Adam Kalsey

This is the blog of Adam Kalsey. Unusual depth and complexity. Rich, full body with a hint of nutty earthiness.

Security & Privacy

Phone Spam

22 Feb 2002

Ring. "(Pre-recorded voice) Congratulations, you have been selected to win a free cellular phone. Press "1" to claim your phone."

So I pressed one and asked the person at the other end for her name and the name of the company. After a couple of tries, I finally got her to tell me the company’s name was Call Center Networks, but she would only give me her first name, Mandy.

I asked for a phone number where the company could be reached, but she refused to give it to me. When I told her that it was illegal to place pre-recorded telephone calls, to refuse to supply her name or the name of the company, and to refuse to give a phone number where the company could be reached, she hung up.

I realize that telling her this won’t make any real difference, but perhaps she didn’t know any of this and she’ll think twice about coming back to work tomorrow.

Oh, I also reported the company to the FTC.

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