unsolicited calls from mobile phone companies - dodgy?

[joko]

I keep getting calls from people claiming to represent various phone companies, trying to give me a deal on a phone.

They always want my debit card number.

I always try to force their hand but they always refuse to send details by post or email and they get quite irritated when I refuse to give the number - (one phoned me back 8 times after I put the phone down because he got quite rude)

I have only had one who eventually gave me a website, which I checked and it seemed genuine - but who knows?

Is this really how these companies sell their goods or is it a scam?

Anyone could claim this and get bank details from people - its crazy!

[bracknell]

if this on a land line you can put yourself on the telephone preference list and you will not get these calls.  If it is on your mobile, check with your provider, they may have a similar package.

[Ammy]

Joko, a similar thing happened to me recently. A company called Landmark Mobile said they were calling on behalf of my network. They wanted to offer me a new deal but were asking me all sorts of questions that I thought my network would have already provided them with (if indeed they were representing them). The guy got pretty arsey when I mentioned this, and when I said I wasn't interested he eventually gave me their website to check out.

I phoned my network who find out what was happening. Turns out that they do pass on their customers' detalis to other companies, but they are not their representatives.

Personally, I would never give my financial or personal details to people/companies phoning me as I have no confirmation of who they are, or how they get my details. From what I have read in the press lately, all of this stuff is legal. This is probably what annoys me the most!

[Loosehead]

This happened to me from a firm called dial a phone, I later found out they where at least semi reputable but at the time there was no way I was going to give them my debit/credit card number even though the deal did seem ok. It just seemd so dodgy that they would send all the bumph to me for perusal.

[twiglet4frog]

bought a local paper and saw a competition to win �25 vouchers, didnt win but got a call 3 weeks later.

"Hi, Echo here, can i have your details please to send u the echo home delivery, its cos u entered the competition"

"i dont want it delivered thanks, not interested"

"Yes u are interested, u buy it to enter the competition so its easier to deliver it to your door, now give me your address"

"excuse me, i only bought one copy and i hardly ever buy it more than once every 3 or 4 weeks when i feel like it, i dont want a regular order"

"u do realise that u could have it everyday tho and delivered"

"i dont want it everyday, just when i feel like it thanks"

"well that is a fools approach if u ask me, u are missing a great opportunity here because u are being stubborn, now last chance, whats your address or i am wasting my time with this offer and will go elsewhere"

"Good luck then!"

I hung up

[joko]

I have also reaslised that, not to sound racist, but that the callers always speak in pidgin english.

I wonder if that is why they irritate native english speakers - because they don't realise they are coming across as rude or very abrupt?

Is this deliberate to confuse us and get away with not explaining properly? when you ask them to clarify the deal they witter on about something else

I have had the same problem at college with german speakers - they didn't realise they sounded rude and certainly didn't mean it (we were pals)

One caller started ranting that I obviously don't trust my bank if i wont give him my card number!

One wanted me to give them a one off payment of �60 for one year, yet wanted me to set up a direct debit! I said I don't own a card (i do!) and suggested a cheque and they said they would wait for me order a card!

Grrrr...

[Jay70]

Hi joko,

 

You can register your mobile with the TPS (Telephone Preference Service).  I have done this with my landline and wish I'd dont it earlier.  I don't get anny annoying late evening calls that wake my kids anymore.  It's free and does work.  T

ake a look here:  http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

[jelly baby]

I have been registered with tps for a number of years and although I don't get sales calls now,I get dozens of calls asking if I need to claim pip or similar things. Such a pain, and I don't know how to stop these calls.

[jelly baby]

PPI sorry!