Grrr... I didn't want spam for breakfast!

[miladycarol]

I'm on my busy Monday morning scramble to get things done and my mobile phone rings.  I don't recognize the number and answer to find an automated message.  On my mobile phone.  Spam.  Not only is it spam, it's weird spam.  The concerned female voice on the tape told me it was the second warning that my vehicles warranty is expired and has she got a deal for me.  

1st thought:  My warranty has expired?  Oh dear!
2nd thought:  Wait.  What warranty?  It was a 3 year warranty on the used car we bought back in 2003.  There is no current warranty on the car.
3rd thought:  Second warning?  Where was the first?  I am the only one that listens to my mobile phone messages, so I couldn't possibly have missed the first.
4th thought:  Wait... this is my MOBILE phone.  They are wasting my precious minutes with a pre-recorded spam message?  I thought there were laws against this?
5th thought:  I uttered an indelicate word and pressed the little red button on my phone.  

Really, I thought there were laws in the U.S. against spam taking up phone minutes.  Are there?  Granted, I didn't stick around on the call long enough to hear who actually was behind the call, so I'm not going to be able to do much about it, still...  It's the first time I've received a spam message, though I'm sure it won't be the last. 

Comments

[ar-wahan.livejournal.com]

I am actually relieved to read this! I walked in as a similar voice message was being recorded on my land line saying this was the "final attempt" to contact me about my warranty and that if I didn't respond, my "file will be closed." I decided to hit "1" to talk to an "agent" (I think it was). I got a guy who asked me for the make, model and year of my vehicle. "Which one?" I asked. "There are three cars here, and your message didn't say who it was directed at." (Later, I discovered this was incorrect -- earlier in the message, the part I hadn't heard, they did ask for my name.)

The guy's response? Silence, then a hang up.

Very weird.

My car is not even 3 years old and only has 32,000 miles on it, so yeah, I really doubt that was Toyota!

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Clearly, it was a fishing excursion. Still, I'm utterly perturbed that they violated my mobile phone. Honestly, no matter how long I have it, I'm still surprised every time it rings. I guess that speaks to how infrequently I use it (or the weird wiring in my brain).

[thatgirly.livejournal.com]

I get these auto-warranty cancellation messages ALL THE F***ING TIME on my home phone. If you listen to the end it will give the option of being removed from their list, but it doesn't actually work. If you press the option to speak with someone, and then kindly request that your phone number be removed from their list, they will hang up on you without another word.
They recently (maybe 2 years ago?) opened up cellphones to solicitors. There is a special number to call to be added to the cell 'do not call' list. I will see if I can find it and post it here.

[thatgirly.livejournal.com]

Actually, you can do it online!

https://www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx

Same site works for up to 3 numbers, including mobile numbers.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

Thanks. You know, I actually did that when I first got the phones. I actually kept the record. Maybe there is a statute of limitations or new ones somehow slink under the radar. Regardless, I have re-done it in the hopes it will work for a couple years.

[thatgirly.livejournal.com]

You actually kept the record?!?

You're totally my hero.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

Yes, well, *blush* this goes a long way toward explaining why my house is so cluttered.

[gwyd.livejournal.com]

We've been getting those off and on for... 4? 5? years/ somehow i doubt that warranties are just now expiring on a car from 1988. Same for the two 89's I had before that.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

I feel sorry for the poor sods who fall for it.

[tibicina.livejournal.com]

You've only started getting these? Really?! Wow, lucky.

Sorry. Umm... yeah. The answer is, yes there are laws. However, the numbers are shut down by compaints almost as soon as they spring up. But they just cycle phone numbers and move on to a new one. Which then gets shut down by complaints. Because they've got the automated dialing thing going, and, apparently, because there are really stupid people out there, they make enough to make it worth it.

If I knew who they were and where they actually were, they are some of the few people who might inspire me to violence, because they know that they are flagrantly violating the law and bilking people out of money, but they keep doing it anyway. I mean, even if it were a legitimate business, I would be annoyed. But it's not. It's a scam. A particularly nasty scam.

I want these people sentenced to never being allowed in the same room with a phone or computer again and, perhaps, spending the rest of their life doing community service.

Anyway. Yes, known problem. But given that they clearly have neither morals nor ethics, little things like laws aren't going to stand in their way.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Every industry can be exploited. It's just a sad fact that there are humans out there ready and willing to do so. Really, I haven't got the time necessary to sit around and dream up ways to take advantage of systems, never mind actually implement them. It takes monetary backing for that. I guess if I think I might make a buck, I'll invest a chunk to do so. Still, I'd rather sleep at night.

[kireishojo.livejournal.com]

I've gotten those too which is amusing because i've never owned a car. Fishing FAIL.

[miladycarol.livejournal.com]

No kidding.

Hey, what's your schedule like? I was hoping to put together a crafting night this month. Are Wednesday nights still good for you?

[cathaus.livejournal.com]

Not having a car, this one's pretty obvious. I do get it a lot. I also get one about reducing credit card rates... doesn't sound very safe.