssee holes!!!!
Here is a good video of their ways...
www.wired.co.uk/article/malwarebytes
As with the Gumtree scammers I see it as my duty to keep them on the phone for as long as possible and to make dealing with me as infuriating as possible I have used many ploys and obfuscations to delay and waste their time. I just use the speaker phone and go on about about my normal activities. Like when they tell you to go to your computer and turn it on....... make it last as long as possible and then 'realise' - "Oooooh this is the Apple one. The windows must be the other one. A good laugh is "- I can't seem to Logon, Do you know what my logon is? Well you're from Microsoft can't you tell me?". Or follow along as long as you can to their instructions and when they're just about to get their info say "Oh sorry the man delivering my money has just arrived, I need to get my forklift, bye."
I have had a few that ended up pretty damn funny when they realised what I was up to. At that stage they would just call me for a laugh. I had one group who tried a girl in hopes in might lower my gaurd. It didn't but it was hilarious when they tried calling back a week later and I asked to speak to that pretty girl. He goes oh yes I'll just transfer you now. The transfer was to a bloke who put on a stupid girl's voice, they laughed, I laughed we all laughed it was a very good laugh. They don't call now. Shame, I miss the banter.
Dunno about with scammers but telemarkers and survey mobs use an auto dialer. When it hears you say "hello" it then puts you thru to a person in their centre. That's why you usually are almost getting out your second "hello"as they are coming online.
So if you get that pause of nothing (and especially if it is around the time they all call) - hit heaps of random buttons on your phone real quick then hang up. Their computer will hear beep beep beep etc and think your phone is actually a fax or modem line.
It will mark your number as do not use from now on.
By far the simplest and most effective technique is to just hang up. Takes no time. Does not expose you to anything they're likely to try on. Feels quite good. Doesn't abuse some poor bugger working for peanuts in a Bangalore call centre.
I did have a fun incident when a telemarketer called and I hung up, and she called back straight away saying we had been cut off. I said we weren't cut off I hung up on her. She said it was rude to hang up on people. I said it was rude to make unsolicited phone calls ... and hung up on her.
Or just let them do their whole spiel and either say "Sorry, not interested" or "I spilled beer on it, do you have one I could buy?"
Select to expand quoteslammin said..
As with the Gumtree scammers I see it as my duty to keep them on the phone for as long as possible and to make dealing with me as infuriating as possible I have used many ploys and obfuscations to delay and waste their time. I just use the speaker phone and go on about about my normal activities. Like when they tell you to go to your computer and turn it on....... make it last as long as possible and then 'realise' - "Oooooh this is the Apple one. The windows must be the other one. A good laugh is "- I can't seem to Logon, Do you know what my logon is? Well you're from Microsoft can't you tell me?". Or follow along as long as you can to their instructions and when they're just about to get their info say "Oh sorry the man delivering my money has just arrived, I need to get my forklift, bye."
I have had a few that ended up pretty damn funny when they realised what I was up to. At that stage they would just call me for a laugh. I had one group who tried a girl in hopes in might lower my gaurd. It didn't but it was hilarious when they tried calling back a week later and I asked to speak to that pretty girl. He goes oh yes I'll just transfer you now. The transfer was to a bloke who put on a stupid girl's voice, they laughed, I laughed we all laughed it was a very good laugh. They don't call now. Shame, I miss the banter.
A couple of others ways...
- ask them to talk slower... keep asking them to talk slower, until they are talking reeaallyyy sssllloooww. Then ask them to talk a little louder.... Then tell them they are speeding up and could they talk a bit slower... repeat as required.- Tell them you are really interested in whatever they are flogging and you will call them back at home. Ask them for their home number...
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Dunno about with scammers but telemarkers and survey mobs use an auto dialer. When it hears you say "hello" it then puts you thru to a person in their centre. That's why you usually are almost getting out your second "hello"as they are coming online.
So if you get that pause of nothing (and especially if it is around the time they all call) - hit heaps of random buttons on your phone real quick then hang up. Their computer will hear beep beep beep etc and think your phone is actually a fax or modem line.
It will mark your number as do not use from now on.
Awesome tip!!! Thanks heaps.
Select to expand quotedmitri said...
we don't answer our home phone calls at all.
the answer machine does that.
The screening machine. I don't answer a phone unless I know who's calling...
We have an intercom for the door... should really upgrade it to video so I can ignore the JWs and milk salesmen too.
You can still get milk delivered to your door here and we get phone- and door-to-door salesmen a-calling.
Select to expand quoteGalahOnTheBay said..
If so - why? 
Because most residential numbers on whitepages.com.au are landline numbers and overseas telemarketers probably have used this info as a basis. It's mostly senior people who own residential landlines and that's who they exploit.
I had this issue when I had my landline and got it disconnected in 2007. However, my parents can't get over not having one. They like Loftywind get smashed (up to 40 telemarketer calls on bad day). I've given up trying to talk them into getting it disconnected and having their internet either replaced with naked ADSL or a 3G dongle. I've made it a rule now that they don't whinge it me about it 
Note: Both parents have owned mobiles for over a decade. My Mum has had the same mobile number. They have never had an issue with telemarketers on their mobiles. Their mobile numbers aren't listed on Whitepages.
J
Those were my favorite calls when I was learning English. Unfortunately they could not understand my accent when I was talking to them and they also couldn't bear when I was asking them to repeat the same sentance until I had understood each single word (which takes quite some time when you are in your first month of learning). 
However, now I hate them!
What's a "landline"?
But in all seriousness, try the do not call register. They can be prosecuted for calling numbers that are on it.
Select to expand quoteUnhook3d said..
What's a "landline"?
But in all seriousness, try the do not call register. They can be prosecuted for calling numbers that are on it.
Dude they aren't in the law to start off with. Try suing someone in Bangalore.......
Select to expand quoteslammin said..Dude they aren't in the law to start off with. Try suing someone in Bangalore.......
The Bangaloreans are working under contract to a locally based company - who will cop the prosecution.
stephen
oops......
I always put it on speaker phone, and then give the phone to my 10 year old who starts to tell them all about the rocket she is making from toilet rolls, and what colour she is going to paint it, and how she is going to sell it to NASA....blah, blah. Lot's of fun listening to their response.
Select to expand quotesn said..slammin said..Dude they aren't in the law to start off with. Try suing someone in Bangalore.......
The Bangaloreans are working under contract to a locally based company - who will cop the prosecution.
stephen
Ive spoken to the Telecommunications Ombudsman on exactly this issue; after pushing past their claim to know nothing of the issue, they admitted they are powerless. Their reasoning/excuse was that this is offshore entities calling in using VOIP, therefore non-static or prosecutable... NOT HAPPY JAN
Many years ago I heard my son answer the phone and he said in an adolescent teenage boy slur (if you know what I mean) " Ahh sorry my Daddd s not home noww"
So I asked him who it was, (he didn't know I was home) and said he didn't know but they asked for Mr Lewis.
Ever since if I am asked for my Father !!! I reply that he is not home.... And they hang up on me
I have to say I really quite enjoy them calling. I know it's crazy but I have so much fun leading them on with crazy issues that I have me and my wife and daughters rolling with laughter by the end. Our land line ring so rarely that my eldest runs to it if it rings and brings me the phone with a huge smile saying "Dad - it says from overseas..."
On Wednesday night at about 6pm we had the window's one which is the best - first I go along with everything, just to make sure they are committed and believe that I'm able to be scammed then the fun starts..
"Sorry to interrupt, but I should tell you that I download a lot of Madonna songs, like heaps, not sure if this is relevant but thought I should tell you."
"Hold on did you just say error messages? Well I am friends with Christopher Walken - not sure if that makes a difference but wanted to tell you?"
"My keyboard is not so good as I've used it several times for serving cold meats - seems like some if the oil or something has gotten in there"
"How did my computer get this virus, has someone sneezed in the internet?"
"Hold on a sec, one of the kids has got out of the cage, you think you could trust them with pickle forks"
The key is to say something really strange and then ask them how they feel about it. But always stay concerned about your computer being compromised.
Once I even pretended to patch them through to my office, which was Microsoft help line (another phone in my house). With an American accent I kept saying "Microsoft Windows - how can I be of assistance?" They said they were Microsoft and I kept saying no we are Microsoft until I suggested that they had called themselves and I could help them fix some recent unauthorised data activity on their computer. The guy actually laughed before he hung up.
I have had heaps of fun with them - hopefully me wasting their time stops some old couple getting sucked in, a mate works for consumer protection and said that it happens way more than you would imagine.
Select to expand quoteMackerel said...and milk salesmen too.
Huh?
'Milk' salesman is the 'pool' cleaners cousin, they seem to visit me heaps too when it is just the wife home.........
Jokes on them.... Because I don't even own a pool or drink milk
Select to expand quotep train said..Mackerel said...and milk salesmen too.
Huh?
'Milk' salesman is the 'pool' cleaners cousin, they seem to visit me heaps too when it is just the wife home.........
Jokes on them.... Because I don't even own a pool or drink milk
Sounds like your wife doesn't tell you everything...
