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That's a bit odd as even if Telstra Wholesale had sold one or more services to Optus for re-sale (as happens quite a fair bit), Telstra Retail aren't permitted any access to that information (other than that a service, cable-pair, etc) have been sold and are in use (no end user details whatever).Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzzer
About 15 years ago, some low-life stole my wallet whilst I was in the bank. I spent the rest of the day cancelling everything and getting replacements. When I went to renew my driver's license I fronted up with absolutely no ID at all, no cards, nothing. Gave them my name and address and all the license classes I held and they took my photo and issued me with a new one, it was suprisingly easy. So I asked them what was to stop the person who stole my license from claiming to be me and needing a new license. They could give all my details and even use some of my other (non-photo) cards to back up their claim to be me.They would then get a new license in my name but with their picture on it.
Them: "Oh no sir, it's never happened"
Me: "How would you know?"
Them: (with puzzled look on face) "Oh I'm sure it's never happened, we've never heard of it happening"
Me: "Proves my point doesn't it, they must have gotten away with it"
Them::confused: :confused:
Mick (pretty sure now that it didn't happen, but you never know, do you?:p )
So do I now. If it's private, I don't answer. Overseas calls come in on the display as 'overseas' so they get answered and immediately hung up on. Just to cost them the call.Quote:
Originally Posted by clubbyr8
Quote:
Originally Posted by journeyman Mick
Sooooo........... Mick!!
Or is it JOE!!!.
Ya covers blown buddy, time to fess up.
Al :mad: :p
I like to play with these callers, too. If they are silly enough to start by asking "How are you today", I launch into a long sad story of woe and strife that would bring tears to your eyes. Once, a young caller asked me "Is all that true?".
An Indian call centre person once claimed to be Optus, so I said they couldnt be Optus as Optus wouldnt call from India when they were just down the road. They gave up.
Most local pests hang up quick when I interrupt them and ask "Have you accepted Jesus as your personal saviour today?"
I look forward to these calls.
Barrie
Got one tonight, Bloke from dowtown Bangaldesh, asked if
"this was the Smith household?"
I quickly replied, sorry mate no-one by that name here, you must have dailed the wrong number & hung up.
Bruce C.
The names have been changed to protect the identities of the innocent.......me
I have been the subject of a crank caller for some time now. I work nights and every two or three months I will get a series of phone call at about 10.30 or so in the morning and this lasts for several weeks before stopping for a while. Just enough to wake me up and then they ring off.
This has been happening for about seven or eight years now.
At one time I bought a caller ID thingy but it only showed the number calling me as being private.
Occassionally I am up at that time anyway and manage to pick up th ephone on the second or third ring. I don't sat anything, I just listen. After a couple of seconds the line goes dead.
Apart from getting in touch with the phone company, does anyone have a good way of dealing with this? How can I find out who is harassing me? If I rout the call through my computer (using a modem as an answering machine) will it give me the number ringing?
I would love to able to phone this moron straight back and let them know that I am on to him/her.
If caller ID doesn't show the number, nothing will.
1.You could have Telstra intercept all calls.
2.You could take the phone off the hook whil you are asleep.
3.You could put a fax machine on the line & let it answer the phone while you are asleep.... it will pick up after 2 rings & squeal in their ear.
In the states you could hit *69 and it re-dialled the last person who called. It was quite funny when they answered with their name - once you had their name and phone number - you owned them.
My neighbour got a few irate calls in the middle of the night and dialed the *69 the next day. His (other) neighbour's wife answered, using her name. Big Bill confronted little Joe in the driveway that evening - it weren't pretty. Joe was apparently ticked off about Bill's noisy ute, but didn't want to confront him over it.
<!-- / message -->No I didn't. Doh!Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrie Restall
Like *10# here?Quote:
Originally Posted by Groggy
But it doesn't work with blocked numbers. :(
I would rather do it without involving telstra et al. I know that when somebody dials into a modem then their number is registered in a log (leastways, that happens when using FreeBSD) so I wondered if the same was true if they dialled into an answering machine on my computer?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Willson
If you get to the phone say nothing but tap the reciever with a pencil 3 times loudly, do this every time, they don't know what the noise is and worry its being traced.
Rgds
Only 2 ways that can happen....Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Willson
1. caller ID from the telephone network & the crank caller can block that by using a private number, a payphone or dialing an ID blocking prefix.
2. the computer device from the calling end provides it to the computer device answering at your end & I doubt a crank caller would be using a computer to call you.
Oh, OK, that explains why the modem supplies the calling number when they connect via a modem. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers
That's what I thought. Another reason I took a dislike to him.Quote:
So why didn't he ask if you were Darren instead of asking if Leanne was there? Easier to hassle a lady than a gent?
Many thanks for the extra excellent ideas. Luv your work!
I will add them to
"You want me to what" [in a rising crescendo] followed by hysterical laughter and a hang up.
"Hang on while I grab a pen" then go and have that coffee or polish that bit of wood.
"You have reached a secure line and you are required by law to declare your name and number"
"As this call has been logged and you have been identified - please confirm your supervisor's details, age, sex, status"
"As you have breached my privacy it is a necessary requirement for you to connect me to your supervisor's supervisor"
If it has been one of those daze and I don't really want to play then -
"Listen, if you are selling, sueing, soliciting or interested in sex and travel - then F off"
Regards,
Bob
:D:):D
Organise for a new, silent number. Usually you have to pay for this, but - not sure here - if you have a reason like harassing or obscene calls, it may be free.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Willson
Otherwise, have a whistle handy next to the phone.
Hi Bob,
I had a similar problem, many calls with no-one there when answered. I got Telstra to put a trace on them and they said it was an automatic dialing from some company and that it would switch the call to any available operator if it was answered. If there was no available operator it just hung. Telstra can get you off the company's list (I have had no more trouble). They also told me to leave the phone off the hook for 5 minutes as the company pays for the time, just a little revenge.
Might be worth a try if all else fails.
Regards,
Barrie
I have had a silent number for years and almost never get telemarketing calls. ~1/year. The problem is that if I phoned any of you guys that don't pick up the phone if it says "private" then I wouldn't have the joy of talking about woody things.:D :D
I have to answer the private calls as I am on call for my work(a BIG govt organisation) and their phone always comes up as private.
The carrier will still have the 'A' party number though - so, Bob, get onto the carrier and have them set up an automated trace.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers
Had a telemarketing call this afternoon from the local office of a private audiometry provider trying to flog a 'free' hearing test for people over a certain age. They asked for either SWMBO or me by name. Told them I wasn't interested & hung up, then rang their national office to find out where they got our names from. From a previous phone book says the spiv on the end. Ordure of the oxen, says I, our names aren't in the book. Spiv tries to change the subject, tells me what a great free service they are offering, blah blah blah.
What concerns me is that we have both recently reached 'a certain age' and have applied for Senior cards, so I'm wondering if this information is being given to them by a government department. In any case, I've written to the company, my state & federal politicians and the state & federal privacy commissions. If I don't get any answers from the company, I might just have to enquire in person at their local 'surgery', and you can bet it will be at a very busy time....:mad:
Alex
Push a bit harder.
The place to start is with the CEO of the private audiometry outfit. I recommend that you ring him and tell him, politely but firmly, that you are very, very angry at the entire notion your names should have become available to his organisation and you absolutely demand to know how he (emphasise 'he' because he is ultimately responsible) came by them and who gave and/or sold him your names and details. Tell him your privacy has been invaded, this is illegal and you will be pursuing the matter with the intention of taking legal action against him and his company if he doesn't cough up the identity of the source of his information.
Then sit back and watch the fun!
These bastards are getting away with some highly unethical practices and they need to be jerked around a bit.
Col
Recieved an e-mail today with this link
http://h20271.www2.hp.com/SMB-AP/cac...sotsep/article
This taken from the article
"You have reached accounts. Please enter your 16-digit credit card number."
Sounds okay. And let's be honest, you are responding to that 'official' email you've just received from your bank.
Apparently your account has been locked – do you remember unsuccessfully trying to login three times last week? You're not sure, but it is possible. Now an email from your bank is asking you to call a particular phone number so that you can have your account unlocked. All you have to do is verify your account and identity.
So, do you enter your credit card number?
Maybe you'd better think about it just a little bit longer. If you do pass on your details, you might just be one of many who are falling victim to the latest type of fraud, vishing.
Specifically a form of hi-tech crime, vishing is little more than 'voice' phishing. It can come from a simple phone call directly to you home, from that phone number listed on the email you just received, from an auto phone-dialling process, or even through your Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service.
In fact, it's actually VoIP that is proving to be a true boon for vishers as callers are able to remain anonymous as they generate massive volumes of calls for little – if any – costs. Once the call is made they can then fake their identity as it comes up on your call display, making their name and number appear to come from a legitimate source, such as your credit card company or bank.
There's plenty of vish in the mainstream
With VoIP increasingly moving into the mainstream, there seems little doubt that fraudsters will be increasing their attacks.
So what can you do to protect yourself? While various VoIP providers, such as Skype™, currently block outgoing caller IDs on their communications to effectively ensure fake details cannot be sent, many other providers don't provide this service.
And while companies are also working on specific filters to help block such phone messages in similar ways that spam is blocked, there is currently little hardware or software in place to help protect people; and until specific protection such as online banking authentication systems are adequately used and available, many people will fall victim.
Don't be a vish out of water
Today, even as many and varied forms of protection are being developed to help ensure your data, software, and hardware remains safe and secure, when it comes to vishing, a little common sense might just go a long way.
If you can't identify the caller from their caller ID, let your voice mail pick it up. You can decide later whether to call back.
Never reveal your personal information – a tactic that works in every fraud attempt. You wouldn't disclose the same information when you receive an unsolicited email from your bank, why would you to an unsolicited phone call?
When you receive any call purporting to be from your credit card provider that you're not one hundred percent sure of, simply hand up and call the phone number on the back of the credit card. If it turns out this was a fraud attempt, you can then report the vishing attempt to both your VoIP provider and your bank.
And when worse comes to worse and you feel you've been successfully stung by a fraudster, make sure you contact your bank or credit card company immediately and that you report you card number as stolen.
Answering a call can be a great thing, but sometimes it's nice to get a close call, instead.
Was your call realy from the bank Darren ?
This is a great thread! I get about 3 calls a week from people from phone companies I have never heard of speaking in a language sort of like English. One caller actually told me they were calling from India and seemed to know a fair bit about my personal details - I asked how come they knew so much and this idiot said they had checked my credit standing through the national credit rating organisation (can't think of its proper name right now)! She was probably right as she knew details your general telemarketer would not know.
If I am feeling a bit frivolous I let them go through all the guff, tell them I will consider changing over if I can speak to the supervisor, and when it gets to the crunch where they start recording the voice contract I give them a mouthful of unpleasant language.
Have at times asked if the caller is interested in phone sex, buying my car, moving in with me if I send them some money, etc.
As a last resort I put my 17 year old son on - he has a computer file with stock quotes from movies etc and he can summon up a response appropriate to their questions very quickly from the file - they get the idea sooner or later and hang up. Love helping htem spend their money! Mongrels!
Still like the Seinfeld response "Can you give me you home phone number so that I can ring you when it is inconvenient to you?"
They seem to hang up quickly after that.
I got a letter today, Addressed to my full name at the street address, & using the techo name of the suburb.:confused: (Hardly anybody ever uses the techo name for our suburb, we all just say Cairns 'cos it is close enough & everybody knows where that is.)Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexS
It starts out.... Dear Clifton. :cool:
Now I know this has to have come from a Gubment Dept file 'cos only me Mum & the policeman call me Clifton. :rolleyes: :D
I also know that there are only about 3 or 4 Gubment Depts that insist on using the street address & not our PO Box.
All our bank statements, magazines subscriptions, telephone accounts, electricty accounts, council rates notices, Dr.s, Dentist, even me Mum knows to use the PO Box.
It is titled "This is your Fugwitz (Not there real name:rolleyes: ) Travel Ticket to the World"
And it goes on to say... "This letter is your personal invitation to a lifetime of holidays."
Blah Blah Blah Blah Waffle Waffle Waffle... within 72 hours to receive a fantastic reward for spending some time with us. (BTW. There is no date/time on the letter. :rolleyes: )
You can choose between either:
Fugwitz Holidays Accommodation Certificate for 2 adults & 2 children valid for:
-2 nights at the Gold Coast
-3 nights at Cairns (Beauty says I.)
-4 nights at NZ, Fiji, Phuket, or Penang.
Or
A $75 Coles Myer Voucher. :eek:
Strewth, what is second prize? :cool:
Bloody hell, who thinks up this crap.... {insert shake head smiley}
Signed by the Senior Vice President of Marketing.
Underneath it says that there is no obligation to purchase anything but...
On the back it tells you how much the booking administration fee is. :D
Anyway, back to the chase, whenever I subscribe to anything or give my details out, I address it to Cliff Rogers at the PO Box.
I never use the address they used.
Now I know from dealing with a couple of Gubment Depts (see earlier post) that they are somewhat reluctant to part with any info so this narrows it down to the State Dept of Motor Transport (why the Copper calls me Clifton :rolleyes: ) & the electoral roll.
I just checked my driver's license & it says Cairns so it must be the electoral roll..... bugger.:mad:
Must be the electoral roll. This is freely available for perusal by anyone without charge at the electoral office.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers
May even be available on line now.
Peter.
"Do you have flybuys sir?"
Why do we give information on our spending habits to a marketing organisation for the reward of a free T Shirt after you have spent $10,000
I think that you will find that some local councils sell a list of property owners which would have your full name etc. I have heard of Real Estate Agents using them and they are on disc and not a hard copy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers
I agree Col, and what fun it can be!Quote:
Originally Posted by Driver
I had intended to do what you said with the CEO (& other directors), but you now have to pay to get that info from ASIC. That's why I've sooled the local pollies on to them. After all, you don't keep a dog and bark yourself, do you.:D
My name is not on the property at the street address.Quote:
Originally Posted by baxter
Interrupt spiel, sorry some one at door, very interested please hang on.
leave off hook 10/15 min's. their cost. :)
What I've never been able to understand is why all these telemarketers talk exactly like Peter Sellers.
???????? Goodness gracious me!
Quite so: One wonders just where and through which channels this information is made commercially available. It erks me no end :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Driver
Well, today I received a letter from the company, addressed to Mr., but with my wife's given name. Thanked me for speaking with them, but said nothing about where they got our names from. It was just their standard advertising spiel.
I shall retire tothe workshop to consider my next move.:D
AlexQuote:
Originally Posted by AlexS
I agree that you don't want to waste money on ASIC just to get the CEO's name but you probably don't need to. I've found the simplest way to get the name is to call the company and just ask. Something simple, like this:-
"G'day, can you please tell me the name of your CEO or general manager or chairman? I want to write to them and I think it's important to get their name right."
Most switchboard operators / receptionists will give you the name (and the correct spelling and title) without demur. If they ask for your name - and, in my experience, that's very rare - give it to them by all means. If they ask if you would like to speak to the relevant PA or secretary, accept the invitation. This may give you an opportunity to speak to the head honcho so have your complaint ready and give him or her both barrrels.
When I ran a biggish organisation, I used to insist on taking any call of this kind myself. I trained switchboard operators always to try to put such callers through to me directly or, if I was unavailable, to get a name and number so I could call back. The thought was that you never know how important these things are until one blows up in your face. Roughly 80% of such calls were a fair dinkum waste of my time but I was pretty good at getting rid of those calls - better than my switchboard operators, I reckon.
It's obvious that the CEO of the mob you're dealing with isn't in touch with what's going on in his own outfit or they wouldn't be stuffing up your name and your wife's like this. Pretty sloppy. I'll bet they're not a big outfit so it wouldn't take a lot of effort to get these things right.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexS
Give 'em hell!
Col