Both my wife and I hate the telephone solicitors, but she hates them more, so I have the job of always answering the phone. If the call for her sounds like a telemarketing call, I say she is not available, say that I am her husband, and offer to take a message. They always say "there is no message at this time". These calls come at least once a day. I have tried calling the number back, but I get the message that they do not accept calls. I have tried caller ID, but they have it blocked. She will not take the calls. Short of her answering the call, how do we find out who these people are? I assume that if they were selling something, they would make their pitch to me. Their message is always the same, "there is no message at this time"
I have some kinda caller id thing that if the number is unknown they have to leave a short message with info on who is calling. It then rings me and I listen to what they have to say and then I can let them through, hang up, or block them forever. The service is like $6 a month and it has been awesome. Also also have the simple caller ID that if the number is legit I can see who calls. No telemarketing or CA will ever get ahold of me unless I let them.
Ask them what the purpose of the call is. Collectors will say "it's a personal matter," or "it's a business matter;" the more aggressive and foolish ones will say "it's a legal issue." You should be able to tell by the degree of evasiveness if they are a CA or not: CAs will give an inflated-sounding response that doesn't actually give you anything to go on.
If you're really serious about finding out who they are put your wife on the phone long enough to find out. I'm quite sure she can stand it for 2 minutes. lol
Sounds very like telemarketing calls to me. In Texas, we now have state-wide "no call lists". It took 2 months for it to kick in, but my telemarketing volume dropped from 10-12 calls a day to the rare 3 or so a week. Meanwhile, I bought the "Telezapper" from Radio Shack. It connects to your phone, even if you have a separate Caller ID and/or fax unit and cost $49.95. It works by "listening" for the telltale telemarketing automated dial signal; then sends a signal back telling telemarketers computer that this number has been disconnected. The telemarketer's computer automatically removes your number from its call list. P.S. Even collection agencies will leave a message, but telemarkers very often don't. They KNOW you won't return their call.
I've heard great things about Telezapper. Personally, I have Privacy Manager from my local telco. I know that most companies offer a similar service. Any calls from "Out of Area" or "Private" are directed to a voice menu where you can leave a message or enter a 10-digit access code to ring through. The service is wonderful, well worth the monthly fee. The only telemarketing calls I've had since I signed up are from the phone company itself--not much hiding from them!
I have two phone lines: I get most of these type calls on only one of the lines. Wonder why they hardly ever call my other No. ?
