I despise calls like this as much as anyone else does. Sometimes, it's so disturbing it's almost paralyzing and I don't answer. Best way to get 'em to stop -- and to find out who they are -- is to answer. I was in a mood to deal with this kind of garbage, and they had illegally called my cell phone, so I started my recorder, hit "speakerphone," and answered.
It started out with a robocall machine which claimed to be "Marriott," and gave me the option of pressing "one" to continue or pressing "two" to be put on their do not call list. Since I doubted they were Marriott (Their Web site doesn't claim any alliance, so far as I noticed.), I pressed "one" to see who they are.
This produced some really nasty noise (Probably someone's idea of hold "music.") for about 30-40 seconds. Then a guy with an accent came on for a few seconds and asked a question about my age. Apparently, I answered it satisfactorily, and I was put back on hold, having to listen to those terrible sounds for quite a while.
Eventually, a woman came on and started rattling off their sales pitch script. One of her first questions was what area code I'm in. I asked what their area code is, and she said 990. I replied to her next question by asking for the rest of the phone number, and she just laughed, then launched into her spiel.
It took a total of about 15 minutes, but I kept asking questions and eventually she told me they are Holiday Sands International. My repeated request for their phone number put me onto her manager who promptly told me the number is 1-800-982-7431. When I repeated it, I transposed two numbers, and he corrected me, so he really knew the number and didn't just make it up.
Then, he asked if I had access to a computer. I was already looking at their Web site. I told him I now had everything I need to know, in order to sue them for illegally calling a cell phone, thanked him, and hung up.
The company seems quasi-legitimate, but they use illegal telemarketing tactics and so I would never trust them with my credit card information. Not even if they were offering a multiple day and night fancy resort vacation for four people PLUS a multiple day and night boat ride for two people at a price of only $11.99, instead of $1,199. Of course, it *might* make a _tiny_ difference if they were offering an opportunity to stay at a place where I actually want to go. Where they are? Been there, done that, don't wanna go back.
Oh, and if the script wasn't lying, by talking to them, I automatically put myself on their do not call list because they have some kind of a “one call per household” policy. She did read some blather that I didn't play back which may have said something to the effect that, once I have listened to the whole pitch, I can never talk to them again. Well, even if they determine I have failed that qualifier, they have been told to put me on their do not call list, so calling back is a no-no.
I've been dealing with illegal telemarketing calls from Holiday Sands International for a while. I have received over 50 of their calls so far and they will not stop calling, no matter how many times you ask. I have discovered they are using hacked cell phone numbers so the number they call from is always different. When I call back the number on the caller ID the people who own the numbers have no idea what is going on but many of them have stated they have received numerous calls stating someone is using their number and several of them have stated they feel their phones were hacked.
They are out of Cancun, Mexico so good luck in suing them. I have been in contact with their hosting company (iMotionHosting.com) and have informed them about Holidaysandsinternational.com's illegal marketing and trademark violations but as of today the hosting company has not taken any action against this firm.
I have started recording the calls, including the robopitch claiming they are Marriott. They also use recordings claiming to be Priceline, United Airlines, Travelocity and Expedia.