Cold callers

CTBP

CTBP

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I often (3 - 5 times a day) get calls from companies who wants to sell me something, I never absolutely never share my info or give permission for my details to be used by anyone, I do not have my phone number on facebook or any other sites for that matter, the excuse I get more often that not is "we get our info from the national consumer database" or "you must have checked a box allowing yourself to be contacted", I usually start the conversation with how do you get my info and then threatening to take legal action, at least 1 cold caller said she would remove me from their list, it did actually go quiet for about 2 months but it seems it's starting up again, is there any legal route to take with these guys?

Sometimes it can be entertaining listening to the cold caller in a slight panic after telling them I will be contacting my lawyer to take action against said company, but I still prefer peace and quiet though.
 
How much info did you have to give in order to opt out? These calls are on my cellphone not home phone.
 
dj2381 said:
How much info did you have to give in order to opt out? These calls are on my cellphone not home phone.
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Just Name and ID nr and an e-mail address I think (for them to send a link to if you want to update your info). Then completing any other details are voluntary, I just put my cell numbers in and nothing else.

Remember to tick the Opt Out of everything box.
 
supersunbird said:
Just Name and ID nr and an e-mail address I think (for them to send a link to if you want to update your info). Then completing any other details are voluntary, I just put my cell numbers in and nothing else.

Remember to tick the Opt Out of everything box.
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Why the need for ID numbers? They generally only have my phone number and surname, not willing to take a chance after reading about others getting spammed more than ever before.
 
Just checked my (edited) details:
Code: 
   	ID Number is registered on National OPT OUT Database, with the following information
  	 
Postal Address 	Present:PORT ELIZABETH
Physical Address 	Present:PORT ELIZABETH
Home Phone 	xxxxxx1234
Work Phone 	xxxxxx1234
Cell Number 	xxxxxx1234
Fax Number 	Not Presen
Channel opt-out block 	Home Telephone, Work Telephone, Email, Cellphone, SMS, DirectMail
Times opt-out block 	8am To 1pm, 1pm To 7pm, Saturday 9am To 12pm
Review Status 	
Industry out-out block 	Financial Services, Insurance Services, Vacation And Hospitality Services, Automotive Services, Cellphone Services
Other Industries
 
supersunbird said:
Just Name and ID nr and an e-mail address I think (for them to send a link to if you want to update your info). Then completing any other details are voluntary, I just put my cell numbers in and nothing else.

Remember to tick the Opt Out of everything box.
Click to expand...

Which is amazing because people without an ID (such as me) cannot register.
 
dj2381 said:
Why the need for ID numbers? They generally only have my phone number and surname, not willing to take a chance after reading about others getting spammed more than ever before.
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Often they do have your ID numbers. It's very unique identifier (well duh). I now never get marketing calls except rarely for institutions I do have dealing with already, much changed from before I had singled up when everyone and their brother tried to sell me various cell phone contracts and policies. I do get SMSs but I've checked, those are always not DMA members...
 
But is there any legal route to take to get them to stop? As interesting as national opt out sounds there are people with very different experiences and I don't want to be one of them.
 
dj2381 said:
But is there any legal route to take to get them to stop? As interesting as national opt out sounds there are people with very different experiences and I don't want to be one of them.
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Doubt it, but the DMA can take action against members who contravene their code if you sign up.

Edit: maybe you could open a case of "Stalking" with the cops if they keep on phoning you :D
 
I wonder what's gonna happen with all these telemarketers once POPI comes into action.
 
National Opt Out works really well, 90% reduction in cold calls for me for many years. I'd really suggest that you remove your +3 Tin Foil Hat armour just for a second on this one... :p
 
AlmightyBender said:
National Opt Out works really well, 90% reduction in cold calls for me for many years. I'd really suggest that you remove your +3 Tin Foil Hat armour just for a second on this one... :p
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But it's so shiny :P
 
dj2381 said:
Sometimes it can be entertaining listening to the cold caller in a slight panic after telling them I will be contacting my lawyer to take action against said company, but I still prefer peace and quiet though.
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Agreed ! These cold callers are the most persistent and pain in your A** kinda maniacs, thinking that we really are interested in products they are trying to sell, that they can't seem to get right any other way? I play along when I am in a good mood and waste their time, but when I am in a bad mood - I tell them politely " Not interested , thank you, have a good day" and end the call ! This usually works, as I receive so much less of these annoying calls !:whistle:
 
dj2381 said:
But it's so shiny :P
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You now what, maybe those people who signed up didn't sign up correctly, if you don't opt out of all channels you thus give them permission to call at certain times and I bet they take full advantage of such permission, I'll bet a R100 those people who complain about getting so many calls didn't opt out of all channels.
 
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