Cold callers!

[Anthony2019]

Another one of those irritating early morning phone calls! I literally had to get out of bed to answer the phone!
This time the call was supposedly from "Microsoft" telling me that I have a problem with my Windows. I told him that my windows were already installed when I first moved into my property and, being double glazed, they have done a very fine job in keeping out the draft all these years. As for my computers, they have been exclusively running Linux for the past 20 years.

 

[Ceallaigh]

Probably a scammer. I let every call I don't recognize go to voicemail. And even some I do recognize lol.

 

[mnorian]

Another one of those irritating early morning phone calls! I literally had to get out of bed to answer the phone!
This time the call was supposedly from "Microsoft" telling me that I have a problem with my Windows. I told him that my windows were already installed when I first moved into my property and, being double glazed, they have done a very fine job in keeping out the draft all these years. As for my computers, they have been exclusively running Linux for the past 20 years.

I get a notice from Microsoft every couple of days telling me that I have a "problem with my account". This has happened many times before; and when I look into it I find out it's my Outlook email account and they want me to upgrade it to a paying account.

I have had a fee account since the 90's; so don't see why I should change now; and the pay-for account is needlessly complicated; and I like the "standard" free one anyway.

If I keep ignoring it; it will go away for awhile; but come back in 6 month or so. They are so persistent!

 

[Anthony2019]

Probably a scammer. I let every call I don't recognize go to voicemail. And even some I do recognize lol.

I once got one of those "call barring" features, but I found it was offending people who generally wanted to get in touch!

 

[Anthony2019]

I get a notice from Microsoft every couple of days telling me that I have a "problem with my account". This has happened many times before; and when I look into it I find out it's my Outlook email account and they want me to upgrade it to a paying account.

I have had a fee account since the 90's; so don't see why I should change now; and the pay-for account is needlessly complicated; and I like the "standard" free one anyway.

If I keep ignoring it; it will go away for awhile; but come back in 6 month or so. They are so persistent!

Nothing more infuriating that having a "free" app constantly nagging you to pay for it!

 

[disciple Clint]

Another one of those irritating early morning phone calls! I literally had to get out of bed to answer the phone!
This time the call was supposedly from "Microsoft" telling me that I have a problem with my Windows. I told him that my windows were already installed when I first moved into my property and, being double glazed, they have done a very fine job in keeping out the draft all these years. As for my computers, they have been exclusively running Linux for the past 20 years.

I like asking those people to hold for a moment, I put the phone down and walk away, after about 5 min they figure out that they are the ones who have been scammed.

 

[Anthony2019]

I like asking those people to hold for a moment, I put the phone down and walk away, after about 5 min they figure out that they are the ones who have been scammed.

Excellent idea!

 

[Jeshu]

As for my computers, they have been exclusively running Linux for the past 20 years.

Yes i had the same problem when i still had a land line. Random people would call up and tell me my computer had a virus on it and i should go to this and that web site to get rid of it. i would tell them that they could not know who i was on the net but they would insist i was running a window operating system while i have, like you, but not quiet 20 years yet, but for a long time already, run linux operating systems. That shut them up quickly. i absolutely love telling them that i know they are scammers.

Good on you!

Do they ring mobile phones now as well? Or was it on a land line?

 

[coffee4u]

If I don't recognize the number I don't pick up, I figure if they are 'someone' or it's important that they will leave a message.
My husband likes to pick them up and string them along.

There is a guy on Youtube who dupes them into thinking he's an old lady and goes along with it but gets on the scammer computer and deletes files, quite something.

 

[Lost4words]

I am always nice to cold callers.

I always let them sit by the fire to warm up!

 

[Anthony2019]

Yes i had the same problem when i still had a land line. Random people would call up and tell me my computer had a virus on it and i should go to this and that web site to get rid of it. i would tell them that they could not know who i was on the net but they would insist i was running a window operating system while i have, like you, but not quiet 20 years yet, but for a long time already, run linux operating systems. That shut them up quickly. i absolutely love telling them that i know they are scammers.

Good on you!

Do they ring mobile phones now as well? Or was it on a land line?

It was, and always seems to be, my landline! They call at totally random times of the day, most annoyingly first thing in the morning.

Some months ago, I thought I would add a touch of class to my living room by purchasing a snazzy vintage 1970's telephone, complete with an old fashioned dial and an authentic ringing bell! It seems I made the worst decision of my life!

Next time I get a cold caller, I am going to use the words of Hyacinth Bouquet! "Now kindly clear this line! There are people of substance in this community who are probably queuing to ring me at this very moment!".

 

[coffee4u]

It was, and always seems to be, my landline! They call at totally random times of the day, most annoyingly first thing in the morning.

Some months ago, I thought I would add a touch of class to my living room by purchasing a snazzy vintage 1970's telephone, complete with an old fashioned dial and an authentic ringing bell! It seems I made the worst decision of my life!

Next time I get a cold caller, I am going to use the words of Hyacinth Bouquet! "Now kindly clear this line! There are people of substance in this community who are probably queuing to ring me at this very moment!".

There is a number that you can call -I bet the UK has it too- and it gets you taken off begging and sale lists, that helps.

 

[Anthony2019]

I am always nice to cold callers.

I always let them sit by the fire to warm up!

Would it be uncharitable of me to ask them to sit just that little bit closer!
Grrrr.

 

[Lost4words]

I have an original, black, bakerlite, 1942 phone. Bought it years ago in an antique shop. Its boxed up at the mo though...

 

[Anthony2019]

I have an original, black, bakerlite, 1942 phone. Bought it years ago in an antique shop. Its boxed up at the mo though...

Unbox it, plug it in and enjoy it!
Who knows, you might have the joy of the telephone ringing and speaking to a cold caller! Aaargh!

 

[Anthony2019]

There is a number that you can call -I bet the UK has it too- and it gets you taken off begging and sale lists, that helps.

We have the "Telephone Preference Service". Not quite sure how it works but it might be worth a try.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I once got one of those "call barring" features, but I found it was offending people who generally wanted to get in touch!

I screen my calls like crazy. I haven't had a land line since 2015. I use a smart phone as my house phone, and I keep it with my desk top computer plugged in the recharge bay.

I have a system that when I get a new friend or business contact etc. I program them in my phone contact list. This helps me identify whether or not I should pick up when I get a call. In the rare event a stranger calls me with important news, I wait for them to leave me a message, email, or text message explaining what the matter is before I call them back. If the matter is really legitimate, then they will at some point.


I am very glad that you were wise to the scammer. I once was taken in by a different kind of scam.
Take Care and Merry Christmas!

 

[Anthony2019]

I screen my calls like crazy. I haven't had a land line since 2015. I use a smart phone as my house phone, and I keep it with my desk top computer plugged in the recharge bay.

I have a system that when I get a new friend or business contact etc. I program them in my phone contact list. This helps me identify whether or not I should pick up when I get a call. In the rare event a stranger calls me with important news, I wait for them to leave me a message, email, or text message explaining what the matter is before I call them back. If the matter is really legitimate, then they will at some point.


I am very glad that you were wise to the scammer. I once was taken in by a different kind of scam.
Take Care and Merry Christmas!

I think you are probably right. A cold caller will rarely try to call more than once (although they may do!). In contrast, someone who genuinely needs to contact you, a friend or even a colleague, will almost certainly try more than once and may even try different methods.
Merry Christmas to you too Pavel Mosko! Hope you have an enjoyable and peaceful time and all the very best for the New Year!

 

[Anthony2019]

The biggest deterrant to cold colders is wasting their time. They are not worried about the cost of the call - in most cases, it is probably free of cost. But you can waste their time, gloriously, humourously, and always have the last laugh.
When they ask "how are you today", tell them you are feeling frustrated and uncomfortable. Tell them you have not opened your bowels for over a week and that you are hoping that they may be able to help!
Tell them that they have contacted a monastery and the person they need to speak to is a priest that is busy hearing confessions. Ask them if there is anything they need to confess and while you are looking for the priest, tell them that you need to put them on hold and play some choral music from a reqiuem mass.

 

[“Paisios”]

Next time I get a cold caller, I am going to use the words of Hyacinth Bouquet! "Now kindly clear this line! There are people of substance in this community who are probably queuing to ring me at this very moment!".

I love Keeping Up Appearances. I might have to use that line, as well.