The criminals behind this operation do not come to this site and even if they did they would have no intention of truthfully answering questions or removing someone that posts here.
I use this site to pass on information that I have gathered and hopefully it will give some insight into these criminal operations. I'm just a poor ignorant uneducated country boy from backwoods Wisconsin who has received more than 350 calls from these scum sucking criminals.
The FTC is having Robocall Summit on October 18th. For more info go to:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/10/robocalls.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/robocalls
What To Do When You Get an Illegal Robocall; http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/robocalls
1. Hang Up. Do not press 1 or any other numbers to get off the list.
2. Consider blocking the number
3. Report it at http://www.fcc.gov/complaints
4. Report it at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
Register your phone numbers online at http://www.donotcall.gov or call (888) 382-1222 (must call from # you want removed).
Many of these calls are coming from Costa Rica and India and they are using spoofed (false) numbers, which in itself is illegal. They do cold calling for or sell the leads to numerous companies in this country and they know that what they are doing is illegal. Tomorrow this same number may be selling Cruises, Timeshares or Security Systems but if you follow the money it usually ends up in the hands of an American LLC.
These scum are making money by sending their bogus Caller ID information to your phone company. Telephone numbers are Calling Name (CNAM) provisioned and stored in a special database accessible to other telecom utilities. This means that for any outbound call that transmits a special code corresponding to one of their phone numbers, these criminals collect a fee for transmitting the caller ID information to the Local Exchange Carrier receiving the call. When you see a phone number in your caller ID (along with some name like Card Services), your phone company has to reimburse the caller for downloading that info from the database where it’s stored.
These fees are typically fractions of a cent per call however when these fees are aggregated across tens of millions of outbound calls per week, it amounts to significant money. Huge volumes of unsolicited telemarketing calls can drive significant revenue into the pockets of these scum sucking criminals. In return your phone company charges you a fee (it may be hidden or $5 to $15 on your phone bill). Since they only pay out a small portion of this fee you can see why your phone company allows this to continue.
Many of the inbound robo call numbers are spoofed, as most of the bolierhouses, both off and on shore, are using Voip SIP Trunks services. Throwaway DID numbers are also used. Some of the robocalling is operated by the end use scammers directly. Others are contract services who earn a referral fee once you are transferred to the scammers.
If someone makes the mistake of answering the phone and falling for their con then it is just icing on the cake for them. These people are the lowest form of filth on this planet.
How it works:
http://blog.usa.gov/post/30393077932/answering-your-questions-about-robocalls
http://onthespotblog.com/on-the-spot-blog-sti ... holder-services
http://onthespotblog.com/tag/cardholder-services/
http://complaintwire.org/complaint/ipzhHRymJA ... gon-robo-dialer
http://telemarketerspam.wordpress.com/2012/08 ... l-telemarketing
People should continually file complaints with their Attorney Generals office and also file with:
http://www.fcc.gov/complaints
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
If enough people keep complaining then maybe something will get done.
The criminals behind this operation aren't going to pay attention to you asking to be removed from their list. Their calls cost them nothing and they can make a million of them a day so they have no intention of ever removing someone. When you press a key to talk to them all that is accomplished is to verify that they have a working number.
Unfortunately blowing an air horn or whistle doesn't work either. Their headset have noise dampeners plus they are expecting it. However with that said if it makes you feel better then by all means give it a shot.
The banking system is also at fault here, without merchant accounts and ACH processing these criminals could not collect the scammed funds. Though the criminals use obfuscation, layered corporations, multiple bank accounts and offshore stashing, patterns of obvious fraudulent activity become apparent after a short time.
If you are interested in obtaining useful tracking information on the callers, I suggest that you act very interested in the rate reduction scam, as you have multiple high interest cards with large balances. Tell them that you don’t give out card numbers in response to unsolicited calls. However, tell them that if they provide you with a verifiable number that you will then call them back and provide the info. Since many of the operatives work on commission they will provide direct contact numbers if they believe you are serious about completing the deal. Verified return phone numbers are an excellent tool in tracking the people behind the operations.
Robocalls are illegal unless you have given them prior permission in writing (not worded into some small print contract from a 3rd party) and are absolutely illegal to a cell phone. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act permits individuals who have received certain unlawful telemarketing, such as junk faxes or telemarketing calls, to sue the violator in state courts where they may be awarded up to $1500 for each violation.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/robocalls
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/07/robocall.shtm
http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/policy/TCPA-Rules.pdf
You can also try suing them in small claims court. This site has some information on how to proceed. http://www.killthecalls.com
Many of the disposable numbers come from Pacific Telecom Communications Group and they are currently under investigation and in the midst of various lawsuits. (The principles involved have been part of actions by the FCC under other business names).
http://telemarketerspam.wordpress.com
The Oregon Public Utilities Commission has revoked Pacific Telecom's certificate to provide telecom services in Oregon.
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office filed lawsuits against:
Consumer Credit Group and Proactive Planning Solutions of Arizona for violating Indiana’s Do Not Call Law and Auto-Dialer Act known as the robo-call law. Both companies violated the Credit Service Organization Act and Deceptive Consumer Sales Act by not obtaining $25,000 surety bonds with the state and collecting money upfront without performing any services.
Debt Zero of California for collecting money up front, failing to provide services or a refund and operating without a $25,000 surety bond.
Clear One Advantage of Maryland and Credit Arbitrators of Texas for violating the Credit Service Organization Act and the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act by not obtaining the required surety bonds.
http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.as ... ation_id=107077
FTC is sending refund checks to 4,468 consumers “who allegedly were defrauded by a telemarketer who used robocalls (prerecorded voice messages) to pitch worthless credit card rate reduction programs for an up-front fee.”
http://bbbconsumereducation.com/the-checks-in-the-mail-this-time-its-true
Proof that current laws mean nothing to these scum suckers. Civil action by the FTC against such criminals is totally ineffective. These criminals need to be charged with Federal Felonies and subjected to significant jail time. All of those involved know that they are violating FTC regulations. The FTC levies huge fines, then rescinds them based on inability to pay. The FTC settles for the minimal cash on hand, and enjoins them from future telemarketing. The criminals sign off, then go right back to business as usual. These same people under different companies have been sued in the past and have only paid a minimal fine. Here are just a few:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/roycox.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/06/asiapacific.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/03/asiapacific.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0923193/111219roycoxcmpt.pdf
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/donotcall/mediacenter.html
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/afl_financial.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/voiceblaze.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/03/voicetouch.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/robocalls.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/robocall.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/09/twi.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/02/robocall.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/robocalls2.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/12/jpm.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/08/voicetouch.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/sonkei.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/05/ams.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/01/khalilian.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/09/nelsongamble.shtm
Write your Congressmen and Senators. We need CRIMINAL penalties against the companies that are profiting from these calls. Follow the money, slap them in prison, no one left to outsource to overseas boiler rooms, problem solved.
Got this call today about lowering my interest rates on my credit cards. Since I currently have zero credit cards due to my identity being stolen over a year ago (still fighting that one) I wanted to speak with someone about how they got my info and if there are currently any cc's under my name. Gentleman who answered wouldn't tell me the name of the company, in fact, stated that it was my fault I didn't pay attention when he said it. Caller ID said it was Pactel. Comments about this number on other pages reflects positive results, but they are to scripted to be real. It has all the signs of being a scam to get a person's information. Contacted the detective who helped with my identity theft, and he will be looking into this.
I just spoke with a real piece of work, and he gave me a number to call in Customer Service to be taken off of the calling list. I called it, and it is a porn line. I'd love to report this company, but I don't know who they are. I got three calls within the last half hour on three different lines. Rediculous.
Got this call today about lowering my interest rates on my credit cards. Since I currently have zero credit cards due to my identity being stolen over a year ago (still fighting that one) I wanted to speak with someone about how they got my info and if there are currently any cc's under my name. Gentleman who answered wouldn't tell me the name of the company, in fact, stated that it was my fault I didn't pay attention when he said it. Caller ID said it was Pactel. Comments about this number on other pages reflects positive results, but they are to scripted to be real. It has all the signs of being a scam to get a person's information. Contacted the detective who helped with my identity theft, and he will be looking into this.
Likewise, I got a call from "PACTEL," number of 971-220-1779. They disconnected after my good friend A. Machine picked up. He gets a lot of these kinds of calls, so I'm really grateful for taking them for me. ;-D