I need help for getting rid of unwanted calls.

[demgurl]

My husband and I keep getting calls from a pharmacy that wants us to order pills. We have told them time and time again that we are not interested.

I looked up call blocking but it will not block 1-800 numbers.

I wrote to the phone company asking for assistance but they wrote back stating the only thing we pay them for is a dial tone (that is word for word!) and that we should contact the do not call registry. I wrote back stating that the registry requires a phone number and/or name of the people calling but every time we request this the company hangs up on us. I asked the phone company how we were supposed to handle that and they never replied - again, I guess, because we only pay them for a dial tone.

We have threatened the pharmacy with legal action for harassment but they still keep calling. It is hard to pres charges when you dial *69 and it can not give you a number and the pharmacy hangs up when you ask for that information.

We have told the company we are on the do not call registry but they say it does not apply to them! They said we already have an account with them (yet they can provide us with nothing but a prescription we have never heard of and our name) and they say it is time to renew this false prescription so they are calling.

They refuse to recognize us not wanting these calls and they call (at a minimum) every other day if not every single day. A couple of times they have called twice in one day!

Does anyone know if there is anything we can do? Thanks!

[MichiganVote]

1. Sounds like a scam. Report them to better business or the AG office

[demgurl]

11. Can you report without a name or number?

[MichiganVote]

30. Don't know. Thought you had a number.

[demgurl]

38. I actually assumed it was a 1-800 type of number

since most long distance type of businesses have them but they wil not give it to me and *69 never works with this company. If I could just get their number and find out if it was 1-800 then I might have a chance of blocking it. I could also trace it.

[Earth_First]

2. Call your state Attorney General Office and file a complaint

Especially if other's are having similar problems and have filed similar complaints.

[mtnester]

31. If you have asked them to stop calling and they will not provide you with

info...file a charge with your state AG - even if it is a blocked number they can get that infofrom the phone company.

[Book Lover]

3. Hmmmm.. if they say they have a scrip

ask them for the name of the doctor who signed it? And the DNC has to apply to them - they are a commercial service!

[demgurl]

13. We figured the dnc did apply but they refuse to think it does.

They did talk a small bit last night and said the scrip was for something called Carisotropal????? Not even sure what that is. If I can keep them on the phone next time then I will ask for a doctor's name - maybe I can track him down googling him. Thanks for the idea.

[silverweb]

21. That's carisoprodol.

It's a muscle relaxant, trade names Soma and Vanadom. It is a restricted drug, available by prescription only, and a frequent drug of abuse on the street.

You could contact a local DEA office. I'll bet they'd be happy to try to track this caller.

[demgurl]

27. I had asked the phone company why they can not help me since

this appears it would be illegal. I am going to try the order form route mentioned below and then I will call the DEA. I do not take that and have never even heard of it. My husband and I are pretty much anti-drug anything. Thank you very much for the suggestion. I really and truly appreciate it.

[silverweb]

40. Good luck!

I'm guessing the "pharmacy" calling is based overseas, but if the DEA gets involved they may be able to deal with whatever country the caller is in and shut their operation down. If you can't get the order form, the DEA will probably request your permission to put a tracer on your phone for a while.

I once called the DEA about a house in my neighborhood that I was pretty sure was harboring addicts and possibly a dealer's operation. As a single parent with a small child, I was very concerned about activity there. They were very responsive and told me that they were aware of the house and its activity, and that they were already investigating. The place was vacated not long after.

I don't like a lot of what the DEA does, but this would certainly be a desirable and legitimate case for them to become involved in.

[demgurl]

43. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I do not know what I would do without everyone here.

[silverweb]

50. I feel exactly the same way.

DU is the best!

:hi:

[serryjw]

49. The AG or DEA will help

Sounds like a scam to me also BUT I bet these calls are coming from outside the country at which point they are helpless to stop them...Good Luck! Keep us posted

[MissB]

4. Have you ever said *this* to them:

"please put us on your do-not-call-list."

[demgurl]

9. Yes, over and over.

We have threatened law suits. We have asked for upper management. (we get hung up on) We have told them we are on the do not call list. (They claim it does not apply and how can we report them when they will not give us a name or number?) We have done everything but reach through the phone and slap them silly. I am not so sure this operation is not out of India because *69 does not work and the accent is pretty heavy.

[Pab Sungenis]

28. Try *57

Most of the Baby Bells support that. It logs the number of the person who called you (a call trace) which can then be subpoenaed by law enforcement. Hang up, *57, log the date and time, then call the authorities.

[demgurl]

44. I had no idea about this.

I am writing this down and keeping it by the phone. THANK YOU.

[ThoughtCriminal]

5. Air horn?

Just kidding. How about putting them on hold with really obnoxious music?

[demgurl]

16. It may come to that.

I just want them to stop calling. I have to pick up the phone in case it is about my kids. It is down right irritating at this point. What does it take to get your point across? I should not have to get caller ID and spend my money to get them to stop.

[HeeBGBz]

20. Get a police whistle and blow it in their ear

Just a thought.

[HeeBGBz]

23. I think the air horn would work, heheheh

Unless it's a recording.

[datadiva]

6. I always ask them to hold on a minute

and go about my business. They get tired of waiting and hang up eventually. A few times of this and maybe they'll get the message. Sounds like an unlawful act though. Do you know the company name? Maybe a few calls to the FCC would work but I doubt it. It is controlled by our oh so competent government.

[demgurl]

10. They won't give us their name.

They hang up when we ask for a name or number. If I did not have kids in school, who might be sick, then I would not answer the phone at all.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Get an airhorn

Blast them each and every time they call.

And you can use the web email to contact the Do Not Call registry if yo are already on the list.

I put my phone on the Do Not Call list a couple of months ago, and almost immediately stopped getting calls. If anyone calls you after you have been on the registry for 30 days, you can use their website to report the calls. If you don;t have a time stamp on your caller Id, just keep a pad by the phone to note the time. Do not answer. Just report the assholes.

[demgurl]

17. We do not have caller ID....

but the dnc will work with just the date and time? That would be great. We have been signed up with dnc for over a year so that may work. Thanks for the info.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Ask Them To Mail You An Order Form

I'm sure others will ask or mention the "Do No Call" list, but that doesn't stop these vultures when they think they have a sucker.

My suggestion would be to note all calls these people have made (record them if you can...if it was good enough for Linda Tripp, it's good enough for you!) so you can show a pattern of harassment.

Then I'd ask them to send an order form or membership info or some sort of printed info. DO NOT give out a SS number or credit card or any information other than a mailing address (and if you can use a third party more the better)...good chance if they have your phone number, they have your address anyway. Then if they mail you something, you can not only report them for phone harassment but also mail fraud. The mail can also be traced back and go to the person whose really running the operation as opposed to a telemarketing company he/she is using.

Good luck...

[demgurl]

24. That is a great suggestion.

No, I would never give them a card or anything. Not sure why they think we are suckers since this has gone on for about three months right now and each time we stop just short of telling them to fuck off. I will ask them to mail the order form. You are great. I hope that works.

[KharmaTrain]

42. If They Keep Harassing

Be careful...by playing nice they might think they finally have you hooked...so you gotta play some poker with them as well. Don't seem to anxious (tip 'em off that something may be up). But be sure to keep noting calls and what they say to you. I'd then contact the local newspaper or TV station...see if they have a consumer affairs reporter and tell them what you're up to...good chance you have given them a "made-to-order" story that they can run with. Keep us posted here how things go.

[Gormy Cuss]

12. Are you on the Do Not Call list?

That is, have you registered that phone number on the national registry? If not, do it now.

Tell the pest to put you on their list. Even if they claim a prior business relationship they are required to honor your request. Use exactly these words: "Please put this telephone number on your Do- Not-Call list."
Report them to the FTC by name (the complaint doesn't require phone number.) If they call again, tell them you have taken this action.

This should stop all but the sleaziest of the sleazy.

On edit: I see that you aren't given a name. Tell them they are violating the law by refusing to identify the name of the company. The more you sound like you understand the law, the more likely they'll drop you and move on to someone easier to dupe.

Print out a copy of the rules from the FTC web site and read it to them when they call. Do not respond to anything they say, just read the regulation. Wear them down.

[aden_nak]

14. There are a few things you can do.

Report them to the Better Business Buraeu if you haven't already. Answer in non-sequitors when they call:

THEM: Sir, we need to renew your prescription of Cialis.
YOU: You know what I like? English Muffins! I could eat one right now. Nooks, Crannies, it just doen't get any better than this. Does your company sell butter? Butter goes great with English Muffins.

I know that seems rather inane. . . but sometimes the only way to get people like that away from you is to prove that you're not even listening to what they are saying. If you're upset with them, they know you are at least hearing their pitch. Or, if you prefer, pick up a book and start reading out loud at random. Talk right over the caller if you have to. I've known a few people who worked at call centers where they do "push calling". And the rule was that no matter what was happening on the phone, if the other person is at least listening, you keep on pushing. Alternately, you could just put the phone down and not hang up on them. If your phone has a "hold" or "mute" button, all the better. Eventually, the time spent on the phone NOT making sales will get their attention in a way that your anger never could.

[democracyindanger]

15. The Telezapper

My parents got one a few years ago and swear by it.

[Cronus Protagonist]

36. It worked well for me too

After a few weeeks of the telezapper, all incoming telemarketing calls stop and you can remove it until you need it again. It works great, but you will have to tell your friends what to expect as it appears to them that the line is discontinued, so they should wait anyway until you answer.

Educate a Freeper Today!
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[eleny]

18. How can you order from them if they won't identify themselves?

It's a weird situation.

[porphyrian]

19. Without giving out extra info, tell them to close your account.

Just don't let them get any additional personal info (they should know your account# if they're calling you and telling you you're registered with them).

[OKNancy]

22. This used to work

Back in "the old days" before caller ID and voice messages, I got a lot of crank calls ( teen-aged daughter and I'm a teacher). This is what I was advised to do, and it worked every time.

Answer the call
They say a few words
Interrupt and say... Operator, this is the call
Hang up

---
Now if this is a phone bank it may not work, but give it a try.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

59. I did that exact same thing!

Years back I started getting repeated calls from someone who would sometimes be obscene and sometimes just weird and meandering. Hanging up on him didn't deter him. I contacted the phone company who traced the calls to a pay phone in a city where I knew absolutely no one. Why on earth would someone use a pay phone for obscene long-distance phone calls? Most likely a drug dealer, the phone rep said. The guy has to stick by a phone; he dialed your number once by mistake, got a reaction, and now when he's bored he messes with you. It happens.

So I did the "Operator, this is the same caller" bit. He hung up and never called again.


Everything's quiet here. :hug: How's by you? :hi:

[dysfunctional press]

25. have fun with them-

keep them on the phone for as long as possible, but never order anything.
tell them to hold on a minute, then just leave the phone sitting there.
get an airhorn or a coaches whistle, and blast them...
get caller i.d. and don't answer any call from them.
or just hang-up right away...

i never understand why people get so freaked out by unwanted phone calls- there's no law that you have to answer in the first place, and no law against hanging up if you don't want the call.

[demgurl]

35. I guess I am 'freaked out'

because they keep calling relentlessly and will not listen to our threats or our requests to stop calling, the phone company would not help and the dnc can not help without a number or name. It is just very frustrating. I have gotten some great ideas and think this will be handled through illegal channels.

What is the most frustrating thing of all is even if the call only lasts one minute then after about three months I have lost maybe an hour and a half of my life I will never be able to get back again.

I can see them calling once or twice but when we have threatened law suits and even mentioned the dnc then they should have no doubt as to how we feel about all of this. I am more frustrated than freaked out.

[dysfunctional press]

46. you mentioned the dnc? in what context and to what end?

the caller is probably a freeper type at the company who keeps your number by his phone because he loves pulling your chain.

the phone call may only last one minute(with me, it would be less than 5 seconds- IF i answered- which i wouldn't because we have caller I.D.) but it seems that your habit of getting yourself aggravated about it seems to last a whole lot longer...that's what i don't understand- it's a phone, not a gun that someone's pointing at your head- if it rings and you don't want to answer, then don't. if you answer it and it's not someone with whom you wish to converse- hang up.

how much simpler could it get?

[demgurl]

51. 'dnc' = do not call list

I can not not answer my phone or I will miss out on jobs - I was a scheduler once and I know if someone does not answer then you just move on to the next call. I will miss out on a lot of business if I just let the calls come and go. It is not a lot of money compared to what my husband makes but it makes me feel like I contribute a little more.

[dysfunctional press]

52. ahhh my mistake...is caller I.D. an option?

if you don't like the name/number on the screen- you don't answer.

if it's not an option- then really, how hard is it to simply hang up, move on, and not let it get to you...? you say that even doing that much costs you a minute of time- i would argue that it's a lot less than that- i can generally tell within 2 or 3 seconds at the most, especially if it's an unwanted caller that keeps coming back.

hang up. move on. but don't let it get to you- there's way bigger things in life to get your goat.

[demgurl]

53. First I think I will go the legal route of trying to get them stopped.

What they are doing is illegal on several fronts. Selling illegal drugs is illegal as is harassment. It galls me how people, in this day and age, feel it is fine to break the law. I blame it on the example * has set for the country. I can not sit idly by while * does it and I can not do it while anyone else does it.

I am a by the book kind of gal. I have turned in family members for child abuse as well as for fraud. I do not care who it is, there is no excuse for acting illegally. If what they were doing was legal then I would have much less of a problem with it.

I hate being bugged but I hate so much more for someone to be breaking the law and flaunting it in my face. (that is why the * crime regime gets me so mad) I will try to put them out of business for good and if that does not work then I will just have to ignore them as you state.

[dysfunctional press]

58. whatever works for you...

personally, i try not to let life's little irritations get to me- in my opinion, life is too short to waste time on trivialities.

[RB TexLa]

26. Start trying to sell them something everytime they call

Be sure it is something that doesn't require licensing. I'd suggest cosmetics, nutrition products or something like that.

[Rainscents]

29. I was having problems with Collect call

for another women who had phone numbers before I got the number and I was getting none stop calls coming in asking for so and so. I couldn't make these people stop calling my house, finally, I changed my phone to "High speed internet phone service"! It's so nice to be in peace with out the phone ringing off the hook... It would always start at 8:00am.

[WhiteTara]

32. a whistle works well

I assure that your name will be removed from the list.

[pinniped]

33. The 1-800 bastard that's been calling me for the past week finally....

caught me yesterday. Caller ID call waiting is extra with SBastardsC.

He started to ask for me by name and I hung up before he could finish saying it. They tried to call me again today.

MCI are one of the biggest scumbags out there. They call for two weeks straight until they give up until next time. I never answer their crap calls.

Some locals have call block where the caller has to show their number to get thru. Of course that's an extra cost you will incur. Some scumbags might still be able to thwart the system. The phone companies must like it when telemarketing scum keeps bugging people. Eventually they get fed up and subscribe to extra-cost services.

[demgurl]

41. I can not hang up UNTIL I find out who is on the phone.

One problem is my kids but the other one is that I HAVE to pick up the phone if I want to stay in business. I do mystery shopping and am an independent contractor who works for about 30-35 companies. If they call and get a machine then they can leave a message but most times they will cut their losses and hang up to call another shopper. That is how I make my livelihood and with so many companies I can not recognize all the schedulers right off.

[this_side_up]

34. Google the number and that should give you their name

and then file the complaint with the do not call site.

Even if you had a previous business relationship
with them in the past, you want to terminate it now,
so they have to abide by your wishes.

I went to see an allergist. She put me on some
Rx meds which I had filled at Costco. About a
week later, I get a call from Operator at extension
83722 wanting to send me my meds.

I asked HOW did YOU get my name and phone
number??!! WHO gave the info to you??!!

(poor woman) replied: Your doctor did.

I had the 800 # on voicemail so I googled it
and the company name was the same as what the poor
woman said.

I filed the complaint but have no idea what the
government did, if anything. I doubt anything
because...it's the republican govt and pharma
and pharma offshoots.

Forgot to add that I also called the doctor's office
and flipped out....WHO is giving out MY personal
information to strangers!!! I told the nurse
I have all meds filled at Costco because I luv
Costco and why would anyone think I should
have it filled elsewhere??!!

Obviously, the doctor gets a kickback.

I told the nurse I wanted answers!!!

No one from the doctor's office called back.

Can I change my name from crappy diem to
FedUp?

[demgurl]

45. If I can ever get their number I will google it.

[RazzleDazzle]

37. Start screening your calls via answering machine

and if you don't have one (haven't read this whole thread), GET ONE. They get an unending stream of that and they'll stop calling.

Also, I simply wouldn't respond to them at all when they call. I wouldn't say a word, I'd just hang up. And then either turn on the answering machine or put the phone off the hook for a bit.

I did see that you apparently don't have caller ID. If you can report these people as harrassing you (and IMO there's a chance you can), it would be worth the investment to get it. You could turn it off after you were done with these people.

[demgurl]

39. We have voice mail.

Which does mean I can not screen as it comes in. I am going to try to get their information through the mail and then I will go to the DEA. I just hope the DEA will have some interest. I once went to the IRS against someone I knew. (he was beating his wife and she was having trouble finding a way out of the relationship) Anyway, I talked to someone at the IRS and explained how this guy had stolen someone else's SS number and had not declared all of his earnings. They told me they were only interested in the big fish!

If the DEA is not interested then I guess I can just start hanging up and then perhaps step it up by going to a local TV station about the lack of help from everyone from the phone company to the DEA.

[havocmom]

47. Get a good metal whistle (like coaches use) and keep it by the phone

Warn neighbors about it, especially if you live in an apartment. ;)

FWIW: a Boswain's pipe can be handy too.

[demgurl]

48. If all else fails then I believe this is what I will do.

I would love to put them out of business since what they are doing is illegal. You can just not call and call people trying to sell them prescription drugs they have no scrip or need for.

[blm]

54. Tell them you refuse to spend a dime till George Bush is out of office.

Works for me.

[carolinalady]

55. I have caller ID so everytime I get an 800 call I answer (don't put

it to my ear) wait one or two seconds and hang up. It gives me immense satisfaction.

[MODemocrat]

56. It will help to get on the National Do No Call Registry

I have been on it for about two weeks, and I've found that when you tell your caller that you're on that list, they will usually apologize and tell you they will take you off their
calling list. My Son-in-Law urged me to do this, and even though I didn't think it would do much good, did it anyway. It's easy to do and only takes a minute or two.

Good Luck to you. Those pesky phone calls can really get on your nerves, especially calling during dinnertime or lunchtime. :hi:

[InsultComicDog]

57. Tell them the people they are trying to call moved and have a new number

and give them the number of your local police