Free Anti-Telemarketing Software

[HellRaiserandBeerDrinker]

<<Enigma Anti-Telemarketing Software v1.2
Tired of the phone ringing with yet another telemarketing pitch during dinner? Strike back at telemarketers with the Enigma Anti-Telemarketing guide. When you install and run Enigma, you'll be ready the next time the phone rings with just the right questions to drive telemarketers crazy--and hopefully away forever. Enigma knows just what you should say in every situation, including how to ask for a telemarketer's name, address, and understanding of the federal "Do Not Call" laws of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. >>

Free DL Here

 

[ojai00]

LOL. I thought this was something that would stop the call before you get it. Nice post though...I think it'll come in handy for someone looking to bust some telemarketer 8alls.

 

[DaddyCool]

Hey, that's freaky!!!

I just got a tele chubby call! :|

Thx. Prolly come in handy sometime.

 

[rml]

THANKS and everyone please use this to drive those guys crazy

 

[ams30gts]

does anybody have those zappers for ur phone line? i wonder if they work

 

[no0b]

direct download link

 

[Miramonti]

Vairy intairusting!!

 

[DanFungus]

haha awesoma!

 

[Miramonti]

The software gives references to the actual Code of Federal Regulations regarding solicitations so you know what info they are required to give you if you ask.

It refers to Title 47, part 64(.1200), subpart L
which can be found on the government CFR site here.

 

[Codfish]

I have used this for years now and it's quite effective. The callers are so shook up, it's best to ask for a manager. One even asked me for all my phone numbers so he could take every one of them off.

 

[jimmons]

This program sure seems like a waste. It just reminds you to ask their name, company's address and phone and simple stuff like that. Why would anyone waste all that time on the phone with someone they don't want to talk to at all in the first place. here's an idea: just hang up.

 

[iliopsoas]

Hanging up on them won't solve the problem. They'll keep calling back.

There was a stretch of a few months where I was getting 5-6 telemarketing calls a day. It was freaking outrageous. At first, I'd hang up. But after a while, I started asking them to remove my phone number from their list and since then, there hasn't been many calls at all.

 

[mechBgon]

Don't go out of your way to be mean, even to telemarketers. You may be talking to a young parent trying to earn money to put diapers on their kid, or trying to save up to go to a community college. The people who should be the target of your wrath are the companies that hire telemarketing services to call you in the first place.

If you take it out on the telemarketer, you're killing the messenger. Just ask to be taken off the calling list.

 

[Slugbait]

Unfortunately, simply telling AT&T Broadband to stop calling doesn't work at all. They have ignored five or six requests over the last 10 months or so to stop calling. They just called again the other day. And they keep giving me the same excuse: "Sorry about this sir, but it takes about six to eight weeks for all of our computers to be updated with this information."

"It's been almost a year. You've updated your computers five times now."

"Ummm..."

"Whatcha got for your server, an Altair?"

So when they call again (and I'm betting they will), I will inform them that this call is being monitored for quality assurance (one of their phrases for "yer being recorded"), and start the tape. Then I take the tape down to City Hall, file a lawsuit, and go home with a cool $500. If that doesn't get them to stop calling, I dunno what the heck will...

 

[Zontor]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Don't go out of your way to be mean, even to telemarketers. You may be talking to a young parent trying to earn money to put diapers on their kid, or trying to save up to go to a community college. The people who should be the target of your wrath are the companies that hire telemarketing services to call you in the first place. If you take it out on the telemarketer, you're killing the messenger. Just ask to be taken off the calling list.

Very true. Been there, done that. Working at a call center is tough enough. Chances are they're rated by their bosses as to how well they follow a script, sell, etc. & their hands are tied. Just ask to be taken off the list.

 

[DanT]

Actually, you need to ask to be placed on their Do Not Call list. If you ask to be "taken off the list" some companies will take you OFF their DNC list.

I've been using the Enigma software for a few years now as well. I usually don't enter the data or even do the whole spiel. But once a company keeps calling back, then I start documenting it. So far, none of the companies that I've documented have ever called back again. Simply asking to be placed on their DNC list doesn't always work, but once they realize you're getting all the info (including their own full names) they suddenly stop calling.

 

[Souka]

Originally posted by: DanT
Actually, you need to ask to be placed on their Do Not Call list. If you ask to be "taken off the list" some companies will take you OFF their DNC list.

That doesn't make sense. Why would they call you if you were on their DNC list in the first place?

Anyhow.....

 

[JHawk]

My wife has a medical condition which qualifies her for a medical disability. I've started telling these telemarketers that she has a disability and do they understand what that means. I then refer them to the Americans with Disabilities Act and suggest if they don't put us ontheir do not call list I'll turn them over to the appropriate authorities. Has cut my calls dramatically.

 

[Sesopedalian]

Let them feel the sting of the Attorney General's office in your state. Many states have a consumer division that can handle these matters.

 

[ripthesystem]

Originally posted by: ams30gts
does anybody have those zappers for ur phone line? i wonder if they work

I'll second that question.
I've been seing these advertised all over- what are these Zappers? and do they work?

thx
ripthesystem

 

[lesch2k]

i was at a radio shack and they had the zappers

apparently it detects the computerized sound of the call being placed and then going to a telecrapper and disconects after 1 ring or so.

downside $50

 

[lesch2k]

one more thing - sales people claim they work 90% of the time

 

[chexi]

Ok folks, here's what you can do (this is not my original idea, I believe it was posted here in Anandtech a while ago). Get a recording of the 3 tone line is disconnected sound. You know, it's that annoying sound you get when you call a number that's not valid. Put that sound at the beginning of your answering machine greeting. Most telemarketer's calls are dialed automatically by a machine, that's why there is always that annoying pause before a person comes on and slaughters your name. By having the disconnected code on you answering machine, when the auto-dialer calls and gets that code, not only does it hang up, but it also logs your number as being bad, resulting in no more calls. I've done this and it has dramatically reduced the number of telemarketing calls I receive (from about 3 per night to about 1 per week). The only catch, is that some people you want to talk to will not leave a message until you tell them about your message.

 

[DanT]

Originally posted by: Souka

Originally posted by: DanT
Actually, you need to ask to be placed on their Do Not Call list. If you ask to be "taken off the list" some companies will take you OFF their DNC list.

That doesn't make sense. Why would they call you if you were on their DNC list in the first place?

Anyhow.....

Two things. First, the law allows them one "mistake" per year, so some company may actually use that as an opportunity to call you. But more likely, you're not already on their DNC list, and when you ask to be "taken off their list" they don't have to do anything. They promise to take you off their list (in reality the DNC list), but you weren't on it to begin with. Therefore, no requirement for them to do anything, and your asking does nothing to stop future calls.


As for the TeleZapper, it's not worth the money, IMHO. It doesn't "detect" anything. Whenever you (or your answering machine, fax machine, or modem) pick up an extension anywhere in your house, it emits the first tone of that 3-tone "do-dooo-doooo" invalid number recording. Like chexi said, the auto-dialing computers will log your number as invalid when they hear that first tone. So you really only need to put that first tone on your answering machine message. The problem with buying the TeleZapper is that if enough people use it, the telemarketers are going to program their autodialing computers to start requiring all three tones before deciding a number is invalid. Then you'll need the "TeleZapper 2.0" and have to pay another $50. Just find the tones online and record the first one on your answering machine. It's a lot cheaper, and your friends won't instantly hang up when they hear it like they will with the 3-tone recording.

 

[Devistater]

Good stuff. Remember ppl, if you want to make money off of some of these guys who keep bugging you, if you log the time/date and company name etc, and they call you like a 2nd time after you ask to be put on the do not call list you can get $500 according to federal law.