Just got a call from "Ann from Political Opinions" (7:20 pm, July 2/12). I didn't bother tracing the number as our local telephone provider now charges $2.00 for the privilege. (I'm in British Columbia.) But from the comments above it is likely the same outfit.Unfortunately, there is no way for Canadians to register with the US DNC list, although by the sound of it, it wouldn't be of much use anyway. Our (Canadian) DNC list seems to work up here, aside from the numerous exceptions so generously provided by the CRTC. These databases should be linked, although that would still require our respective governments to "grow a pair" and start prosecuting the offenders.
Political Surveys + Free Cruise = Newest Scam
Given the size and battleground-nature of our state, Nevada is probably a ripe territory for this type of telemarketing scheme.
We received a robo-call this evening from Political Opinions of America looking to do a survey which, quite frankly, is almost a weekly occurrence here. But this one had a twist. After completion I would be eligible for a "free Bahama cruise" thanks to a "generous donor."
Cripes, I thought, have political surveys become so hard to get they need to use phony cruise offers to entice completion? Of course, it being one of those Bahama cruises, I knew this was essentially a boat ride with a bunch of special fees rendering it completely useless. But I was curious who was funding the survey, which turned out to be almost identical to legitimate pollsters, and why they thought they needed to offer a gift to complete it (perhaps a campaign donation would be solicited too).
After completion I was turned over to a boiler room, probably in Florida, where the lady robotically ran through her script touting the wonders of their Bahama cruise. I politely hung up and, after doing a quick Google search, found that my borderline faith in real political pollsters had been sustained. Political Opinions of America is just a front for selling the Bahama cruise scam and getting your credit card number.
One interesting point brought up by some on the scam boards was their belief that this company was hiding behind the political survey as a way to get around the Do Not Call list maintained by the FTC. If true, it's extra sleazy.
So remember, if you get a call from Political Opinions of America, just remember they are your run-of-the-mill scummy telemarketers.
Oh, and if you haven't listed your phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, do so. And if you want to file a complaint against outfits like this one, go here. https://www.donotcall.gov/