Unsolicited Phone Calls

When the world created the "Do Not Call" list, I thought I was in heaven. That in combination with Caller ID and Anonymous Call-Blocking, I thought my phone would never ring unless it was an actual legit call. Boy, was I wrong.

Like everything else in the world, once we find a way to block or fix an annoyance, someone finds a way around it; and unless you are a lawyer with a lot of time on your hands, who has the time or resources to fight these people? Each and everyday I get calls from this place and that place and when I advise them that I am on the "Do Not Call" list, they advise me that the list I speak of is for telemarketers, and they are NOT telemarketers. Oh, well, excuse me then. They are "offering" me a service or a product, or something that is free. Ok, free. Is there a "Do Not Offer Me Anything" list then? Because I am tired of the "free" "offer" basic harassment phone calls.

Just today alone, I have been contacted about lowering my interest rate, about obtaining information for an online school, and also one about refinancing my home mortgage. Now, how can those three instances not qualify for the "Do Not Call" list?

One representative advised me that I requested the information. When I inquired when, where and how, all I could get was that my name and number was supplied by a third party website online. Oh, ok, so now it's my fault you are harassing me. Because I surfed, for example, a website and inputted my information, for let's day, to get a free booklet in regards to foot fungus, that means I am interested in getting a "degree" with University of Phoenix Online? Really, now? Ain't that interesting.

I have resorted to just not answering my phone any longer. It's sad, though, because I might actually miss an important call one of these days, providing they don't leave a message - which I do notice many people also hate doing. I look up each number that calls, and providing it is actually a legit number, I email the company a nasty gram about removing me from their database. Do they? We'll see. But I am sure right after they do, my name and number will get passed along to the next organiztion with a "great offer".

So, what do we do? Nothing. As many fixes we find, the harassers will find a way around them. I guess I will just have to sit back, watch the phone ring, and whine in a blog about it instead. ;)